Courtyard by Marriott Salinas Monterey

Driving from SF to LA, so much traffic and I was so tired I just got off a random exit and found this hotel. I am a Marriott member, and trust that they are going to be decent. And so the room could have been anywhere in the world. Same furniture, same comfortable bed and linens. Here are my complaints: $12 to park your car! Why??? Who else would ever park there? They ask - will you be parking your car with us tonight? How in the world would I get there otherwise? I understand when it's a downtown hotel, but this is right off the 101. Additionally, our room had a lovely balcony, but no furniture. Not even a chair. Finally, no breakfast.

Positive: nothing Negative: The bathroom shower didn't work, staff did not respond. Soaps were not provided, shower body wash was absent.

The location was perfect for us. We traveled from Long Beach up the new highway on Friday, making a few stops before checking in. There was a slight smell upon checking into the room, but overall it was very clean and he staff was extremely helpful during check in, check out and when we had questions. Saturday, we went and saw the redwoods and even made it in time to see the Golden Gate bridge by sunset. We drove back down and made all the stops we didn't make on the way up. It was perfect for us, thank you Courtyard Salinas!

We got two rooms for three nights. Steven and his manager helped resolve an issue with our reservation that I was responsible for so I am very happy with the effort that was made to accommodate us and keep us close together. The hotel is being remodeled so we could not use the front entrance but that has no bearing on my three stars, the elevator is slow, our room smelt odd and it was not worth it to move as we're just not that picky. There are no games or things to do in the lobby and the coffee and 'cafe' to get breakfast is highly priced or not valuable to us. Of all the four hotels we stayed at this was our least liked but we would stay here again especially since the remodeling in and out will done if and when we come back.

This hotel does not have a pool. The pool is next door at the Residence Inn. I walked across the parking lot and the folks at the Residence Inn let me use the pool and hot tub. But the pool water was murky green. I decided not to get into the pool. But I did enjoy the hot tub.