My wife and I stayed in this hotel with another couple from overseas. We were very pleasantly surprised when we walk into our rooms. unlike the small lobby the room was spacious, wonderful harbour view and the bathroom...my wife loved the bathroom! The bathroom was big with two sinks and she was so happy not to have to share a sink with me! women... ;-)

Our friends' room was the same and they were awestruck, being the first time in US and in California, they absolutely love the room and the view!

In the morning we had breakfast on the balcony listening to the seals, although, we had to come inside when the seagulls wanted to share our breakfast!

We really enjoyed coming back to the hotel after driving around and sightseeing coast and the aquarium. I highly recommend this hotel.

Suite was excellent, view forever! Staff was very helpful and breakfast served to room was an added benefit. Parking off the street was also another benefit. Overall experience was tops.

Since 2006/05 or earlier. Our son was a toddler when we first came to visit my parents and stayed at the Monterey Bay Inn. We come every year and usually stay around 5 days. Last time was in July 2011 when we had an extended stay, 9 or 10 days.
Here's what was different:
Due to my Dad's surgery, we extended our trip and it synchronized with the big motorcycle show so our room rate went up considerably. Although my son LOVED all the motorcycle activities around town.
For the first time we had a room with a stucco front on the balcony instead of the iron ones. It's not as pleasant as it cuts out part of your view.
Unlike any other room we've stayed in, this one was looking slightly long in the tooth. One of the slats was broken on the shutters and one of the shelves was broken under the sink. Probably a kid standing on it for a booster to brush their teeth. And other tiny things that no one would ever notice except for someone who's been there 6 or 7 times.
Due to the events, they were fully booked and sometimes we couldn't find parking in the lot if we came back from a late dinner.
The breakfast seemed a bit puny compared to previous years and we tired of it quickly. We discovered a coffee shop a few yards down the street on the same side and would walk down for coffees, pastries and breakfast sandwiches. We alternated days or supplemented the hotel breakfast.

Here's the un-wavering great stuff:
Great, great, great service.
Lovely comfortable rooms.
Rockin' heater by the bed.
Excellent views even on the bayside.
Kids stay on the second floor right above the garage/groundfloor.(Either because those are the rooms with sofa beds or to spare others the pitter patter of feet overhead.) We like that floor a lot.
Kids love the great climbing rocks and tide pools right outside.
Excellent location on Cannery Row.
Close to the aquarium.
Lots of parking in the lot. Worth the $15/day. A parking ticket is $65 I think.
They are kind to children and seniors (my parents chat them up without mercy).
Worth paying a little more to stay here.
The bed is delicious.
Our favorite person in the lobby is the woman with the long blond hair. I can't recall her name. She's sincerely nice. Never fake nice.
I like how discreet they are about your room rate (i.e., they never say it out loud but point at it with a pen) when others are near. I'd hate to be disappointed I got a worse room rate. And I'd hate to ruin someone else's vacation if I got a better one.

We will always stay here, as we would always compare any other place to Monterey Bay Inn.
When I visit by myself, I stay at other less expensive hotels closer to my parents house. And I end up missing MBI.

I cant say enough about this hotel,the room was very nice and the bathroom was huge.The balcony had a killer view that overlooked the ocean.It was some what pricey though,but they had really good service and had a great time there ,would stay there again for sure !Also they have a killer breakfast that they bring you in the morning,they have you fill out a card so they know what you want.It was very good