Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is the best of European charm and architecture, sitting peacefully on the Monterey Bay.
Deep blue waters guided by frothy-white tips curl forward, like small waves that lap at the Plaza's sturdy feet and with it--a welcome treasure of calm feeling and sound.
Sea lions and seagulls faintly heard in the distance are like a welcomed surround sound, beaconing visitors to devour its land, mountain, and water views with eyes, ears, and smell, creating that sensation unique to each of us that translates into inner calm. This calm ocean-fed feeling contributes to making this hotel and the Monterey Peninsula special.
It's no surprise then that the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is in the heart of Cannery Row, and a short walk to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, where I fell in love with playful, human-like, indigenous to this area, sea otters.
The jellyfish floated as if in outer space. I felt as if I'd entered a new world, which I had just by staring.
As I mentioned in my last post, walking in Monterey is a colorful feast for the senses, most especially for the eyes.
Yet somehow through osmosis you pick up the energetic life pulsating around you: The Monterey Bay, nearby Pacific Ocean, sea otters, sea gulls, pelicans, mountains, trees, and the element that drew me originally here--clean air.
Monterey and the peninsula are rated one of the cleanest locations in the country, not just California, where the peninsula is considered one of a few clean air places left in the State.
Every October, Monarch Butterflies return to spend winters in the next town over called Pacific Grove, also known as "Butterfly Town, USA". The climate is perfect for their needs. I caught hundreds asleep in clusters on this Eucalyptus tree branch, the sun's warmth hadn't yet woken them.
If you stay at the Monterey Plaza, and you aren't up for a walk, they have a slick black Mercedes to usher you to your destination at no cost, gratuity appreciated. Kind driver at wheel.
I saw a lot of tourists, taking their photo by the hotel's dolphin water fountain. No wall flower... Cheese!
I realize not everyone thinks they have a champagne budget to stay at the only luxury resort on Monterey Bay but think again, for they offer specials within reach for many.
Until March 31, 2008 they have a $199 special per couple, which includes a deluxe Ocean Balcony room (that's where I stayed), breakfast for two at their award-winning restaurant, The Duck Club Grill, which overlooks the water, and seagulls fly by "hello". You also get complimentary use of the hotel's spa facility. They have exercise equipment and a sauna and steam room. Holidays may have black-out dates.
When I returned to my room, the bed had been turned down, and pink lilacs placed on the pillows. Classical music softly played from the radio.
I woke to soft lapping water, and the hotel facade glowed from the rising sun about to warm my day.
As I embarked for Santa Cruz, a 45 minute drive north on beautiful Highway 1, I wore lilacs in my hair.
