IHG Army Hotels Buildings 366 & 367 — Hotel in Monterey

The hotel does the job. Great nightly rate for Monterey that can’t be beat. I stayed in the two bedroom suite that had 2 beds in one room and a big bed in the other. Because it was a two bedroom suite, I expected a kitchenette, but it only had a small mini fridge and a microwave. I wish that would’ve been more clear. My chief complaint besides that is the lack of drawers that would have made an extended stay much more comfortable and less chaotic

The cleaning service was great and as scheduled. The showers don’t have a light in them because they are on the older side. I’d be aware that barn doors are used for the doors that adjoin the bathroom between the rooms and no lock exists for future guests. I also couldn’t figure out how the overhead light and fan worked, sometimes the light in my room would go off and not turn back on or the fan would be on. Someone knows how to work it because it eventually turned back on one day after housekeeping but I still couldn’t figure it out and it still goes off and on at random intervals for an hour or so at a time. I liked to turn on the strong A/C in the room. The TVs still used cable and had a list of channels in lieu of a smart tv with streaming, which effectively means few people will likely ever use them. It would’ve been nice to have more counter space in the bathroom, but it was fine. There is also no elevator in either building, so be prepared to carry your things up the stairs. There were two free to use washers and dryers on my floor

The hotel breakfast left some to be desired, alternating between days with menu 1) the small burnt cheese omelettes that demand hot sauce and biscuits with the sausage gravy or 2) scrambled eggs and the potatoes that have the skin on them that are fine. They’d often run out of food toward the end of breakfast. Otherwise, it had cereal and some muffins. Despite a nearly two month stay, I eventually stopped going to breakfast about a month in because I didn’t see the point

Hotel staff was always very friendly and easy to work with. They even frequently put out fresh cookies at the front desk. The chocolate chip ones are really good, so they’ll run out fast. The peanut butter ones are fine.

If you’re getting a package delivered to the hotel, be advised that USPS packages get delivered to the post office then down to another package facility on post that is only open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and is poorly managed. The hotel staff has to find someone to cover the front desk to run to pick up the packages from there. The staff at the package facility overlooked mine for a week before I grew frustrated enough to investigate and another one of my packages was simply returned instead (not the hotel’s fault). It didn’t seem like anyone had any trouble with Amazon packages shipped to the building number and once again, staff was easy to work with and friendly

From the hotel, it’s an easy walk to Duffy’s tavern outside of one of the personnel gates for a quick bite (register your CAC at the visitor center at any time beforehand to get back in using the personnel gate). Duffy’s has a pitcher special on sundays.

PVT Bolio gate is the only one that’s open 24/7, but it is conveniently close to Cannery Row, the aquarium, and San Carlos beach (only about 20 minute walk downhill from the hotel). Recommend taking the opportunity to experience some of the great golf, sights, and diving. A friend of mine accurately described Monterey as a great date spot because it’s “boring and expensive” - that’s generally what you can expect from the area. On official duty, you could also stay at Hermann Hall (formerly Hotel Del Monte, a golf resort hotel now part of NPS), which I’ve heard has a better breakfast or the Navy Lodge. The NPS gym is newer but it’s much smaller and reminiscent of a YMCA. Price Fitness Center on DLI is an excellent gym and is seldom crowded. The PX on post is small (about the same size as the airborne PX at Fort Benning) but has most of the stuff you could need. Otherwise, I’d recommend Andronico’s, Safeway, or Trader Joe’s...

Over the years we have stayed at many motels and hotels, from high end to economy. The IHG Army Hotel at Presidio of Monterey is hands down the most disappointing of them all. Our stay was nearly two weeks and upon stepping into the room the first time we tried to find alternative lodging arrangements, but in the height of the tourist season we were unable to find somewhere to stay for the extended time (we made these reservations many weeks in advance). So we decided to buy some cleaning supplies and tough it out. Unfortunately, the first impression was just the tip of the iceberg.

