I'm not someone who rushes to Yelp, but this stay earned the effort…read more I recently stayed at The Merchant for the second time, and whatever magic existed during my first visit is gone. The biggest issue: the hotel hosted a large, ticketed public event that completely took over the main lobby--with zero advance notice to guests. I woke up to a lobby packed with strangers and nowhere to sit or gather with my family. I've never stayed at a hotel that allows a public event to fully overrun its only common area without warning paying guests. And no, "just go somewhere else" isn't an option--there is nowhere else. There are no additional common spaces and no elevator. Since we were meeting elderly family members, climbing three to four flights of stairs to our room wasn't possible. The lobby being unusable wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was a dealbreaker. Operationally, things only went downhill. Check-in is at 4pm, but arrive after 5pm and there's no one on-site to check you in. Checkout, however, is rigidly 11am. Our room was never cleaned during the stay, despite leaving the "please clean" tag on the door. Because of the limited staffing hours, we couldn't even get fresh towels. Then there's the mouse. I saw one in the common area and notified staff. Nothing was done. Food is left out uncovered for guests, which I promptly avoided--because "boutique hotel meets rodent buffet" isn't really my vibe. What's also new: some sort of train or underground rumbling that shakes the building roughly every hour, offering a front-row seat to what feels like an earthquake simulator. If this were a budget motel or a Holiday Inn, I might shrug and move on. But this is a $500-per-night hotel, and at that price point, these issues are unacceptable. Until these problems are addressed, I wouldn't recommend staying here--and I certainly won't be returning.

My stay was short but just divine, best sleep I had and the most delicious cookies! Thank you to…read morethe wonderful staff who shared instructions for my after hours check-in and made the entire process of navigating to the parking lot a breeze and ensuring I have all I need during my stay at this charming hotel that felt like home). I'll be returning :)

Fantastic stay very comfortable very friendly people enjoyed it immensely they really took care of…read moreus

My partner and I just had the pleasure of staying at the Inn and the experience was luxurious. The…read moredecor was calming with a coastal feel creating the perfect escape. The bathtub was a large soaker that was great for taking my worries away. We enjoyed a yummy Bolognese sauce and a bottle of wine from their restaurant Grove. And I can't say enough about the attentive staff, especially Paula and Billie Sue. They were so kind and made sure we had everything we needed. This is great spot if you need a bit of respite and want to enjoy small town friendliness with a touch of indulgence.

1st time here and such a awesome place. Great renovatiin, attention to detail. Location is…read moreperfect. You have to be some type of person to come here and not just see simplicity, elogance and beauty in one space.

My wife and I just finished a wonderful winter escape at the Blue - Inn on the Beach for our…read moreanniversary. The drive to Plumb Island through Newburyport was the perfect introduction to our romantic, north shore getaway. Being from Phoenix, we look forward to our cold, winter adventure each year and neither of us had been anywhere north of Boston before. Before our arrival, communication with the Blue was informative and hand a personal feel. Obviously, the Blue caters to summer beach-goers, and the reserved parking area near the hotel would definitely be a huge plus for folks competing for parking spots, but in winter, there are very few people or cars on the entire island. The Blue is a quaint little hotel nestled on the beach in a neighborhood of New England beach homes. We were happily greeted at the front desk by Blue staff and the General Manager. They tendered to our every need and surprised us with a fabulous fruit and chocolate anniversary gift waiting for us in the room. The room was beautiful with a classic and modern beach feel. Sliding glass doors open up to a wooden deck with a fabulous view of the Atlantic Ocean. We could hear the crashing waves while sitting inside beside the gas fireplace to read. It was magical! Also magical was the bed! We haven't slept that well in years! The bed was so comfortable and my wife loved the pillows so much that she bought the very same ones for home the day we returned. And don't forget the two hot tubs! There is nothing quite as enjoyable as relaxing in a steaming, bubbling hot tub while it's snowing all around you. Honestly, the "hot tubs available" filter was probably what highlighted the Blue to me during my search for this trip. One hot tub is on the second floor deck, overlooking the beach and the second is hidden under the pine trees at the end of a short sidewalk across the street from the main building. Both were large enough for probably 6 people, clean and well maintained. Again, it was February so we had them all to our crazy selves the whole week. The beach is beautiful! There is direct, private access from the second floor of the Blue, via a wooden boardwalk. The beach is sandy with very few rocks. I didn't see any seaweed or anything washing up on shore, but it was February, so I didn't expect to see a whole lot of anything living coming out of the water. Every morning we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise over the ocean while we drank some local coffee delivered direct to the room. Oh yeah, breakfast! Each morning the staff dropped off and adorable wicker basket with fresh, local breakfast offerings plus that wonderful carafe of coffee. We had different breakfast each day, to include quiche, overnight oats, fresh fruit, biscuits, and bacon. Just the right amount for the two of us and we couldn't wait to see what breakfast surprise would arrive each morning. Although Plumb Island may feel remote from the business of the Boston-metro area, the location was great for dipping down to Salem without hitting any traffic, or popping up to New Hampshire for a sleighride through the forest. One morning, after a small nor'easter blew through, our SUV got stuck in the parking lot snow. No worries! The General Manager of the Blue came out to hail down a plow and personally helped push us out. Now that's service! Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Blue -Inn on the Beach to anyone looking for a romantic beach getaway. If you're looking for a less Metropolitan vacation with the proximity to get to Boston in under an hour, the Blue can't be beat. We will definitely be coming back. Maybe even in the summer next time!

