JDiver

They state they charge $10 for self-parking, per night.

If one were really intent on saving $10 nightly, the parking lot is very large and contiguous with Chili's and the shopping center. I'm not exactly sure I'd feel comfortable with that, as at least the ES parking lot is well lit and there are occasional folks wandering by that look a bit dicey for guaranteeing automotive security.

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

Bringing it back from the dead - anyone have experiences here in the last year? I booked a couple nights without doing much research. This thread makes me second guess that decision.

No pancakes or waffles? How odd. Starch is cheap to serve the masses.

kenbo

Just finished up a stay here. The hotel is dated, for sure, but overall I found it to be clean and nice for a quick stopover. Breakfast was fine, and it did have pancakes. Elevators weren't as bad as previous reviews but I was staying on a Sunday night so it wasn't that busy.

They goofed on my Gold amenity but they were overly generous in the mistake. I normally just take the 500 points but they gave me the snack amenity instead. Instead of two items, they gave me five. I had two rooms and both rooms received the amenity.

EDIT: Just checked my account and they also gave me the 500 point bonus. However, I need to contact them to get credit for the second room.

zippy the pinhead

Looking at a road trip to the Monterey area later this year with the whole famn damily. Four of us total. Initially we were looking to split our stay between the Hyatt and the IC Clement on Cannery Row, but in between talking about our plans and actually booking, the award availability for IC Clement evaporated.

We've stayed in ES with the kids before and it was OK; our oldest virtually guarantees that we optimize the value of the free breakfast from our perspective.

We requested an upgrade to a room with a balcony for a three-night stay, and I'm wondering what the chances are of getting something on a high floor might be. Would HHonors Diamond change the odds?

BlueZebra

Who knows what their criteria is for an upgrade...at minimum it will depend on what is available on the given days.

I am staying there next week. I will see what upgrade they offer me, as a Diamond. Is "high floor" listed in your file as a preference normally?

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

I was given a top floor (or whatever the Exec level is) when I stayed there as a a Diamond last year. The Exec floor has a unusual feature: in the hallway next to the elevators, there's a snack machine that is complimentary - candy bars, chips, etc. - maybe drinks, can't remember - that my kids utilized fully.

Nice enough property, breakfast a little cattle-like (I prefer HGI breakfasts to ES).

zippy the pinhead

Yes. Thanks in advance...

BlueZebra

Well, the phone call I had with them this morning wasn't a good sign. When OLCI offered the standard "closest room to the front desk" (bearing in mind the preferences in my account are "High Room"), I called them. This has worked okay to wonderful in the past, frequently getting some info on, and choice of, the truly best rooms available sometimes, and usually at least a better list of rooms than the OLCI shows you. This time I was essentially blown off. I booked this a month or so ago, and the rates were low, as the "summer season" is ending. But, all that this front desk person was able to say was "I will put the request in your record, and we will see, as we have been full the past couple of nights". (Of course the past couple of nights have been Labor Day weekend!!) No info, no response to my comment on Executive level.

I have stayed here in the past, and have an idea what the better rooms are- Bay view, and corner.

BlueZebra

Here now.

Simple reservation turned in to top floor, partial ocean view for a Diamond. Everything seems nicer than last time I was here. Happy with room. Manager's Reception just fine...a wider selection of chips and dips than in most ES.

Don't appear to charge for parking anymore. That was dumb. Smart change.

For zippy the pinhead, all floors on the bay view (west) side have balconies. Those are the only rooms with balconies. So, I guess you need to put your efforts into getting one of those rooms. 11 floors, 4 rooms on each floor.

Need

LOL we stayed at Ritz, JW Marriott, Conrads, all over the globe and my kid thinks ES Seaside is the BEST hotel ever... because they got free vending machine for Diamond. He went every 15 minutes to get something off the machine.

BlueZebra

Curious where this free vending machine is. I can't find it,,and we are on the top floor, and Diamond.

BlueZebra

Talked to the Front Desk. The " executive floor" is the 11th floor. The new procedure is a tray of goodies in your room that they will replenish any time you ask.

Need

Oh no! They got rid of the BEST hotel feature! :P When we were at Hilton Niagara Fall, the front desk clerk told us "our vending machines are fully stocked on every floor." My son thought they are free just like ES Seaside... was so disappointed when it was not free.

smmrfld

Some Homewoods have added this "Premium Room" option as well - same tray, etc.

zippy the pinhead

Greatly appreciate the intel, but we actually ended up changing our plans, so I cancelled my reservation. I've got points I need to burn elsewhere.

My kids are great with ES, especially my oldest, who swims and consequently has a massive average calorie intake. With the breakfast, they lose money on him every time, I'm sure.