Morro Bay Hotels

Like most hotels in Morro Bay, Best Western San Marcos Motor Inn is located in the downtown area, in this case at 250 Pacific St, just 2 blocks from the edge of the bay, and an easy walk to many restaurants, shops and bars. As well as the bay, many of the 32 rooms (on 3 floors) have views of the Pacific Ocean and Morro Rock; they are equipped with a microwave & refrigerator, plus the expected amenities. Complimentary food & drink is provided twice a day - deluxe continental breakfast in the morning then an evening reception with wine & cheese. Special features of the hotel include an atrium lobby, a real log fire and the Hydra Therapy indoor spa.

Best Western El Rancho has a convenient location on the north side of Morro Bay, alongside Highway 1 - a quarter mile from the nearest beach and a few blocks from the junction with CA 41 from Atascadero. The inn is a small motel-style building - just 27 rooms, all on the ground floor, with doors opening out to the parking area in the middle of which is an outdoor pool. Some of the rooms have views westwards towards Morro Rock. The on-site Maya Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch & dinner, and although there are some other diners within walking distance, most of the best places are in the town center, 1.5 miles south.

One of three Best Western hotels in Morro Bay, the Tradewinds Motel offers 24 clean rooms, some with views of the ocean and Morro Rock, in a 2 storey building close to the shops and restaurants of the town center - the bayfront is just 2 blocks west, and Main Street is 2 blocks east. A spa, hot tub, sundeck and free continental breakfast are the pick of the (somewhat limited) amenities, though the smaller scale of the inn means that rates are rather lower than some other places in town.

The Ascot Suites is a handsome, timber frame building in the center of Morro Bay that became part of the Choice Hotels Ascend Collection in 2010. The hotel is 2 blocks from the waterfront along Morro Bay Blvd, within walking distance of all the restaurants, shops and galleries in the downtown area. There are 32 boutique-style rooms available - large, comfortable and nicely decorated, all containing a refrigerator & coffee maker and some with fireplace, balcony and/or hot tub bath. Free continental breakfast, free wi-fi and free nightly reception are the main amenities.

Another motel in the center of Morro Bay, the Econo Lodge has just 18 rooms - smallish but adequately equipped with amenities including a refrigerator, and the rates are more reasonable than at the larger hotels. The lodge is 4 blocks from the Embarcadero, located on Main Street, a short distance south of Highway 1. Some of the rooms have a sea view. Free continental breakfast is served while for dinner there is a seafood restaurant just opposite.

Half a mile south of the Econo Lodge Morro Bay is a second Choice Hotels motel, similar in design and also small in size (21 rooms). This inn is located at 540 Main St, still within walking distance of the town center, and also of the bayfront, Monte Young Park & Tidelands Park. Accommodation is basic but clean; each room has a microwave & refrigerator, and some have views of the ocean. The hotel serves free continental breakfast.