Howard Johnson Marina at Monterey Bay

This place exceeded my expectations, the room was very spacious and the bed was very comfortable. The sink area was outside which made the room very spacious!
They serve breakfast, and also very very delicious, highly recommend!!!

We stayed here recently on a Monterey trip, overall a good experience. This is definitely a better value than trying to get a place in actual Monterey, which were easily $ 50 a night more. Marina is only about 10 mins from all the action (Cannery Row, Aquarium) and even closer to a beach.
Both women we dealt with at the front were very friendly and helpful, hard to come by these days. Our room was very clean, which is a huge plus. I liked the hardwood floors (feels cleaner than carpet). Mini fridge in there so we could keep leftovers from dinner. The breakfast they served was decent, enough to fill my husband up until lunch, so no complaints there!
My only negatives are that the bed/​pillows were not the comfortable, I could hear the neighbors (thin walls) and traffic even though I am a deep sleeper, and the shades wouldn’t close all the way (too bulky, had to keep closed with a hair clip!). Otherwise we will absolutely be back again the next time we are in town, it was worth it!

This hotel was a great value. Stayed for two nights while in town for a spartan race. Got a reasonable rate on the room. Our two– queen bed room was clean, well maintained, and cozy. They provide free parking, breakfast, and wifi. And when I say breakfast it’s not just a couple of bagels and microwave oatmeal if you get there early enough. They provided the nicest selection I’ve seen at a hotel like this one; fresh fruit, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, little smokies, waffles, all kinds of bagels, cream cheese, cereal, milk, OJ, coffee, and other good things. You can even sit down in the parlor where the breakfast is served and eat. The manager is a friendly man. I would stay here again when i come back to the area.

Want to know how to book a cheap hotel room at Howard Johnson? The lady at the front desk told us we could get a better rate if we call them directly as opposed to using an Internet travel site.
For the price we paid, we were beyond satisfied. The room was clean and modern. The staff was very friendly. The continental breakfast was more than adequate.
We really enjoyed our weekend get-​a-​way, and we can’t wait to go back!

Great and reasonably priced. Room is spotless… everything feels clean and fresh. Friendly and accommodating.

Very good hotel. This place is super clean and the breakfast was gorgeous. All the items in the breakfast list was fresh. This place is close to Monterey bay

Yes, We came back to this place on October. The price was better than the first time because it was not in season.$ 75 for 2 beds.
Everything was still great as the first experience.

Stayed overnight while passing through Marina. The front desk allowed me to check in early (two hours) which was awesome. There is a gas station and mini mart on the property and eating places within a short drive away. The room was clean and decent sized. Free breakfast but didn’t try it. Perfect for an overnight stay!

For the price it is not bad at all, maybe better than you would expect.
I didn’t like the breakfast, but I pass it because of the price.

It’s inexpensive, spotless, quiet, and the staff is super friendly & accomodating. We arrived traumatized by our experience at the Howard Johnson in Seaside which is by far the most disgusting motel I’ve ever experienced, and the very charming guy at this Howard Johnson whose name I wish I could remember, was so kind and understanding. He showed us several rooms before we actually booked in order to calm our fears, and each room was spotless. He also gave us an amazing restaurant recommendation for seafood, and we are all blissfully content at this moment. We’re so grateful, and we are extremely satisfied with our three super clean super comfortable rooms! You saved us from motel hell, and we’re eternally grateful!

This was a very clean, well-​kept hotel. We liked the room, especially the bed. The breakfast was no frills, but they kept the area clean and well-​stocked throughout the breakfast hours.
The staff was courteous and professional. The only reason that I can’t give it 5 stars is that the room had no weather stripping so the cold air came in the room, and we had to constantly run the heater all night which was rather loud. Over all we had a great stay!

I returned a second time here because I couldn’t believe how good this place is. I had written a long review previously at tripadvisor which disappeared. Repeated attempts to contact both Howard Johnson (in general) and tripadvisor about my lost review were met with silence.
The people who own and work at this Howard Johnson are great. I met Sarah Wang the owner buzzing over breakfast ensuring everything was available and fresh. The two rooms I stayed during both stays were roomy, but the little details were great: second-​floor rooms where your walking won’t molest the clients below you. Heavier doors meaning more security, a door bolt jam that I’ve never seen before but so simple to use, real toilet paper and not that filmsy thin tissue as in many hotels these days. I liked that my room has a sofa bed that was great for sitting and watching TV (if I had that luxury). What I liked most of all were the kill switch in the shower, which allows setting your water then as you soap up, you can slide the water kill switch to stop the flow of water, then slide it back for hot/​warm water as it was before. I have NEVER seen that water kill switch anywhere ever before!!! Two trash bins for recycle and trash. The included breakfast was great also: bagels, bread for toast and more than one toaster, cereals and fresh milk, orange juice, coffee, boiled eggs, fruit, and more! The wifi was free and very strong! The rooms I stayed in both faced the gas station and I heard no noise from cars stopping to get gas.
The hospitality of the team was great but Sarah is very friendly and personable, and it was great talking with her. Thank you, and I’ll be back!

We came at midnight. Even at that hour the manager attended us very pleasantly. The hotel is really clean and the price teally competitive. I guess they always full with that kind of service. Definitely will come back here when I need.

