The Ocean House Hotel Motel, Old Orchard Beach

We thought staying in the "old" portion of the hotel would be cool - that the rooms would have character and charm of an old beach resort, plus our room looked out on the ocean so that would compensate for the no air conditioning in the rooms. I was told the rooms were very simple, and that was no exaggeration. The 10x10 room furnishings consisted of a very old uncomfortable bed (which by the way, they do not use any kind of matress pad under the sheet so you are sleeping with a very thin barrier between you and whatever lies on the mattress), a dresser, and a small night stand. The bathroom (if you should choose a room with a private bath) was also just as simple. A toilet, a sink with no vanity or counter, and a shower stall. As for the "charm and character..." The walls were cracked everywhere, the plaster was falling apart under the windows, and there was a stain on the drop ceiling that was oddly shaped like a penis. There was a fan in the window which was good, but it also served as a means for holding the window open. Take the fan out, the window slams shut. The showers were consistently terrible - one second you're being scalded with hot water, the next you're being stunned with ice cold water. There seemed to be no regulation whatsoever for the water temperature, no matter the time of day. The rooms in the old hotel do not have phones, televisions, and you can forget internet access. This wasn't so much an issue for us because we tried not to spend too much time there. I suppose some people would consider it part of the charm - it's more just a lack of upgrading the place over the last 50 years. The highlight of our stay was when another guest of the hotel innocently walked right into our room at a VERY inopportune time, - even though our door was locked - getting an eyeful of more than she bargained for. We were extremely embarassed as I am sure she was too. She had been given a key to our room by mistake. When we spoke to the management, we were given an apology and told "it's just one of those things that happens." Apparently they don't consider it an issue that their guests are embarassed and humiliated due to their staff's errors. If you should decide to stay there, always use the chain lock on the door. Housekeeping was barely that - they did come in and change towels and empty the trash basket, but that was it. They do not make the bed, nor do they sweep the floor or even supply a bath mat, making it somewhat gross getting out of the shower. Our "fresh" towels were either torn or stained which made the drying off almost as frightful as the shower itself. Other than that the place is relatively quiet - which surprised me because it resembles more of a big old house where everyone just has their own room. Kind of like a run down B&B. It's right on the beach and only a few minute's walk to the Pier, which was convenient. I would not, however, be tempted to stay there again. The old portion of the hotel desperately needs a ton of work done to it - or perhaps a good gutting and rebuild. Customer satisfaction is not high on their list either, as was clearly demonstrated by their management.