Oceanfront Hidden Gem at the Black Sands Inn

This is the second time we have stayed at the Black Sands inn and I would definitely recommend it. No on site staff but everything you need is provided, location is amazing. We had a ground floor room and the guests upstairs were noisy so maybe an upstairs room would be better. Only complaint is the size of the trash can in the room (tiny) and porch light that is on constantly. But otherwise lovely beach rooms, great view of the ocean, love listening to the waves all night, awesome hot tub and lovely location.

We loved sleeping to the sound of waves on a very good bed. If you have never been to Shelter Cove, know that the 20+ miles from Hwy 101 can be harrowing if it is dark, rainy, and foggy. We had no cell/Wi-Fi service so we didn’t know about needing a code to check in. We were glad to find a fridge with a real freezer. We were disappointed to discover we could not get a third bath towel (and the ones in the room were a bit skimpy), there was shampoo but no conditioner, there was no Kleenex, and no where to get ice. We found the TV remote confusing (volume control on the side?!) and there was no live/regular news.

Located in a small fishing village, the location is very remote, (almost an hour from the 101 fwy), but one of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed at. The suite is really more of a modern apartment with all of the amenities of home, including a full kitchen. It is located right on the ocean and the views are extraordinary. While jockeying for time in the hot tub for a private dip was a little bit of a hassle, once in, it was an amazing experience soaking while looking out at the ocean only steps away. The perfect romantic getaway. Our only regret was only staying there one night.

The property is in a lovely location with gorgeous views, and the room was clean, nicely decorated, and fairly well equipped (missing a dish cloth or sponge?). For a location far off the beaten track, the region has plenty of amenities. Our only issues were with communication with the management and clarity of some key pieces of information: 1) The parking is a bit confusing (there is parking under the hotel that you need to drive around the front to access, which seems odd), and another clueless guest blocked us in by completely blocking access to the front of the hotel. Without management on site, this took a while to resolve. The cleaning company (a sub-contractor) did their best to help, but it was not their problem to solve. Having clearer directions and signs for the parking would be very useful! 2) We selected a unit with a full kitchen, and this was what we got (and a nice kitchen at that), but was not clear on the website so we needed to confirm with the management by email. Then, to our surprise a late email came informing us that: "Cooking fish ... is strictly prohibited. This is in consideration of other guests who may have allergies or sensitivities to the smell of fish." This email came the day of our arrival, after we had purchased food for our stay. Luckily we had not chosen fish, but we had considered it, and would not have been able to change plans at the last minute. A very strange restriction which should be clear before booking!

I was put in a room with an ADA shower. Every time I used the shower, the whole bathroom flooded. There isn’t any onsite staff, so I was left to clean up the mess each time. Unsafe with slip hazards. Unsanitary as the toilet is right next to the shower. Poor response from management. The cleaners said that everyone complains about this room.

This was a self check-in and I was supposed to have received a code to unlock the door. The email came, but the code was missing. Tried to call the phone number on the office door, but I did not have service. Luckily another guest did and I was able to finally get the code.

My new favorite place. Great location super cute and safe. Very relaxing sitting by the fire watching the waves. Very comfortable bed also.

The setting at Shelter Cove is absolutely beautiful. While not familiar with remote customer service, It did work out well with staff available 24/7 and answering immediately. ///The digital lock was a problem and it took multiple tries to open the front door. Exterior paint in a few areas would spruce up the appearance. //We immensely enjoyed our stay.

The most gorgeous hotel room I have ever been in as well as the most amazing location. Hearing the surf right below us was wonderful.