Laurel Inn Motel

Excellent

Very nice accommodations

Excellent Stopover

We were very pleased with everything about the Laurel Inn. The rates were fair, the room clean, comfortable, good-sized, very quiet, and service at the check-in desk was very efficient, We were en-route from the Bay Area to Cambria, and found it ideal for a stopover (much cooler temperatures than King City or Paso Robles). Food at the Big Bear across the parking lot and in Old Town Salinas was varied, delicious, and offered excellent service. We would definitely stay there again.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Breakfast at the Big Bear across the parking lot is excellent, and plentiful!

Nice motel for the price!

It was a nice motel for the price. Clean room and deasant breakfast. Our room window was against a wall but it didn’t matter. You don’t go to Salinas because of the view.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Visit the animal park Wild Things.Also children would like that place and maybe you get the opportunity to feed the elephant with carrots :-)

Most accommodating

The only problem we had was with the thermostat in our unit. On calling the office, they came immediately and offered us another room. A quick solution as we had not as yet unpacked. We greatly appreciated the convenient resolution. Very pleased.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

We only stayed a short time in Salinas as we only had one day to see Salinas and Monterey. We enjoyed the John Steinbeck Museum which was our primary reason to add Salinas and Monterey to our itinerary

Over night

Room ok. but heater / air conditioner fan very noisy with power contactor vibrated about a minute each time heat was required. No sleep.

Overall good experence

They were completeing some renovations on the room directaly adjacent to us. That is the only thing I would have changed. Very nice staff and clean spacious rooms. Will stay again.

Would stay there again

This hotel room was clean, quiet, and comfortable. It was just across the freeway from many restaurants and stores and one offramp from a mall. The Black Bear Inn is across the parking lot from the hotel.

Unbelievable!

When I showed up at 9pm to check in the door to lobby was locked. A sure sign that I was probably not in a safe area. Once I got to my room there was a strong scent of cigarette smoke--I had clearly asked for non smoking and the room was filthy. I returned to the lobby to alert the front desk employee that I would not be staying there and I went and found a hotel nearby. Upon trying to retrieve a refund I was told by the hotel that they would not refund the money. Not only was I disgusted by the room but I am now disgusted by their customer service. I would suggest you try everywhere else first before you end up at the Laurel Inn.

Salinas Secret

The Laurel Inn is a gem. Very clean and cozy. They always have cookies at the check-in desk...quaint. Jacuzzi and pool are kept clean all year round.

Traveler's tip on dining

Black Bear Diner in same lot is nostalgic. Good food, big portions and reasonable price.Friendly staff also.

Felt very comfortable

I drove up in a collectable car and at no time did I feel uncomfortable about leaving it outside. Had very nice dining on sight,and was central to everything I needed to do. Thank You!!

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Inexpensive and central to Monterey,Ca.,Santa Cruz,Ca

Good hotel for tourists

We were pleased with all aspects of our four day stay. Room was large, clean & comfortable. More cable stations than our previous upscale hotel. Convenient to Rt.101 for day trips and local restaurants. We would stay there again.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

No garlic museum in Gilroy, but St. Juan De Baptista mission is just south off Rt 101 and is very interesting.

it met our needs

We stayed on July 4th holiday, and the room was fine. Spacious and very clean. The staff was friendly and efficient. My only complaint is that the bathroom floors were very slippery, even when dry.

Excellent Value - Great Service and Adjacent Food

We recently stayed there while visiting family. The service was first rate! I inadvertently left a shirt hanging in the closet. After I realized it and called, the woman who answered immediately went to our room, found the shirt, asked me to identify it and when I had, we made arrangements for her to ship it back to me. She was terrific! And right next door is the Black Bear Diner with the best breakfasts on the planet! Great food, terrific service and LARGE portions. We’ll stay at the Laurel Inn again!

Nice Clean Motel

After reading reviews, I decided to give the Laurel Motel a try. We stayed over Memorial Day weekend. My wife and I traveled with two toddlers and stayed in a room with two queen sized beds. The room was average. It had an armoire closet, coffee maker, and a small dorm fridge. Below are my pros and cons for the motel: PROs 1. Very clean no frills motel room that was in close proximity to Monterey (which was our main destination) 2. On the property is the Black Bear Diner which is REALLY serves really good comfort foods in good portions. 3. The pool, hot tub, and sauna are cool. It was cold the weekend we went and we only got into the hot tub with the kids for about 15 minutes. I peaked into the dry sauna and it was nice and clean 4. Sort of cool was a convenience store right next to the motel. It was not stocked well but had beer and sodas Cons 1. Making the turn to get out of the motel on Laurel Dr. was a little scary. It was most difficult during evening hours. The problem is that the exit is on a HIGH traffic street and if you are making a left turn (going toward Hwy 101) it can be challenging. 2. No option to rent movies. Luckily we brought a portable DVD player and went to the grocery store on the other side of Hwy 101 (about 2 minutes to get to) and rented movies from the Redbox kiosk. Overall, I would go back and stay at the Laurel Inn. I probably would not do an extended stay but definitely would stay for 3 to 4 nights. It is very easy to get to Monterey.

There is a small park with play structure down the street on Laurel. We did not stop and have the kids play there but, everytime we passed it was empty (no kids). Also, the kids loved riding the carousel at the mall. They also liked getting balloons from the Black Bear Diner.

close to everything

The hotel is close to 101 highway. Easy to enter and exit hwy. Even though close to hwy., noise minimal. Restaurant (Black Bear Diner) a few hundred feet away. Serves breakfast/lunch/dinner. Good food! Room cleaned very well the two days we were there. Plenty of towels!!!!, for 4 people.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Rodeo grounds, John Steinbeck Center. Ocean 20-25 minutes away.

No comment

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Better Location & Has Restaurant

I wanted to stay in Salinas to save some money after overpaying on my last trip to Monterey. After reading disaster stories of the bad areas of Salinas, I was cautious about where to lodge for the night. The Laurel Inn Motel was well-maintained and clean. The parking lot is well-lit. The staff was cordial. There is also a restaurant on the property (coffee shop). It’s a small chain. Good food and friendly service for a moderate price. This is an overall good place to stay.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

If you want a B&B in Monterey and don’t mind paying for it, fine. But, if you want to save money, try Salinas. It’s only a 30-min or less drive away.

A Beautiful Hotel with Unfriendly Staff.

This hotel was very nice and comfortable, however the front desk staff seemed as though they had no desire to help guests feel comfortable. They made up excuses as to why we could not get a cot in our room (she said that we had enough beds in ours to sleep four people and that we shouldn’t need a cot) and the towels that we requested were never delivered, though we called four times in a weekend. Additionally, this hotel does not have "all the amenities that one would ask for in a hotel" as the website states... it does not have continental breakfast, and the pool is pretty dirty. The sauna is excellent, however, so check that out.

Better than Nothing

Hotel was older. Room was small. Would have preferred to have a regular size iron board instead of a table iron board. Portable closet too small/short for longer items of clothing.

Traveler's tip on dining

The Black Bear diner next to the hotel is a MUST!! Great food and lots of it for a very affordable price.

Friendly Staff

We enjoyed our stay. This hotel is a good value. Newspaper and extra coffee in lobby. Small restaurant in complex. Everything you need in one place.