Sea Esta Motel 1

The room was cold no matter how I adjusted the temperature, and it smelled like an old house. One bed was so hard I couldn't sleep on it, and the hot water kept cutting out every five minutes. We were told we'd have a first-floor room, then had to carry everything up the stairs to the third floor. At checkout they charged extra for our dog, saying the third party hadn't charged me, even though our reservation specified a dog. The walls had patches and dents, the bathroom caulking looked like a child had done it, and there was black mold in the shower faucet. The bathroom fan didn't work either. The cleaning lady was awesome and friendly, but the front desk woman didn't inspect rooms. She said she hadn't been told, then marked rooms as "inspected" in the computer based on what she could remember, even though she wasn't sure. The beach is within walking distance, and the cleaning lady was nice. Everything else was a negative.

We lasted less than 10 minutes before telling them we needed a refund. The room smelled of mold and mildew, the bathroom and tub looked patched with plaster, and the blankets felt wet. I couldn't imagine what the sheets would be like. The location and service couldn't make it worth staying. I don't understand how anyone stays here or gives it five stars. It doesn't deserve even one.

There were six of us, including my disabled brother-in-law, and the room had two queen beds. We brought a small yoga mat for our six-year-old, so my husband shared with his little brother and I shared with our 11-year-old daughter. The mini fridge stayed cold, and we stocked up on drinks and snacks at Giant on the first day to save on food costs. It's a two-block walk along a quiet street to the beach, and the rinse-off station was handy for the kids after getting sandy. We'd been unsure because of the other reviews, but had a great time. The place is a bit older, though that didn't affect our stay. The employees were amazing and really helpful. We'll definitely be back.

The musty, moldy smell is my one real issue, though my family and I will return because the staff are so great. They're extremely friendly, and the prices are good. There's always parking, an outdoor rinse-off station, a beautiful view, and the beach is right next door. It's pet friendly too. The inside could use repairs, though I have noticed the rooms get fixed up a bit more each year.