Name: El Castell Motel
Address: 2102 North Fremont Street, Casanova Oak Knoll, Monterey, California, United States of America, Monterey, Monterey County, US
Price range: $87–$438 per night
Rating: 8.43

What guests think

At El Castell Motel, travelers consistently note updated budget rooms, a useful covered heated pool, and a convenient base for Monterey sights and the fairgrounds, while recurring drawbacks include airplane noise, thin walls, and tight parking during busy times.

Cleanliness and upkeep earn frequent praise across stays. Rooms are generally comfortable and practical, with family-friendly three-bed layouts available, but some report smaller floor plans, low water pressure, limited light blocking from shutters, or slow Wi‑Fi. Service is often friendly with smooth check‑ins, though a few guests describe unhelpful interactions, housekeeping gaps, or occasional room‑assignment errors. Overall, expect a solid value stay focused on basics and the pool.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

The covered, heated pool is a standout for families, though a few found the water cool or the area messy. Parking can be tight or unavailable at busy times, and there is an on-site laundry.

Related guest reviews

8

Gilbert

Jul 1, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Hard to find parking.

4

Karen

Sep 1, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The place wasn’t bad but the beeping of the alarms on the doors was on all night and it was annoying. There was no parking at night. It sucks because it’s the one thing you expect to have when you book a room.

10

Kimberly

Oct 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly quiet and clean. Pool was heated as advertised. Lovely

10

HoangVan

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The indoor pool was a major selling poin. AC was perfect and the extra room for my hubby and I while our girls were outside was greatly appreciated. Very close to all major sites.

10

Rachel

Sep 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

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.

10

Uzi

Oct 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Big room, clean laundromat

10

Zurisadai

Jul 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great stay, pool was clean and they had towels available. Everything was very clean. Check in and check out process was great. We would definitely stay there again!

10

lora

Oct 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean. Ample parking... Heated pool

6

Natalie

Jul 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Motel was comfortable and good for families. Convenient food within walking distance. Pool area was always dirty and messy.

8

Alejandro

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms basic but very clean pool was not heated enough its was cold the workers were very helpful

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Reviews frequently highlight very clean rooms and well-kept grounds. Some guests reported issues like clogged or dirty bathrooms, rare pests, or inconsistent housekeeping during longer stays.

Related guest reviews

10

Annetta

Aug 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

So clean!! Staff was welcoming and friendly. Comfy bed. Did I say clean? I mean the parking lots was spotless. Go stay here. Convenient location too!

10

LORRAINE

Jun 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

There was popcorn on the floor and the top sheet on one of the beds had lipstick on it - not on the top, but underneath. When told about it at check out, she gave her stock answer that she would let house keeping know.

2

neptali

Aug 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Roaches in our room

10

laurie

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very clean premises, inside and outside. Bought a Milky Way from machine and it expired March 2025. It was not edible. Bed is not the most comfortable. Shower head water was very light water coming out. BUT, the drain worked well!

6

Dann

Dec 9, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The stay was good overall, only issue was the bathroom being dirty and the shower head seemed to have mold.

2

George

Oct 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A plunger was next to the toilet which I thought was odd. I wanted to take shower but the tub immediately started filling with water so it was clogged. Poor sink pressure that I didn't even wait to get hot. The TV wasn't operational as the staff member told me after three trip to the front desk and I was told to use the smaller tv in the next room. I was given a suite because I was given a room that was already occupied initially. The staff member told me that the key card wasn't working because the sensor needed a battery change. While doing this battery change task, someone appeared behind the window(the occupant). How or why on earth did they get such a high rating is beyond me. Never again. 200 bucks for the most frustrating experience and sleepless night. Get some black shades.

10

Tim

Aug 9, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The rooms were very clean. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again in a heartbeat.

10

Lisa

Sep 4, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Cleanliness is first and foremost in any stay, and El Castell was spot on there. Room was clean. I didn't notice any dirt in any crevices. Towels and linens were crisp and white. We used the pool, which was mostly clean - not murky, moldy or grimy. However, there was a slight collection of grit on the bottom of the pool. The hotel was comfortable I would stay here again. That being said, phone service is spotty in the area, and the Wifi was weak. TV has a few channels, and it took a few tries to get streaming channels because of the Internet. Again, I wasn't expecting a resort experience, so I was plenty satisfied. Service people that we encountered were all very nice.

10

ART

Jun 2, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean

10

JULIA

Aug 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Super clean modern rooms. Easy parking. Have stayed here a few times and would again.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Updated, comfortable rooms with practical amenities and spacious three‑bed options; downsides include thin walls and airport noise, occasional low water pressure, smaller layouts in some units, limited light‑blocking from shutters, and spotty Wi‑Fi.

Related guest reviews

6

Ian

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The walls are thin, but the rooms are not bad!

