IHG Army Hotels-Presidio of Monterey

Can’t beat the price of $ 69/​night in this area.
Definitely NOT fancy. But you can get decent WiFi (NOTE: I did not have a bad wifi experience like the rest of the other reviewers) and a view of the Bay AND a Kitchenette. There are NO:
–Pool
–Room Service
–Sauna/​Hot Tub
–AC
However, given the price, it is a great place to sleep and be within walking distance of downtown Monterrey.
The Kitchenette had enough utensils and kitchenware to make Salmon Masala for two with ingredients bought from Trader Joe’s down the road. Just say’n…the kitchenette is not a bad deal. We cooked most of our meals here and saved a ton of money by not eating out in town.
The continental breakfast is a decent deal. Mostly English muffins, donuts, hard boiled eggs and cold cereal. and a variety of juices. Your only option for anything hot is oat meal and coffee. Get there on time, not a minute after they stop serving everything is backed up and locked away.
The front desk has a small shop with snacks and laundry detergent ($ 1.75). If you get there in time, the laundry room is free to use for washer an dryer.
Overall this is a very great place to stay. If you want Marriott standards you need to suck it up and pay Marriott prices (about $ 200/​night in town). Otherwise, this is an awesome choice for the area.

Based on the Unilocal description of two stars («Meh. I’ve experienced better.») I would have to give this place 2 stars. It’s relatively inexpensive for the amount of space you get but I don’t think it’s a tremendous value because it is pretty old. It’s not filthy but it’s not very clean (the shower head had mildew on it, the shower curtain smelled like mildew, the window curtains were torn/​tattered, the windows were very hard to open/​shut, the heater/​air conditioner sounded like it was going to explode). The staff was nice but overall I would look for another place next time I visited Monterey.

Really, the only reason to stay here is if you’re on orders and therefore getting the «official travel» rate (and getting reimbursed for it).
To be fair, everything you really need to get by is here — I stayed a good while during a PCS and survived. The kitchenette has a sink, fridge, microwave, and two-​burner stove. There’s absolutely zero available counter space, though, so it’s pretty useless for anything other than heating up frozen food in the microwave. It annoys me that there’s no recycling receptacle. This is California!
When I got into my room, the alarm clock and bedside lamp were unplugged, I assume because the outlet was behind the bed and therefore a little inconvenient to reach. There were no bath-​towels, which I didn’t discover until I got out of the shower and had to dry off with hand towels :/​There’s supposed to be a daily cleaning, but it was unpredictable. I had to track down housekeeping to get new towels after using mine for a few days.
Breakfast is minimal (and often stale) set out in a room that becomes cramped if there are more than 3 or 4 people in it.
Each room has one large window that opens onto the walkway outside; you can have light, or you can have privacy, but not both.
The front desk staff are nice, but there were a couple of times when I couldn’t find them or had to wait for them. They’ll give you a parking pass to put on your dashboard, but if you’re in the second building, you’ll have a tough time finding a spot in the back parking lot during business hours on a weekday. No one checks the passes, and the post personnel/​faculty know it, so they’ll fill up the lot quickly each morning.
Echoing Patrick P’s comment — if you can get a room at the Navy Lodge or Gateway Inn on the NPS grounds, definitely do so. My last command was primarily Navy, and their Lodges and Gateway facilities are run and maintained SO MUCH better than IHG runs Army lodges, with cheaper per-​night rates to boot. But reserve early, because those places book up fast.
Looking at the «unofficial travel» rates, I’m pretty much of the opinion that the Army needs to ditch IHG and partner with someone else — IHG is charging the same rates that off-​post civilian motels are, for very out-​dated, poorly-​maintained accommodations and sub-​standard service.

