Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course

With its resort status and legion of outdoor activities, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa appeals largely to leisure travelers. Golf, tennis, and the impressive spa draw adults, but the pool area -- which includes kids’ toys -- can be raucous with children (and it opens early in the morning). Outdoor fire pits are a fun feature, and the s'mores available in the lobby make them another magnet for kids. However, the boisterousness of the outdoor spaces added to rooms' thin walls can frustrate guests traveling without children. On the upside, the sprawling hotel’s dozens of buildings mean a quiet room is often to be found. The hotel ticks all the resort boxes and the rooms are appealing, but the brick-heavy exterior and indoor public spaces have a dated feel that’s disappointing for this dependable international chain.

The Hyatt Regency is located in Monterey, a very short drive from downtown and Fisherman's Wharf. Though it's walking distance to the beach, the hotel's location across the freeway from the ocean makes for an awkward walk, and guests will need a car to reach other attractions. It does provide easy access to scenic Highway 1, and it's only a short drive to Carmel, Pacific Grove, Santa Cruz, and Big Sur.

• Five-minute drive to Fisherman's Wharf
• Five-minute drive to the MY Museum, a children's discovery museum
• Seven-minute drive to Cannery Row, a historic waterfront strip of restaurants and shops
• Seven-minute drive to downtown Monterey's restaurants, shops, and galleries
• Nine-minute drive to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
• 15-minute walk to Dennis the Menace Park, a family-friendly playground
• 22-minute walk to Municipal Beach
• 10-minute drive to Carmel and Pacific Grove
• 45-minute drive to Santa Cruz
• 50-minute drive to Big Sur
• One hour and 20 minutes by car to San Jose International Airport

Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa are spacious and well appointed, if uninspired, despite a few nice design touches. Earth tones predominate in the hotel’s 550 updated rooms (renovated in 2016), and blue carpet adds a welcome splash of color. Crisp white beds have luxury pillows and pillow-top mattresses, and subtle uplights behind the headboards add a nice glow. Unless you opt for the 2,500-square-foot four-bedroom Presidential Villa, rooms have the same amenities regardless of category. All have mini-fridges and coffeemakers, but lack air-conditioning -- surprising for an upscale hotel; it can be an issue in summer, and guests complain that the hotel's portable units are ineffective. Technology in each room includes a 42-inch flat-screen TV, programmable safe, and stereo with iPod docking station. Large work desks allow room to spread out. Some first-floor rooms have small patio areas, but only some of these have privacy screens; upper floors offer the option of small balconies. Be aware that rooms on the highway side allow some noise; during heat waves guests may have to choose between a breeze and quiet. Attractive modern bathrooms have marble floors and countertops, with raised sinks and backlit mirrors. Some have showers over tubs, and others have roomy walk-in showers; all are equipped with hairdryers.

Features are the strong suit at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa. With a pro shop and golf academy, the storied 18-hole Del Monte Golf Course is a big draw. The hotel has six lighted tennis courts and a racquet club, but they’re closed in summer. Pricey but well-equipped, the spa covers two floors with treatment rooms and relaxation spaces. A 2,000-square-foot fitness center, open 24 hours, has treadmills, cross trainers, and free weights. The whirlpool and heated outdoor pool, which has toys for children, are surrounded by loungers and gazebos. Other outdoor features include ping pong, giant patio games like shuffleboard, and two fire pits with seating areas. The on-site restaurant, Tusca, is sophisticated but overpriced, but Knuckles sports bar is popular even with locals. The hotel’s extensive conference spaces and ballroom were renovated in 2016. Note that the hotel tacks on a hefty per-night resort fee to cover parking, in-room Wi-Fi, business center use, access to the outdoor games, and a host of other minor services.