8

Richard

May 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Friendly staff at check in and checkout. The room was clean and mostly comfortable. Would have appreciated a bit more light-blocking window dressing since there was a very bright light outside our room and the blinds did not do an adequate job at night. The hotel is located close to the airport runway so bring earplugs. Departures fly directly overhead starting at about 5:15 AM. No flights after around 10PM or so. Otherwise, nice motel, good value.

10

laurie

Aug 5, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very clean premises, inside and outside. Bought a Milky Way from machine and it expired March 2025. It was not edible. Bed is not the most comfortable. Shower head water was very light water coming out. BUT, the drain worked well!

10

Jennifer

Aug 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Was pleasantly surprised with our space. Very large room with 3 queen beds, a full refrigerator, dressers, large closet, and nice large bathroom. Housekeeping was on it and everyone was kind.

8

Yulissa

Jul 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was really friendly and the price point for the stay was affordable. The only complaint would be the slow WiFi, otherwise it’s a good stay.

6

TRUDI

Aug 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was very small. Not enough room.

8

Randle

Aug 30, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The location is very close to all the hot spots of Monterey! It was very clean and the staff was very polite! The only issue I had was the walls were very thin so you could hear everything from neighbors. Other than that the room was comfortable for a day or two stay no problem!

10

KARIN

Nov 5, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very pleased with our 3 queen bed room. Lots of space. Clean. Comfortable beds. Large bathroom. Smaller full size refrigerator in our room and a keurig with K cups provided. Lots of towels. We were too busy to use the pool. Hotel was in a nice location. Dennys across the street is very convenient. Plenty of receptacles for charging phones. Very pleased with our stay.

10

Susan

May 20, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The outside looks like an old fashioned ranch style motel from the 50's-60's, but inside the rooms are very nicely updated with plank floors, crown molding, plantation shutters, and sleek furnishings and appointments. Big screen tv, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, fridge and super comfy bed. All this and a very affordable price. We couldn't ask for more and we will be staying here from now on when in Monterey.

8

Keith

Nov 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean and updated. The only downside was that the hotel is right next to an airport, with jets taking off early in the morning

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Service

Staff are often friendly with quick, smooth check‑ins, but some guests report unhelpful interactions, room‑assignment errors, housekeeping gaps, or difficulties with refunds and communication.

Related guest reviews

4

Luigi

Sep 23, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Unaccomodating when it comes to a billing refund

6

jose

Aug 25, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Waited in lobby for over 10min to check in had 2 other customers behind me waiting while the person working there was on the phone in the back. Also get in our room ac not working plus someone disnt fkush the toilet which tells me toilet wasn't cleaned after the last people that stayes in that room thats just nasty

4

Ann

Mar 29, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I went off of favorable reviews when I booked - they were untrue or fake. Staff was rude except for one daytime member. Asked for towels and denied! No handicap access. No parking near room!!!! Very sketchy area with a busy place next door!

10

Tom

Aug 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great place. As clean or cleaner than any major chain hotel I've been in. Beds were comfortable and pillows were just right for me (very subjective, but still...). Check in was super fast and the woman at the front desk was very nice and happy! Would stay here again in a heartbeat.

8

Rickey

Oct 26, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The rooms were clean, staff not very friendly. My granddaughter fell and busted her mouth and the cleanung crew just watched. No one offered ice a cloth anything. Very disappointing. Tried to call to check in late and the number is invalid.

2

George

Oct 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A plunger was next to the toilet which I thought was odd. I wanted to take shower but the tub immediately started filling with water so it was clogged. Poor sink pressure that I didn't even wait to get hot. The TV wasn't operational as the staff member told me after three trip to the front desk and I was told to use the smaller tv in the next room. I was given a suite because I was given a room that was already occupied initially. The staff member told me that the key card wasn't working because the sensor needed a battery change. While doing this battery change task, someone appeared behind the window(the occupant). How or why on earth did they get such a high rating is beyond me. Never again. 200 bucks for the most frustrating experience and sleepless night. Get some black shades.

8

Roberto

Nov 29, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean room, very comfortable beds. Slept good, I like a firmer mattress. I loved the ease during the check in process.

10

Karen

Aug 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice location, quiet, room updated and very clean, easy and quick check in/out.

2

Eduardo

Jun 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a terrible stay. Upon arriving my room was dirty and in disarray had not been cleaned yet. Staff on duty was nice but did not help, was basically told to go find somewhere else to stay. After driving around unable to stay.

6

April

Nov 9, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room was clean and fairly new. However, we were given the wrong room at check in; someone was already staying in the room. Pool was not heated and housekeeping was not an option during stay.

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Location

Convenient for Monterey attractions, highways, and the fairgrounds, with restaurants and shops nearby. Proximity to the airport and busy roads brings noticeable plane and street noise for some, and a car is often needed to reach main sights.

Related guest reviews

10

Brooke

Aug 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean rooms but need a car to get into downtown Monterey.

