Barefoot Mailman Inn & Suites

I felt safe staying on my own at Barefoot Mailman Motel, and booking, checking in, and checking out were all easy. Its closeness to the railroad even brought back a comforting childhood feeling. I was visiting my husband in the hospital, and the motel gave me a peaceful place to stay in Lantana. The grounds have lots of flowers and greenery, plus an outdoor lounge with a Key West feel where I enjoyed coffee near large cages with colorful birds. My room was immaculate, with an updated bathroom, and Michelle was attentive and made an effort to meet my needs. The rates were reasonable, too. It was a welcoming, comfortable haven, and I appreciate the confidence I felt during my solo stay. Warm regards, Lisa, Room -13

We couldn’t stay in the room and had to book another hotel. There were pills and rubbish on the floor, tools in the shower, and hair all over the bed. It looked as if the room hadn’t been cleaned after the previous guest. I was shocked by how filthy and unsafe it felt. I’d booked through a third-party site because the photos looked decent, but what we found looked more like a place for drug use than a motel for paying guests. No one was at reception when we arrived, and we stood in the rain for a long time. The woman who eventually checked us in seemed rushed and charged me twice. As she walked us to the room, she took a call and spoke nastily to another customer. That should have warned us. I reported what happened to the booking company. They contacted the motel, and the woman promised a full $130 refund, but it never came. This was back in October and I’m still waiting. Both the person named on the reservation and I have followed up with the third-party company several times. We were told the motel refuses to return the money. They took payment for a room we couldn’t use, and the whole thing feels like a scam. Avoid this place.

The train across the street went by far too often, and I wouldn’t stay here again. The bed was uncomfortable, there was nowhere to put clothes, and the shower pressure was the worst I’ve had anywhere. A rain shower head is no use without decent water pressure.

The best part of our trip turned out to be the time we spent at the motel. We’d expected to go to fancy restaurants and busy beaches, but mornings in the garden with coffee and evenings on the porch with beer or wine were much more relaxing. We listened to cheerful, calming music and the sounds of nature, and meeting Paco the parrot made the stay feel special. The place had a peaceful, old-fashioned feel that took us back to simpler times. We met other guests and the friendly staff, including the manager and owner, and everyone made us feel at home. It became a much more relaxing getaway than we’d expected, and a place where we made lasting memories.