This place is nasty none deserve to stay here are kidding me why we keep paying the lodging for a nasty place why no staying in a tent

The only reason I stayed at this hotel was the location and good prices. Our room wasn’t too bad. We stayed in a 1 bed kitchenette studio. I don’t have any complaints about the room. It was clean and comfortable. However, I do have complaints about the staff. First of all, I thought this hotel was understaffed. I called the front desk to ask for more towels. She told me to come to the front desk to pick them up. I asked her if someone could deliver them to my room, and she she responded that she would send housekeeping. I waited a half hour. No towels. I had to go to the front desk to pick them up, and realized that she forgot about them. After we checked out of the hotel, we waited for someone to take us to the Monterey Air Bus. I had asked if someone could drop us off to the Monterey Air Bus when we arrived 3 days prior and had even confirmed the shuttle the night before. I heard some of the staff arguing about who was going to take us. When we finally got someone to take us, I was very surprised and disappointed to see that the shuttle driver didn’t open the door for us or help us with our luggage. I’ve never been to a hotel where the shuttle driver didn’t at least offer to help. Also, this hotel does not have housekeeping on the weekends. To sum it up, the prices and location to downtown Monterey/​public transportation are good, but the guest service is sub par.

Great grounds but you have to have military ID. The hotel needs remodelling. Most of the features are outdated like the yellow bathroom tiles. The carpets leave a lot to be desired. View needs refining by removing the cables. Would be better to redesign the whole place. Color scheme is skewed. Free minimal breakfast. Exercise room.

«Think Bates Motel gone army barrack»…and that might give you an idea of what our room looked like! This was the WORST experience we have had in any hotel ever. The shower was moldy, the toilet was leaky and rusty, there was exposed wiring on the outlets, no mattress pads, old sheets. The curtains were shredded. The TV and microwave were broken. Luckily, we got reservations for only one night. After we saw the room, we asked for a new room, but it was sold out. And because it was Memorial Day weekend, the entire town was sold out! So we had no choice but to stay there overnight. Also, I might add… The shower was so yucky we decided NOT to take showers. I called and made a formal complaint. I will be getting a refund.

My review pretty much echoes the majority of the others. The place we stayed at looked like a refurbished bunker but it was a place to lay your head at the end of the day and it was walking distance to the conference I attended.
On another note, they did have my dates wrong and my room was not available on the first day so call a day prior to arrival to make sure they are ready for you. The first day our bedroom «suite» had a faint smell of cat piss but we tolerated it since it was only for that day.
If you can book a room at Gateway Inn or Navy Lodge DO IT! This one should be your third choice.

I had reservations for four nights but only stayed one night. We had the one bedroom suite, boy what a DUMP! The carpet looked like it had been through about twenty years of hard daily use, the room was tiny, metal blinds were bent, holes in the walls and the bathroom fan sounded like a military 5k generator. The staff was courteous and helpful, but no amount of niceness could overcome my disappointment in the room and the regret that I booked that room for me and my family. The only real things going for the place was the security in being on a controlled military installation and the views that we had from most of the post. These could not, however, overcome the negatives of the room. Throughout my military career I have stayed at some worse rooms, but that was me, and not something I would put my family through. I did some searching and discovered the Navy Gateway Inn nearby. What an absolute gem that turned out to be, but that’s in another review.

My first night in Monterey, I stayed here because it was one in the morning and it was convenient. If I had gotten to Monterey any earlier and I wasn’t dog-​tired. I wouldn’t have stayed here. The price of the rooms and the quality of the rooms don’t match. The rooms are very out-​dated. Sure they might have a newer looking TV, a full sized fridge, microwave, and even a toaster… The lights took a minute to kick on to their full brightness. The wi-​fi was extremely slow, I couldn’t even browse the web. The cable was extremely fuzzy and a lot of the channels are unwatchable. Creaky floorboards. The staff is super friendly and very helpful though. And it is convenient if you have business on the Presidio. There are cheaper places with equal/​better rooms *cough*NPS*cough*. Just don’t go to the IHG expecting anything fancy.

