We had a weekend getaway planned and ended up at The Shoal La Jolla Beach. The highlight was the room we reserved. The hotel itself feels like a nicely renovated Travelodge--which it actually is--but the room made all the difference. We chose what felt like a rooftop addition: a single top-floor suite with a large private, semi-wraparound deck. It was genuinely impressive, and we loved it. The young gentleman who checked us in was charming and friendly, and we were glad to arrive. Our room was clean, and the view from the top was excellent, even with a slight obstruction. One of my least favorite post-pandemic trends is how many hotels have adopted the "reduced service" approach, which often reads as "we can't be bothered." When you're paying hundreds of dollars a night, basic service shouldn't be a negotiation. The Shoal did mention this policy upfront. The next morning, on our way out, I stopped by the front desk to keep things simple for housekeeping. We only needed two things: replacement pumps for the broken shower product dispensers (two of them), and the bed made. Straightforward. They did replace the pumps, and we appreciated that. But they didn't bother making the bed. Oddly, they did clean the bathroom and replace towels--something we didn't ask for. When a guest makes a basic request, why is it missed? Policy? Forgetfulness? Inefficiency? Hard to say. The hotel's location is excellent--about two miles from the village in a mostly residential area. There's a charming little gourmet market down the street and several restaurants within walking distance. The beach is just steps away. Even with the on-and-off rain, we genuinely enjoyed our La Jolla weekend. The food scene in this town is strong. Do a little research, because there are some fantastic restaurants packed into this small, very appealing area. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - Night view on the street - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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My husband and I came to San Diego for a quick getaway and saw this hotel on Priceline. I googled this hotel and saw there was a better deal online so we booked it through their website. We checked in and the lady at the front desk was super friendly and helpful. However, our room was a lot smaller than I had expected. If cars are passing by, you'll hear it from the room, which made it hard for me to sleep. Also, there was a lady saying that her laptop was stolen and called the police. On the upside, it is pretty convenient to walk to downtown La Jolla and is very close to the ocean. Parking is also easy! Overall, I would probably pick somewhere quieter if we were returning to La Jolla, but other than that, not a bad price for what you're getting! read more

The Shoal hotel is a motel in La Jolla. It is within a long walking block to the beach but a lovely walk at that. We very much enjoyed our stay. The amenities are sparse as it is literally a park and sleep spot with air conditioning. There is a pool and a Jacuzzi, but they are just a step above a Motel 6. My boyfriend and I went on an escape weekend and thought the rooms were clean and the air conditioning unit was amazing so we were very happy with that. The bed was comfortable and the linens were appropriate and above appropriate for the price at the area. One of the cool things is, we were the hotels guest of the day and receive free parking for our stay as as well as as one hour free bike rentals The Shoal is within walking and bicycling distance to many of the La Jolla Village attractions and we enjoyed using the bicycles to go to the Museum of Contemporary ArtSan Diego - which was excellent - plus lunch at La Correinte and local vibe drinks at The Shack in the way back. Overall, we had a very enjoyable stay at a very reasonable price for the area and will consider this space again again, although we would've liked to go on the hot tub, but thought it was kind of gross. read more

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What a find! We were given tickets to the PGA, on a tight budget, were going to camp, but pretty cold and I found The Shoal! Absolutely perfect. Front desk gave us a 5 star greeting, everything we needed and more coffee, Creamer etc. The room is spacious, immaculately clean, pleasing decor and well appointed. Whe got Iron an iron and Ironing board, microwave, mini fridge , cable tv, more than enough towels, top of the lime lotions, shampoo, e.t.c. towels are white soft and fluffy. The bed is perfect. We have a comfy couch. Plenty of parking for $15. So much to appreciate sorry it's only one night but we will be back. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - Gorgeous clean room - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I was pleasantly surprised at the amazing value and service from the Shoal. The stay was seamless from beginning to end. The staff were very communicative via email, letting me know right away that they could accommodate my request to hold my luggage and even moving it to my room before I got back to check in. The rooms are absolutely gorgeous. They're newly renovated and really take on the blue, calm, beachy, modern vibe. They felt clean and tidy, and they also allowed for a good amount of workspace with a desk and plenty of natural light. I was just a short walk from the beach - this location is amazing. I was right down the street from several restaurant options and felt very safe walking around. This was an amazing experience from beginning to end. Thank you Trisha and team! read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - Balcony view - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The room is spacious and the main room feels clean and well maintained. However, the bathroom could use some love from ownership - shower drain is clogged leading to a slow drainage of water. The sink and counter do not look clean to me and could use some extra scrubbing. Overall, you get what you pay for, and when visiting La Jolla, San Diego this is a reasonable option. read more

