Eujeanie

Ooo, that would be sneaky! Actually, we did get upgraded here (pre Covid) to a 2 BR super suite with all the snacks. This is not the place for a romantic Montery/Carmel getaway, but we weren't looking to pay those prices. What we did every morning was make the short drive to Pacific Grove, parked literally across the street from the Green Gables Inn where there is an access to the beach and rocks with benches, and sat there for as long as we wanted for the sheer beauty and serenity.

The ES has neither beauty nor serenity. It's at a very busy intersection, not picturesque at all, but for the price (points) we're happy we stayed there.

Chang11

Stayed at ES in Brandon Fl (May) got drink tickets 2 per day per Adult to be redeemed at Bar.

qmc

Recently stayed here.

The destination fee was not charged on a points stay.

Parking was indeed free.

The $15/night property credit must be posted to your account before midnight, you cannot use it the day of checkout. The company store has some food/snack items (starbucks, ice cream, drinks, cereal, snack bars, etc.), some touristy souvenir type stuff (clothing, hats, refrigerator magnets, shot glasses, postcards, etc. -- prices were no worse than what you might find at fisherman's wharf.) and supplies (aspirin, sunblock, goggles, etc.) Store was closed for the one employee's dinner around 6:something until 7:00pm, but closed for the night at 10pm. The restaurant closed at 11pm. (I was there on a Fri-Sat, hours may vary by day).

The bike rental seems to be free for everyone for 2 hours, since there was no code or anything required... the bike trail is conveniently right across the street and goes up Monterey past the wharf and the aquarium and up to Pacific Grove. They have about 8 bikes. When I rented one on Sat ~9:45am, there were 7 there... when I returned at about 11:30, there were 0.

2 16oz bottles of kala falls spring water in with the snickers bar and planters trail mix were handed to me along with "Thank you for being a Diamond member." Not sure if that's supposed to be part of a Diamond welcome or the "2 premium water bottles."

If you're not into single use plastic water bottles, there's a water filler at the drinking fountain.

They do warn you the last hour of breakfast is busy (so 9-10 on weekends), and they weren't kidding -- the line for the cook-to-order omelet/pancake station was about 30 people deep and reached almost to the front desk at 8:40. Afternoon reception had pretzels, hummus and some sort of flatbread, and veggies (carrots, celery, tomatoes) and a ranch dressing.

While not right on the beach, it's an easy 10 min (1/3 mi) walk along the street. The adjacent Laguna Grande park seemed like it would be a decent park for taking the kids.