Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea — Hotel in Dana Point

This is a hidden gem. An AMAZING value for the location. Napoleon, Evelyn, Ismael & Stefan (I hope I spelled their names correctly, I'll double check) have breathed life into this older hotel. They are a classy, warm, professional team. They take so much pride in running this sweet blue and cream colored wood-framed building that I can't help but feel at home here. They make a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, two kinds of sausage, bagels, toast, potatoes, etc. each morning bright and early, which is served on the terrace. They also offer fruit, hardboiled eggs, cereal, coffee and tea throughout the day in the kitchenette. There are several shared balconies so guests with or without their own private or semi-private patios can spend as much time as they'd like outside. At night, colored lightbulbs outside of the rooms add to the charm. The hotel is right across from Capistrano Beach, which you can get to by walking a short distance to a stoplight and crossing over, or a short distance to a pedestrian bridge to walk over the train tracks to the beach. Inn-By-The-Sea is right on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and if you are in the front of the building you will hear cars going by, the occasional train, and the whoosh of the waves. Even though it's illegal, you'll also hear souped up cars and motorcycles whiz by from time to time, but it did not bother me at all. You might also hear your neighbors on the balconies, which was just fine by me. Some of the balconies are not private since they are separated by a railing, and others are completely private. There is SO MUCH TO DO around here! There is a free trolley in the summer months, which stops just a few steps away from the hotel. Nature trails, beach towns in both directions, overlooks, restaurants, harbors, and more. I set off one day and walked ten miles, all the way to Dana Strands Beach, Dana Point Preserve and another nature trail with breathtaking overlooks, and back again. I have yet to walk Dana Point Bluff Top Trail. I also went parasailing right down at Dana Point Harbor where there are several restaurants including Wind & Sea, which was quite good. Nearby Baby Beach is great for children, since it's very calm and shallow. Don't mess with the Pacific Ocean if you don't know what you're doing! Stay close the the lifeguards and read the signs that are posted. I noticed a women run surf camp and lessons for women walking towards Doheney State Beach as well. Did not summon up the nerve to try, but plan to one day. Back at the Inn, you can also see the sunset from the balconies of the rooms right on PCH, and also from a shared balcony, or you can cross the road and stroll along the ocean as the sun sets. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this lovely hotel and think you will too. There is no pool, but there is a small outdoor hot tub. Besides, who needs a pool when the ocean is calling?...

I've stayed in best Western plus before, but this one surprised me. The condition of the room was pretty dreadful. Felt like a cheap poorly kept apartment. Walls had paint damage, painters tape on the floorboard, no decor in the room, the bathroom had water damage and mold in the floorboards, the bathroom wall had a picture hanging about waist height to cover wall damage. Room smells musty. The mattress wasn't comfortable for me and the blankets are rough and not soft. Feels like a $50/night motel. I'm writing this review at 6am after lying awake for the past 5 hours. I recommend going for better. This place will continue to get by by pricing slightly cheaper than the competition, but honestly, the savings aren't worth a poor night's rest. Life is short, live a little. We made a mistake this time, so definitely no next time.

Oh, check in process was horrid, we waited forever to get checked in and the person checking us in had to keep running out to each room to make sure it was clean. Feels like there should be much better processes in place.

Updated: 10/16/2023

Thank you for your response. Of note, I did not do early check in, I arrived at 3pm and we weren't checked in until 3:30pm. We actually had a photo shoot scheduled for 5pm, hence our rush, otherwise normally, this isn't a concern for us.

More concerning was the condition of the room. I've attached photos, but this isn't what I would expect from a Best Western Plus. Generally, a clean room is all I expect.

Also, FYI, there was also a sink drain leak, so water was getting into the drawer and on the floors. The black mold is highly concerning, as this is a health hazard, and should be addressed promptly. I know it looks like just water damage, but since it was never repaired, I'm certain there's mold behind the drywall. I don't think you should ever have a room with unfinished repairs being given to paying customers.

We were in a very poorly maintained room.

This is mainly just an opportunity to provide feedback. We were only there for 1 night, so it wasn't a big deal, but if we were planning to stay multiple days, I would have requested a room change given all of the...

Stayed here for one night this week to beat the heat and this place was a mixed bag. We were pleased to find a room with an ocean view for less than $300 a night in Socal but there were things we liked and some things we didn't. The double queen room (103) was roomy and very clean, but the bathroom was very small and had the narrowest toilet shower room we've ever seen. Also saw mold in the corners of the shower and the bathroom. There was also no alcove to put your soap and shampoo, so you had to keep them on the floor of the shower and bend over to get them. Never seen that before. The room is just poorly designed and they could have taken out the part of the room that had the fridge and microwave and expand the sink so you could have a much roomier bathroom. Oh, there is no vent fan or heat lamp either.

If you can, get the King Ocean room view which is on the upper levels. Our room was on the first floor so mainly have to view the beach and the waves through a chain link fence that separated PCH and the train tracks. Yes, trains, run by the Inn. The metrolink isn't so bad but it is the freight trains that run at night which are pretty loud and recall hearing one at 1 am in the morning. The traffic on PCH is pretty loud too but you could hear the waves at night.

The good things we liked is the free parking (But leave the F150 at home), a working elevator, very nice staff, and complimentary breakfast with the usual items like bagels, cereal, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, and a waffle maker. The staff also make a good cup of coffee that is available through the day I believe. Nice size fridge with a freezer compartment and a microwave. The wifi is pretty decent and had no issues using our FireStick to watch movies on Netflix with almost no skipping. Next door is a popular bar, sushi restaurant, and an Italian restaurant where we had an enjoyable dinner. The walkway that goes over PCH to the beach is a short walk away. The Dana Point trolley makes a stop just north of the Inn.

All in all, it was nice to get away from the heat but if we ever come back here, we'll get a King fireplace room on the...