So we stayed here the last time we visited La Jolla. We were pleasantly surprised that the rooms have been recently remodeled/updated! Other than that everything was about the same. Great friendly service attendants. Clean spacious room with quality amenities. Great location close to the beach and a nice pool. This quaint spot is walking distance from cafes, bars, shops and the beach. Only about two miles from the Cove area it's really conveniently located. We recommend this spot to Everyone we know is coming to La Jolla! read more

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This hotel is very reasonably priced, especially for its location. It's not even a 5 minute walk to Windansea Beach and there's a coffee shop right next door. There's a ton of restaurants within a 15 minute walking distance as well! The staff is extremely nice. The hotel provides beach towels as well. The rooms are nice. The only things I struggled with are that the hotel is right off the road so you can hear cars pretty early in the morning and people tend to hang out in the hallways/be loud at all hours of the night because the doors open directly outside. The toilet also wasn't clean when we got there unfortunately. Otherwise, I thought the hotel was very nice for the price and perfect for people who want to get a lot done on vacation! read more

Great location! Reasonably priced! If you are looking for beach fun and don't have a car, and with the advantage of a convenient food market, you can't go wrong -- two thumbs up read more

ROACHES IN OUR ROOM!!!!!! We took a trip to SD for my husband and my birthdays. We wanted a nice getaway. We woke up to a huge roach crawling across the floor by the bed and a roach in the shower. Plus a baby roach on the floor in the bathroom. I was disgusted. I went and told the front desk and he said they would refund our parking. $15.00 for two nights. Absolutely unacceptable. They also offered us a late check out but why would I want to stay in a room with roaches in it? They offered to send maintenance to the room, but for what? To kill the roach that was visible and then leave? I'm actually baffled and so disappointed. Got a picture of the roach in the shower if anyone needs it... read more

In La Jolla for a much-delayed wedding, a friend recommended The Shoal as a place to crash. I was really pleased with my stay here as this small little hotel has a lot of personality and a great location. The Shoal is essentially a revamped old motel turned boutique hotel. Like many old motels, the doors open to the outside, no atrium or lobby to walk through. This concept works great for patrons on the go who really just need a place to lay their heads while taking in all the fun that La Jolla has to offer. Only a short two-block walk from the beach, you can definitely hear the surf as you fall asleep. You do have the option to pay for parking and considering the rate is reasonable and parking is always a pain in a beach town, I highly recommend it. The rooms were also great! The bed was comfortable and the room was also bedecked in the welcoming teal/white color-scheme that is featured throughout the hotel. If you are looking for a small hotel with close proximity to the beach and without the hubbub of a large resorts (people everywhere), the Shoal is definitely a good choice. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - Comfy room - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

Stayed here on a Tuesday night and paid around $170. This hotel is lovely. It's about a 5-7 minute walk to the beach from the hotel. Check in was easy and parking was $10. We had no issue with parking, but I could see a weekend night being rough when it comes to finding it. The Shoals parking lot is small and a little tight, but kept clean. The hotel itself is newly renovated. Our room had hard wood floors and a California King bed. I have never stayed in such a clean room. The one downside was the shower. It seemed to leak water when the shower was in use from the glass door. The floor was pretty wet and slick after a shower due to this. Overall, this hotel is well priced and extremely well managed. Late checkout and early checkin are extra $$, but that's pretty typical now. read more

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Great place. We've stayed here a number of times as we have family in La Jolla. The rooms are all remodeled and the beds are very comfortable. The linens are decent quality and the rooms are very clean. Parking is a little tight but manageable. The price is outstanding, very reasonable for La Jolla. We will continue to come back to this establishment. read more

