A peek at the tapa-style menus at the new Sebastian's at Monterey Tides.

For years the humble hotel perched on the dunes between Monterey and Seaside was an undercover ghetto-fabulous gem sitting right beneath our noses.

Sitting at the oceanside end of Canyon Del Rey, it's still known as the Best Western to a lot of locals, despite a number of ownership iterations since then.

Now, with upscale Joie de Vivre at the reins—which also directs Carmel Valley Ranch and Ventana Inn, among a thick catalog of international resorts—don't expect it to go low-pro or ghetto-fab any longer.

The new resort/hotel, which officially celebrates its reopening with an invite-only party Thursday, July 14, is called Monterey Tides.

A look at the remade former lobby bar, now tapas-driven Sebastian's (394-3321), indicates the price tag and glam has caught up with the view.

Some pictures appear above.

The Spain-tilted menus appear there too. 

Highlights include things like Barcelona night cocktails ($12), beer-battered jicama tacos ($10) and Spanish seared scallops with cucumber-mango salsa ($16).

Hours are 7-11am, 11am-2:30pm and 5pm-close daily.