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Howard Johnson Express - Monterey – reviews, photos

2.0 of 5
1240 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Hotel amenities
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
Ranked #41 of 51 hotels in Monterey
3.5 of 5 stars 72 Reviews
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72 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    14
    24
    17
    11
    6
Date Rating
Silver Spring, Maryland
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Lots of room for Improvement”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 June 2011

This place seems to be affiliated with the Monterey Surf Inn, which is next door. We had originally booked there, but the room they offered us, was very dark with very poor lighting, that I just didn't want to stay there (I felt like I couldn't see what we were getting into). We were happy to move to the Ho Jo, which was much brighter, however....

My husband, teenage daughter and I stayed here for one night in June. We were very happy it was only for one night. While the room was well lit with a nice big window, the housekeeping was very poor and everything was in pretty rough shape. For example, all chrome fixtures were rusty, the bathroom door knob was very loose, the 2 side chairs were very dirty, the lamp was missing the turn-on knob, the base boards were dirty, the bathroom plaster needed repair, there was mold around the (fairly new) windows, a picture had fallen away from the matting (within the frame), there was a full trash bin near the office with an apple core, a Q-tip, and other trash on the sidewalk, the furniture and decor were dated, etc. etc. This could be a very nice place. Some of these things are not costly or time consuming to take care of. It just seemed like a low standard on the owner's/mgr's part.

On the positive side, the bedding was clean, the beds were comfortable, the place was quiet at night, they had a waffle machine(!), and the room was big enough for 2 beds, a small table and 2 chairs and walk-around space to spare!

The next night we stayed at a Ho Jo in San Bruno. What a contrast. Everything there was new and very clean (and much cheaper)!

Room Tip: Shop around.
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  • Stayed June 2011, travelled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask JJandT about Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Great location and great service”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 June 2011
1
person found this review helpful

The hotel is being renewed because it is a bit old; however it is very clean, they pay close attention to details and the manager, Mr. Patel is a good professional who cares about its guests. If you'd like a good balance between price and quality, this is your place.

  • Stayed May 2011
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask PatricioGarcia about Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Monterey, California
1 review
“Decent room, central location, terrible management!”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2011

Our reservation was made online and we had a stated check out time of noon. Upon our return from breakfast, at nearly noon we were confronted by the manager who advised we were being charged for another day, as their check out time states eleven a.m. in their office. I advised my reservation stated noon, and it became clear that I'd have to show the manager our reservation from my email, which I did. Only then did she relent a bit and say, well, that means you must be out by noon and that she had already rented our room out!

Both my husband and myself are well seasoned travelers, and this was my first-ever stay at a Howard Johnson's property, and my last. Don't waste your time, better properties both up and down this street!

  • Stayed May 2011, travelled with family
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask pambooaroo about Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
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1 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 January 2011

Heating is terrible, I was freezing all night. The blankets are too small and too thin for a winter weather. The manager was so rude and unhelpful. We asked for a direction to any chinese restaurant and she gave us a brochure and told us the call the restaurants for directions as she didnt know where they are, turns out there was one just right across the road! Would not recommend this place to my worst enemy!

  • Stayed January 2011, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask hamm000 about Howard Johnson Express - Monterey
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Los Angeles
Top Contributor
68 reviews 68 reviews
Reviews in 42 cities Reviews in 42 cities
56 helpful votes 56 helpful votes
“Clean, quite but showing its age.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 December 2010

Have stayed here several times in the past. The place is clean and well maintained but is now showing its age and getting a little worn. We had a king bed and the matress was one of the softest we have come across on a king bed. It was like falling deep into a soft matress and was very uncomfortable to sleep in. Woke up with a pain in the back the next morning. The bathroom had water logging. The breakfast is ok with the usual motel muffins and doughnuts, and because the front office is small, it has very little space where the breakfast is layed out. The staff is nice.

  • Stayed November 2010, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Howard Johnson Express - Monterey

  • Howard Johnson Express Monterey
  • Howard Johnson Monterey
  • Monterey Howard Johnson
Address: 1240 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Price range (per night):* INR3,112 - 42,019

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