Surf & Sand Hotel

Elizabet, who was there each morning of our five-day stay except the last day, May 26, was one of the best parts of the visit. She greeted us warmly, checked whether we needed anything, and made us feel welcome. Her customer service was excellent. The older woman with glasses at the front desk was a different story. When we asked about using the bikes or paddle boards, she gave us unpleasant looks that made us feel as if we were asking stupid questions. We felt judged and uncomfortable asking about amenities included with our stay. For a hotel that isn’t cheap, I expected to feel welcome asking those questions. Elizabet left a lovely impression, but the front desk interaction made the stay worse than it could have been.

My kids love the free paddle boarding and kayaking, and Little Sabine is perfect for younger children. The dolphins have visited every year! The included breakfast is a big help when you have little kids, and the staff were extremely helpful and courteous. You can easily walk around the island from here. There’s also now a pass for the pools on the Gulf side, for $20 per adult for your whole stay. Great place to make memories.

The location made getting around easy and saved us time, with restaurants, shops, and local attractions nearby. Breakfast had a nice range of well-prepared choices, and the hotel felt calm and pleasant. The room was spotless, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out. I especially liked the cozy bed, fresh linens, good lighting, and handy amenities. It was a relaxing place to return to after a long day. Staff were friendly and professional from the moment I arrived, and check-in was quick and easy. I had a wonderful stay and would recommend it.

DO NOT STAY HERE. I hesitated before posting, but people should know what happened. I booked for spring break based on the photos and description, which I found deceptive. The sand looked more like a sandbox than a beach, the pool was tiny, and the room wasn’t private. The area itself is decent, but the motel is shabby, and I think it should cost $75 a night at most. I asked to cancel, but because I booked through a third party, I had to contact the booking company. They said they could cancel, but I’d owe $600 for one night. So I tried to make the best of it. By 10 p.m., the room next door was full of people screaming, banging on the walls, and playing loud music. I have a video. The walls are shabby and don’t block sound. I went to the front desk to complain, without being rude. I was told I’d been complaining since I arrived and had been offered the choice to pay $600 for one night and leave, or they’d call the cops. Yes, call the cops. I wasn’t threatening anyone, just asking for somewhere to sleep. I left. I have videos and will gladly share them publicly.