Monterey Surf Inn
·Motels
Air conditioningFamily roomsExpress check-in/check-outFax/photocopyingStaff adhere to local safety protocolsGuest rooms disinfected between staysAll 30 facilities +
Official
With a stay at Monterey Surf Inn, you'll be centrally located in Monterey, within a 10-minute drive of Monterey Bay and Carmel Beach. This motel is 1. 8 mi (2. 9 km) from Cannery Row and 2. 2 mi (3. 5 km) from 17-Mile Drive. Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, express check-out, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free self parking is available onsite. Make yourself at home in one of the 27 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and hair dryers.
04
Guest scores & sentiment
From 80 guest reviews · multi-source · as of 2026-07-21
Guests praise the prime location, friendly staff, and comfortable beds for the price. Common complaints include basic amenities (no hair dryers/coffee makers), low shower pressure, slow hot water, maintenance issues (noise, odors), and tight parking.
Dimension scores · cross-source
Location8.7
Service8.6
Surroundings8.6
Cleanliness8.5
Rooms8.4
Value8.3
Facilities8.0
Wi-Fi7.1
＋ PraisedConvenient location · Good value for money · Friendly staff · Comfortable beds
－ ComplaintsLacking basic amenities · Inconsistent maintenance and cleanliness · Slow hot water and low pressure · Road noise and thin walls
KEYSuitable for budget travelers prioritizing location. Avoid if expecting luxury amenities or quietness.
FAQ · grounded in hotel data & reviews
locationIs the location of Monterey Surf Inn convenient? Which attractions are nearby?＋
Yes, centrally located minutes from Monterey Airport and Fisherman's Wharf. Guests praise its prime location (score 8.7) for easy access to 17-Mile Drive and Cannery Row.
serviceHow is the service attitude at the hotel?＋
Front desk and cleaning staff are friendly and enthusiastic, earning high praise (score 8.6). Despite some maintenance issues, staff professionalism enhances the stay, with a 99% recommendation rate.
roomHow comfortable are the beds and what is the cleanliness like?＋
Beds are generally comfortable (score 8.4) with good value. However, cleanliness varies; while some rooms are tidy, others have stains or odors. Communicate needs in advance if hygiene is critical.
facilitiesAre hair dryers, coffee makers, or wardrobes available in the rooms?＋
Most guests report missing basic amenities like hair dryers and coffee makers. Facilities are basic. Bring your own essentials and verify specific room configurations upon booking.
policyWhat are the check-in and check-out times? Are pets allowed?＋
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00, with express options available. Pets are not allowed, but children are welcome. Plan arrival accordingly.
valueWhat is the cost-performance ratio of Monterey Surf Inn?＋
Excellent value for money (score 8.3). Despite outdated facilities and low shower pressure, the prime location and comfortable beds make it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
No checkout or paid ranking here — commission never drives content.
Book on FlyerTrip →R
Room types · 2
Room photos, bedding & descriptions; live rates & booking live on FlyerTrip (no checkout here).
Non-Smoking - King Room
1 × Extra-large double bed (Super-king size)24 ㎡up to 3
Free WiFi and free, first come, first serve parking is offered with this room.
Rates / book on FlyerTrip →
Non-Smoking Two Queen Room
2 × Queen bed22 ㎡up to 4
Free WiFi and free, first come, first serve parking is offered with this room.
Rates / book on FlyerTrip →F
Facilities · 30
All facilities & services listed by the hotel (aggregated across sources).
