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I'll Never Stay in The Clarion Collection Hotel Pacific Grove Again!

shower floor, tile

Dear Polite Traveler,

I asked my favorite travel buddy—aka hubby—to please choose a less expensive hotel for our upcoming three-day Monterey excursion.  Perhaps a blast-from-the-past option one can find in historic, and extraordinarily charming Pacific Grove, which is firmly attached to Monterey.  Well, he found one.  Exactly what I suggested, and it was...interesting. 

Charming?  Historic?

To call this motel quaint would be kind.  Due to its decades-old appearance, it does ring that “nostalgia” bell.  Still, that bell is drowned out quickly once a person attempts to live in the rooms as one is accustomed to doing in a typical motel. Nostalgia be damned.  This Clarion is outdated, uncomfortable, and downright old.  Sigh.

First, we check-in.  Stepping into the tiny, and less than charming, lobby, I look around to find the few breakfast scraps.  Optimistically, I hoped for more options in the morning as the manager arrived to check us in. 

No smiles.  No “Welcome to the Clarion.”  Instead, using a pejorative tone, she indicated that we were too early. True, we arrived thirty minutes early. Let’s just say our first impression wasn’t the best.  It didn’t help that she indicated that breakfast hours were 7:30 to 10, with a break of 30 mins in the middle.  Accepting our keys, we headed out.  Sigh.

How About That Late Breakfast?

Bright, and not so early the next morning, we trekked down to the lobby.  Since many guests check out early for their next destination, I didn’t expect to compete for the toaster at 7:30.  As I assumed, we found it empty.  Checking the door, I found it locked, as was the side door.  After a wait of ten minutes, I rang the bell.  At which the manager scowled that it was unlocked, and we must push hard on the door.  Biting my tongue, I smiled and thanked her for informing me.  Grr... The door was locked.  Pushing a locked door only puts one’s shoulder out. 

Turning a full circle in this tiny room, my first thought was, “Is this breakfast?”  Was it being shipped in or something?  The website promised, “Rev up each morning with a free, deluxe continental breakfast before exploring all our beautiful area has to offer.”  Where’s my “deluxe” breakfast.  May I have that, please?  Nope. 

The same sad few tiny cinnamon knots, one slice of white bread, three English muffins, dry cereal, and a waffle maker were there from the day before.  One daring soul tried the waffle maker, failing twice before achieving a blond, unappetizing waffle.  There were a few small containers of yogurt in the small refrigerator.  No boiled eggs and not a hint of anything else.  Onto the nearest Starbucks for us.   

But The Website Mentioned “Attractive and Modern Guest Rooms.”

Uh, no.  I can’t imagine these rooms have seen much of an update in some time.  If so, they should consider a different designer.  Attractive isn’t a word I’d use.  I’ll borrow nostalgic, old, but also fold in inadequate.  There was an entertainment center with a desk.  But the television is directly above the desk so no one can use the desk and television at the same time. Interesting. 



Additionally, the website also mentioned, “Stay productive in the room thanks to a spacious work desk in many rooms with easy-access power outlets.”  There were NO OUTLETS in the desk area.  Nor were there any within that area.  All were used for the television, microwave, and refrigerator.  Worse yet, we paid a higher rate to be in one of the better rooms.  Grrr... 

Bedtime wasn’t restful either.  The bed creaks, the mattress is lumpy, hard, and dips in the center. Hilariously, the toilet isn’t seated well, so it moves when one is seated upon it.  And, the shower is tiny, and the tile needs repair—no shaving my legs during that trip. 

Where Do I Store My Toothbrush?

No storage!!  There is no place to put a person’s daily needs, such as hygiene products, makeup, and snacks.  Grr... 

Let’s face it.  There are simple design missteps in the entire guestroom, but the bathroom could be an easy fix.  Obviously, due to the size of the place, they can’t add space.  Still, they could have easily added a bar below the sink to hang a hand towel and washcloth.  Even the length of the faucet in the sink is too short.  While washing our hands, they rubbed against the inside of the sink. Not the best.

How About Outside the Location?

The location can’t be beat.  It’s Pacific Grove!  Ocean.  Pleasant people. Quaint buildings.  And there are deer roaming through the town.  Lovely is only a word, but it describes it well. 

Will We Return?

Oh h#ll no.  Absolutely not.  Still, we fell in love with the area.  So, we will return to Pacific Grove and spend our lodging dollars elsewhere. 

Clarion Collection Hotel Pacific Grove

1038 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, US

More by The Polite Traveler

No Humdrum, All Yum at The Red House Café Pacific Grove, CA

Experience a London Pub in Pacific Grove, CA: The Monarch Pub & Restaurant

Don’t Miss Aliotti’s Victorian Corner Restaurant in Pacific Grove, CA


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