The pick of the hotels in Marina, CA, is probably the Holiday Inn Express, on the corner of Reservation Rd & Seaside Ave, a mile east of downtown, a mile west of the ocean, and within 2 miles of both the local airport and California State University-Monterey Bay. This is clean, modern hotel of 57 rooms & 23 suites, in a quiet residential area next to two city parks - close to Highway 1 but far enough away to escape any noise of traffic. The main amenities are a sauna, health/fitness center, guest laundry and of course free continental breakfast.

The Best Western hotel in Marina has a particularly scenic setting on the edge of the sand dunes bordering Monterey Bay - the inn is just 0.2 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and some of the 84 rooms have views of the sea. This quiet neighborhood is separated from the main part of town by Highway 1 which runs by just east; the many shops and restaurants in Marina are a 1.5 mile drive away. The 2 floor, motel-style building includes a spa, children's playground, guest laundry, and a dining area where free continental breakfast is served.

At 140 Reservation Road, the Comfort Inn hotel in Marina is near the west edge of town, in a quiet area just off Highway 1 and 0.9 miles from the coastline at Marina State Beach. Half a block south is Locke Paddon Park, good for hiking, picnicking and bird watching. Accommodation consists of 62 rooms, generally large, clean and well furnished, some equipped with microwave & refrigerator. For leisure the inn provides an exercise room, sauna & sun deck, though no pool. The usual free continental breakfast is served, with other meals available from a large selection of nearby restaurants.

Right next to the Best Western, at 3280 Dunes Drive, the Quality Inn Monterey Beach Dunes offers 114 comfortable rooms in a 3 floor building with views out over the Pacific Ocean. This part of the coastline is quite undeveloped, consisting of miles of sand stretching from Marina State Beach just south, to Salinas River State Park in the north. The inn is easily accessed from the Reservation Rd exit of Highway 1, and is 10 miles from the many attractions of the Monterey Peninsula. There is one restaurant adjacent; more choices, and all other facilities, are found in Marina town center a short drive southeast.