Bluff Shoal Motel — Hotel in Ocracoke

About 10 months prior to our visit, another visitor to Bluff Shoal posted a review that got a response from the owner. The review pointed out a weird situation with the motel room floor. (The flooring was terribly spongy to the point of feeling like you might fall THROUGH the floor.) The owner assured to reviewer that they were unaware of this issue and that the problem would be remedied. The flooring has NOT been fixed as of August 2023. Room 7 has flooring planks that flex a good 1/2" presenting a pinching hazard AND the feeling that the floor might truly give-way. So, while I would normally simply provide a list of pros and cons in my review, I needed to mention this first and foremost as an unacceptable situation. Beyond this, the "plusses" include a wonderful location on the Silver Lake harbor with beautiful views, a nice deck/dock and porches, good parking spaces right outside your room and a cool vibe straight out of the 1950's. The "minuses" include the aforementioned floor problem, hot water that ran out one minute into my shower, the loudest air conditioner I have ever heard (that cycled on and off constantly making sleep difficult) and lights that flickered significantly. There is a Keurig coffee maker in the room, but no coffee or cups, etc. The maid faithfully brought new towels and took away trash but did not make the bed. The pictures illustrate the floor (one spot where the plank depressed when stepped upon and another where a nail appeared to be ready to pop through the flooring) and another item needing some attention. And, some photos of the...

The area by the water was lovely. The bed was comfortable. We did not like the fact that because we booked through a 3rd party (Expedia) we were given the smallest, darkest room. The small back window looked out at a shower and the front window was equally small. We booked a room because of the photos that were in the post but the room we were given did not reflect the bright rooms that are advertised. There was no room to sit except for 1 chair in a corner. The other person had to sit on the bed. I needed to use my computer and there was nowhere to put it and there was no chair that I could use as the one that was in the corner was very low. (We were told by the absent owner/manager, by telephone, that we would go and take a chair from another room. We did and I used the suitcase rack to place my computer on my closed suitcase in order to use it. I also asked if we could move to another room that had a table and chairs (all the others seemed to) and was told that the motel was fully booked for the weekend. I checked at night and in the morning and not all of the rooms were occupied. I even took photos of the parking lot very early on our second morning. There were 2 cars in it. Something really should be done to ensure that all guests are comfortable. I would not suggest that people book through a 3rd party is they want one of their nice rooms. If you know that 2 people will occupy a room why not spring for another chair? Really!|If I were to go back to Ocracoke I would find other...

Starting with the only positive: the rooms are clean. No one on site here for assistance after hours, you have to text or email. Location is the problem if you want some quiet. This used to be a relatively quiet little town after hours, but no more. People buzzing around all night on golf carts or walking around at all hours, many clearly drunk. Cars driving by with stereos booming at all hours. The restaurant across the street now has a band playing hideously bad 70s music (poorly) and extremely loud until just past 11 (the town website says noise ordinance in effect 10p to 7a). If you want a little quiet, don't book here or probably anywhere off the main road. My bad for making this mistake. Also, the walls here are old and thin, and everytime a neighbor opens or closes the door, the walls shake, and it actually sounds like they are slamming doors when more than likely they are not. Just bad acoustics. Rude guests next door partied late at night at the area dockside and left empty beer cans and plastic bottles all over the place. No one on site to monitor or curtail this activity. This was not a relaxing, peaceful stay. No electric outlets by either side of the bed, they are across the room, which is inconvenient. Won't be...