My family (spouse and three kids under the age of five) stayed here in late September 2014. Without a doubt, our worst hotel experience. We moved to Monterey, CA from Germany. We stayed in this hotel for 10 nights while we looked for a place to live.
The main attraction of this hotel is its location. It is located in a central location on the Presidio of Monterey (US Army post).
However, there are things to know about the location. Be aware that the hotel is on a steep hill and is not convenient for walking to/​from the ocean, beach, Cannery Row or Fisherman’s Wharf. It is not within easy walking distance to any store, PX, or shopette. There is a coffee/​bagel place about 5 minutes walk uphill. Also be aware that access to the Presidio is extremely limited. Only one gate is open ²⁴⁄₇ (due to Operational Security concerns, contact the hotel for the gate name and location). In addition, this one gate can only be accessed from one direction of travel. If you are headed the wrong way on Lighthouse Ave, you will have to wait a couple of miles before a U-​Turn is allowed. The rest of the gates are permanently closed or only open for limited hours. The hotel website/​staff/​reservation system does not do an adequate job of explaining the particulars of the location or obtaining access to the Presidio.
We reserved two rooms with a crib over 2 months before our arrival. I called the week of our reservation to confirm the details. When we arrived at the hotel, we were told they did not have a crib for our infant child. Army Community Service offers loaner cribs, but was closed as I arrived at 1900 hours. I ended up at Target at 2100 at night spending $ 120 on a pack n’ play crib and sheets. We had traveled from Germany to the USA and stayed in countless hotels. All of them provided a crib at our request, except the Presidio IHG Lodging. NOT A GOOD START to our stay.
The continental breakfast is the bare minimum. It includes coffee, juice, milk, cereal, oatmeal, bagels, bread, pastries, yogurt and hard-​boiled eggs. It might be passable for a breakfast if not for the bad presentation. The place is extremely dirty. We could not use the children’s high chairs as they had not been cleaned in a LONG time. They looked like a science experiment. The counters and floor are generally covered with pieces of old food. The trash is almost always overflowing. The eating utensils are in a big open bin with the eating side up. The young man working at the hotel generally let the coffee, cereal, and pastries go empty unless we asked for them to be refilled. On the up side, when the coffee is not all gone, it is good!
The rooms are old. They appear to be old Army barracks. Also, know that the hotel consists of two separate buildings. Again, the website/​hotel staff does a horrible job of explaining this. Our beds were comfortable. However, the carpet and tile floor in the bathroom was old and dirty. There was mold and hair in the bathroom. In the 10 days we stayed at the hotel, our room was actually cleaned once and they didn’t even clean the toilet. The other days they only take the trash and replace the towels. They don’t offer ANY service on Saturday and Sunday. In general, the cleaning staff provided the bare minimum. Instead of, «May I service your room today?» they would ask «Do you need anything?»
The staff of the hotel is the LEAST trained of any staff I have experienced. They appeared to be mostly young men and women out of high school with no hospitality training. They lack knowledge of the Army post and services, of the local community events and attractions, and of the hospitality industry in general. I rarely saw the manager, and he appeared disengaged from his hotel.
If you are military and are required to use military lodging, I would suggest the Navy Lodging in the La Mesa housing community. While I have never stayed there, it is newer and has much better reviews.

We stayed for one night (Monday) in August of 2014. Our rate for the 2 room suite was $ 114 + 10% city tax. It consisted of 2 bedrooms with a bathroom in the middle, and the fridge and microwave in the room with the king size bed. The complimentary breakfast (yoghurt, hard boiled eggs, cereal and english muffins) is alright. Don’t eat the danishes tho! They’re awful! Stale, sticky and flavorless. The free wifi very, very, very slow. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms were clean (we had an ocean view). Location is great and the staff is very friendly.

A perfect place to stay Very close to aquarium and other sites. Very reasonable price. Comfortable for 3 people. Especially liked bathroom located between the two rooms.

When the hotels at NPS and La Mesa Village are booked up, you only have so many options over a holiday weekend. I decided to give the hotel on POM a try for the night. It was. livable to say the least.
Upon check-​in, I was informed that my room not only did not have an operating air conditioner, but also that one night would be about $ 100. Now while I didn’t have an adequate a/​c once at NPS, I did not expect the conditions to be this atrocious.
The room, after turning on the lights, is still poorly lit and cold. It had a pretty large refrigerator and a microwave set to its side. The bathroom seemed very crowded to me. There were multiple cracks in the tub and a strand of a female’s hair pressed against the side.
The one thing the hotel had going for it was a complimentary breakfast in the morning and social Wednesdays which is like an appetizer for dinner.
If you want to pay a little extra for a little less, this is your place! If not, try NPS or the Navy Lodge.

