Island Inn

Most Recent Comments

• October 2023 by Pam Cloar
  Island Inn is in a great location within Surf City. You can easily walk to the beach, restaurants and shops. The outside of the hotel has been updated and looks good. Our room was spacious, but dated inside. It was clean and comfortable. We had trouble flushing the toilet at times each day, which coincided with when the pool was being filled. We loved the outdoor picnic tables, as we travelled with other family members and sat outside together each evening. Staff was super friendly but not always available. Staff families are allowed to use the pool, so at times, the small pool got crowded.As others have mentioned, I was charged more than the amount I was given when I made reservations. I did not question it during the stay because I assumed I made an error. Once home, I checked the reservation amount and amount actually charged and discovered the difference. Although it is a motel, it operates as an AirBnB does.Despite some issues, which I hope are resolved and/or transparent, I'd consider staying again simply for the location.
• October 2023 by Joseph Makh
  Check in and check out was done without interacting with anyone, that's new, but the process was smooth. Rooms are cozy and pretty.Rooms: Good looking wooden finish around the wallsWalkability: Walkable to a bunch of nice restaurants and the beach
• September 2023 by Lorene Currin
  The only good thing about this place was the location. For the price, we expected a lot more!!!Noteworthy details: Tiny room, loud AC, no ambience, very bright in the room at night, but very dark during the day. Just awful ?
• September 2023 by Angie R.
  Due to my experience of a day ago, I'm leaving reviews on every site I can because I do not want anyone to go through what we did at this hotel. My husband and I have been staying here for almost 10 years, at times twice a year. Back when the former owner Barbara owned it it was the best, great service clean rooms, great customer service. Since selling to Jeff P. and the management Co. it's has gone downhill fast. From higher rates which fluctuate depending on when you book during the year to poor customer service, dirty patio and rooms. So with that said, here's what happened to us. We booked our room from 9/16-9/23, when hearing that Tropical Storm Ophelia was about to hit and Gov. Cooper declaring a state of emergency we decided not to risk our lives and told management that we would be checking out Friday morning and asked for a refund...we were told by staff that Jeff refused a refund, even though there was a weather emergency. Well, we left and I emailed him twice with NO response at all...It's a shame how a once nice family run place has gone to an uncaring money hungry establishment. Along with this happening we had a woman in room 2 who has a very sick dog with a huge tumor that pooped all over the lower deck next to us and also all over her room causing us to literally stay inside, not even being able to sit outside at our picnic table due to the fact that she would leave her door open with the smell of feces blowing in our face. Even when she finally checked out, the staff had to leave a fan at the open door of her room to get the stench out and the cleaning girls couldn't even go in to clean until the stench was gone, I talked with one of them who told my that there was urine and feces all over the bedding, comforter and floor...this is what we put up with upon our arrival until she checked out last Monday. We put up with it, mentioning it to the staff who didn't do a thing while she was there. It's sad that a refund wouldn't be given to us with the emergency and with all we had to put up with....Thanks Jeff for NOTHING!!! Well, beware of rate hikes on your credit card, hopefully you can book a better hotel to stay at on your vacation. Okay, that's it, off to write many more reviews on every site I can find.
• September 2023 by 146andrear
  We booked our room from 9/16-9/23...after seeing that tropical storm Ophelia would be hitting during our stay and Gov. Cooper declaring a state of emergency we decided to leave on Thursday the 21st. We spoke to the girls in the office who contacted the owner Jeff and told us he WOULD NOT give us a refund, even though we've been steady customers for almost 10 yrs. We had stayed this past May for a week and had to leave a day early and we did get a refund but that was only because someone staying there wanted to stay another day so they were able to fill our room and get paid. I did have plans to book 2 weeks next year but due to the of caring and also lack of response from 2 emails I sent as of yesterday to Jeff and getting no response from him, we're re-thinking our vacation plans for next year....it's sad how things there have changed...our choice was to either ride out the storm and risk our lives or head out early, we chose the 2nd...I really thought with the state of emergency Jeff would be understanding...guess I was wrong.
