It's an older building and you notice that right away, including a certain amount of "deferred maintenance." I fortunately, did not see any bed bugs, as did some others who've left reviews, so that's a plus! My room was actually pretty clean, as were the hallways. Our deck faced the front parking lot and had a big, thick juniper right in front of it that gave us EXCELLENT privacy, so I LOVED that part. There's a lot of construction going on across the street (Casitas) right now and I was awakened at 7AM to the sound of jackhammering, but that's not the hotel's fault and it's only temporary. And yes, the breakfast is mainly carbs, so I abstained. Also, you have to pay $15 to park every night, which is a little scammy, but hey... The best part of the place is the killer location right near the harbor and Doheny, and for that alone, I can put up with a lot. For the price, I would say it's not that bad at all. It's more than a decent value. C'mon, at this price, you're not going to get the Ritz-Carlton. read more

Review addressed to Stephanie M., Business Owner Hi Stephanie, I have never left a negative review, as I understand the impact it can have on a business. However, this situation requires immediate attention. There are multiple recent reviews referencing bed bugs, including one within the past month. During my stay, I observed conditions that raised that same concern. I need confirmation that the property has been recently inspected and treated, as this is a serious health and safety issue. More concerning was my experience with your General Manager, Sammy, which closely mirrors another recent review describing similar behavior. I approached him to discuss the disappearance of my controlled medication and approximately $300 worth of personal care items from my room or the hallway. He dismissed the theft and would not allow me to explain the situation, check lost and found, or respond in a meaningful way. Instead, he focused on a separate issue involving two room keys with different room numbers being slid under my door (photo attached), which I had already reported two days prior. He repeatedly insisted this "never happens here," said "maybe this isn't the place for you," told me "someone is following YOU," and claimed it had "never happened in the entire course of his career." He then told me to "call the police," stated he could "not police his hotel," and concluded by sliding a note with the sheriff's number toward me. The implication throughout the interaction was that I was somehow responsible for being followed and targeted on the property he was managing, which is deeply concerning. I have no criminal history and no prior experience of this nature. It seemed that the room key incident discredited me to the extent that he was unwilling to listen or communicate in a respectful or constructive manner. This was unprofessional, unacceptable, and reflected a lack of accountability for guest safety. For clarity, the only time my belongings were in the hallway was due to repeated trips to the front desk to "recharge" room keys that were not functioning properly. During that same stay, having additional keys appear under my door, combined with missing items, created a situation that felt genuinely unsafe. To ensure the missing medication was properly documented, I filed a report with law enforcement. The responding officer noted that incidents like this at the Marina Inn are not uncommon, which makes the lack of appropriate response even more concerning. I do want to acknowledge that I had positive interactions with other staff members, including a young man working evenings and multiple morning front desk representatives, who were helpful and respectful. That contrast made the management response stand out even more. I have over 10 years of experience working in hospitality, from Nick's Restaurants to Marriott International, and I understand how situations like this should be handled. This fell below basic standards of safety, professionalism, and accountability. If you review my history on Google or Yelp, you'll see that I do not leave negative reviews. This is the first time I've felt it necessary. I was in a vulnerable situation and was met with dismissal rather than support, which directly impacted my sense of safety during my stay. I am requesting a prompt response addressing the security concerns, management's handling, and confirmation that the property has been properly inspected and treated regarding the bed bug issue. I would appreciate a timely response so this can be addressed directly before I determine my next steps. read more

Dana Point Marina Inn - Room keys slid under my door between 11:30pm & 12:30am on April 19-20, 2026. - Hotels Near Me - Dana Point, California

Love Amir. Great guy. Hotel is being demolished in October. Ever since the County took over the hotel, it has gone to s**t. It's in bad shape. It's disgusting. Room 217 had painted over mold in the bathroom. It also had a dead cockroach in the bathroom light fixture. There were pubes in the shower. The hallway carpet was stained all over. The bed was comfortable. The A/C worked very well. The shower water was hot. I enjoyed my view from the room. The lobby elevator's light fixture fell on my brother and sister in law. It came crashing down on them. Very dangerous. Glad to see this property will be coming down. It's time. It's needed. Hope Amir finds a new kickass job. He deserves it. read more

