Monterey is loaded with a variety of centrally-located hotels and inns. Book a room along Cannery Row if you want to stay in the thick of things and soak in water views. But if you’re looking to keep to a budget, heading downtown to Hotel Abrego can save you a pretty penny.
Hotel Abrego is located a little less than two miles from the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, but popular sights like Fisherman’s Wharf, Del Monte Beach, and the Dennis the Menace Playground are an easy 15-minute walk.
The property boasts 93 rooms spread throughout four buildings. The main building has a Spanish-inspired exterior and is accessed through the lobby, but other buildings are more motel-style, allowing guests to pull up and park directly in front of their door. Rooms come in a half-dozen categories, offering king and queen beds. A majority of the rooms offer gas fireplaces that turn on with the push of a button. Rooms aren’t identical, but share a similar décor and a muted earth tone color scheme. All accommodations have small refrigerators, Keurig coffee machines, and Italian bed linens.
Chances are good much of your time will be spent off property exploring Monterey, but if you have some downtime, Hotel Abrego features a heated pool, hot tub, and fire pit. There’s also a small fitness center. There’s no spa, but staff can make arrangements for in-room massage treatments.
The property’s onsite restaurant, Bistro Abrego, is open for breakfast and dinner. On sunny days the patio is the place to be. On wet, winter days, try and grab a table by the fireplace. The menus change seasonally so there can be some variation, but breakfast selections range from wraps and omelets, to oatmeal crème brûlée and avocado toast.
The dinner menu is more extensive with soup, salads, and main entrees like Cherry Chipotle Baby Back Ribs, Penne Arrabbiata, roasted chicken, and a fresh catch of the day. (The hotel takes part in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to help diners make ocean-friendly seafood choices.) Complimentary coffee and homemade biscotti are offered every morning in the lobby by the front desk.
Hotel Abrego also has a guest laundry room with coin-operated machines and detergent available for purchase.
Monterey Regional Airport is just over three miles away; the closest international airport in about 70 miles away in San Jose.
Rooms from $149. Complimentary Wi-Fi and parking. You can compare rates and book your stay for the Hotel Abrego at Hotels.com, Expedia or other hotel booking sites.
Review by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Hotel Abrego, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own. Photos courtesy of Hotel Abrego.
