Not having been born in Gloucester I cannot claim 'native status' but having been a 4 season visitor for the past 30+ years I can speak with some authority as to the state of things on Good Harbour Beach. The Blue Shutters Inn, at One Nautilus Road, has been a favorite destination for many years, returning this year has found the place to be undergoing some exciting changes. New owners have been busy this past winter and have completed a total renovation of the entrance/lobby/staircase/dining area and the result is a modern,warm,inviting, and comfortable space. As one of the first Memorial Day Weekend Guests to arrive we were given a tour of the whole property and were impressed with the renovations of the guest rooms. One of the great things about this place is variety in room choices from a simple bedroom to a suite with a kitchen(always our choice), and the new owners are keeping the layout as is. The main reason we have always loved The Blue Shutters is it's casual atmosphere and perfect location and the place is still laid back in all of the best ways it used to be and the view/location are unparralleled. The new owners are friendly and happy to steer you toward a good meal if you are unfamiliar with the area. They are doing a breakfast and always have coffee going.All the rooms have wireless internet for those of us who cannot live without it. The place is as conducive to a quick weekend trip as it is a weeklong+ stay. We will be back at least two more times this year and look forward to seeing the evolution of this great place continue, knowing that it's greatest attribute, LOCATION, LOCATION,LOCATION.., make it the obvious choice. Check it out!~M.Rossetti&J.Farrell 05/27/2007

If you are looking for a traditional hotel or motel that gives you room service, a great pool or a feeling of being just another person paying but not getting, then The Blue Shutters Inn in Gloucester, MA is not for you. But, if you are looking for a pleasant, quaint Inn that has all of the charm and ambiance of a real New England Inn, then your journey for a real gem has ended. My wife and I run around all week and most of the year, but here we can just walk across the country road to Good Harbor Beach and walk hand in hand along the shoreline. The accomodations are excellent as are Mary and Joe, the owners. Their dedication to your needs are first rate. I feel safe and protected as I felt when was staying in my aunt's home when I was young.

First off, the Blue Shudders should not be considered a real place to stay. There is junk throughout the yard and the furniture is all second hand, old, garage/consignment shop stuff. Some may call it homey, but it's actually inappropriate to call this lodging, especially for $150 a night. What we found were much of what the negative reviews say here---rusting fixtures, peeling up linoleum, peeling paint, mildew, stoves and refridgerators from 20 or 30 years ago. The bedding and furniture was very old and run down and there was concern about letting the kids actually let their skin touch it. We slept in our sleeping bags instead. A smoke detector was missing. A particular gripe: once you checked in and gave your money, which was quickly sought upon arrival, the owners "disappeared", which, we figured out, would prevent anyone from asking for it back once they saw the rooms. One family who lost their key had no means to contact them--since they don't stay on the property and there is no emergency contact information present. We stayed here as there was no other place to stay, gambled and hoped the mixed reviews would pan out, but they didn't. Stay out on the Ocean at the major chains, which I heard from the locals cost less and are modern. We have never seen a place as bad as this.

The Blue Shutters' greatest asset is that is across the street from a beautiful beach, Good Harbor. Literally across the street, so all you have to do is carry your beach chair and bag down the street to the bridge. If your room fronts on the beach, you can see the sunrise, and hear the ocean's rise and fall.

Unfortunately, the property has been allowed to deterioriate. The sheets and bedding are old, pilly and thin. Mattresses are from another century, backaches guaranteed. Rooms have ancient shag carpeting that haven't seen a carpet cleaner in a decade. The shower in our room had glass shower doors installed on a bathtub, with the inner channel that should hold the door in place missing. A mutiliated foot waiting to happen. Our toilet backed up three times in a week. The toiletries are all branded Foxwoods Casinos, interesting. Both the common area and the rooms are crammed with the owner's collectables making it difficult to move around and relax. They seem to have stopped providing continental breakfast, not that it was more than generic cereal, white bread, peanut butter, jelly, and juice, but that was a great savings for families, and it was discontinued without notice.

If you're looking to be close to the beach at a price comparable to BS, I'd recommend the Vista, which overlooks the beach. Someone will have to drive everyone to the beach and drop them off, and pick them up at the end of the day to avoid the $20 beach parking fee, but it will be worth it for cleanliness and quiet.