This review is specifically for the Oceanfront Breakfast Cafe…read more While we have stayed at the Inn several times, we continue to come back for the Breakfast Cafe. When they say the best breakfast in Gloucester, it's not an exaggeration! The couple that owns the Inn/Cafe are very hospitable and welcoming people. I've been visiting for the past 15+ years and every stay and meal has always been exceptional. Additionally, the staff they hire and employ is equally committed. It is truly a five-star operation. We were recently up in the area visiting Gloucester and Rockport. As always, one of those mornings meant we had to stop at Atlantis Oceanfront Cafe! It is a MUST. I almost hate letting this gem/secret out. It is the best place for breakfast with the very best view. It is post-card perfect. Your window table overlooks the rocks+water and you can visually see and hear the waves crashing against the rocks. It doesn't get much more picturesque or scenic than that! While the menu has changed a bit since my last visit, the quality has not. The breakfast portions are very generous and everything is of the highest quality. Our favorite is the eggs Benedict. Those perfectly poached eggs resting on top of those bakery-quality English muffins. The tender Canadian bacon. The perfect amount of creamy, perfectly seasoned hollandaise sauce. The side of tender and perfectly seasoned breakfast potatoes. It doesn't get any better than that in my book! Another favorite of mine is their GIANT Fresh Blueberry Pancakes. They remind me greatly of every childhood trip to the Atlantis and Gloucester. I've always told my family if I had to have one last breakfast, let's hope Atlantis Cafe is in season! I am not joking either! Service is always top priority. Friendly and expeditious. The kitchen is open to the dining room and their culinary takes true pride in every plate they put out. If you're looking for the best breakfast with the best view in Gloucester, Atlantis Oceanfront is the place. I did notice the secret has gotten out as of late! We did have a short 15-minute wait this last visit. Parking can also be challenging given the lot size and guest/staff vehicles parked for the Inn. The patience is worth the reward! Best Breakfast in Gloucester. Period. Wonderful, Involved Owners.

This review is only for the Atlantis oceanfront cafe that is part of the inn…read more Service was spot on where we were greeted by the hostess who was very courteous and accommodating for part of 7. They pulled some tables and chairs together to fit us all in a row. The setting and ambiance is very diner like with the address of the great ocean view. The menu was only one page but had all the essentials for a great breakfast. The waitress was quick off the mark to grab our drink orders. The coffee nice a hot, good cup of joe. 5/5 Fish cakes and eggs - I wanted to try something unique and they had this spectacular dish on menu. The fish cakes contained fresh chunks of fish and was seasoned just right. It wasn't too salty so went well with the spinach. The home fries were good and eggs over easy were done perfectly. The soft egg yolk broke and oozed just fine over the fish cakes. Definitely will come back again for breakfast when in the area.

Can't think of anything negative to say- all positives here. Our room was on the bottom floor, 2…read morequeen beds- spacious and clean with nice air conditioning and good bathroom. Flat screen tv and microwave/fridge/coffee pot in the room. They also give you a binder with info about the motel and local bars/restaurants/takeout flyers. The staff was friendly and laid back. You get a parking pass at no extra cost. My favorite part about this place- you literally can't get more beachfront than this. You walk out your sliding door and you're literally walking on the sand. You can hear the waves crashing at night. There's a small porch outside each room, and the rooms walk out into a "sand garden"- a fenced off area with a grill, fire pit, picnic tables and lounge chairs for use to all guests. The beach is beautiful- huge and big waves, clear water.. Not as packed and loud as Hampton beach. The location of Salisbury beach is a huge plus.... Drive 10mins north and you're in Hampton beach, NH. Drive 15 mins south and you're in the town of Newburyport, MA which is adorable--- historic whaling town with old brick sidewalks and buildings, with tons of shops/bars/restaurants/art/ice cream places. You can spend hours here. One minor drawback about the Shoreline Motel is that the walls seem thin- we didn't spend much time in the room but when we did we heard every move the people made above us. Def not a big deal but something to think about.

We couldn't have had a better stay. I'm glad that other Yelp reviews guided me in the right…read moredirection when looking for an overnight for a concert. The owners were very accommodating. The location is great! Just .4 miles away from the ocean hall venue and so close to the beach you can fall asleep to the sounds of the waves. Highly recommended!

Went north to be with family during a very trying time. I…read morearrived mid afternoon to check in. Walked into a rustic historical local bar that stood still in time. Checked in with a very friendly barkeep. A young man who I now call a friend. Went to my room and found it super clean, neat and well tended. I went to the bar got introduced and immediately felt like family. Although they don't serve food, they recommended all kinds of restaurants to attend in the area. This is a great bar/inn, just a great place to hang your hat while traveling lightly.

What drew us in was "The Perfect Storm" but what made us stay was the friendly bartender, the…read morewelcoming folks sitting at the bar, and of course, the tasty drinks! At its heart, this is the best kind of dive bar: the kind filled with heart and colorful locals. The photographic homage to sea-faring folk shows none are forgotten while the laughter keeps the joy of camaraderie in the present.

Very nice little apartment. Walking distance to shops, restaurants, waterfront. Management is not…read moreon-site but responded quickly to the couple of small concerns I had during my visit. Would definitely stay here again if in the area.

Adorable apartment style hotel. Close to everything. Very reasonably priced and very clean.read more