The Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, located in downtown Monterey, completed a $1.83 million renovation project at the end of February that touched on its De Anza and Bonsai ballrooms as well as its De Anza Foyer. The property worked with San Francisco-based RoseBernard Studio to refresh the spaces’ interior designs, drawing on inspiration from the city’s maritime heritage through a coastal theme featuring weathered wood and clear blue water-colored motifs.
“The goal of the renovations, which we have achieved, was to showcase a blend of sophistication and local charm that enhanced every corporate meeting, social gathering, or conference that is hosted on our property in the future,” says Janine Chicourrat, managing director at the hotel. “These updates underscore a major step in our commitment to providing top-notch experiences, making sure every event is not just held, but also truly memorable.”
Portola Hotel & Spa is a AAA Four Diamond property and the Central Coast’s first LEED-certified hotel. It offers 379 well-appointed guest rooms and a total of 60,000 square feet of function space, with additional event space available at the adjacent Monterey Conference Center. Planners can choose from the hotel’s 25 different conference, banquet, and meeting rooms, alongside an additional 60,000 square feet of on-site outdoor space.
“We also offer green meetings and reduced-waste conferences, which encourage eco-friendly practices and sustainability in meetings and events,” Chicourrat adds. “As the Central Coast’s first LEED-certified hotel, this offering reinforces our commitment to environmental conservation.” These sustainable meetings can be arranged through the hotel’s Reduced Waste Conference Program, available for events of up to 500 attendees.
The updated lobby-level De Anza Ballroom, the largest on-site meeting room, features 10,000 square feet of space with capacity to host up to 1,000 attendees. Also on the first floor, the updated Bonsai Ballroom offers 2,500 square feet of space for groups of up to 200. Some of the hotel’s outdoor spaces for planners to choose from include the Cottonwood Plaza, Jacks Terrace, Memory Garden, and The Club Room Patio.
Along with the event and overnight accommodations, Portola Hotel & Spa features the Spa on the Plaza, an upscale spa that has been in operation for more than 20 years. “Spa on the Plaza offers a team of professionals committed to making your visit exceptional,” says Chicourrat. “Experience the serenity of the relaxation lounge, 11 beautifully appointed massage rooms, and more than 40 signature treatments accommodating up to 80 guests a day.” Additional spa amenities include an outdoor plunge pool, a jacuzzi, and fitness center. The spa can also host events for groups of up to 14 that include private spa experiences, a cheese platter, chocolate-covered strawberries, tea, and champagne.
“In addition to the newly renovated indoor and unique outdoor spaces we provide, the exceptional location of Portola makes for ease of walkability and discovery in the heart of Monterey,” says Chicourrat. “Conference-goers enjoy recharging with a harborside stroll to the beach or Cannery Row, adding fresh-air inspiration and photo ops while taking in the natural beauty along the largest marine sanctuary in the country.”
