One of our favorite weekend getaway destinations, whether for a family trip, couple’s escape, or girlfriends’ getaway, is Monterey. It’s a quick drive, it’s oceanside, and it offers plenty of delicious dining options. So many, in fact, that we always have a hard time choosing where to eat for dinner. One thing we can always decide on, however, is lodging. That’s the easy part — Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Monterey Plaza is our favorite hotel in Monterey, for good reason. This upscale hotel offers refined rooms, a delicious onsite restaurant & bar, a soothing full-service spa, and sparkling ocean views from its rooftop sundeck. And the location can’t be beat, within walking distance to Monterey’s famed Cannery Row, beautiful beaches, and downtown attractions.
The Room to Book — Ocean View Balcony
With two Queens or one King, this 400-square-foot room is spacious, stately and comfortable. Best of all, it boasts ocean views and a private balcony right over the water. Enjoy your morning coffee in the fresh ocean air, to the sounds of crashing waves, in the comfort of your bathrobe.
The Dish to Order —The Tasting Menu at Coastal Kitchen
With tables overlooking the ocean, you won’t have to leave the hotel to experience an elevated, memorable meal highlighting the fresh seafood that Monterey is known for. Coastal Kitchen offers an exquisite, seasonal tasting menu with courses such as diver sea scallops, hand-cut pasta with black truffles, roasted black cod, and even dessert.
For more casual fare, grab a table at the hotel’s longstanding local’s favorite, Schooners. Here, enjoy classics like clam chowder, coippino, burgers, and steaks. Breakfast includes Dungeness Crab Benedict, Belgium waffles, and fresh-pressed juices. Kids’ menus are available, too.
The Drink to Enjoy — Big Little Lies
Nothing says “vacay” like sipping a colorful drink overlooking the sunset on the ocean, and Monterey Plaza’s rooftop deck is the perfect spot to live this idyllic scenario out. Order a “Big Little Lies” made with Ketel One Grapefruit, Aperol, juices and Mumm champagne, and be sure to grab a seat by the fire pit for a cozy evening bursting with vacay vibes.
The Spa Treatment to Splurge On — CBD Wellness Massage
Monterey Plaza Hotel’s Vista Blue Spa offers luxurious spa treatments in a state-of-the-art wellness facility, with stunning ocean views and a soothing, calm atmosphere. Named one of Travel & Leisure’s TOP 25 Spas for three years in a row, Vista Blue Spa offers an unforgettable luxury spa experience.
The CBD Wellness Massage is an anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing therapy massage using a concentrated plant therapy blend of CBD hemp oil and organic healing herbs. This organic, non-psychoactive CBD oil is extracted and purified from Colorado-grown hemp, and promotes deep relaxation and skin rejuvenation.
Where to Take the Kids — Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is renowned around the globe as one of the best aquariums is the world, and happily, it’s just a few blocks away from the Monterey Plaza Hotel. This must-see attraction is a short walk away, and a fun way to spend most of the day, even if you’re sans kids for the weekend. Visit sea otters, penguins, sharks, and a breathtaking display of glowing jellyfish, among other dazzling sea creatures.