Monterey
Plaza Hotel and Spa:
The Crown Jewel of Canary Row
Fine
hotel properties 'stay calm and carry on' and this is clearly
the case with the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa,
located on historic Canary Row, a short walk from the world renowned
Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Having
visited this hotel property often during the past fifteen years
to celebrate "Seafood Watch" at the Aquarium, I am keenly
aware of the state-of-the-art upgrades and constant improvements
being implemented to insure guests the best experience possible.
The Café on the lower plaza is a colorful addition where
guests can enjoy breakfast while watching the fascinating sea
life activity in the water below, or the colorful and entertaining
daily kayak classes. The inviting Fire Pit on the Plaza also offers
a comfy venue to enjoy morning coffee with a newspaper or an evening
cocktail during sunset.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
This
location in Monterey is a favorite for visitors, and walking along
Canary Row to peruse shops, restaurants, wineries and to smile
at the tribute sculpture to John Steinbeck, located in a small
park enroute to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is invigorating. The
history of this area is told beautifully at the Aquarium museum,
and gives visitors a new understanding of the hard life the early
residents of this area experienced as sailors and cannery workers.
Shopping
is just plain fun, from Indian costumes, to sips from local vintners
and bites from renowned seafood haunts it's exciting and it's
all good. The Monterey Bay Aquarium takes visitors to a world
of wonderment, and is offering special exhibitions "Tentacles"
and "Jellies" that take you on a magical journey into
the mystery of sea life. Feeding time for the otters always draws
a huge crowd, and the otters seem to be born entertainers. The
gift shop, which is filled with sea inspired items, offers souvenirs
and clever gifts for adults and children.
Canary Row Street View
Monterey
Bay Aquarium now has a fantastic cafeteria style restaurant where
visitors can find a variety of delicious and affordable food and
beverage choices. The grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup
is a childhood flash from the past luncheon combination that's
wonderful. This new setup is far more family friendly than it
has been in the past, however, they still have a private dining
room section for kid phobic visitors.
After
a day of swimming with the fish or shopping til you drop the recommended
escape hatch is the Monterey Plaza Spa, located on the hotel rooftop,
where the Jacuzzi patio offers amazing views of the MontereyBay,
and guests can savor food and beverage items from the hotel menu.
The spa has a full service gym with the latest in technological
workouts offered, where guests watch TV to catch up on current
news while keeping their bottoms in shape.
During
this visit the Vista Blue Spa was holding an open house for guests
and members that featured some delightful appetizers and cocktails
for guests to enjoy while touring the spa, and perusing the many
products and gifts available for sale. Spa employees were giving
special demonstrations in the beautiful workout area. The Vista
Blue Spa menu is overflowing with wonderful treatments that can
be preceded or followed by a visit to their steam and sauna facilities.
The
spa gift shop offers all the latest products used for specialty
spa treatments, as well as beautiful workout clothing and style
items. The ambiance of this heavenly spa with a panoramic view
of the ocean brings on instant bliss. According to spa director
Mary Low, "It's such a pleasure to work in this beautiful
environment every day. I do look forward to coming to work."
Chef Boris Ilabaca with Lamb Entrée
Schooners
Coastal Kitchen Restaurant and Bar was once a rather formal venue,
but has been reinvented as a Nuevo nautical delight, with a "farm
to fork - sea to table" mission. The room is modern, but
chic and offers amazing ocean views with dinner to be enjoyed
at tables or in cozy booths. James Waller, hotel Executive Chef
has a talented group who are designing and serving some innovative
presentations of old favorites, and creative new dishes that deserve
notice. The Chef du Cuisine Boris Ilabaca, who is of Irish and
Basque decent creates a lamb dish with favas any guest would love,
especially when preceded by the signature rich and creamy artichoke
soup. All seafood served in Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar
is in agreement with the Seafood Watch Guide, a program the Monterey
Bay Aquarium designed to raise consumer awareness about the importance
of buying sustainable seafood.
Filet of Beef & Stuffed Lobster Entree
The
old line steak and lobster dish of bygone days at the restaurant
has been improvised into a dish for two that combines a filet
& whole lobster stuffed with shrimp and scallops that is that
is modern in presentation, and down to the last bite magical in
preparation, but the before dinner crème de la crème
delight is a raw seafood appetizer served on a frozen block of
pink Indian salt that is without doubt one of the most uniquely
delicious appetizers I have ever experienced. Fine Monterey County
wines and imported wines are included on their menu. The SLH Pinot
Noir, recommended by Diego Anea, the hotel Director of Food &
Beverage, was a perfect pairing for our Schooners dinner selections.
This
venerable property has always been renowned for their decadent
pastry creations, but the beautiful Lemon cake dessert, followed
by two perfect chocolate covered strawberries was a unique fete
accompli, and such a pleasurable ending.
Schooners Dessert
The
rooms and suites at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa are elegant,
so comfortable and offer breathtaking ocean views. Every amenity
desired is at your fingertips in this excellently run hotel. Vice
President and General Manager John Narigi, along with his skilled
staff provide optimum service to guests, while being warm and
friendly at all times. Mr. Narigi, often invites guests to join
his staff for wine & cheese tastings by the fireplace in the
elegant Piano Lounge, where a bevy of wonderful cheese and local
wines can be sampled, including Hahn and SLH local wines.
For
golfers there is transportation to nearby courses and special
rates. Monterey is considered a number one golf destination in
the world by many golf aficionados. For visits to the aquarium
they provide a free shuttle every twenty-minutes that picks up
in front of the hotel. Getting around in the MontereyPeninsula
area is easy, with maps and personal directions always available
at the concierge desk. Enjoy!
Monterey
Plaza Hotel & Spa
400 Canary Row
Monterey California
(831) 646-1700
www.montereyplazahotel.com
By Bonnie Carroll