We stayed for two nights at the Sand Dollar Inn on a recent road trip. The room was basic and clean. It had a separate bedroom and a fireplace. There was a small deck, as well. The front desk was very nice and helpful. As other mentioned, a basic continental breakfast is served in the lobby, which is nice to grab a quick muffin and coffee on the go. The walls are thin and you can hear your neighbors, but not enough to worry about.

We stayed at the Sand Dollar for one night early September. This was a last minute change that I wish I did not make. The hotel was ok, nothing special. Our original reservation was in Carmel by the Sea but I changed to the Sand Dollar after reading reviews on trip advisor. The room was a little dated and the balcony with a "nice view" overlooked the back parking lot. I booked through Hotels.com (first time) and they really built this place up. It was just average. The rooms were clean, front desk staff was friendly and gave us a coupon toward dinner at the Fisherman's Grotto on Fishermans Wharf. The hotel is just a few minutes from fishermans wharf and the aquarium. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel but they have a small room with a basic continental breakfast. The hotel is not bad, just not what I expected.

This hotel is in a good location from the Fisherman's Wharf (which we thought was better than Cannerey Row) and from many different restaurants/bars. The rooms needed a little updating but it was nice to have a balcony, fireplace, refrigerator, etc. The price was decent. Really easy to find off of the highway. Breakfast was decent...oatmeal, bagels, juice, cereal, decent choices for fruit, coffee, pasteries, etc. Not gormet by any means but did the job for those who just wanted to grab a quick bite and get out on the road. Strongly recommend the drive down Hwy. 1 to the Big Sur. Very beautiful. We rented bikes in Monterey as well..very fun and lots of places to ride.

Was staying in Monteray for four days and booked online requesing a room with a balcony.

When I arrived I was told that I was booked into a room at the back of one of the buildings with no balcony and no view to speak of. This was because they had a coach party arriving.
Although why this should affect my allocated room I don't know. Perhaps they give coach parties the best rooms in the hope of repeat business, even though they were only there for one night and I was there for four. I also get fed up of paying a price per room regardless of the number of occupants and being shoved in the worst rooms, just because I am a solo traveller!

Anyway, when I mentioned that I had read the reviews on Trip Advisor, and was disappointed not to get they type of room I had requested, they did manage to 'find' me a room with a balcony. I do think that mentioning Trip Advisor helped their change of heart.

I was put in a good sized king room, with a mini kitchenette. My only complaint was that it had an adjoining door and they were decorating next door during the day, so it was very noisy! But in Monteray, the last place you should be is inside during the day!

In the end I was pleased with the location for the price as it was easy to walk everywhere and I had a comfortable stay.