Ahead of a visit to Monterey—or perhaps during your stay—the team at Portola Hotel & Spa suggests a bit of recommended reading. It’s an invitation to root yourself in the rhythms of coastal California, should you choose. Some of the hotel’s recent “book club picks” include “East of Eden” by Nobel Prize–winning author John Steinbeck, set in the nearby Salinas Valley and soon to be adapted as a limited series for Netflix, as well as “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty, the suspenseful novel that inspired an HBO series and a wave of “set-jetting” to witness the region’s misty, moody coastlines and rugged cliffs plunging into the Pacific.
The timing feels right. Earlier this year, Google Trends declared 2026 the “year of whimsy,” citing a surge in searches for “how to add more whimsy to your life?”
Small, artful gestures like the book club and a “mindful stay” package that comes with a 90-day mindfulness journal as well as other offerings at Portola Hotel & Spa have a way of adding texture to the guest experience, and creating memorable stays that invite curiosity, connection and a sense of place beyond the itinerary.
“Small, unexpected moments of fun break up the agenda, lower barriers and help people connect more naturally,” said Megan Strandburg, Senior Catering and Events Manager at Portola Hotel & Spa. “These touches re-energize attendees, spark conversation and make the experience feel memorable rather than transactional.”
Alongside this spirit of delight, Portola Hotel & Spa continues its serious and sustained work in sustainability. As the first hotel in Monterey County to be recognized as a Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Hotel, the property affirms a long-standing commitment to ocean conservation on California’s Central Coast—proof that thoughtfulness at Portola extends from the smallest details to the bigger picture.
Ahead, here’s a few ways meeting and event guests can enjoy a little whimsy at Portola, starting with the book club.
Portola’s Monterey-Focused Book Club
Monterey’s literary lineage runs deep. Here, the Pacific unfurls into the broad crescent of Monterey Bay, morning fog drapes the shore and rugged granite cliffs hover above turquoise coves. Inland, the verdant Salinas Valley completes the tableau—landscapes that have long stirred the imaginations of literary giants.
In recognition of this heritage, and to enrich every kind of stay—whether for a conference, a celebration or a vacation—Portola has launched a new book club featuring monthly selections connected to Monterey and its surrounding region.
The idea was inspired by travel trends, with readers and book clubs journeying to destinations to experience firsthand the landscapes brought to life on the page. It’s a natural extension of film tourism, which travel experts have identified as one of the biggest trends shaping travel in recent years.
“We have so many incredible local authors, not to mention John Steinbeck, who truly captures the landscape of Monterey County,” said Janine Chicourrat, Portola Hotel & Spa’s managing director.
Portola’s lobby includes an adjacent library nook where guests can borrow books throughout their stay, she said. The hotel’s blog also highlights a novel each month that is set in Monterey County, inspired by Monterey or written by a local author.
In coordination with each selection, the hotel’s concierge suggests places to visit that deepen the connection to the text. For February’s “East of Eden” pick, travelers could visit the National Steinbeck Center, which features exhibits on his books and photographs, or explore local wineries, as the Salinas Valley is known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs.
Other selections trace the region’s broader literary map. “Big Sur” by Jack Kerouac is a Beat-era classic written about and set along the rugged Big Sur coastline south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, famous for its dramatic cliffs and ocean vistas that define the region’s wild natural beauty, Chicourrat said.
“There are also multiple sights featured in ‘Big Little Lies’ (January’s book club pick), including Paluca’s Trattoria, located just outside our back door on Fisherman’s Wharf,” she said.
Copies of each monthly selection are available in the lobby library, creating Portola’s own version of a book club.
“The book club blog series is very new, but the response to offering a library space has always been positive and welcoming,” Chicourrat said. “Guests sit with their families to flip through books or close the curtains to gather for small meetings in the space.”
Martinis for Two and Bark-Uterie Boards
Whimsy carries through the food and beverage program at Portola Hotel & Spa, with specials like “Martinis for Two” at Jacks Monterey—a pairing of two martinis, a Caesar salad and fries. Guests can add the swank meal deal when booking a room or through the pre-arrival email.
“The idea for ‘Martinis for Two’ came from one of our team members who kept raving about our restaurant's martinis,” said Portola’s Executive Chef Carl Ashurst. “Their love and passion for the drink made me come up with some pairings for them.”
The culinary team prepares the crisp salad with house-made croutons, seasoned with basil, oregano, garlic and a generous amount of butter.
“The best martinis are shaken (never stirred), ice cold and frothed up enough to help bring out the olive flavors in the drink and the lemon from the Caesar salad,” Ashurst said.
For traveling dogs, the dog-friendly menu available at Jacks Monterey or Peter B’s includes a “Bark-Uterie Board” featuring diced chicken, brown rice, diced apples and carrots, along with two Portola dog bone biscuits.
“We’re a very pet-friendly hotel, and while we already had Bark Bowls on the menu at our restaurants, we wanted to offer a healthier option for our four-legged guests,” Ashurst said. “Lots of people are choosing to go out with their pets and we really wanted to offer an elevated dining experience for everyone in the family.”
Charming Events Held in the Memory Garden
Whimsy at Portola Hotel & Spa begins with books and bites, and it extends seamlessly into the spaces where guests gather.
Meeting planners have their pick of these types of scenic and unique spaces, including the Memory Garden, which is just behind the hotel.
This gorgeous space was designed in 1927 by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr., a landscape architect and city planner whose portfolio includes Central Park in New York City. An adobe wall and Southern Magnolia trees add charm, and this serene space can accommodate up to 500 guests for events under the stars.
“This venue mixes lush greenery with a fountain of koi fish and some local history that brings a sense of calmness and reflection,” Strandburg said.
As the year of whimsy invites more joy into travel, Portola Hotel & Spa offers it at every turn.
From a Monterey-inspired novel in the lobby library, to a perfectly chilled martini with fries, to a gathering beneath magnolia trees in the Memory Garden, these moments encourage guests to slow down and savor California’s central coast.