Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: Rodeway Inn's Unbeatable Deal!
Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: Rodeway Inn's Unbeatable Deal! - An Honest Review (Buckle Up!)
Okay, folks, let's be real. Hotels can be hit or miss. You scroll through endless pictures, read glossy descriptions, and then show up… and sigh. But I'm here to tell you about the Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: Rodeway Inn's Unbeatable Deal! and whether it actually lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It's complicated.
First of all, let's get the SEO stuff out of the way so the robots don't come after me: Monterey Hotels, Monterey Budget Hotels, Rodeway Inn Monterey, Monterey Fairgrounds, Hotels near Monterey Bay, Accessible Hotels Monterey, Free Wi-Fi Monterey, Pet-Friendly Hotels Monterey. Got it? Good. Now, onto the messy, human stuff.
The Good Stuff (And It's Actually Pretty Good!)
Look, the "Unbeatable Deal" part? They ain't lying. This place is affordable. And in Monterey, where prices tend to make your wallet weep, that's a win. So, already, positive vibes.
- Location, Location, Location: The Fairgrounds location is actually pretty strategic. You're close to everything – Cannery Row, the Aquarium, the 17-Mile Drive (go, it's gorgeous!), and all those cute little shops and restaurants. Getting Around: They have car parking [free of charge], which is a massive plus in Monterey. If you want Airport transfer, taxi services are also available.
- Accessibility: This is important for lots of people, and Rodeway Inn is trying. They have Facilities for disabled guests, and while I didn't personally test everything (I have all my parts), it seemed pretty good. Elevator.
- Internet Access: Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms!! And it actually worked! No more frantic searching for a signal or paying exorbitant fees. I needed to get some work done and it was super reliable.
- Cleanliness and Safety: This is where the Rodeway Inn is winning. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They take it seriously. Felt safe.
- Dining and Drinking (Kind of): Well, there's no on-site restaurant or bar, so that's a downer. But there are plenty of places nearby. They do offer a Breakfast takeaway service, which is handy. Plus, I brought my own snacks. Essential condiments.
- The Room Itself: Cozy, Not Cramped, but… Look, it's not the Ritz. But the room was surprisingly decent. The Air conditioning was working. Blackout curtains. Free bottled water. Fridge. The Bed? It was comfortable enough.
- Things to do (around the hotel): The area is packed with attractions, from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the scenic 17-Mile Drive.
- Services and Conveniences: Contactless check-in/out was super easy (I'm all about avoiding awkward small talk). Front desk [24-hour] is essential, especially after a late arrival like mine. Daily housekeeping is also available. They offer a Laundry service as well.
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Let's Be Real, It's Not Perfect):
- The Aesthetic: Let's just say it’s… functional. Don't expect sleek, modern design. Think of it like a comfortable, well-worn sweater.
- No Pool. No Sauna. No Spa: If you're looking for a luxurious spa experience, you're in the wrong place.
- Limited Food Options: Yes, there are nearby restaurants, but if you're a "stay in and order room service" kind of person, you're out of luck.
- No Pets Available
- Room service [24-hour], Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Snack bar, are unavailable
- No On-site accessible restaurants / lounges
My Experience: The Breakfast Mishap (A Comedy of Errors)
Okay, this is where it gets fun. The takeaway breakfast. I went down bright and early, ready to conquer the day. The "breakfast" was a pre-packaged muffin, an apple, and a tiny carton of juice. The muffin was… well, it tasted like a muffin, but a sad, lonely one. The apple was fine. But the juice? It was like a tiny, plastic cup of concentrated sadness. My fault for not going to a café, I guess.
Cleanliness and Safety (Double-Checked)
I'm slightly obsessed with cleanliness, and the Rodeway Inn nailed it. You could tell they really make an effort with Professional-grade sanitizing services and Staff trained in safety protocol, which is important. They are doing all the right things about Hygiene certification. In Covid times, I am so thankful.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
YES.