• September 2023 by Rachel Luginbuhl
  My review is specifically based on me travelling alone with a pet. First be very aware - this place is affordable for a reason. I went because of the price and didn't fully know what to expect. Second, the location is as good as they tell you, it is literally across from the beach access and walking access to Surf City. The room I was in was clean and and stocked, but some things were lacking. For one the layout was tucked in the corner of the hotel with no window that gave you an actual view (one looked into a storage room, one an awning, and the other into the alcove hallway). Also, be prepared, this hotel is NOT MONITORED. It is supposed to be a no smoking, quiet hours hotel, not enforced and no one is even around to enforce it. They are very accessible by text but I expected someone to be in the office at least when the office was open. Also there is no ice machine, you have to buy ice from them, which works if you have a fancy cooler to store it but I never need that much ice at one time. I can confirm a 2/3 full bag of ice will fit in the fridge/freezer though. The only access to sit outside your room is at some picnic tables which I thought strange, I was put on the second floor and there were no actual chairs up there. Not exactly comfortable sitting outside which was my whole desire. Bed is good and room was AC'd well (nice when you have been in the sun all day). Bring all needed items for your pet, I had hoped for maybe a mat on the ground for food bowls but nothing was in the room specific for bringing a pet. All in all it fulfilled my wish to be close to the beach but I wouldn't have called it a "relaxing" stay.
• September 2023 by Jackie Jones
  I made reservations to check in on August 17th and check out on August 21st 2023. I had made reservations a month in advance. Got an email copy of my bill. Paid for 1st night day of booking on July 15th. When I arrived on the 17th I was charged an additional fee of I think $50 and was told by Melinda that it was for a booking fee that the original person I made reser with forgot to add it and she was no longer employed there. So I had no choice but to pay it along with remaining 3 nights. I paid for check in on Thursday and checkout date on Monday.I had severely hurt my lower back by having cracked ribs the day before my reservation. I decided to go anyway since I knew I would be charged on my credit card and I had already paid one night in advance. Was hoping it would get better but it didn't. I was in Room 6 top floor at end of balcony. I liked that I didn't have to worry about people passing my room at all hours. However when I got there Melinda checked me in, gave me code for door keyless entry, which did not work, so I had to get an actual key from her. Other guests had same problems with their room locks. The office seems to close earlier than posted. I finally got in room and opened the fridge to put my water and drinks in to discover it had a lot of ice build up and needed defrosting. Also there was human hair in freezer and bottom of fridge which I cleaned out myself. The bathroom had not been cleaned and had hair and toothpaste splatters all over sink and sink faucet handles. I cleaned it best I could with some baby wipes I had brought. Then I was in so much pain that I got ready for bed at 7pm. I turned back the covers and discovered there was quite a bit of human long dark brown hair all over the bed and both pillows. The sheets had not been changed from previous guest. There was actually stains on the bottom sheet which appeared to come from someone who had sex in the bed. I took photo of the hair in fridge and on the bed and pillows. Thankfully I had taken my own pillow and blanket with me. That is what I ended up using Thursday night as I could not reach anyone from motel. So I slept on the top bedspread or quilt thing with my pillow and blanket. Didn't sleep but a couple hours that night. The next morning I went to The office and Melinda was there. I showed her my photos and she said she would get housekeeping to come change sheets. Finally she ended up doing it herself an hour or so later. The floor didn't look like it had been swept or vacuumed and dirty. I ended up checking out on Sunday morning at 9 am a day early due to severe pain and uncomfortable chairs to sit in. Melinda said she would talk to owners about refunding my last night that I didn't use. Location is great. Motel is not. Melinda never called me back about refund and I have called several times with no answer. Will not recommend this motel. I had planned to go again but will not due to overcharge, dirty room, and just bad experience.Rooms: I made reservations to check in on August 17th and check out on August 21st 2023. I had made reservations a month in advance. Got an email copy of my bill. Paid for 1st night day of booking on July 15th. When I arrived on the 17th I was charged an additional fee of I think $50 and was told by Melinda that it was for a booking fee that the original person I made reser with forgot to add it and she was no longer employed there. So I had no choice but to pay it along with remaining 3 nights. I paid for check in on Thursday and checkout date on Monday.I had severely hurt my lower back by having cracked ribs the day before my reservation. I decided to go anyway since I knew I would be charged on my credit card and I had already paid one night in advance. Was hoping it would get better but it didn't. I was in Room 6 top floor at end of balcony. I liked that I didn't have to worry about people passing my room at all hours. However when I got there Melinda checked me in, gave me code for door keyless entry, which did not work, so I had to get an actual key from her. O
• September 2023 by jackiejJ7254WQ