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Very basic and in dire need of renovating. Balcony on third floor had severe termite damage and/or wood rot that didn't feel safe. Peeling caulk in the shower, no counter space in bathroom, room keys constantly demagnetize requiring a long walk back to the front desk to reactivate, and carpet throughout the hotel is frayed and stained. Staff was very accommodating and nice, though. For another $150 per night, you can find a considerable upgrade. read more

A very tired hotel in a great location. Staff was helpful and the beds comfortable. No daily maid service, a daily charge for parking, and breakfast was all carbohydrates. read more

Toilet didnt flush, TV didnt work, they had no extra towels for 3 in a 2 queen bed room (only two towels...."were out") . Pool towels were out and though we asked kindly for help, we were told..."we can rwfund you in full and you can go somewhere else". This for a Father and two children here for Fathers day weekend. I would not recommend this hotel to my worst enemy or least liked family member. read more

Having been a frequent visitor to the Marina Inn over 50 years it breaks my heart to see (pictures don't lie) and hear of the neglect and disregard to the health and well being of current visitors. We are in our 80s now and due to health issues have not been able to get to the MI since Oct 2024. Since Covid we started staying only in harbor view rooms since more care seemed to be taken of those rooms than the standard rooms. But even our last visit the delayed maintenance was very obvious. It's time for this place to close. The idea of waiting for the bull dozer to arrive before throwing in the towel is truly disgusting and it pains me to see it be treated this way. My advice: stay away it's too late to enjoy the many fond memories we have been fortunate to experience. read more

TL/DR: BED BUGS!!! This place had good reviews online, so we were really excited to have a little getaway right by the beach. The whole property is pretty run down and a bit dirty/smelly, but we excused that at first because the location is amazing. We arrived after dark, but stood out on the balcony for a few minutes to enjoy the fresh air, stars, and the sound of sea lions barking and splashing around. Back inside the room, the tv didn't work and we couldn't access the wifi because we didn't have an access code. There's no phone in the room, so we called the front desk on our cell phones a few times (no answer). I had to walk back to reception to get wifi passcode and tell them our tv didn't work. Front desk employee gave me the wifi code (why didn't he do that when we checked in?) and told me how to fix the tv. I did what he told me to, but that didn't fix the tv. I had to get behind the tv stand and unplug/replug all of the tv/cable box cords for it to finally work. It was really dusty behind the tv stand and there were dirty spots on the wall. Then I looked closer around the room and saw reddish-orange spots on the walls in several places and noticed the carpet was kind of gross. I decided to check the bed and found a lot more little reddish spots on the wall behind the bed, dust bunnies and black particles on the floor where the carpet meets the wall, lots of black spots on the box spring cover, and a dead bed bug. Thankfully, we hadn't unpacked or left anything on the bed. We were so grossed out that we grabbed our bags and left right after discovering the bed bug evidence. We told the guy at the front desk, and he did not seem phased/concerned at all, which tells me that they were already very aware of this issue. read more

Dana Point Marina Inn - Bed bug poo spots on box spring cover - Hotels Near Me - Dana Point, California

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It was a nice hotel. This was my first time booking a hotel. There is a Free breakfast included of cereal, bagels, eggs, sausages, and yogurt. I wished I got breakfast somewhere else, but didn't wanted to spend the extra money. The pool was nice and relaxing. Although the jacuzzi was dirty inside. Also there will be other families their with kids, so it maybe a bit nosy. The families tend to take over the pool, so brace yourself and be patient. The room itself was nice, however I was promised for a harbor view from the manager and didn't get it. I prepaid the room by phone. It was easier than their website. Also I recommend getting the third floor. I had a hard time sleeping when I kept hearing the showers and blow dryer going on at 11:30 at night, and also the pillows were a bit firm for me; so I recommend to bring your own pillow. Overall it was a nice little hotel for a first timer. Note: I would suggest to do some upgrades in the bathroom. The sink looks like it was going to fall apart, and also spotted a lot of pink stuff all over the tub; and on the door as well. The bathroom wasn't properly cleaned. read more

