The Fire Island Beach House

High rates for standards this cheap. I wouldn’t recommend it. Staying here is a real health hazard, no joke.

The room felt overpriced, with no coffee maker or fridge, and we were charged an extra $50 for a pool we never used. There were bikes outside, but using them cost extra too. When I asked hotel staff how to get there, they didn’t know which pier was closest. We ended up walking farther than necessary with our luggage.

FIBH has lovely grounds, easy beach access, and a picnic table. The room was clean and minimal, with wonderfully soft beds and a nice shower. For those of us with broken ankles or knees, soft beds matter. The room had no luggage rack, chair, or table, but that was manageable. The astroturf was a little odd, though who cares? The hard part was getting around. I have a torn knee that’s due for surgery in October and a recently broken ankle. When booking, I explained that I needed a room with as few stairs as possible, based on a wedding guest’s account of the venue accommodating someone with mobility issues. FIBH wouldn’t pick me up from the dock with my luggage. They said I couldn’t ride in the golf cart because someone had sued them after deliberately falling out, and they wouldn’t help arrange another option. They were firm that I shouldn’t ask again. Later they wouldn’t let my husband use a cart to pull me up the road, saying the tire was flat even though it looked fine. Some kind staff seemed afraid they’d be fired if they helped; others simply decided it wasn’t their problem. I missed all the first night’s activities, which meant returning to the dock and taking a water taxi to Ocean Beach to get to the Mermaid. They wouldn’t help me get back to the dock and didn’t suggest anything else. I hadn’t anticipated this when booking, and they could have told me so I could arrange help with the wedding party, or decide not to come. The whole thing felt mean and inflexible. It caused needless stress and was humiliating, especially at about $500 a night, even though I was told that was cheap for them and they usually charge $1,000. There was also a heavy sliding bathroom door with no emergency stop. It fell onto the bed. If we’d been lying there, it could have crushed us. Slide it very slowly if you stay there. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen, LOL. The next day, the wedding venue, Flynns, and the planners arranged to pick me up and bring me back after the reception. They were surprised by FIBH’s response. I did make arrangements for the wedding and then to get to the dock to go home, and I was glad to attend the lovely reception. Thanks to the people who were sympathetic and helped. This feels like an owner and management problem. FIBH should clearly say on its website that it won’t accommodate mobility issues. They could also consider a simple chain across the cart’s passenger side or a form releasing them from responsibility, though that might leave them open to an ADA lawsuit. Or they could just be human. It’s sad that people turned their backs on someone who needed help. Is that the new normal?

The location was convenient, but the room lacked basic furniture: no table, chairs, or dresser, and no mini fridge. There wasn’t even a full-length mirror, which would have helped in a suite intended for five or more guests. The room felt sparse and uncomfortable. Worse, we found bedbugs in all three beds. We told the staff as soon as we discovered them, but they showed no care or concern. It was unsettling and made it hard to relax. The problems really took away from the stay, and it didn’t feel worth what we paid. I hope they address this for future guests.