I go to this hotel twice a year and I live 40 minutes away. For my wife and I, we love driving the scenic drive from Santa Cruz across the Monterey Bay to stay at this gem. It's our little vacation spot even with home within site Every staff member is professional and happy. The lobby is impressive. Old wood throughout the walkways of the hotel accompanied by insane views of the bay. Go to the rooftop spa! The jacuzzi and steam room are open for any guest. It's on the top story and overlooks the whole bay. We tried the in house restaurant Schooners. Had the Ciopinno and it was delicious. At night they have local musicians play in the lobby and have a walkup bar. Lounge seating and large comfy chairs that are spaciously laid overlooking the nightime lights if the bay. It's a great setting and it seems like a local secret 5 minute walk to Cannery row and the Aquarium. Fyi Ghirardelli chocolates is open until 9 we had a late night sweet tooth and were their in minutes. It's all worth the stay and spending the money! Spoil yourself for a night and check this place out.

We stayed here with our two teens, booking two double rooms. One was a partial view that turned out to be a lovely full one, with comfy beds, robes, smelly stuff, etc. I could sit by the window with our complimentary newspaper (from lobby) and watch the seals and rafts of sea otters float happily float by. The hotel even provided binoculars in the room - a really nice touch as we used them often during our stay. The Plaza is easy walking distance from everything, including a gorgeous walk along the coast in Pacific Grove (don't miss it). The coffee in the room was awful (walk downstairs and around the corner for a better brew) but otherwise, this was the best place we stayed on our trip, and the service staff was helpful and friendly. Our teens were also very happy in a nearby interior accessible room which meant it was huge with beds facing each other and lots of room to move around. This place does host some large conferences, and one night the lobby was filled with rather loud, drinking people. However, the hotel seemed to have chosen our rooms specifically to shelter us from that event, which was also appreciated.