While not expecting a resort, this hotel still lacks basic amenities and comfort items. As I stated, we were staying for 2 weeks and paid for the room with a partial kitchen. However, in the kitchenette there were no plates, bowls, utensils, dishcloths, dish soap, etc. I asked the front desk and they said the rooms do not come with any, that I had to furnish my own. The next morning I thought I would ask again, because it didn’t make sense to pay for a kitchenette that I couldn’t use and every other place I’ve ever stayed with a kitchenette is useable (who buys cookware, diningware, dishtowels, etc for a motel stay?). The desk clerk again said they do not have any, but provided me with plastic utensils and paper bowls. After a phone call to the IHG 800 number, the management apologized and stated the room should have had these items. The manager brought to my room bowls, plates, utensils, paper towels, dish soap, and dish cloths. Great- a useable kitchenette! But, why did the front desk say they had none, twice, and it took a call to the main number to get these items?

Another issue was that the room had no dresser and no hangers in the closet. So our two weeks worth of clothing was to stay in a suitcase sitting in the floor with the clothes getting more wrinkled by the day. However, the only mirror in the room was high-up in the bathroom; at at 5’5” I could only see my chin and above. Perhaps no mirror in the room was a hidden blessing since I could not tell just how wrinkled or shabby I looked. Had I been putting on my uniform daily, I think a mirror would be useful to ensure I appeared prepared.

These issues could have been overlooked, if it were not for the more concerning issue of filth. I have taken photos of some of the dirt and filth, but to really capture how dirty it is would have required dozens of photos. The walls are splattered with dirt and grim, as if someone shook a 2-liter bottle of soda and sprayed it around. The floors, sofa, doors, all covered in stains and grime. Housekeeping came twice in 12 days. And on one of those days they asked us what we wanted done, so we opted for a vacuum and change the sheets. I hunted down clean towels on a regular basis, and again I busted out my own cleaning supplies and we cleaned our bathroom and surfaces.

A final complaint, is the sidewalk does not go to the room door without walking all the way around the building. Even the staff used the dirt path to get to our room. This contributed to dirt and grass in the floor. Again, I have a photo to better explain the issue.

The positive things: the bed was comfortable, internet worked well, and the tv’s were nice.

This is not what I expect out of any hotel and certainly not one that is purposed to serve those that are and have served this country. The prices are reduced, but not free. We pay for this hotel and at least the rooms should be clean and comfortable. There is no excuse for...

The location is great for being close to everything in Monterey or Carmel. It is fun seeing deer walking around the property. The lady who checked us in was very nice and professional, but then our stay went down hill from there. ||||When we entered the room it had a very strong fragrance smell. It was probably something housekeeping sprayed but was way too strong. The carpet appeared fairly new but had stains on it. The couch and pillows had stains and dried food on them. ||||The bathtub, bathroom sink and kitchenette had black hairs all over them. The tub had dried soap on it. The bathtub’s hot faucet handle fell off when I tried to use it. The bathroom cabinet had no countertop room to place anything on it. I had never seen a cabinet in such poor shape. It looked like beavers had chewed on it. The door had difficulty opening because it dragged on the floor. The door pull was loose and the tile grout was filthy.||||The linoleum in the kitchenette was filthy and the furniture was dusty. In order to use the gas stove I had to use a lighter that was provided. The fridge was clean and adequate. |||| We couldn’t use the floor lamp because it didn’t work. The table lamp was not functioning properly and was difficult to turn on and off. ||||The heater didn’t work when we tried to turn it on. The water pipes for the heat made a loud noise even when the heat was off which made sleeping difficult. We called the front desk to have maintenance check it out and he never showed after we waited 2 1/2 hours. We wanted to show him what noise we were hearing. When I called the front desk to ask why he hadn’t showed I was told that the front desk forget to tell him to come. ||||The room TV guide did not match the TV stations and the bedroom TV and the other TV did not have the same stations. The TVs were large flat screens which was the best thing about the room. ||||My husband had to crawl on the bed to get into bed because there was no room to walk between the bed & wall. The bed was OK, but the mattress was started to get a hump in the middle. The bedroom had privacy issues because the vertical blinds were broken, wouldn’t close or cover the window. ||||The walls were thin. I could hear someone snoring and playing music. ||||The complimentary washers and dryers appeared new and were very accommodating and nice. The complimentary breakfast was adequate but the room was very small and crowded during the busiest times. ||||I wish I had more positive things to say about this room but it was the worst IHG room I have ever stayed in. I was very disappointed and shocked that IHG would allow such low standards for one of their properties. They should improve this “hotel" and provide the military with a facility that they deserve to be accommodated with. This lack of regard for proper military housing is unacceptable and gives a bad...