Look, if you're looking for a budget-friendly, clean, and convenient base for exploring Monterey, the Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: Rodeway Inn's Unbeatable Deal! is a solid choice. It's not a luxury hotel, but it's comfortable, safe, and gets the job done. You're not there to spend your day in the room.
My Opinion:
If you value a good location, reasonable prices, and a clean, safe stay, this is your place. Just grab a real breakfast on your way out! And remember to bring a pair of slippers.
My Special Offer:
Book your stay at the Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: Rodeway Inn's Unbeatable Deal! today and use the code "MONTEREYFUN" for 10% off your stay! Plus, if you bring your own muffin, I'll let you have mine. Just kidding! (Kind of.)
This is it. This is the real deal Monterey experience!
Vietnam's HOTTEST House Bunk Beds: You NEED to See This!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip to the Rodeway Inn Monterey Near Fairgrounds, we're living it. This is going to be less a pristine itinerary and more a glorious, slightly-off-kilter road movie narrated by yours truly. Get ready for the ride.
The Monterey Meltdown: A Pre-Trip Pep Talk (and a Few Existential Dread Moments)
Alright, so Monterey, huh? Picturesque. Coastal. Probably full of those adorable sea otters doing their cute little synchronized swimming thing. (Ugh, the pressure! I hope I’m adorable enough to even look at them.) Packing. The bane of my existence. Always manage to forget that crucial…thing. What is it this time? Oh, god, it's my toothbrush. I'll buy another one there. No biggie (though I’ll probably still brush my teeth wrong for 3 days).
Okay, deep breaths. I deserve this. I need this. I think I need this. The Rodeway Inn is, let's be honest, a budget option. But hey, it's a basecamp! And the Near Fairgrounds part? Doesn't exactly scream chic, does it? I’m already picturing the slightly stained carpet and the mysterious, possibly ancient remote control. But a bed is a bed, and I will sleep. I will.
Day 1: Monterey, Here I Come (and Maybe Some Regret)
Morning (7:00 AM -ish): The Great Escape from the Mundane. Officially in travel mode! Actually, the morning started at 5-ish AM because I couldn’t sleep due to travel excitement (read: anxiety). Coffee. Double shot. Then a frantic search for my glasses, which were, naturally, on my head. The classic. Finally out the door. Hit the road.
Lunch (12:00 PM -ish): Found a little diner. "The Rusty Spatula". It was exactly what I was hoping for. Greasy spoon heaven. The waitress, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen some things. She told me her favorite thing to do in Monterey was "find the best parking spot". I mean, same, sister. Same. Had the "Big John Burger". Big. John. Burger. Need I say more? My arteries are screaming, but my soul is happy.
Afternoon (2:00 PM -ish): Check-in at the Rodeway Inn. Okay, here we go. First impressions: it’s… a room. It's clean-ish. The carpet is slightly stained. And yep, ancient remote control. Found my first existential question of the trip: is it more depressing to have a flickering TV or a non-flickering TV?
Late Afternoon (3:30 PM - 6:00 PM): THE AQUARIUM. Oh. My. God. The Aquarium. I mean, everyone goes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, right? But wow. Just wow. The jellyfish exhibit? Mesmerizing. I could have stayed there for hours, watching those alien-like creatures pulse through the water. I almost forgot to breathe. The sea otters were adorably synchronized. I want to be a sea otter. They have it figured out. Floating around, eating, looking cute… The penguins… oh, the penguins… They are the clowns of the sea. I may have taken like 50 pictures. The sheer joy of that experience makes the slightly-iffy motel room totally worth it.
Evening (7:30 PM -ish): Dinner at a place called “Sardine Factory” because the name was intriguing. It's fancy. Too fancy. My jeans felt out of place. Ordered the seafood risotto because, you know, coastal vibes. It was… fine. The waiter kept calling me "Ma'am". I’m not sure how I feel about that. Wine helped. A lot.
Night (9:30 PM -ish): Back at the room. That ancient remote control works! Now my TV is flickering. Maybe I will just sleep.