Air conditioningFamily roomsExpress check-in/check-outFax/photocopyingStaff adhere to local safety protocolsGuest rooms disinfected between staysCleaning standards that are effective against CoronavirusCashless payment availableFire extinguishersFirst aid kit availableInvoice providedGuests can opt-out any cleaning services during staySmoke alarmsShared stationery like menus, pens are removedKey accessCCTV outside propertyScreens / Barriers between staff and guests for safetyKey card accessInternet accessFishing nearbyExpress check-inScuba diving on siteSnorkeling on siteFree wired internetGolf cartGolfing on siteHorse riding nearbyHousekeeping on requestNon-smoking roomsNon-smoking throughout
N
Nearby & map
Dining
1
Aubergine
Contemporary, Californian · ★★ Michelin
$$$$
Easygoing luxury and refinement strike a harmonious note within L’Auberge Carmel, where every element seems designed to delight. Chef Justin Cogley balances classic technique with a sleek, modern aesthetic, and his cooking captures a sense of place that feels wholly his own. Products of spectacular quality are prepared skillfully and painstakingly presented with an artistic eye, as in a surprising "cabbage" taco filled with shallot jam, Madeira-braised treviso, Kaluga queen caviar and cabbage chips. The hits keep coming, like the rice roulade with Dungeness crab finished in a white dashi and b
4.4km
2
Chez Noir
Contemporary, Seafood · ★ Michelin
$$$$
Jonny and Monique Black are the force behind this charming spot, where he acts as Chef and she oversees the service team. While the two have an abundance of fine dining bona fides, here they aim for something more approachable. The inviting, hospitable atmosphere makes perfect sense, given that the second floor of this Craftsman-style residence is where the pair makes their home. The cooking has a broadly Mediterranean sensibility, showcasing the bounty of the California coast with the likes of impeccably prepared abalone and skate. A prix fixe format gives diners a handful of choices, but the
4.1km
3
Yafa
Mediterranean Cuisine, Middle Eastern · Bib
$$
This clear hit among locals has even spread to tourists—everyone comes back time and again. The owners bring hospitality to a new level, thanks to a jovial greeting and warm farewells that may involve a hug from the owner. The smell of roasting meats entices passersby with the promise of their excellent kebabs, like deliciously charred yet tender chicken skewered with tomatoes. The Aleppo kafta, combining ground beef and lamb, is richly seasoned and perfectly paired with a side of zippy tzatziki. Be sure to begin any meal with an enormous plate of their mezze, heaped with minty cucumber and to
4.0km
4
Maligne
Californian · Bib
$$$
The name means “clever” or “cunning,” but you don’t have to be a particularly sharp tool to appreciate the ample charms of this hip, easygoing Seaside gem. The staff is effortlessly hospitable, and the breezy space has a chic loft aesthetic, but it’s the cooking that really makes this place a coup de coeur. The menu draws on Italian-American and French classics (think chicken parm and asparagus with hollandaise), but the feel is thoroughly Californian, with a light, contemporary touch and spectacular local ingredients that make even all-too familiar dishes like Caesar salad memorable—a testame
4.9km
5
Stokes Adobe
Contemporary
$$$
Stokes Adobe, named after a former owner with a somewhat checkered reputation, now trades entirely in charm, warm hospitality and relaxed sophistication. The handsome historic setting, complete with outdoor firepits ideal for lingering over cocktails, pairs naturally with ingredient-driven cooking that favors flavor and comfort over unnecessary flourish. French and Italian influences still guide the compact seasonal menu, now seen in dishes like pappardelle Bolognese, hen of the woods taglioni or scallops paired with caviar. Desserts keep things classic, from key lime pie to a rich double choc
967m
6
Montrio Bistro
Contemporary
$$$
This vast space is actually a 1910 firehouse replete with curving architecture, a beautiful bar and stairs that lead up to private rooms. The environment may seem upscale and contemporary, but don’t be afraid to bring the kids—crayons and paper cover the tablecloths, and they just might score a balloon on the way out. The kitchen prides itself on being green, sourcing many ingredients from local farmers, using sustainable seafood, prime meats and doing their part for responsible waste management. Expect tasty renditions of familiar favorites, like big, crisp pieces of golden-fried calamari wit
1.3km
7
Paprika Café
Mediterranean Cuisine, Greek
$
This tiny spot is the perfect sojourn before or after a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, thanks to its delectable and affordable Mediterranean food and friendly service. A diminutive and humble place, it has only six tables, but the chef/owner provides a warm welcome, recommending favorite items before he goes to work in the tiny back kitchen. Vegans and vegetarians will delight in the ample menu featuring flaky spanakopita, smoky baba ghanoush and vibrant tabbouleh with a perfect zip from fresh lemon. The tahini that accompanies the crisp, golden falafel is luscious, and a classic Greek sa
2.5km
8
Coastal Kitchen
Contemporary
$$$$
You'll have to weave your way through the Monterey Plaza Hotel and down a flight of stairs to find the entrance to this haven, but once you do, you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of the bay in a posh, elegant space. Thankfully, Chef Michael Rotondo’s tasting menu of colorful contemporary cuisine offers its own enticements to hold your attention. Highlighting local products while spanning global flavors, each dish provides a barrage of flavors, from a tart of local abalone featuring brown butter-cooked spinach and calamansi ponzu, to rich Iberico pork paired with matsutake and turnips, cap
2.6km
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Click a row to locate it · distances are approximate. Data from Overture / Michelin / Wikidata.