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Michele W

Oceanfront bargain, but not sure I’ll stay here again.

Review of Islander Motel
3.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed Aug 26, 2023
This was our third time staying at the Islander Motel. Reasons to say here:
1. It’s right on the beach. You can’t get any closer. Our 3rd floor room has an ocean view.
2. The cleaning staff is amazing. The rooms are very well attended to. It is an older motel with older fixtures, but it has been very clean with every stay and they make improvements each year. This year, there was a new fridge!
3. It’s a bargain. I don’t know that there’s a better rate for an ocean front room in the Outer Banks.
4. It’s quiet.

Up until this latest stay, my only complaint has been the enclosure that they have installed on the balcony. I understand why they have it, but it really compromises the ocean views. It ends up being more like an enclosed porch with a window that you can open.

The big change this year, was the amount of cigarette/weed smoke throughout the place. Our room itself did not smell of smoke, but our balcony reeked of stale cigarettes. There was an ashtray out there, so apparently smoking on the balcony is allowed by the motel. The glass enclosure only makes it worse, because there’s so little air flow. We did not experience this on our balcony with previous stays, so I’m not sure if there were really heavy smokers in that room just before us, or if over time, the smell has just been absorbed into the area. In any case, it was enough to make me not want to be out there. In addition, there were many smokers in the outdoor common areas, as well, along with all the ashtrays. We also smelled weed being smoked on multiple occasions this trip. These things might be a non-issue for some people, but it’s enough to make me seriously consider staying somewhere else next year. Which is really a shame, because otherwise, it’s a great place to stay.

Date of stay: August 2023
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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    Reviews (92)
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    2 - 7 of 92 reviews
    Reviewed May 23, 2022

    We liked the motel because it was clean, had a comfortable bed, and the maid did a fantastic job with keeping our room tidy and refilling supplies. We could hear the roar of the waves while we laid in bed. I often saw the owner working outside keeping things nice and neat, considering the wind that was blowing. I would recommend this place to others.

    Room tip: The ground floor may have a sand dune blocking the view from the back window. There's a wood walkway that takes you over the dunes.
    Date of stay: May 2022
      • Location
      • Sleep Quality
      • Service
    2  Thank RubyRocks25
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed October 15, 2021 via mobile

    Wow! This is one of the cleanest places we have ever stayed, if not the cleanest! Very friendly staff. Good parking, great location for a small motel on the beach. Rooms were extremely clean even though nothing fancy, we would definitely stay here again.

    Room tip: Even though there was no elevator in the 3 story motel, there was a luggage lift if it was needed. Parking was easy.
    Date of stay: October 2021
    Trip type: Traveled with family
    Thank lybggwen
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed August 1, 2021

    This is a great family motel. Not a slick chain motel but a very friendly family motel. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean. Nice pool and only a few steps over the dune to the beach. We will definitely stay here next time in Nags Head.

    Date of stay: July 2021
      • Value
      • Location
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    1  Thank ejbksam
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed July 8, 2021

    This is our fourth year for July 4th at Islander Motel and as always did not disappoint. Comfortable rooms, ideal location, helpful staff to say the least! Highly recommend the best view room! Will be staying here again.

    Date of stay: July 2021
    Trip type: Traveled as a couple
    Thank jenfowlerrn
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed September 4, 2019

    We stayed at the Islander Motel the weekend of Labor Day 2019. We were on the second floor, room 206.
    Staff: Very friendly, welcoming and worked with our anticipated late arrival!
    Facility: Clean, welcoming. There was a pool, we didn't get to use it on this visit. There are a washer and dryer on-premises. It was $1.50 for a load of clothes. There is a peaceful area to sit on the swings, and a grill to use.
    Room: It was clean and roomy. There was a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker in the room. The mini-fridge was cold, but there is a note that states that it will take 3 days for a case of sodas to get cold, so you may want to bring drinks down in a cooler and use the mini-fridge to keep things cold.

    Balcony: The balcony is on the smaller side and not completely open. They have large sliding plexiglass type windows that open.

    Overall: We had a very pleasant stay and currently planning our next trip back!

    Date of stay: August 2019
    1  Thank Shiffletts6
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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