This place is a motel. No frills. It was fine for our 1 night stay since we were going whale-​watching in Moss Landing the morning after.
This motel lot shares it with a gas station, has a market and the parking lot is kinda small.
We stayed in the double bed room — which was surprisingly spacious. There’s a TV, small fridge, microwave and the sink is outside in the room. Kinda 70’s style but the white furniture saves the interior design a bit.
The breakfast was a pleasant surprise — sausages, sliced bread, peanut butter, cereal, cheese, bananas, breakfast bars, etc. It’s a small eating space but enough space for people.
So if you’re looking for a convenient place just for a night or two, motel, I’d recommend this place if you don’t want to pay $ 200+ in monterey/​carmel.

Stayed here last year during summer for few nights and they gave me good rates, the owners were very friendly and nice and so was the front desk lady, next time in Monterey I’ll most diff stay here again. 5 stars.

We stayed here for a whole week as we worked at the Monterey County Fair. The staff was excellent and had great customer service. The rooms were comfortable and clean. The breakfast was better than most hotels we stay at. The staff was very attentive to making sure our stay was nothing but the best. This hotel is a short drive to Cannery Row and the beach. I highly recommend this hotel.

It’s OK not great but if you overlook the gas station that the Motel surrounds and the price $$$ (the accomidationis are on par with Motel 6) you’ll get along fine.

I stayed here while moving my daughter into CSUMB. Booked and paid in advance thru Priceline. The facility is fronted by a gas station which I found convenient and is located close to the college and in close proximity to grocery, drugstore, fast food, restaurants etc. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, VERY CLEAN, NICE COMP BREAKFAST! I had to leave a day early and they even refunded the room fee. I did let them know and maybe they booked the room, but I don’t think they had to refund. Would stay there again when visiting my daughter! RECOMMEND

This was the nicest mid range motel I have ever stayed in. The place is immaculate. The staff caring. Everyone bent over backwards to make sure the guests are happy. I will always stay here when in the area.

Very friendly staff and close to all of the great tourist attractions in Monterey. Our room was very clean and the morning breakfast is wonderful.

This was my 3^rd time staying at this motel. In the past it’s been great but this morning I went to take a shower and there was no hot water. When I was checking out and I told the clerk he said «I don’t know what to tell you». Pretty sure «I’m sorry and «let me take a bit off your bill» would have been acceptable answers.

A few weeks ago we came to this hotel because my sister was graduating from CSUMB and we wanted to be close to the her, the school and Monterey.
Upon arriving at it you think… hum… a hotel with a gas station? I never really had saw that before and to be honest I was a lil nervous because of the potential noise. Ended up being a GREAT IDEA and a wonderful experience!
We ended up with 3 different rooms and each room was in tip top shape and condition. Everything was great!
My overall experience with this hotel and Sarah Wang was AWESOME– not to mentions she has won all kinds awards for her customer service! Now I see why! She welcomed me and my family like we were her own. She handed us cookies and waters. The rooms were clean, big and comfortable.
Breakfast was a nice added bonus. Cereal, oatmeal and banana’s, cant go wrong with lil kids. They even had hard boil eggs and lil sausages as well!
Having the store there was good because we ended up needed some items. The gas station was a BIG convince. We all ended up gassing up there before we left. It was not to noisy and the whole staff watched the property and made sure all was well and safe!
I will definitely go to this hotel again.
Thank you Sarah and the staff! Keep up the good work!

My husband is working in monterey for the last 10 months. They have allowed me to visit him and stay in room. Super clean rooms and propert y. Very friendly staff. Hot showers. I would def stay here again.

I stayed here for one night recently for the first time in about 2 years. Prior to that I was a regular guest. Here are some quick comments:
Lighting: IMPROVED!
Rooms are spacious: unchanged, but you notice this after staying in other motels.
Shower temp: BAD! The shower control wasn’t working properly in room 109. Water was almost too cold to shower, but the water at the sink was steaming hot.
Toilet paper quality: IMPROVED! But they still have those awful enclosed metal toilet paper dispensers like in public restrooms. My roll did run out and it wouldn’t switch over to the reserve roll.
WiFi: IMPROVED! No password! Strong signal! Yay!
Lobby: IMRPOVED! Previously was the gas station Quickie Mart, but they have a proper lobby now. Not a big deal, but nice. Didn’t try the breakfast, but that’s probably a big improvement too.
I didn’t turn the TV on at all, but it appears to be a new flat panel with an HD box next to it.
Towels: a bit shabby and worn, not plush or soft.
Bed: comfortable with plenty of pillows, but sheets appeared dirty/​stained/​worn. I wish I had more blankets though: it was cold, and I don’t like the noisy heater running all night.
Carpet: not worn, but stained in many places.
I had a downstairs room and it was amazingly quiet all night.
Bottom line: good motel, but I refuse to pay more than $ 100/​night for rooms here. I haven’t been back because rooms were going for $ 200 and up.

We needed a last min hotel, our friends were having a party close by. We booked this room on
for 64 bucks a night!
I was a bit skeptical because of the price but when we arrived the staff was great, room was spacious and clean! The only weird thing is it’s attached to a gas station but at that price… who cares 5 stars!