Ocean Marina Hotel

Many thanks to the staff for their help and hospitality. Their kindness and understanding really stood out when they were dealing with a situation that called for compassion, on behalf of the person and dog I came to help, not me. The facility could use improvements and isn’t luxurious, but that won’t matter to everyone. If you’re low-maintenance and don’t expect much, you’ll find clean sheets, a big TV with plenty of mindless programming, a coffee machine, warmth, a fridge, a lockbox, and a shower. It hasn’t moved on from the era it was built in, but it’s adequate for getting some rest.

We were there for a hockey tournament, and the empty parking lot, with only four cars, should’ve told me something before I booked. The building is old and rickety. There was no thermostat, and the baseboard heater was blasting, so the room got hot. The pillows were thin and lumpy, and the three of us had just one key to share. On Saturday at 9 a.m., the front desk was still closed, and there were no complimentary offerings.

We’d booked this hotel months ahead, but walked in and right back out. It was filthy, with mold in the fridge and freezer, and a bathroom outlet hanging out of the wall. When we plugged in the bathroom fan, it sparked. The lobby, hallways, and rooms looked like they hadn’t been vacuumed in months. We had trouble getting a refund so we could go elsewhere, but after we filmed the room and told the front desk, they returned our money pretty quickly. There were sketchy people coming and going who clearly lived there. It was upsetting and so disappointing. We were lucky to find another hotel, since everything was booked up.

After a house fire, my stepdad died, all my belongings were gone, and my mom had life-threatening injuries. I was overwhelmed and incredibly sad, and I have two big huskies. A lot of motels and hotels say no to dogs, but The Ocean Marina Hotel put me up for four nights and let me bring them. A young man at the front desk greeted me with a smile and had me checked in within a minute. It was quick and easy, and the customer service was commendable. My room was clean and comfortable, and it was easy to find a staff member. Shops are within a five-minute walk, with the dyke across the road for a walk or jog, and there’s a boat launch too. Best of all, there’s a fully secured dog park directly across the street. I could let my dogs run off-leash, get some energy out, and enjoy being outside. Free internet and Wi-Fi as well. I highly recommend this hotel, especially for people dealing with difficult circumstances.