10

Louise

Oct 9, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

We were at Monterey Jazz and this was such a convenient place to stay as it is right across from the Monterey Fairgrounds. It was comfortable, clean, and we could park there all day while at the festival.

10

Yvonne

Sep 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice, quiet and clean room. The staff was friendly and responsive. It is located within walking distance to downtown Monterey and Seaside and an uber ride to Monterey Airport.

8

Karen

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Property was convenient to the beach and to Fisherman's Wharf. Easy to find.

10

Kinnar

Aug 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice location. Close to 17 miles drive and lots of stores and restaurants nearby.

8

Piyush

Aug 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Everything good but you can easily hear the sound of flights taking off and landing

10

Anne

Jun 25, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Rooms like new and very clean. Very nice people working desk. Liked that I could connect my iPhone channel apps to the tv. Just 5 minutes away from Cannery row. Liked that they had dresser drawers to put my clothes in. Next to fairgrounds if you like going to the jazz festival. The planes flying over didn’t bother me. Only negative would be the squeaky floor when people are walking in room above, but not a big deal.

8

Davona

May 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very clean rooms, excellent lighting, everything worked—air conditioning, fridge, microwave, etc. Easy, free parking. Bed was comfortable. Conveniently located near the highway. Did notice airplane noise from the airport. But not a problem for me because I wear earplugs at night.

10

Joshua

Sep 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

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.

8

Keith

Nov 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was clean and updated. The only downside was that the hotel is right next to an airport, with jets taking off early in the morning

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Dining

No on‑site breakfast is provided; guests note convenient dining options nearby, including a Denny’s across the street.

Related guest reviews

10

Thomas

Jun 15, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We stayed at El Castell Motel in Monterey, CA for our daughter’s graduation and had a great experience! As a large family of five—including three very tall teenage boys—finding comfortable accommodations can be a challenge, but this motel was perfect for us. Our room with three queen beds was spacious and practical, complete with a microwave and refrigerator, which came in handy. There were plenty of towels, the bathroom was spotless, and the iron and ironing board were well-used during our stay. This motel wasn’t a destination in itself, but it offered an economical and convenient stay that worked well for our big family. The front office staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, making check-in and any questions we had a breeze. The boys enjoyed playing in the heated pool, and we appreciated the lounge chairs next to the pool where we could relax in the sun. Plus, there were vending machines nearby for quick snacks. The location was very convenient, with gas stations and restaurants close by. We grabbed breakfast from Denny’s, and the lobby also offered specialty coffee drinks, which was a nice touch. Overall, this was a comfortable, budget-friendly option for families needing space and practicality. We would definitely stay here again!

10

Erik

Oct 29, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very clean and affordable for Monterey. Easy access to Highway 1 and main attractions in the Peninsula. Not many restaurants nearby.

10

Christina Linda

Jan 8, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Pool was kind of cold still since opening around pool area. Disappointing no breakfast had to find a spot each day. Good thing many options around motel.

10

Jennifer

Oct 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

No breakfast but clean and comfortable beds

8

Eleonora

Jul 14, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very clean and nice for a motel. Employee at reception rather bored and annoyed by guests but once you ignore that the rooms are tidy, beds are cozy and it is way less noisy than one would expect given the location. In fact the location is the only thing that was not too nice given the distance to the main attractions and the pier but absolutely no problem by car

8

Karen

Apr 7, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property is clean and nice. It is really close to the dining.

10

william

Sep 25, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great, clean, affordable motel. Really nice indoor pool. My only complaint is that Hotels.com says that breakfast is included and it in not.

10

Lincoln

Oct 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

There's a 24-hour Denny's across the street and a pornographic book store just beside the motel. So all of a person's needs are covered. No complementary breakfast, but those are often a disappointment. And if you don't like the vibe, there's a Super8 Motel on the other side. So far, so good!

8

Nicole

Jun 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very easy to get to and conveniently located near some great restaurants and attractions.

8

Cristina

Mar 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is really nice, clean rooms and near restaurants

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$70
February	$89
March	$79
April	$113
May	$132
June	$116
July	$146
August	$203
September	$122
October	$98
November	$81
December	$67

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16 $112	17 $112	18 $227	19 $377
20 $132	21 $115	22 $125	23 $127	24 $115	25 $369	26 $438
27 $277	28 $114	29 $107	30 $99

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $116	2 $176	3 $192
4 $100	5 $94	6 $110	7 $107	8 $112	9 $170	10 $190
11 $110	12 $99	13 $107	14 $102	15 $94	16 $136	17 $155
18 $94	19 $88	20 $97	21 $101	22 $88	23 $134	24 $157
25 $93	26 $90	27 $93	28 $87	29 $88	30 $123	31 $132

Select dates to see prices and availability

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Family Suite, 1 Bedroom

Room, 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Family Room, Multiple Beds

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about El Castell Motel

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Prices for upcoming dates