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This particular PCH marina is always a must stop. Still free parking, public restrooms and a half dozen great restaurant options most with beer wine and cocktails. You can walk the marina boardwalk, take on some fresh salt air, stretch your legs and grab a bite. These are great reasons to stop here when heading up or down PCH. read more

Dana Point Marina Inn - Hotels Near Me - Dana Point, California

Budget lodging option in Dana Point Harbor. The Dana Point Marina Inn is a laid-back, harbor-side hotel located directly on the Dana Point Harbor, offering a scenic and convenient location within walking distance to Doheny State Beach and local dining. While the property is slightly dated having a "1970s" feel, it is a good-value, comfortable spot, featuring a pool, hot tub and private balconies with marina views. read more

If I could put 0 stars I would. The place was absolutely FILTHY and stunk horribly musty on the inside. I walked in the room and saw it and immediately walked right back out to get a refund and stay somewhere else. It seems like the rooms haven't been cleaned in years. Best Western Marina Shores right down the street ended up being cheaper & so much better read more

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I really hate to say it, as I have stayed here many times over many years, this hotel is on it's last leg and it really shows it. The front desk staff is still pretty good but the hotel itself is not good. The location is great but I am sure lots of other choices are as well. So long Marina Inn. read more

This is an older hotel that provides the only close proximity to Dana point Harbor within walking distance. The rooms are relatively spacious with balconies, Wi-Fi that works, comfortable bedding, and the best customer service of any hotel. I've stayed in .Not that phony." it's my pleasure." moniker of so many corporate oriented, cookie cutter places. Yes it is an older place, but it has prices akin to days past as well. An adequate breakfast and large heated pool and Jacuzzi allow a very comfortable stay. Walk around the harbor and see the sites that made the town famous all within walking distance with the next closest hotel at double the price it is a bargain. Management bends over backwards to make sure your stay is exceptional. From the service help to the general manager, they definitely are sincere about ensuring your comfort. The front desk manager. Kristine is an absolute gem and I have heard nothing but good here on the property about everybody who works here. read more

Dana Point Marina Inn - Hotels Near Me - Dana Point, California

Dear [Hotel Name] Management, I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment following a recent stay at your property. At check-in, I was told I was being upgraded at no extra charge, and that my total bill would be $168.00. I was later shocked to receive a final bill of $233.00. I was assured there would be no additional fee, and I feel I was misled about the cost of my stay. This needs to be reviewed and corrected immediately. Worse than the billing issue was the treatment I received from your General Manager, Sammy. As a senior citizen and someone who is deaf, I was appalled by his complete lack of compassion, patience, or respect. When I had difficulty with the TV, he made me feel ashamed for asking for help. I also had to go back to the front desk twice to replace room keys that wouldn't work -- and again, I was made to feel like I was an inconvenience. Sammy's behavior was rude, dismissive, and unprofessional. He clearly lacks training in working with elderly and disabled guests and showed no understanding or empathy. I had originally planned to stay an extra night, but after how I was treated, I just wanted to leave. I have never been made to feel so disrespected or devalued at a hotel. This experience was deeply upsetting, and I believe it deserves immediate attention. read more

