The Port Hotel & Marina

The location was really nice, and check-in went fine. The hotel itself is outdated, though clean, and I can see they're working on a new development. Construction made parking and unloading a hassle. Service at the Tiki was awful. I understand things can be slow when a place is understaffed, but we sat for at least ten minutes without so much as a nod or acknowledgment, even though they saw us. We left. This was our second visit, and it'll be our last.

The staff were friendly, and the view from our room was the best. That's why I give it two stars. I chose the hotel for its great location and the view, but the place just felt run-down, not charmingly vintage, even though I knew it was old. Upkeep wasn't great: pipes rattled every five minutes all night, the beds felt like they were from the '50s, and the 27" LCD TV had ghosting and connection problems. The smoke detector was chirping when we arrived, so I had to change its battery myself. The stairs were very rickety, with unfinished wood strapped onto the original metal handrails. They're building a new hotel next door, so maybe we'll return when it's finished.

The balcony looks out over the marina and water, where you can watch manatees eating breakfast in the morning. Check-in was easy, and I liked the old-school keys instead of a key card. They're building a new building next door, but I hope this hotel stays. I'd definitely stay again. It's not a five-star, top-of-the-line hotel. If you want a great place with a mom-and-pop feel, this is it.

Watching the water was a highlight, and the view was stunning, especially for sunsets. The room was perfect and very clean, in a perfect location. The only issue was that the TV didn't work, but it didn't bother us at all.