Relax in the heart of Monterey Bay at El Castell Motel, where guests rave about the indoor pool and helpful staff. Unwind with a dip in the pool or catch some sun on a lounger, then stay connected with free WiFi and enjoy extended parking.
Salinas, CA (SNS-Salinas Municipal) - 31 min drive
Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 31 min drive
Monterey Station - 14 min drive
Salinas Station - 23 min drive
Restaurants
In-N-Out Burger - 18 min walk
Starbucks - 14 min walk
Chili's Grill & Bar - 2 min drive
Black Bear Diner - 12 min walk
Starbucks - 12 min walk
About this property
El Castell Motel
El Castell Motel puts you just a 5-minute drive from 17-Mile Drive and Fisherman's Wharf. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, and hiking/biking trails, kayaking, and scuba diving are nearby. Also, Monterey Bay and Monterey Bay Aquarium are within a short drive. The pool and helpful staff get great marks from fellow travelers.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
52 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in/out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
DONE
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Children
No cribs (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
Free onsite extended parking
Onsite parking includes off-street options
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
What to do
Beach nearby
Bicycle rentals nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Whale-watching nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Pool loungers
Facilities
2 buildings/towers
An indoor pool
Heated pool
Accessibility
Braille/raised signage
Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening devices available
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible pool
Low-height counter/sink
Grab bar near toilet
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Room amenities
Be entertained
32-inch LCD TV
Premium satellite channels
Home comfort
Air conditioning
Coffee/tea maker
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Blackout drapes/curtains
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower/tub combination
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Free long-distance and local calls
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Microwave
More
Housekeeping (once per stay)
Access via exterior corridors
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge of USD 20 (subject to availability)
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
Pool access available from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Eurocard
Also known as
Castell Motel
El Castell
El Castell Monterey
El Castell Motel
El Castell Motel Monterey
El Castell Hotel Monterey
El Castell Motel Motel
El Castell Motel Monterey
El Castell Motel Motel Monterey
Frequently asked questions
Does El Castell Motel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, El Castell Motel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at El Castell Motel?
Yes, there's an indoor pool. Guests have pool access from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Are pets allowed at El Castell Motel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at El Castell Motel?
Yes, there's free self and extended parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at El Castell Motel?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. There's a charge of USD 20 for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at El Castell Motel and nearby?
Have fun with activities like cycling, hiking, and kayaking, and practice your swing at the nearby golf course. El Castell Motel also has an indoor pool.
What's the area around El Castell Motel like?
El Castell Motel is in Casanova Oak Knoll, a short 2-minute drive from Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) and 4 minutes' walk from Monterey County Fairgrounds. Travelers love the motel's prime location.
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Reviews
El Castell Motel Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.2
Cleanliness
8.4
Amenities
9.2
Staff & service
8.6
Eco-friendliness
8.8
Property conditions & facilities
What guests liked
The pool was clean, warm, and a great addition to the property, with many guests enjoying its convenience and amenities. (102 reviews)
The property is close to various dining options, including restaurants and a Denny's diner across the street. (9 reviews)
The property is conveniently located near several beaches, making it an ideal spot for beachgoers. (6 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Bed
Location
Family friendly
Parking
Children
Bathroom
Refrigerator
Value
Reviews
8/10 Very good
Sep 1, 2025
Nice
The hotel was nice for the price & the location was okay.
Sarah
Sarah, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
Aug 25, 2025
The motel is in good location, very close to all the attractions and the airport. We enjoyed clean room and the comfortable bed.
ALINA
ALINA, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 6, 2025
Great place for family. Affordable too.
Great place for family to stay. Our family has stayed here each time we visited Monterey.
Malia
Malia, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 11, 2025
Great stay exactly what we were looking for!
tena
tena, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 16, 2025
Clean nice place to stay
freckles
freckles, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 12, 2025
Very easy to get to and conveniently located near some great restaurants and attractions.
Nicole
Nicole, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 30, 2025
A great place to stay for our family, thanks!
Charles
Charles, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 27, 2025
Great place
Jennifer
Jennifer, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 7, 2025
Great establishment, clean and centrally located. Excellent staff
Lisa
Lisa, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 25, 2025
Very nice, updated motel great location, clean rooms, friendly staff nice pool
Jill
Jill, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 7, 2025
All the hotels in this area are super expensive, but this is about as nice a hotel you can get for the price. The room was clean and tidy, no complaints. Very close to the highway which is convenient. Sometimes you could hear planes flying overhead since it's close to the airport but it wasn't loud enough to disturb sleep. The pool is also a nice addition.
Joshua
Joshua, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 2, 2025
Favorite family hotel
This is one of our family favorite hotels. The covered pool is open year round. The rooms are spacious, clean, and well insulated so that we don't hear neighbors. The hotel staff are very nice. This year, we accidentally booked the hotel during the Monterey County Fair and enjoyed walking across the street and into the happy chaos of funnel cakes and carnival rides.
Rachel
Rachel, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 1, 2025
We checked in late and, had to leave earlier but, was very happy to find a clean room and bathroom with plenty of towels and everything else that we needed. Thanks
Patricia
Patricia, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 22, 2025
Family trip
Very pleasant, only talked to staff durning check in but they were nice and friendly. The indoor pool was not heated so it was a little cold but still family friendly. Showers were clean and I actually liked that the sink was outside the bathroom it made getting ready faster for a small family. I enjoyed our stay.
Veronika
Veronika, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 11, 2025
Great location. A decent place to stay at a reasonable price.
Lisa
Lisa, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 4, 2025
Rooms basic but very clean pool was not heated enough its was cold the workers were very helpful
Alejandro
Alejandro, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 8, 2025
Was conveniently located in the middle of town and the room was well taken care of.
Joseph
Joseph, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 30, 2025
Stay here every year for the Caliroots festival, best place on the strip to have a chill weekend.
Kimmerz
Kimmerz, 4-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 17, 2025
It was a good hotel
Claudia
Claudia, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Apr 20, 2025
Convenient location to local attractions.
david
david, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 12, 2025
Great location just what I needed for my large family
Staff (Memphis) was very friendly and helpful during our stay. Would definitely stay there again.
Lori
Lori, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 6, 2025
Beds were comfy. Showers were hot. Indoor pool was misleading since it was only enclosed by 3 walls and was open at one end to the elements. Great location.
Stephanie
Stephanie, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 20, 2025
The room was great little outdated but super clean and comfortable very well kept property and quiet to boot I’d definitely stay here again