The Palms Oceanfront Hotel

For $1,300 for two nights, I expected a spotless hotel. Honestly, any hotel should be clean, whatever the price. The room looked okay at first, but after we settled in, the dirty walls stood out. The chairs were worn and peeling, and the stained shower curtain looked tired. The lobby didn’t impress me either, and by then I’d already decided we wouldn’t eat breakfast there. Getting to the room didn’t inspire confidence. The elevator looked bad, and the stairwell needed attention. It’s a beach hotel, but the condition still matters. I found myself wondering what I’d booked and whether to just take the loss and leave. The location is excellent, right on the beach and close enough to walk to food. Parking onsite is extremely tight. If you have a large SUV, forget it, and you pay for parking when you book. The walls are paper thin, so we heard everything from the neighbors. Our room was beside the ice maker, which was very loud, and with the open air hallways, doors slam shut, especially annoying late at night or early in the morning. I’ve never written a bad review before, but paying $1,300 for a partial ocean view over two nights compelled me to share this. I should have read more reviews first. I’d look elsewhere.

The main reason I wouldn’t return is the noise. We could hear every word from the couple in the adjoining room, and at 1:30 a.m. we had to call the front desk to ask them to keep it down. The hotel did call them, and we could hear that conversation through the wall. Afterward, they made lewd noises, though we were told they’d be leaving the next day. I asked to move once they checked out and was assured no one was due in that room and that a note had been left, but we weren’t moved. That night a family with small kids checked in, and we heard them scream on and off all night. The hallways echo too, and the doors slam loudly, apparently because of how the hinges are set. If you expect to sleep through the night, this isn’t the place. Better soundproofing could make it a much better stay. Other parts were a mix. The room was clean and decent, housekeeping refreshed it well, and the front desk staff were very friendly. Beach access was fantastic. The onsite garage parking is rough, and cars seemed at high risk of being hit. There’s free parking in municipal lot A, so I’d start there. The pool is small, unheated, and tucked into a corner behind walls. Breakfast was adequate, neither great nor bad. The room itself was hard to justify at $400 a night.

The location was the one good part. The price just wasn’t worth it. We booked an interior room, and I wouldn’t recommend doing that. Check-in is at 4 p.m., and arriving even a minute early costs $100. Our room wasn’t clean. After housekeeping came, they’d made the bed but hadn’t cleaned the floors or wiped the sink and bathroom counter. The bed and pillows were uncomfortable, the AC barely worked, and the walls were so thin we heard everything. Staff weren’t friendly and didn’t even acknowledge us when we entered the lobby. There’s no proper security setup. I’m not asking for security staff or a doorman, but anyone can walk in and wander around the hotel. The room doors don’t close fully behind you, and opening yours means using the key card while jiggling the handle upward.

The room had a slow bathroom sink drain, but otherwise I had no complaints. The hotel is close to the beach and the main strip. The manager was helpful, polite, and professional, and adjusted my charge to half for the night, which I appreciated. Still, the first impression at The Palms Oceanfront in Isle of Palms was very poor. I’d flown in for my son’s military school graduation and arrived around noon, hoping to settle in and get some beach time. The front desk associate was dismissive when I greeted her and asked whether early check-in might be possible. She rolled her eyes, and did it again when I calmly repeated the question in case my room was ready. When I gave my name and said the booking might be under my maiden or married name, she looked frustrated and kept the same tone. The repeated eye rolling and unkempt appearance didn’t seem professional for someone at the front desk. She said the reservation was for the previous night and that I’d already been charged. I asked for a manager, and after some back and forth he came out and explained what had happened. While waiting, I saw the same associate greet white guests much more warmly and professionally. As a Black woman, that difference in treatment was noticeable and disappointing. The manager resolved the charge issue, but service should be respectful and consistent for every guest.