(PLEASE READ ENTIRE REVIEW)…read more
Staff: 5 stars
Motel: 1 star
My expectations were off, so I want to make sure future travelers are not confused. Despite costing over $200-250/night and boasting "spectacular views" of the bay, this is not a decent motel, nor are the views spectacular (or even acceptable, given the website description). If you're on the second floor, you DO have a view of a fence, some AC units, neighboring trees, and the bay in the far, far distance if you stand in the corner of the porch and squint (see photos). Other rooms have views of the concrete parking lot. Please note that you can book an *entire cottage* in Truro/Wellfleet on the water for the SAME PRICE.
Cape View is a run-down motel on a busy street with trucks rattling by all night. The appliances are ancient, the floors and furniture are at a 45-degree angle so things roll off tables, the paint is cracked and peeling (photo), the ceiling is wavy - looks like the roof may be leaking?? - and our door handle was falling off the door. Folks are permitted to smoke on the back patios, so our room often reeked of cigarettes. There are no table lamps, just fluorescent overhead bulbs. The deluxe and kitchenette rooms are handy, but somehow the owners of the Cape View Motel haven't heard of the climate crisis: you'd think they'd have some actual mugs, plates, and silverware rather than just disposable plastic crap. We're 2.5 years into the pandemic, kids. The planet is on fire. It's 2022, won't you please join us??
The worst part is their refund policy. When you show up and discover that the motel doesn't look anything like the photos - that there is no "spectacular view" as advertised - that nothing is new, modern, or pristine, as advertised - that the street noise sucks - that the pool looks nothing like the website pics - you are simply SOL, because the owners have decided that there are *no refunds* once you've seen the crappy rooms. Since their refund policy is buried on the website, I include it here: "Cancellations received 20 days prior to arrival and up to 3 days prior will be charged the full amount of the deposit. Any cancelations within 3 days of arrival will be charged the full cost of the reservation."
THAT SAID, the staff here is amazing. The woman who gave us our keys when we arrived greeted us warmly and was always lovely to be around. She sent confirmation emails, gave us info about local restaurants and beaches, and was available for all questions. The staff dealt with every issue quickly, professionally, and kindly. The owners are incredibly lucky to have this staff, as they are the saving grace of this place. This review would be much worse without them.
TL/DR: Cape View is a shabby roadside motel on a busy street with no views to speak of, priced well above what it's worth. The staff is amazing as is Customer Service, but I highly recommend renting a cottage or an Airbnb instead.
