Hotel Simone

Kameron, the property manager, made a great breakfast each morning, with real eggs, bacon or sausage, and fresh cut fruit. I also appreciated that the coffee machine made fresh coffee around the clock, handy for an early riser. The whole staff gave us great service, and the rooms felt like home. Parking right under the hotel was easy. Restaurants, shops, and beaches are within walking distance, and the lighthouse and downtown are a short drive away. We were attending a conference at Epworth By the Sea, only a ten minute drive each way. Thanks to Kameron and the team for a great stay.

For a hotel charging $300 a night before taxes, I expected more. My wife and I travel at least four times a year and usually stay with established brands. We would have left after the first night if we could. I don't usually write negative reviews, and I don't think my expectations are unreasonable, but I wouldn't recommend this place. Its website is misleading, and the hotel feels neglected. At that price, it isn't worth even $200 including taxes. I booked what was presented as the best room, a Grand King Balcony Suite with a private balcony. The balcony was small, had two old chairs, looked at a wall that badly needed paint, and faced the road and a couple of restaurants, so it wasn't private. The kitchen had only a fridge, no silverware or microwave. The tan sofa was dirty, uncomfortable, and due for replacement. There was no lobby bar, despite the website saying there was, and the lobby felt like a ghost haunt. The TV felt stuck in the 1990s, with cable only, heavily weighted toward right wing news, and a slow scrolling menu. You couldn't stream your own premium channels or music. When I raised this with the front desk, I got an “oh well, that's how it is” response. It felt like management didn't care about guests' needs. Breakfast was probably the worst part: cold Danish, no toaster, no cereal or milk, overcooked eggs in a chafing dish with bacon beside them. No plates, just a paper tray like one for a hot dog or nachos, and cheap plastic utensils without a spoon. The coffee tasted more like Folgers than a rich dark roast, and the Coffee mate was awful and tasted full of chemicals. The food was like jailhouse food. Daily room service had to be requested by calling the front desk or using a door hanger. I thought removing the do not disturb sign meant the room would be cleaned, but that wasn't the case. You also have to bring your own bags up to the room and find a dolly to load them when you leave. The only ice machine is at street level. To reach it, you go to level 1, walk down a hall and a flight of stairs, then go back to level 1 for the elevator to your floor.

We came for the weekend of the GA/FL game, and I'd come back. The rooms were nice, and the price made up for some noise: the walls are thin, so it was loud by the second bed and sofa bed on a busy weekend, while the main room was quieter. The location is great. The staff were lovely. A woman at the front desk remembered us mentioning a birthday dinner in passing, then offered to take a picture of our whole group when we came through the lobby that evening and gave us directions too.

We couldn't sleep or enjoy much peace in Room 302 because the walls are so poorly built. We heard every word and the television from the guests in 304, along with a lot of hallway noise. These weren't rowdy people, just normal guests coming and going. The hotel was sold out, so we couldn't change rooms. Out of respect for others, we kept our own TV off and had to whisper so our conversation wouldn't carry. I told the desk clerk, who called the manager, but they offered no solution, accommodation, or even a discount.