I was a bit hesitant at first if this boutique hotel would be a good fit for our family of 10, but it ended up being the perfect place for us during our 5 day stay. First off, the location is fantastic. You can easily walk to so much around La Jolla, and are just a block away from Windansea Beach. There's also plenty of restaurants, convenient stores and shops nearby too, and that's just talking about a one mile radius. The rooms are cute, nothing super fancy but the showers were much nicer than other hotels usually have. The front desk staff were also very nice, and the small lobby area was nice as well, along with a stocked pantry store. There's a pool and hot tub out front, too! My only complaint, which I feel is a bit of a California thing in general, is the tiny as heck parking lots... There were multiple times where our car was nearly trapped by other cars just trying to get out! Word of advice: Park on the street! Overall though this was a great place to stay, and we really enjoyed our time here! read more

Pretty good location to food and local bars. Great breakfast location practically in the parking lot The cafe vahik. Great place to eat for breakfast and lunch. Short walk to the beach and hotel has a few short cuts into the neighborhood. Bike rental and the rooms were very clean. Bathrooms are a little small but nonetheless clean. Hotel rooms just feel somewhat cramped. Maybe other room are larger. We enjoyed the location and stay. Staff was very polite and helpful. Would recommend a stay here. read more

We gave this hotel over 30 hours notice that we had a family emergency due to a death in the family. Talked to them multiple times on the phone. We simply asked to reschedule our trip to the following week. Hotel refused and charged our card anyways even though there was no way we could make our scheduled trip. Im a local too so will be sure to tell everyone I know in La Jolla area, so disappointing for a local hotel. Such greed. read more

We had a wonderful stay. Nice and clean. awesome staff. thank you for making our stay in La Jolla enjoyable and memorable read more

I would stay at this hotel again. It's nothing fancy but the location is prime. Parking lot is a bit congested but not too difficult to manage. The staff were kind and helpful. The room was clean. Basic amenities. The only issue was our room was under the stairs and it was loud hearing people walk up and down them in the middle of the night. Other than that, clean and simple motel. read more

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I've been visiting the Shoal since 2020 literally the first day lockdown was announced. It's a great space to stay especially if you like a quiet area with places to eat right next door. Windasea beach is down the street and they offer competitor prices! I highly recommend to stay here. They are ready to service you. Not to mention the room was clean, towels ready, shampoo conditioner and body soap is provided. I'm a big clean freak when it comes to bugs so to the other reviewers who mention cockroaches I did not find any in my room during the stay but if you walk at night towards the shops nearby there are bugs outside - but this is the case with any big city. Overall 5 stars! So read more

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Stayed here for almost 2 weeks recently. Great location and highly recommend staying here if you're looking for a good home base to launch from and check out beaches, restaurants and the city of San Diego (whilst not having to deal with staying DT). Room is really nice and clean and recently remodeled. The AC worked pretty nicely (keeping the bathroom closed really improved the AC's ability to cool the room on hot days). The TV was larger than expected and hung nicely on the wall, and came with Direct TV. Wi-Fi was provided and adequate. Sliding bathroom door saves space which is nice, but I did wish that you could lock it for privacy purposes. Bathroom was nice sized. Shower was quite spacious. Parking was included due to my longer stay, but for shorter stays you do have to pay like 10$ a day. (Not too bad). There was always a spot to park in, but sometimes you do get stuck with the tight last one, but what can you do -especially if you are getting back late. Hot tub was decent, pool seemed fine with an outside shower nearby. Oatmeal was available daily, as well as paper plates and plastic silverware (you wouldn't think how clutch this is). Staff was excellent, and always provided towels or help when asked. The trash/ recycling receptacle was conveniently located just outside my room, this was very nice. I noticed more around too so it's never a hassle to throw out garbage and be earth friendly. 5 mins walk to Windansea Beach and 1 min walk to a decent breakfast spot were 2 pros worth mentioning as well. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - View from my Room, cloudy day, half of the parking lot, convenient garbage can placement for guests - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

