Yes, I recommended the Anderson Inn. I had seen the Inn of the Spanish Garden, it looked great too. I'm haven't completely set my dates yet, so I'm still looking at options, so keep me posted on where you decide in Monterey. I don't think we'll be staying there, but at this point, you never know!
Well, I agonized over Monterey and almost gave up stopping there since the prices were so outrageous. Even more expensive than Santa Barbara - that blew me away. We were only going there for the Aquarium. And also starting our coastal highway drive from there down to SB.
I finally realized the price between weekdays and weekends was more than double! So I realized we could put Monterey at the beginning of our trip (it fits better then anyhow, rather than at the end) and that put us there during the week.
Then, I was torn between tripadvisor #1 Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa and #8 Holiday Inn Express. I ended up getting a really great deal on the Monterey Plaza partial ocean view room. Didn't want to end up in their bldg. across Cannery Row Street so paid a little more but didn't want to pay for full ocean view. It is still costing us more per night than Morro Bay or SB but we want a really nice trip. It's a really high end resort and has won awards so this will be a splurge. It's been over 4 years since we traveled and dealing with a lot of stressful things in that time frame. So, although I wasn't intentionally picking by the ratings alone, we ended up with the #1 tripadvisor hotels in Monterey, Morro Bay and SB. We are all booked now except I need to call the DLH tomorrow and book them. The hotels up and down I-5 on our travel days aren't as important.
I'm starting to get excited now, even though it's months away. I think we will really be able to relax and enjoy the places we chose.
Got an offer in the mail a couple of days ago for
AAA membership at reduced cost and they add a second member for free. We signed up - first time ever. This will be a road trip so we may need them. Plus, we have already saved hundreds at these resorts by using AAA. It's already paid for itself and then some.
Mollie at Anderson Inn recommended a particular kayaking company that will take you out on guided tours and stop on the dunes with a picnic lunch. We aren't super healthy/strong so I wasn't sure we could handle it but she said she sent an 80 year old couple out (not fitness buffs) and they loved it. So maybe we will give it a try. You can choose single or double kayaks.
Now I'm collecting info. on restaurants.