  I made reservations to check in on August 17th and check out on August 21st 2023. I had made reservations a month in advance. Got an email copy of my bill. Paid for 1st night day of booking on July 15th. When I arrived on the 17th I was charged an additional fee of I think $50 and was told by Melinda that it was for a booking fee that the original person I made reser with forgot to add it and she was no longer employed there. So I had no choice but to pay it along with remaining 3 nights. I paid for check in on Thursday and checkout date on Monday. I had severely hurt my lower back by having cracked ribs the day before my reservation. I decided to go anyway since I knew I would be charged on my credit card and I had already paid one night in advance. Was hoping it would get better but it didn't. I was in Room 6 top floor at end of balcony. I liked that I didn't have to worry about people passing my room at all hours. However when I got there Melinda checked me in, gave me code for door keyless entry, which did not work, so I had to get an actual key from her. Other guests had same problems with their room locks. The office seems to close earlier than posted. I finally got in room and opened the fridge to put my water and drinks in to discover it had a lot of ice build up and needed defrosting. Also there was human hair in freezer and bottom of fridge which I cleaned out myself. The bathroom had not been cleaned and had hair and toothpaste splatters all over sink and sink faucet handles. I cleaned it best I could with some baby wipes I had brought. Then I was in so much pain that I got ready for bed at 7pm. I turned back the covers and discovered there was quite a bit of human long dark brown hair all over the bed and both pillows. The sheets had not been changed from previous guest. There was actually stains on the bottom sheet which appeared to come from someone who had sex in the bed. I took photo of the hair in fridge and on the bed and pillows. Thankfully I had taken my own pillow and blanket with me. That is what I ended up using Thursday night as I could not reach anyone from motel. So I slept on the top bedspread or quilt thing with my pillow and blanket. Didn't sleep but a couple hours that night. The next morning I went to The office and Melinda was there. I showed her my photos and she said she would get housekeeping to come change sheets. Finally she ended up doing it herself an hour or so later. The floor didn't look like it had been swept or vacuumed and dirty. I ended up checking out on Sunday morning at 9 am a day early due to severe pain and uncomfortable chairs to sit in. Melinda said she would talk to owners about refunding my last night that I didn't use. Location is great. Motel is not. Melinda never called me back about refund and I have called several times with no answer. Will not recommend this motel. I had planned to go again but will not due to overcharge, dirty room, and just bad experience. Do not recommend this motel.
• September 2023 by Dylan H.
  Stayed here for the first time despite staying in Surf City all the time. Rooms was cozy (small but fine for my purposes). I'm not sure if this was on purpose or not but the shower didn't have hot water but it was fine. Overall I'd stay again especially if I was down to fish for the trip.
• August 2023 by Braylei Fussell
  Julie and Malinda thank you guys so much, I enjoyed it so much having people you can laugh with, the service there is awesome definitely would come again!
• August 2023 by Sydney Harris
  Loved this place! Great people and was very welcoming! Rooms were clean! Great area, safe, close to everything!
• August 2023 by Diana
  Rooms are clean with towels and toiletries provided. The TV has a good variety of channels from cartoons , sports and Spanish speaking channels! If you leave your parking space there’s a high chance someone will take your spot when it’s busy. And a high chance you won’t be able to reach anyone after office hours about any issues. Pool is fairly clean and also have a spot to rinse sand off after going to the beach. Overall it was an okay experience with friendly staff but should be better for the amount they charge.
• August 2023 by Katherine Edwards
  CHECK YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENTI so badly wish that I could leave a 5-star review for the Island Inn! We really enjoyed our stay. The location is perfect, room was clean, beds comfortable, and coffee maker hot.Unfortunately, after returning home from our great weekend trip I found that my credit card had been overcharged for the balance of the room ...by quite a lot. Thinking it was a simple mistake that could be fixed, I called right away on Monday morning and spoke to someone who took my info and said I would get a call back. She also advised me to email over my original booking receipt that showed my total. I did so.Over the next week I called and left messages two more times, emailed again, and reached out on social media. I got an immediate response on social media that someone would call me back as soon as possible. It has been days, and still nothing. I am absolutely baffled about why no one will talk to me about this overcharge.The real bummer is that we enjoyed our stay so much, we were already talking about returning next year. Now there is no way I would trust this company with my financial info ever again. Scrolling through reviews from the past few weeks, I can see I am not the only person this has happened to.
• August 2023 by Ana Leamon
  Loved our stay here, my family of 3 and our pup had a wonderful vacation. The room was very clean, the staff is very friendly. Loved the pool and location, just walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants.
• July 2023 by King Carnage
  Beach side inn motel private poll. Great customer service. Julie and Melinda great keepers. Amazing time for family vacation. Highly recommended and also for a fee pet