Ocean House Hotel & Motel

The beach is right there and downtown is close, which is the main draw. The place feels dated, like many hotels along the Old Orchard Beach waterfront. Our room was cramped, the bathroom door didn't lock, and the bed was too soft with overstuffed pillows. The shower drained so slowly that we had to keep it very short or stand in the water. It's one of the less expensive waterfront options, so you get what you pay for. Next time, we'll likely spend more for somewhere nicer.

The Ocean House has a warm, classic feel, and the downstairs sitting rooms made me think of a simpler time a hundred years ago. It's the kind of place you don't see anymore, and it was very well looked after, thanks to Dave. Our room was small but cozy. The TV felt oversized, and there was no real place to store clothes, though the updates, including an efficient A/C, made those drawbacks easier to overlook.

The view and location are hard to top, and the bed was pretty comfortable. The room seems updated while still keeping some older touches that fit the area. I would have liked some drawers, and both the entrance and bathroom doors could use a more secure way to close.

The location is excellent, with easy beach access, but the rest of our stay at Ocean House Boutique Motel was disappointing. The room didn't look like the online photos. Its paint and decor were worn, the building smelled musty, and street noise kept us up through the night. We'd been told at check-in that noon checkout would be fine if we called ahead. When we rang at 9:30 AM on our last morning, the receptionist was rude, first saying no and then offering only 11. After we insisted, noon was suddenly okay. The attitude was unprofessional, and at checkout that same receptionist ignored us completely.