For being located in old barracks, I will not complain on the accomodations. Its simple and just what is needed for someone that is on the go and trailblazing adventures while in the Monterey area. Bed is comfy, extra living space in the 2 room suite is spacious and has a sofa sleeper and small kitchenette. Bathroom is simple and clean. It was cheaper than paying military discount at a local hotel with similar ammenities and lack luster service. Super quiet location too.

We stayed here this week (midweek) for a trip to the MB Aquarium. This was our first stay here, I see that it’s now run by an outside/​civilian group. Our mid-​week rate was $ 105 for a two room «suite» with a fridge, sink and microwave. We had a room with a king connected to a room with two queens; In the middle was our bathroom. There was wi-​fi, a continental breakfast and we had an ocean view room. We stayed with our 3 kids (4,5,8) and we were comfortable.
Now for the reality check…
This is an older barracks building turned lodging. I have lived in barracks like this, and stayed in lodging like this. If you are wanting a fancy, romantic hotel room this AIN’T it. This is Army lodging LOL! The Army isn’t fancy, but it’s clean, safe and it’s a place to lay your head. I realize it’s run by civilians and the rates have went up, but I thought the price was reasonable for what we got.
The Good:
Ocean view (if available)
Free wi-​fi
Free breakfast (yogurt, bagels, muffins, juice, coffee, etc.)
Comfortable beds
Vicinity to attractions
Laundry room
It’s clean
The Bad:
The wi-​fi is slow
It’s an older building
The Ugly:
It’s old
It’s not «fancy»
I would stay here again in a heartbeat. It’s great with kids, especially with the fridge for water and snacks. It’s close to everything, and in my opinion reasonably priced.

Worst idea ever to stay here.
$ 125 a night for a small BOQ room that should be like 40. Plus 75 pet fee, PLUS tax!!! On an army base. Total rape. The base shouldn’t allow this kind of extortion on it’s own property. The older building which we were assigned to was a standard 60’s era bachelor’s quarters, dirty yellow tile bathroom, with a few modern hotel accessories in the room. These rooms on a normal base are 30 – 50 tops.
The pet fee is absurd, especially if no damage is done. It’s 75 for a night or for a week, regardless. Highway robbery.
The fact that the Army has outsourced it’s hotel management to the IHG/​Holiday Inn group is a crime. They charge exuberant rates on our own bases, and tax on top of it.
(The staff however was polite and helpful, they don’t have any control over this stuff unfortunately)
Save your money and get a Raddison room out in town for that kind of money, this place is a dump and raping military members like this should be a crime. Worst stay ever. Will be writing up the chain to complain that troops are getting robbed on our own bases.

Yep, here with another update. It has been a few months since the hotel went from government-​run to privately-​run. I decided to give the hotel another try, last weekend.
The customer service is still good. It is easier to reserve a room. The hotel rooms have improved: they cleaned the carpet, upgraded the TVs, put in new mattresses and linen, etc. The room felt a lot cleaner than my last visits. I reserved a room with a kitchenette and actually got a kitchenette! The kitchenette had a large fridge, microwave, sink, stove, and pots and pans.
The internet is still extremely slow, even though they advertise they have high-​speed internet. Investing in actual high-​speed internet is relatively inexpensive compared to the other upgrades they’ve made.
I paid $ 120/​night. That was the lowest going rate for the hotel. The price I paid better matches the quality of the room.
Thank you for making the upgrades.

This is the worst Army Lodging I have ever been to, it is not affordable, dated to a concrete wall décor with cracks in the wall and paint peeling. I think this use to be barracks at one time. I reserved a «suite» and they give me a connecting room to a shared bathroom. Also it was advertised to have a kitchenette; what I have is a small dorm frig with a microwave on top. Do not unless you have to stay on post; stay here. You will get a better deal, for the price I paid at the local hotels in the surrounding area. $ 150.00 plus on a Tuesday off season per night? A total scam!!!

Modest army lodging. It is an affordable place to sleep compared to some of the pricey local establishments. Rooms are basic and older style. Rating is low partly because wifi is terrible. Nice views of the bay and convenient walking distance to sites. Modern washing machines in laundry room.