Even during the Fall of 2021, well into COVID, we felt great staying here. Other than quick check in, we pretty much had no contact, just what we were looking forward to: clean, modern (loved the electric sit to stand desk) close to good food (the Taco place only a block or 2 away had the best Fish Tacos!!!) and coffee and most importantly, the stunning beaches of La Jolla. We loved the small California boutique feel, nice room, pretty pool (sparkling but too cold for us Arizonans) and the area was really very hip and safe at at any time. We drove and the parking was also very convenient in an area without much to speak of parking wise. We recommend and stay again. We're playing on heading there again early summer. read more

Weekend stay was very comfortable. Front desk staff are very accommodating and friendly. There's a lobby while you wait if you arrive early. There's a small early check in fee($15). Free coffee in the lobby while you wait... rooms are pleasant. Quiet environment. Pool/Jacuzzi area is clean. Walking distance to the beach. My husband & I will make this place our spot. They offer military/ veteran discount read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

Minutes to the Windansea Beach and close to some good spots to eat (There's a quick breakfast next door, perfect for coffee too) and a small market and liquor store for fruit and drinks. The room we had was very very spacious and had great spaces for our luggage and towels. This place meets every San Diego need. My only concern is parking can fill up so if you find a spot, you may want to keep it. If you're coming to strictly be at the beach, you do not need to drive anywhere. Checking in was super easy, asking for towels and room cleaning was easy, the pool is fine. This is a great location, price and a cute updated motel that has a lot to offer. I'll be staying here again and letting friends know! read more

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I decided to not spend too much for a short trip down south to San Diego and the shoal Appeared as being one of the inexpensive options compared to higher end hotels. Upon arriving here I was pleasantly surprised !! The check in and check out was extremely easy, the rooms themselves were VERY clean and everything was updated and modernized. The bed was comfy, the usual hotel bed. I also felt very safe with the location as this was one of my possible concerns but it was easily swayed once being here. I recommend you stay here if you're looking for an inexpensive option for a night or two in La Jolla. read more

Look this place isn't the Ritz, but to be fair it doesn't advertise it as such either. For being a 2 star motel this place delivers a bit of a boutique experience. For the price and location this place is definitely worth a trip if you are in the La Jolla area and are looking to keep your kidney and first born child. We were lucky enough to have a top floor room so we didn't experience the foot noise as others have mentioned. The rooms are a bit dark but the renovations look and feel decent. I loved the small touches (makeup remover wipes in the bathroom, iced coffee and yummy snacks available for purchase in the lobby, beach towels to bring to the beach etc.) that made this feel a bit more elevated than what it is-- a motel. The pool and hot tub could definitely use a cosmetic upgrade, but are still usable, and the outside shower, bathroom and guest laundry are a plus. The real shining star here though is the location. You are in walking distance to a few bars and restaurants and a short stroll to Windansea beach. There are bicycles available from the front desk but we found the walk manageable (as two able bodied adults with very few beach supplies to lug around.) Parking is reasonable ($10 a day) and we never struggled to find a spot upon returning from an excursion. Some reviewers mentioned the lot being a bit tight but we didn't find that to be the case. The only complaint I have is the AC- while it definitely keeps the room cool you will feel like you are on an airplane runway with the sound. It cycles every ~15 minutes or so and is LOUD so if you are a light sleeper I would def recommend some noise cancelling headphones or something similar! Overall we enjoyed our visit and utilizing this space as a base camp as we bounced around enjoying everything La Jolla had to offer and would definitely stay again if in the area and looking to save some money! read more

I would definitely not recommend this hotel/ motel to anyone. After informing the guest services at the front desk that we had encountered cockroaches in our hotel room, all she could tell was that " its a normal occurrence because there is an alley behind the hotel". She then proceeded to say that she was going to get right on it. Not sure what that meant since we were checking out already. She did not try to offer any accomodat Along with cockroach infestation, the bed and pillows were terribly uncomfortable. The bed was so soft with no support I woke up sunken into the bed. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - One of the cockroaches inside the hotel room - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

