Ocean Inn Motel

The room inside was fresh, clean, and comfortable, and the bathroom was especially nice. For the price, and with the hospital so close, it suited my needs really well. I booked at the last minute while at North Shore hospital with my daughter, and the owner/manager was warm and welcoming on the phone. The night manager was just as friendly when I arrived close to 10pm. Outside, though, there was a pile of old furniture and the motel looked like it could use a proper clean and a coat of paint. One small wish: some Drinking Chocolate for a bedtime drink, but that's just me being picky.

The room was good value, and I'd stay again. We rang late at night after spotting an available room, and they reserved it for us over the phone right away. The bed was unusually comfortable for a motel, and the shower pressure was good. The room itself was decent. There were some questionable characters staying there that night, which made me wonder if they might accommodate emergency housing tenants, though I can't confirm that.

The heat pump/AC wasn't working, and there wasn't a shower towel in the room when I arrived. Since it was already late, I didn't want to bother reception about it. Apart from those issues, it was a good motel. Check-in was relaxed, and because I was arriving late, reception got in touch quickly and clearly to tell me where the key would be.

I checked in, but left again an hour later. Guests were drinking in the afternoon and taking up several rooms, and the atmosphere felt shady and unsafe. I wouldn't recommend staying here alone as a woman.