Beautiful coastal scenery, world-renowned golf courses, and delicious seafood are just a few of the reasons why Monterey is a fabulous vacation destination. If you’re visiting Monterey, the 17-mile drive is a must-see for scenic attractions and wildlife. Families will love the famous Monterey Aquarium, where you’ll learn about underwater life and ocean conservation.

The town is not only gorgeous, but it’s also a happening place. This year, Monterey was home to the U.S. Open, which drew the world’s best golfers who headed to Pebble Beach to compete for the championship title. (Congrats Gary Woodland!) In addition to the stars of golf, the star-studded cast of HBO’s Big Little Lies has been filming the show in Monterey.

For those looking for a unique boutique hotel experience, the Inns of Monterey provide excellent locations, intimate size, and personalized service. Here are five unique boutique hotel options for your visit to Monterey.

Spindrift Inn

Time for a little romance? Spindrift Inn boasts a prime beachfront setting with views over Monterey Bay, just steps away from five wine tasting rooms and many excellent restaurants on Cannery Row. A Conde Nast award-winning hotel, Spindrift features 45 guestrooms and suites with plenty of natural light, Mediterranean-Coastal style, and serene ambiance.

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Monterey Bay Inn

For the active traveler, Monterey Bay Inn is perched over the bay with sweeping views in every guestroom; the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs just steps from the hotel and is adjacent to the launch point for scuba and kayaking; fishing and whale watching vessels on Fisherman's Wharf are a short walk. The Inn's style is contemporary-coastal, featuring ocean hues for a calm, fresh environment.

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Wave Street Inn

Families enjoy abundant kid-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages on Cannery Row, and Wave Street Inn is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Cannery Row's fishing heritage history inspires the 32-room hotel's beachy décor, and its contemporary art and pops of ocean-blue and starfish-orange accents make for a sunny, laid-back vibe. Four new fire pits await s'mores lovers for extended fun during those summer nights.

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Victorian Inn

With a prime Monterey Bay setting and unique architectural highlights from the area's once-thriving sardine canning industry, Cannery Row promises photo ops unlike any other in Monterey. Victorian Inn reflects that historic period decor with all the modern amenities. For all the pet owners out there, Victorian Inn is a pet-friendly property with facilities chosen explicitly for four-legged travelers.

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Case Munras Garden Hotel and Spa

A dramatic coastline, gorgeous natural beauty, and historically significant architecture have earned Monterey and the surrounding area a starring role in countless major motion pictures and television shows. Casa Munras Garden Hotel and Spa, situated in Monterey's Heritage District, is the ideal location from which to explore these star-studded entertainment locales. Fans of Big Little Lies will enjoy easy access to locations featured in both seasons of the show, as well as city museums, historic government buildings, and the vibrant downtown area. With gorgeous gardens and hacienda-style buildings, guests enjoy a tranquil setting with easy access to local attractions.

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For more information about boutique hotels in Monterey, visit innsofmonterey.com.

[Images courtesy of Inns of Monterey/Source: Inns of Monterey]

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy