Sifting Sands Motel

This is my first and LAST stay at Sifting Sands Motel... For the room itself,it was quaint but comfortable enough for ONE overnight stay. However,being charged a NON REFUNDABLE ($75+tax) PET FEE is absolutely RIDICULOUS!! I could understand IF it were a PRECAUTIONARY DEPOSIT. At most MAJOR MOTEL/HOTELS here in Ocean City,NJ, that fee would be refunded within 24-48 hours,providing there were NO (pet related) DAMAGES. I only booked here to be near friends. NEVER AGAIN!!

Room was nice, updated and comfortable

First I’ll be positive-the people are friendly, and it is very close walking distance to the boardwalk and other area restaurants. However, this place is incredibly outdated, and that is an understatement. Upon walking into our room, there was a terrible smell and flies everywhere. Blinds were broken, and the door didn’t shut well. The bathroom was filthy, and our toilet clogged. Someone came to fix it, and was even surprised at how dirty the bathroom was. (We wore shoes in the shower). There was an alley right behind our room that people used frequently to smoke, etc, and they could see into our bedroom through the broken blinds. The couch had a layer of dirt and sand, and the small bed (not queen as advertised) was on wheels. The sheets were also stained, as were the towels- clean, but not deep cleaned or bleached. Aside from how unsanitary the room was, we needed to leave a day early for an unseen family emergency. No refund or any compensation for the toilet (and dirty room) was even offered or acknowledged. The only thing offered was sending a staff to clean the room-too little too late. The woman at the desk simply stated, “all I can say is drive safely.” Do NOT waste your money just for the sake of location. It seems as if the owners are aware that people still pay to come here, and are barely keeping it functioning. Such a huge disappointment.

For the past five years; I have been booking, through *********** , at the Sifting Sands for my daughters August birthday. However, I learned that when you book via booking, the *********** advertisements states, pay with your stay and it mentions a cancellation fee up to 24 hours before stay. With that said, I booked. I later found out that *********** advertises such things, however, they follow the policy of the hotel which requires a deposit and a cancellation fee for any reason. I canceled, since I did not want my card charged. the hotel had attempted without my knowledge. Then was told it was at the hotels discretion to charge for deposits, So I was upset about the deposit and the cancellation fee. Read the tiny fine print folk! As a result, I cancelled. I tried to speak to a supervisor from ***********, in which the representative lied and said the supervisor was busy. So *********** runs multiple platforms and has one supervisor on the payroll? I think not. In the future, I'll book directly with any and all hotels and airports. Keep in mine my reservation was August 21st and I booked July 18th. Yet I will possibly be charged a cancellation fee.