Look, I'm a pretty reasonable person and I don't hold hotels to ridiculous standards... but I would give this place 0 stars if I could. In fact, it is a literal health hazard. First, the hotel room itself was extremely hot right when we walked in. So, naturally, we walked over to turn the swamp cooler on. Upon closer look, it was FULL of mold. Like the most amount of mold covering the entirety of the inner part of the cooler. We were immediately disgusted and turned the cooler off. It was already 11 pm at that point and I was seriously sunburned and exhausted from the beach day, so my fiancé and I decided to tough it out for the night. As I mentioned before, the room was extremely warm inside. Despite having the one tiny window open, there was no breeze coming through at all. Despite the outdoor temperature being 65 degrees, it was at least 80 degrees in the room. It was miserable. When we laid down in attempt to get a few hours of sleep, the people directly above us were stomping around, slamming things, and just being so obnoxiously loud. I ended up calling the front desk to see if they could check in and ask them to be quiet. The lady at the front desk was apologetic and agreed to ask them to quiet down. To her credit, they got a bit quieter. After an hour of trying to sleep, the heat became unbearable. So at 1:30 AM, we packed up and left. The lady at the front desk offered to credit our parking fee and apologized. We were too tired to care and had an hour and a half drive to get to. The next morning, I called to ask for a full refund. The room itself ended up costing $230 with taxes, which is ridiculous for one night in a 2 star hotel to begin with. The manager working at the time agreed to give a full refund, but since we booked through booking.com, we have to go through them first. Now, booking.com is saying that Dana point marina inn has not responded at all. So we have to continue to call them to get the money back. It's just downright ridiculous and disgusting. Not to mention the carpets are so old and filthy and the bed was beyond uncomfortable. I heard the place was getting torn down and replaced in October, but even so it's not an excuse to let literal mold grow in the room's only source of AC. I can't imagine what's in the walls... Please do NOT stay here. For reference, we were in room 218. So if you decide to stay despite the insane number of negative reviews similar to mine, at least ask to stay in a different room. Also, make sure to look through the reviews for hotels before booking. We will never make that mistake again. read more

Dana Point Marina Inn - Hotels Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Guests services was friendly and helped guide us a smooth check in, room was clean and decent for our price and being there in the heart of Dana Point! We had a beautiful balcony second floor view, close to the beach. We will book again! read more

Cheap and right in the Dana Point Harbor. They are tearing this place down so they aren't doing any upkeep or maintenance. If you want to save some money and stay in a nice area stay here but don't have high expectations! As far as customer service goes, we stayed here back in September and who ever was running the counter during the day then was absolutely amazing, due to the service we received we overlooked the terrible condition the room was in! This past weekend customer service was no where near the service we received in September helping us decide that we definitely will not be back before they tear it down. read more

The whole esthetic of the hotel needs updating and it needs new furniture and new bathrooms and deep cleaning. The carpet had a weird smell and the curtain had what looks like mold on it. When entering our room it didn't smell clean. The back of the bathroom door had a used wet towel hanging from it. The key struggled to work the lock of our door. The pool had a yellow tinge to it. The person running the night desk was not welcoming nor helpful. Not worth the price at all. read more

Updated review as we stayed yet again over the weekend. You get what you pay for. You're right on the harbor and that is great. Everything else is just ok. Service at the front is hit and miss. Check in declined to let us know that iPhone magnets kill the card keys. Would have been a point to bring up before we went all the way to the third floor just to find out our keys were demagnetized. lived with that. I'm sad to see this may soon be gone.. Sadly. Here is a photo with ducks swimming in the pool. Lot of memories here . read more

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This is a bookable hotel due to location ONLY. It is walking distance to the beach with no waves for kids, has a pool and Jacuzzi, and is reasonably priced. We had to move rooms due to the TV not working at 9pm at night. The complimentary breakfast is all carbs and kept in a closet that was left open. Do not recommend - go out. read more

Nice hotel.Been staying here since 2012. Needs upgrades and updates. Staff is nice. There is a free breakfast from 7-9, but no clear signage with details. Kitchen in the suite could more utensils and appliances. The fireplace did not work. With a facelift or just a change or shampooing of the carpet, this could be a major hotel, especially with it being the only one on the harbor. read more

Cockroachs in the bed even tho I kept no food in my room. The view is beautiful, but room is infested with cockroachs. Room never updated from time of opening. read more

