Ocean Inn Hotel, Encinitas

Overall this is the worst so-called hotel I have ever stayed at. Management was rude, advertising was deceptive (another website stated it had a fitness center, tennis court and golf course), dirty surroundings, and crappy breakfast. I give it one star because it does have air conditioning and it’s ½ mile from the beach.

Ocean Inn ‘s definition of a kitchenette is two burners, a mini fridge, a tiny microwave (I didn’t know they made them that small), and a sink. Our kitchenette was void of all household items. When I went into the main office to inquire about things to cook with and eat on she directed me to a cupboard filed with dirty pots, pans, and dishes to meet my needs. They didn’t have any utensils so I had to make due with flimsy plastic fork and spoons. I was able to gather basic cooking items and but they didn’t have a coffee pot to spare (thank goodness for Folgers crystals).

I washed our dishes with a package of shampoo plus conditioner (hotel supplied), a large hand towel served as a dishrag and I dried the hopefully clean dishes with a towel, which was intended for my husband to use in the morning. Good thing I would be long gone at work and would not see the outcome.

Upon entrance, the room appeared clean. But after an evening of making veal parmesan (note it took 22 minutes for the water to boil for the pasta), I sat down and noticed my feet were BLACK from the carpet . My family tried to blame it on my Birkenstocks but then they noticed that their feet were black too. I took a sip from my mug of cabernet (no glasses were available in the cupboard of horrors) and tried to get the black soot off my feet.

Ocean Inn’s full-service breakfast that consisted of bread, prepackaged danishes, Tang , coffee, and bruised fruit of the day (the day I went in it was pears).

The TV will remind you of why it’s better to keep it off during your vacation. We had the luxury of using two remotes, one for changing the channels and another for the volume. We were constantly pushing the wrong buttons and turning the TV off. We estimate that the cable box is circa 1991.

Other Significant Observations:

1. The bathroom is cozy and has one of those delightful mini tub / shower that would suffice for a six year old. The bathroom light wouldn’t turn on but the fan did. After five minutes the light would magically turn on, but by then the duty was done.

2. The ceiling fan is covered in moldy, grimy, dust. My daughter was afraid to turn it on for fear of getting mold/dust thingies on her and the bed.

3. Square footage is limited. There is enough room for two people to eat at the table, but the third must be banished to the bed. Having three people stand at the same time made it quite closterphobic.

Things to bring if you stay at the Ocean Inn:

* Blow drier
* Pot, pans, plates, cups, glasses, silverware, dish soap, dish rag, limited supply of food, and nothing that needs to be baked.
* Socks (old ones, unless you have stain-mastered your socks)
* Breakfast
* Sense of humor