My partner and I wanted a comfortable stay-cation in South Florida that allowed us to be in close…read moreproximity to the beach, and Sun Dek Beach House delivered! The location itself is a short walk away from Ocean Inlet Beach Park, which has a path that leads directly to the beach. A few minutes north is the parking lot for the Boynton Inlet Pier. Parking was relatively easy, with the main lot nestled behind the property, facing the inter-coastal (and the multi-million dollar homes we definitely cannot afford). The building itself is old, so if anyone who wants to visit is physically impaired, it is best to stick to the first floor, as the second floor can only be accessed via concrete stairs.
The weather was perfect for swimming, but due to red tide lingering around the coast, we decided not to swim on the beach. Instead, we utilized the swimming pool. A perfect size for a nice swim, but if multiple people are sharing it, it is best not to create too many wakes. Surrounded by palm trees, flowers, and other plants which add to an old Florida aesthetic. The miniature water fountains scattered throughout add to the aesthetic of attempting to have Florida resemble a tropical paradise. With the property being compact within a limited amount of space, it provides a cozy atmosphere, making the property feel smaller, and therefore, more 'home-like'. Behind the pool is a large wooden open-air pavilion, allowing guests a place to hide from the sun and to socialize if they so choose. Surrounding the pool were large beach chairs and beach umbrella, which we promptly used after our swim. There was a grill, but we did not get to use it.
Our hotel room was located at the front-left corner of the property, facing the highway and swimming pool. We kept our privacy thanks to each window having both roller blinds and blackout blinds. The room was clean and had plenty of space, feeling more like a well-furnished apartment split into different sections. It included a comfortable king-size bed, an accessible patio with a wide living room, an actual kitchen with a refrigerator stocked with bottled water (at no additional charge), and a clean bathroom with a unique glass paneled sink. In the kitchen was a binder, which could be used by guests as a guide to check out the best local areas in Palm Beach County. If this facility offered guests to rent for a monthly rate, I would not be shocked if some took up on the offer. The cherry on top of this experience was having a positive encounter with the incredibly helpful staff. They helped us check into our rooms once it was ready, stocked the refrigerator, recommended local restaurants, helping us learn how the lock system worked for the room, and they even went as far assisting with finding my missing ring (a separate story for another time).
I want to give this place the full five stars, but there was one issue that I couldn't overlook. Whenever on the patio, there was a sulfuric odor that lingered in the area. At first, I thought it was natural gas or propane, but the grill was on the other side, and no odor was found in the area. I do not have any proof, but my guess is that the odor stemmed from the old water pipes connected to the outside pool shower. The same odor could be smelled once water ran through our personal shower drain. We did not feel we were at risk for our health, but the unpleasant scent was noticeable. This can be fixed by replacing the old water pipes with new ones. Considering the age of the property, I understand that it would probably take some time to implement, but I believe it would do the property some good.
Overall, we were incredibly happy for the pleasant experience, and would highly recommend Sun Dek Beach House if you ever need a local stay-cation by the beach. A bit pricey, but considering the rates at other neighboring locations, and the limited time we had, this was a great destination.