This looks like the most recent thread on this property...

I did a Thu/Sat award stay last week. I used the virtual concierge to request a room upgrade from the standard city view room and received a personal email about a day later from the property confirming the receipt of my request.

Upon check in, I was given a room facing the bay on the fifth floor at the end of the hallway (closest to the bay). While the property is in the downtown business district, it is very quiet without much vehicle traffic. We cracked the windows open in the morning to enjoy the cool ocean breeze and listen to the noisy seagulls and barking seals.

There's still no lounge; each morning, we went down to the registration counter and picked up our breakfast certs for Gold/Plats. The continental breakfast options were more than enough for us and I thought the $5 upcharge for the full buffet was a very good deal. I found the staff in the restaurant and registration desk to be very friendly.

We had no problem finding street parking within a block from the hotel; street parking is free after 6 p.m., so there's really very little reason to use the valet.

We bought our aqarium tickets via AAA, but it's nice to know you can get them at the hotel as well. I highly recommend getting tickets in advance and going as soon as the doors open to beat the crowds. The City of Monterey offers a free downtown shuttle that goes to Cannary Row; we didn't use it, but it's a nice option if you don't feel like walking to the aquarium or trying to find parking there.

Bernardus did a free wine tasting in the lobby on Friday evening; I thought that was a nice touch.

A final update to the thread below; the rooms now have wi-fi and no wired connections. We had a hard time staying connected on our iPhones but my laptop stayed connected without issue.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...oom-wi-fi.html