Red Roof Inn Neptune - Jersey Shore

After trying a second Roof Inn at the Jersey Shore today, we’re done with this company. We travel a lot and used to choose them because they accept dogs without breed restrictions. They quoted my partner one price over the phone, then wanted more than $1,100 for a week. Don’t trust that quote. It’s a shame, since Motel 6 also allows dogs without breed restrictions and has much nicer employees.

There were ants all over the desk, coffee maker, and TV console when I woke up, nearly reaching my luggage. The shower had visible black mold, and I had to rinse pubic hair out before using it. The towels were covered in hair too. When I said I’d be asking for my money back, the 14 year old kid at the front desk laughed. I booked through priceline and bought trip protection, but none of that makes it okay to put guests in an infested, unsanitary room.

The beds were awful, my boyfriend hardly slept. The mattress was stiff, the pillows were rock hard, and the sheets and blankets felt itchy. I really wish I’d brought more fabreeze. The metal bed frame was just as bad, making a noise every time you moved, like it might collapse, and its bars left me with a few bruises by morning. The location worked for an emergency night since it was only 10 minutes from my aunt and cheap enough. Service was okay, though I never met the person I booked with. They kept saying they’d arrive in 30 minutes or an hour, then pushed it to the next morning. I didn’t mind much, but felt bad calling everyone Sam.

The room was in good shape and clean, with a decent walk-in shower. Ocean Grove beach is about 12 minutes away, which is hard to beat for the price, and I’d stay again. A few things to know: I didn’t find the coffee, vending, or ice that the hotel website says should be accessible in the lobby. The ice machine is behind the front desk, and it seems you can call them from the lobby phone to buy candy bars. I’m not sure about soft drinks. There was a "cafe valet" in the room, but the creamer powder had hardened and looked old. There are coffee places nearby.