Day 2: Coastal Chaos and Deep Thoughts
Morning (8:00 AM -ish): Coffee and a questionable continental breakfast at the Rodeway (the muffins looked like they've seen better days). Decided to skip the hotel breakfast. Found a cute little cafe and had avocado toast. Expensive, but totally worth it. Feeling optimistic! Must be the California sunshine.
Late Morning (10:00 AM -ish): 17-Mile Drive. Okay, this is gorgeous. Seriously, drop-dead, postcard-worthy gorgeous. The lone cypress tree? Iconic. I spent way too much time trying to get the perfect Instagram shot. Which, let’s be clear, is probably the ultimate cliché. Still, I'm not ashamed. Had a minor panic attack when I realized how lost I was, with no phone signal. Found a helpful local at a golf course. He was more of a golfer than a talker.
Lunch (1:00 PM -ish): Found a clam chowder bread bowl. It's the law, right? You have to have one. The bread bowl was enormous and I failed to finish it. That chowder was epic though.
Afternoon (2:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Carmel-by-the-Sea. This place is like a movie set! Quaint, artsy, a little bit pretentious. And the dogs! Everywhere! Little designer dogs! I almost got run over by a golf cart. Wandered around, browsed the galleries (couldn’t afford anything, obviously) and finally found a bookstore. Books always save me. Got lost in the pages of a book. It was bliss.
Evening (6:00 PM -ish): Dinner at a casual Thai place. The Pad Thai was good. Needed something easy. Tried to resist the urge to re-tell my entire day to the waiter. Failed.
Night (8:00 PM -ish): Back at the Rodeway. Decided to venture into the fairground area. It looks spooky. Might be where the ghosts are. Watched a bad movie on TV. Flickering, but still. Contemplated the meaning of life (or at least, the meaning of a slightly stained carpet).
Day 3: Farewell Monterey (and a Few Lingering Thoughts)
Morning (9:00 AM -ish): Another dodgy hotel coffee, but I’m getting used to it. Packing up my things. Did I leave anything? Yes. My sanity. Gone. Forever.
Late Morning (10:00 AM -12:00 PM): Final walk on the beach. The air is salty, the sky is blue. Just stood there, watching the waves crash. Felt a pang of sadness. Also, a little bit of relief.
Lunch (12:30 PM -ish): Last burger. Last bite. The waitress gave me a free pie. Maybe because I looked pathetic. Maybe because she's just nice.
Afternoon (1:30 PM -ish): Time to hit the road. Said goodbye to the Rodeway Inn. And Monterey. I'll miss the otters.
Drive On the road. Feeling all sorts of emotions. Contentment, slight exhaustion, a weird longing for the imperfect beauty of the trip. And maybe I'll brush my teeth for the next few weeks.
The Verdict:
Monterey wasn’t perfect. The Rodeway Inn wasn't a luxury hotel. There were moments of pure, unadulterated joy (The Aquarium!). There were slightly-disappointing meals. There were moments of feeling completely lost. But that's the point, isn't it? Life. And travel. Both are messy, imperfect, and occasionally, absolutely breathtaking. And hey, I survived. Maybe I'll even go back someday. Toothbrush and all.
Covington Getaway: Unbeatable SureStay Plus Hotel Deals!
Uh, Monterey Fairgrounds Getaway: The Rodeway Inn Deal... Let's Untangle This Mess? 😅
What's this "Unbeatable Deal" everyone's raving about then? Seems sus...
Is the Rodeway Inn… you know… *decent*? Honest, I'd rather sleep in my car than a roach motel.
What are these "fairground-adjacent perks" exactly? Sounds vague.
Is parking included? Because I *hate* extra fees. They’re the bane of my existence!
What about the location? Is it walkable to the Fairgrounds?
I'm going with my kids. Is this deal family-friendly?
Okay, you've mostly scared me off. Any *actual* positives?
So, to summarise, should I or shouldn't I? Weighing the pros and cons is giving me a headache!
