We have brought our son to the
Portola Plaza Hotel and Spa before, and when we talked about where to go on a small family overnight he wanted to come back. They have a program for children and when we checked in they gave him a pirate treasure map and small backpack with pirate supplies. Then, we started walking around the hotel to look at the models of big ships, etc. At the end of the treasure hunt, children get a prize.
A few tips:
1. Bring your own drinks and water. Each water is $5.00 and there is no mini bar. We were all thirsty, but I refused to buy the overpriced water. I would recommend bringing a cooler of drinks and snacks. We did not ask for a mini refrigerator so I do not know if that is an option. There was a soda machine down the hall.
2. It is $9.95 a day to use internet, but if you go to the lower lobby, it is a free but very poor connection. Once sitting in the lower lobby, preferably closest to Jacks restaurant, go to preferred networks and click the "preferred network" site, under the portola hotel and spa network (which is not free.) If this doesn't work, ask at the front desk to see a tech specialist. One of the days of our visit, the free connection worked, the other day it didn't so the tech specialist logged me into the other network. The internet here is very poor considering it is a business hotel with lots of conferences. Several people walked through the lobby, sat down to use their computer, and weren't able to get online, and were obviously frustrated.
3. Bring your bathing suits and beach supplies. The hotel has an indoor pool, and we forgot our bathing suits.
4. Bring beach supplies as it is walking distance to the beach.
5. There is Monterey Children's Museum close by, but it is closed on Mondays.
6. Bring your own creamers for the coffee, and some breakfast rolls, etc. as the breakfast is very expensive, unless you can get it free as part of a package.
7. Try Montrio Bistro Restourant on Calle Principal
8. The hotel is also dog friendly, and they give free dog biscuits, which my dog would not try. Bring your own water bowl, dog dish, etc. for those are not supplied. If you are allergic to pets, I'd recommend asking for a non-dog room.
9. When the "Do not disturb" sign is on, I actually got several knocks on the door anyway, even thought the top lock was on. There was a mistake, they said, as they thought we had checked out the second day, Even though we had extended our stay several hours before. I would recommend checking in each day with the front desk BEFORE nap time to make sure it isn't disturbed by housekeeping.
