Monarch Resort, Pacific Grove

In 2006, I was the one good review. We have stayed there several times and have recommended it to family and friends. Sadly, not again after last stay. Location is great, but rooms (we had two) were dirty and smelly. Pillows and bed spreads smelled of body sweat. Wiped up small spill off carpet, and cloth was black. Never took off socks after that. I placed an almost empty bottle of complimentary lotion inside open travel case. Surprised to see that bottle removed by housekeeping and put back on counter. I wasn't trying to steal something. (Always tip housecleaning but not this time -- shouldn't have gone into my bag.) Noisy at night. Motel almost empty, so guests didn't have to be given rooms by front desk and breakfast counter -- could be further from the front. Could hear desk conversations at night, including an argument between two staff members. Could hear part of breakfast being put out as early as 6 a.m., so bananas already dark and milk warm by 7:30 when supposedly open (but, coffee not ready.) One room was under what must have been a storage room and heard boxes being moved back and forth very early in the morning. Afternoon wine a nice idea, but only had two half-filled bottles of warm wine (white and white-zin.) Cheese hard, crackers stale. Obviously recycled the afternoon snack. Used to go twice a year to Monarch. Wish Best Western would make this one do some serious cleaning. Too nice of a location to have become such a dive.

The Breakfast was awful, The staff is very unorganized..rooms are old. A front desk staff employee came to work drunk. very dysfunctional environment and management.Had to pay Five dollars for a fire log. It was just a very unpleasant stay.Staff person was very loud, A young blonde male. I came to the front desk there was a Budweiser bottle there on the desk. papers everywhere. There was food on the Front desk, but no front person in sight?

We loved sitting next to the fire and drinking wine in our own room after a wonderful day of sightseeing. Met some interesting people at the wine and cheese gathering in the evenings. I will definitely go back!

The breakfast was really disappointing with just bagels and pastry but no fresh fruit or anything a little more nutritious. The rooms were nice, however.