Block Island Beach House

The bed and bathtub were very nice, and the location is pretty sweet, but this was no luxury experience for $500 a night. The windows were so dirty that sunlight made it impossible to see through them. One screen was ripped, the windows and shades didn’t work, and there were dead insects on the bathroom floor. There was also a leak under the sink, dirty walls, and peeling paint. I’ll look for somewhere else when I return next year.

The walls in this old building are almost paper thin, and the acoustics made sleep nearly impossible. We could literally hear every word of the neighbors’ conversation, as well as people coming home late. The shower pressure was weak and the water never really got above lukewarm. The front desk is unstaffed from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. We stayed this past weekend, 0808-0810, 2025. The location is great, near lots of bars and restaurants and right on the beach, which is lovely for sunsets. Check-in was easy, and our small room was clean. The king bed was comfortable, with a stand-up shower, though I don’t know if other rooms have bathtubs. The hotel cafe’s coffee and breakfast were decent but pricey. They also stored our bags after the 11 a.m. Sunday checkout, which was helpful since our ferry was later.

We spent our first wedding anniversary in this dump, and it wasn’t acceptable. We had to change rooms twice. The first room was dirty, and despite being listed as handicap accessible, its uneven floors were a hazard. We kept tripping when we walked in. The A/C in the second room didn’t work, and it was too hot to sleep.

If location is your priority, this is the best spot on Block Island, right on the beach and downtown. The refurbished rooms are extremely small, though. They’re fine, but the high price is tough if you want extra space, and I’d look elsewhere if you plan to spend much time in your room. There’s no elevator, which is a hassle with heavy luggage. Service was decent.