Anchor Pointe Inn

I’ve stayed at Anchor Pointe inn several times over the past three years before cruises from Long Beach, and I’m coming back this May with my Godmother. I was showing her the reviews and realized I’d never written one myself. A recent review seemed especially harsh and didn’t match any of my visits. In my experience, Anchor Point Inn is clean, safe, quiet, and has very kind, helpful staff. It’s always been pleasant, and I appreciate that the prices have stayed affordable and fair. There aren’t many places to eat right nearby, but a plaza with a supermarket and food is about a 15-minute walk away. There’s a convenience store around the corner to the right, one block down, and a nearby bus that loops around Wilmington. I can’t remember its number, so you’ll need to look it up. An Uber to the cruise port has never cost me more than $18.

For the price, check-in and checkout were easy, and I have no complaints. It felt more like a hostel than a hotel, but the owners are lovely and very accommodating. We chose a room with its own bathroom and didn’t realize the bed was only a full size. It was fine for one night. Wi-Fi worked on our phones, though the TV only had service for about an hour. It was fairly quiet, and we felt safe walking to nearby shops and restaurants.

The reviews and photos made this place seem very different from what I found. The surrounding area is an unpleasant, run-down industrial zone, and a nearby train kept sounding its horn through the night. There’s no elevator, so I had to carry my bags up a flight of stairs, which was difficult since I’d had a heart attack two weeks earlier. The room had a small, old sink that didn’t work. We had to brush our teeth in the shower in the shared Jack and Jill bathroom, which was also shared with the room next door. That felt very unsanitary. I’m fine with budget motels, and I’ve stayed in some nice ones, but this felt more like a hostel. The room was very disappointing. Owners, do better.

The house looks about 20 years younger now, and my parents are thrilled with how fresh and clean it looks. My grandma’s old place had become pretty faded, but the professional house painters in Los Angeles did a fantastic job and treated my mom’s garden with real respect. I’m so glad we found them!