This hotel was really disappointing, me and my boyfriend went to San Diego to have fun but really this hotel ruined everything, the heater wasn't working so we slept in a freezing room for two nights, the heavy bathroom door fell on my boyfriend, the water wasn't working so we couldn't even shower or use the bathroom. I mean terrible I've never seen anything in my life. Do better shoal!!!!! read more

I'm giving a 5 star for the value, comfort and service! The double queen room was very spacious and spotless. The beds and pillows were comfortable. The pool and hot tub was very clean too. Our host Kory was wonderful, friendly and helpful. We enjoyed riding their bikes into town and visiting the restaurants and beach (roads are not safe for kids). We loved the location which was only one short block to a nice beach. For the price of this hotel you definitely get your moneys worth and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who was looking for a comfortable place to stay. read more

Super close to the beach , looked pretty clean, smelled clean, not bad. The shampoo, condition and shower gel smell amazing. Loved how they had a fridge and a microwave. Water from the shower does leak. Pool seemed a little dirty. I think because of the ocean being so close and it being fall and cold, it was very foggy outside. Seemed like ghost town. But overall, I did enjoy my stay here at the Shoal. read more

The Shoal La Jolla Beach - King Bed Room - Hotels Near Me - La Jolla, California

Really enjoyed my stay. Nice large clean bathroom. Staff were attentive and courteous. It's all about the location. One block off beautiful pacific and amazing sunsets. Not usually a fan of motels but this location grew on me. La Jolla is all about getting outside so the less you spend on your inside digs the better. Well worth the reasonable cost. Bill McGovern New York. read more

This place, a remodeled Travelodge, isn't bad. But it's nowhere near downtown La Jolla. They claim "nestled in the heart of La Jolla", when in reality it's a mile or more. Be aware of this false claim - if you want to be near "the Village" this is definitely not the place. read more

There's an old saying: It is what it is. If you're looking for a 5-star La Jolla hotel in the middle of the ritzy Prospect/Girard Avenue area, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a place that is a bit rough around the edges but an easy walk to the best beach in San Diego (Windansea), then you've come to the right place. My wife and I stayed here in June to celebrate my wife's birthday. We managed to snag the best room in the place: the King Suite located on the third floor. The room is all by itself and has lots of windows, a huge private patio with table and chairs, and an ocean view. Great value for the price. The room was really beat, but it was clean and the location makes up for the shortfalls. Pro tip: Great breakfast and coffee at Cafe Vahik right next door, excellent margaritas and freshly made guacamole at Su Casa across the street, and love the Peking duck and mai tais at Mandarin House on the other side of La Jolla Boulevard. They were beginning a hotel reno when we were there, so I expect the third floor King Suite to be upgraded soon along with the other rooms. read more

Let's first clear a few questions about this hotel: 1. No, you do not hear the ocean. It is just too far. 2. No, you do not see the ocean from this hotel. The pictures posted here are misleading because you do not have access to the private deck to see the ocean. The hotel is near Windansea beach, which is the only nice thing. Other than that, the room is paper thin. You hear your neighbors taking a shower, watching tv, talking, etc. People walking past your room at 2:00 am while talking is pretty annoying. The bathroom is tiny. Yes, it is renovated with subway tiles, but it's too small. The barn door for the bathroom is a bad idea. There is no lock and it slides open after a while. So if you are in the bathroom for a while, you might be surprised when you come out. Even with the door closed, the crack on the barn door is too big. People in the room can see the bathroom clearly. It's just not very private. The parking is pretty difficult if you have a big vehicle, and you have to pay for parking, too. If you come back late at night, you might not have any parking and you have to park in the street and still have to pay for parking - huh? read more

