On Monday, the phones at Monterey Peninsula Reservations were busy with visitors seeking last-minute rooms. The few rooms available were mostly because of cancellations, said owner Donna Ibens.
Two-night minimums are pretty standard, he said, and rates climb as demand increases. So while the county’s average room rate in December and January was $129, the July and August rate average last year reached $180.
“The prices are scaring people a bit,” said Ibens. “I’ve had a lot of calls and they don’t want to pay $300 a night.”
The least expensive rooms were $250 a night in Pacific Grove and Carmel, said Ibens.
These are the hotels opposing a tax hike? $500 to stay in PG for two nights? Ow!