This is probably about 2.5 star review. This hotel is pending demolition to make way for two new hotels in the renovation of Dana point Harbor. The hotel is run down, shabby and depressing. It was probably a great hotel in its day. it has had no upgrades or upkeep. The rooms are clean but rundown the mattresses are shot. The bathtub doesn't drain. The outside property is full of trash, cigarette butts and dog poop. I saw mold in several places in and around the hotel They just don't care anymore, but they still charge you the same and you still pay for parking. Anyway, it fulfilled a need that I had at the moment but it is shameful how they've let the place go and still charge you full rate for a room. read more

A harbor-side hotel was ideal for my trip to Palm Tree Festival 2023. With a 15 minute walk to Doheny State Beach, there isn't too much to complain about. Each room comes with: breakfast, refrigerator, and wifi! There's a patio, which is nice. The bathroom is somewhat spacious. I wish it had counter space though. The shower curtain rod was also rusty... but overall, this hotel room did the job for the weekend. KEEP IN MIND: it is very difficult to get an Uber here. Try the Lyft app if you keep getting cancellations. It took me an hour to find a ride out of Dana Point!!! read more

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Outdated , dirty , moldy , not sanitary , pretty nasty for such a nice area of town , I didn't even see one cleaning person anywhere my time there. read more

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Let me start and say we have stayed here before and as kid used to come to this place and walk around. Everything is so run down now... but this review is for the GM Sammy. If you are not Sammy keep scrolling. Sammy is arrogant and embodied everything that is Liberal California. After driving my Raptor and small motorcycle trailer from Arizona. Sammy sat there when I asked if I could park in 2 spaces and basically talked down to me about the website rules. He then proceeded to tell me how this is the busiest weekend and there are only X amount of spaces and if every guest brought a car it would be a problem. As he said "he would love to have the extra revenue". Well Sammy at least your employees were nice enough to provide a number to call down the street. They were embarrassed for how you talk to guests and handle situations... but you can have that win. Here is where it gets awesome. On check out morning going to leave we are looking to make sure we have all our stuff. Peak under the bed and there is a ph@king moldy rotted pumpkin under the bed in 2 pieces!!! You are worried about your parking spaces that were never full but you have illegals prob cleaning the rooms who don't care??? A rotting pumpkin we slept on top of for 2 days. Unfortunately Sammy wasn't there Sunday morning so one of his employees was able to give us 50% off one of the nights... yay. It's not about money for me Sam Dawg. It's about convenience and respect. The entire weekend should be free. It's amazing that a 2nd employee even had to apologize for you saying "yea he can be hard to deal with". You are in hospitality business so maybe you should go take another class or look in the mirror like Zoolander and say "who am I?" So thanks for $200, destroying my childhood dreams of Dana Point harbor and proving that CA has gone to trash. Hey bud have a fantastic day. read more

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We had to be moved rooms because on arrival ours was filthy, the phone didn't work, the tv didn't work, and the blinds were falling off to the extent everyone in the pool area we were right by could see in our room. We were moved to another room in which the fridge/freezer didn't work. I'm diabetic. I have to store insulin. The dude up from basically said they're tearing this place down soon so they're not doing anything to keep it up. It is my birthday, it is the first time I've been able to leave my house overnight in almost two years because I care for my sick mother, and it is ruined. If I could give it a zero I would. read more

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Hotel staff seemed to be accommodating, but the rooms really needed to be kept up better. The faucet in my friend's room was so corroded that there were holes in the metal. And the hot water in the shower was almost nonexistent. read more

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Never stayed anywhere this bad Furniture is falling apart Paint peeling off walls Filthy carpet Phone in rooms doesn't work Don't stay here read more

This place was a DUMP! I can't believe they would even rent out room 218. The Green Carpet was filthy, the tub was stained, the sink was clogged and last but no least the AC unit in the wall was very loud and you could see outside through the caulking around the unit.. Overall one of the worst rooms I have ever stayed in! I had to complain about my room they gave me a harbor view room which was a view of the parking lot before harbor. This room had a fresh coat of paint and newer carpet that's about it. The only positive about this place was the water pressure! read more