2 star for the hot tub and rooftop fireplace sunset view We went here for our 3 year delayed honeymoon. We cant afford anything fancy so we decided to go here for 1 night since my parents can baby sit our kids last minute Let's just say I tried to be as positive as possible but it really was just sad and I want to set everyone's expectations before going here. For the price I guess it's the most affordable we can get for now given our budget but never again would I be back here again. First complaint.. our view was terrible... we got put in a room facing construction site. Like I cant believe we paid more for ocean view for that. So upsetting. the AC.... it took forever to cool our room.. we got there 4pm and it was like 10pm till I actually felt the ac... (given we were at the beach and the hot tub most of the time) The mini fridge felt the same way... I was better off grabbing ice and putting our drinks in a bucket or something.. The bathroom looks like its poorly done and could use some touch up since some areas on the sink were chipping off. The bed was so noisy... my husband tends to toss and turn so the entire night was also pretty annoying. The slightest movement on it made so much squeaking sound making me feel like the bed frame might collapse. The elevator are so slow even though no once is on it.. it's best to just go up and down the stairs if you're in a rush. The outside balcony looks rusted and chipping off too. I would appreciate if they would atleast pain the area. Paint is not that expensive and can go a long way. Only thing good about our stay was the hot tub rooftop sunset and being close to the ocean. P.s. prepare your self to smell the seals if you're at the right side of the hotel like we were. Overall the room looks somewhat modern and renovated but it's done so poorly which for me is a waste... Definitely wont be coming back and will just have to save up more for something with a better view and better experience. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised with this hotel. I originally booked this place because it was the only hotel in La Jolla within my budget. Also, the location was prime, literally a 3 minute walk from the beach! Upon arrival Tricia was so accommodating and just a joy to talk to. I could tell she really cared about her guests and offered great suggestions on where to go and what to explore nearby. She was very organized and both the check in and check out process were the easiest i've ever experienced. The rooms here are newly renovated and super cute! They have a modern beachy vibe with aqua decor accents that i loved! We got the King deluxe room which is bigger than the standard rooms and we enjoyed the extra space. The only thing I'd have to complain about for this place would be that we did find a decently sized bug in the room as well as half a women's acrylic nail on the floor. read more

I honestly was super happy with my stay at the Shoal! I'm always really weary when booking hotels because sometimes the pictures online are deceiving. The hotel was older and newly remodeled. The room was perfect and really clean. I loved that we could walk to the beach and were only a short drive to downtown. My only complaint would be the bathroom door. It slid open if you didn't hold it for a moment and wasn't very private and isn't ideal for a couple. However it was do able and wouldn't prevent me from coming back! Great customer service too! I would highly recommend this hotel read more

My partner and I drove down from LA to enjoy the beach & San Diego for a few days and just needed a simple hotel to crash at and this place served its purpose. The location was prime (except the construction across the street currently). The bed was very comfortable, the room was aesthetically pleasing, and everything was very clean. I especially liked that they had wood floors unlike other hotels that have questionably clean carpet. Couldn't have asked for anything more honestly. If you're planning on staying in town longer or are someone concerned with having top of the line amenities, this might not be the hotel for you. But if you're looking for somewhere just for resting and you'll be out and about mostly, I totally recommend. read more

This is a great little spot that gets you close to the cove and a short walk or drive from restaurants. If you are looking to save $50-$100 a night and willing to sacrifice ocean views without sacrificing quality, try The Shoal! My room was immaculate and so beautifully renovated. They have biked available in the lobby and parking for a fee. It was a great spot to stay on my recent work trip. They will charge up front when you book and require a deposit when you check in if you only stay one night and your parking will come out if that. The rest is refunded unless you have other incidental fees. read more

Great value we had there 3rd floor suite! Very nice room and staff had a great bday!!

This is a nice place that has been freshly remodeled. The room is modern and the staff is friendly. There's a pool and hot tub, as well as lounge chairs by the pool area. The fire pit is a great place to relax after a day at the beach. The beach is a cool 5 minute walk down the street. I liked the fact that our room was not too cramped. We had plenty of space to spread our stuff out. The lobby features free apples, coffee and oatmeal. There is also a small assortment of snacks and drinks for sale. Free beach towels and beach chairs were a nice touch. Surprisingly absent were hooks to hang wet towels in the room. The room was not as clean as could be, there was a small coffee spill on the bed near the night stand. The parking lot could be bigger as well. Overall, a nice place to spend a weekend getaway. Shout out to Tricia for finding our lost sunscreen! read more

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