Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about the Hyatt Regency Monterey? It’s actually tucked away on what used to be the Del Monte Golf Course – and I mean, you can still feel that old California resort vibe the moment you pull up. The entrance winds through these massive Monterey pines that have probably been there longer than the hotel itself, and there’s something almost magical about how quiet it gets once you’re off the main drag from Highway 1.

The lobby honestly feels more like stepping into someone’s really well-appointed home than a typical chain hotel. I’ve stayed here a few times over the years (it’s become my go-to when I need to escape the Bay Area chaos), and the staff actually remembers you – which is saying something for a place this size. The rooms are solid, nothing too flashy, but the beds are fantastic and most have these little patios or balconies that look out over the gardens. Pro tip: if you’re booking, try to snag something on the golf course side rather than facing Old Golf Course Road – it’s not busy, but you’ll sleep better with just the sound of sprinklers and maybe an early morning foursome.

What really sets this place apart though is how it sits in Monterey. You’re literally a five-minute drive to Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row (though honestly, skip the wharf tourist traps and head straight to Passionfish for dinner). The hotel shuttle will take you down there, but I’d recommend walking the back way through the residential streets – you’ll get glimpses of the bay and see how the locals actually live. The spa here is genuinely good, not just hotel-decent, and they’ve got this outdoor pool area that catches the afternoon sun perfectly. Weather can be tricky in Monterey – it’ll be 75 and sunny, then the marine layer rolls in and suddenly you need a sweater – but the hotel keeps those fire pits going in the evening, which creates these perfect little gathering spots.

Look, it’s not going to blow your mind with cutting-edge design or anything, and the 7.9 rating feels about right – there are newer places with more bells and whistles. But what you get here is reliability and that particular kind of California comfort that’s getting harder to find. The parking is free (huge win on the peninsula), the wifi actually works throughout the property, and there’s something to be said for a place that’s been doing this long enough to get the basics right. If you’re planning to explore Carmel, Big Sur, or just want a solid base for the aquarium and 17-Mile Drive, this is the kind of place where you can actually relax instead of fighting with your accommodation.