DISGUSTING! Dirty! Stains on the carpet! We paid 500.00 a night and no A/C In the bedroom. A fan sitting on a chair! Pre stains all over the carpet. Dirty couch. Dirty bathroom cabinets! Gross read more

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Older hotel located in the Dana Point Marina. The hotel is clean and the staff friendly and helpful. Rooms have refrigerators. The rooms are large, but the bathrooms fairly small with very limited counter space. You can see the wear and tear of an older hotel. The heating/AC unit is a wall unit and noisy. It's a decent place to stay, but limited amenities. Breakfast is included with your registration. There are a number of restaurants and shops within an easy walk from the hotel and the walkway around the Marina is a popular place for getting some exercise, and is dog friendly. read more

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I have only wonderful memories of this place. Goodbye old friend. We will miss you. Steps from the harbor and wonderful restaurants. So dog friendly that dogs wanted to stay here. Goodbye old marina. I hope the future is wonderful. read more

my room key did not...work again. now the 6th time...had to walk the entire hotel to get back to the front desk... avoid this place i very much regret spending $1,300 for 6 nights... the "black" manager threatened to have me removed by the sheriff for complaining about the bad service... read more

Location is great. Hotel is old and dirty. It is very loud even at night. There is not enough parking even though you pay for it.

So, here for a soccer tournament. All other places booked. We tried this inn, and here are the pros and cons: The good: the view, pretty decent hot breakfast provided, walkable to many restaurants, and decent pool/jacuzzi area. Family oriented. Great location. Pet friendly. Pleasant, professional staff. We had a quiet room on the end facing harbor. Slept well. I would say the good outweighs the bad and bumps it to four stars instead of three. The bad: (as mentioned in other reviews, so we expected this) old, needs some major work. I broke a balcony chair just sitting down, the tub got backed up, the price was exorbitant (but not unusual for the current moment we are in). Tip: as mentioned, check room upon arrival so another can be requested. Did not find out about tub until the morning we left. My husband said there was an issue the previous evening, but he didn't mention it to me then. Also just to note: this is an older tourist area in a small beachside town - some of the restaurants and tourist shops nearby show wear and tear. Still charming, but effects of pandemic and age show. read more

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This affordable harbor front hotel offers many reasons to stay here: location, location, location! Though it is a bit dated and could use some upgrades, we were very comfortable and happy with our stay here. Location: a short walk to many restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops, and to Lantern Park that sits high above the harbor and has a long paved walking path that takes you from the Laguna Cliffs Resort and very near to all the Blue Lantern Inn. And then there's the harbor area, which is such a lovely area for walking! The paved path takes you all around the harbor. The property: kind of old and showing wear. Pool area has two cabanas with comfortable seating; pool and jacuzzi are nice and clean, good for adults and kids (maybe more for kids). Lobby area is well maintained. Hearty complimentary breakfast. Lots of free parking. Rooms: our harbor view king room on the 3rd floor was spacious and comfortable, comfortable bed, quiet, enjoyed sitting on the balcony, newer carpet, dated, partially used bottle of OJ left in fridge. In my opinion, it wouldn't be worth staying here unless in a harbor view room on the third floor. Staff: very nice and accommodating. No, you do not get the luxury of a five star like the Blue Lantern Inn or Laguna Cliffs Resort. But you also won't pay the 2x-3x price either. read more

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Horrible customer service I have a 6 night stay... Four times I've had to have room key reactivated...always with excuses as to "how" a mag stripe works...and that's a long walk every time...in addition I called front desk and was placed on hold twice I walked in w phone in hand still holding. All I've received is BAD management...and threats... I WILL NEVER STAY again... Cheeseball read more

Love staying here when visiting Dana Point. The staff (except the you woman who works mornings) are very nice and accommodating. It is a bit pricey for being so run down but you are definitely paying for the location. It is an old hotel that has not been remodeled in decades. The walls are thin so you definitely hear the early morning hustle & bustle. Like I said, you're paying for the location. If you are lucky enough to have a top floor with a harbor view, it makes everything else worth it. read more

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