The Cove

The rooms were clean and nice, and the location and price were good. There was a strange odor from the sink, though. Check-in was a mess: we arrived around 545, after the earliest check-in time of 4pm, and nobody was on site. The number left at the desk connected us to a third party handling bookings, and I waited on hold for nearly an hour. In the end, I had to go behind the security desk and get my own key. I could access all the keys and security cameras, which seemed risky. Around 2-3 am, we finally got a text from someone I think was the landlord, asking if we’d gotten in. Pretty unbelievable. This was the least professional rental I’ve ever stayed at.

The location was the best part, just three blocks from the boardwalk, which was handy because my daughters were competing nearby. The receptionist was kind and accommodating throughout, bringing towels when I asked and quickly refilling the missing shampoo and conditioner. The room was small, and the bed was uncomfortable and clearly needed replacing. The lounge coffee was all flavored, with no plain option like Colombian. My check-in took over an hour while I spoke with Gabe about a booking mix-up: I’d reserved through Booking.com, but the reservation had gone through Expedia. I’d booked two beds, but they had only one queen listed for four people. The owner, Jay C., kindly offered a cot, which he said normally costs $50/day, but the room couldn’t fit two cots, so one of my children had to make do. I asked about space at their sister property, The Sagamore, and was told all locations were full. My husband went next door and managed to get a room at The Sagamore for $300. Friendly service and a convenient location didn’t make up for the booking confusion and room. This stay at The Cove was just okay, and I’m not sure Jay’s other properties are any better.

For over $1400 for a 3 weeknight stay, I expected far more. The beds were awful, maintenance problems were all over the building, and the remodel work looked like a low-budget flip. A century-old B&B that may once have been stunning now feels depressing, with what looked like cheap work and poor craftsmanship. Seeing a room-service employee receive a can of raid in the parking lot as we arrived didn’t inspire confidence. The two-bedroom suite was one closed bedroom plus a shared area with two more beds, a kid’s sized chase chair from Walmart that two adults could barely sit on, and a dresser. With 3 adults and 2 kids, most of us were sitting on the floor. The 3 TVs, college dorm room mini fridge, and $20 microwave didn’t make it feel like a suite. The room information online was ambiguous, so check exactly what you’ll get before booking. Our room was ready early, but the desk tried several times to charge the wrong card despite having the correct details from digital check-in. They didn’t tell me about the payment issue, and I only found out when I went in at 4 PM to ask about the room. It’s no surprise to me that the property is listed for sale.

Free parking made the long weekend easy, and the pool was a great bonus. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and welcoming the whole time. We had a great stay at The Cove and would definitely return. Dan and Gloria