Danfords Hotel & Marina — Restaurant in Town of Brookhaven

Speechless. I stayed here years ago after a Halloween party in Shoreham and had a blast, even rented it the next day, too! I was upset I had forgotten about this place! It was meant to be for me to rediscover this true, gorgeous, gem! AND guess how much the room that I booked here was and it is HUGE WITH A PATIO? Only 1/3 of the price compared to others around and on top of that 20% off sale. I ALREADY was so appreciative that they weren’t taking advantage of the Ryder cup. Immediately booked it because I respected that so much. The Atmosphere: My goodness, just being by the water relaxes me. The place is beautifully renovated with taste and class. My room had a cute nautical theme to it. I just wish they had a clock radio with blue tooth speaker in it like the Hyatt does, BUT the tv does offer stingray music if you hit the 800s or just bring one yourself. The restaurant called the BLACK PEARL hit the mark EVERY single time. I had the seared tuna well done and the swordfish which, wasn’t available the first day I came but was the next. I was beyond thrilled and impressed at how quickly they stocked it! And the espresso martini (I get mine with no Baileys) is the best I ever had. Nothing like NY food even living in FL now, the seafood for me in NY and in PARTICULAR at this place is top notch. I also had the filet which I get butterflied and well done (don’t judge me! lol) I’ve met cool guests here that are so friendly, kind wouldn’t believe you’re in NY! The Staff: Miss Samantha at the front desk was so patient with me and kind as well as accommodating. She even helped me with my luggage. Miss Gabby tried to help me get the same suite for the next day but it wasn’t available. I appreciated her so much, because she did try to get me in but it was booked, unfortunately. I am horrible with keys and she managed to make a new one when I got locked out. She did ask for ID, which is policy so I offered to bring it down once I opened the door or she could come with. Which I did. They have to follow policy & I appreciate them for doing so cause you never know, nowadays. Jocelyn in reservations was lovely, sweet, and doing her best to help me. (I was freaking out because my card for one of the reservations didn’t go through, so she helped me to fix that right away and use a different card.) Miss Hailey, chic outfit, greeted me with a smile and seated me right away outside. Miss Destiny (my all time favorite) was my beautiful (inside & out) server who appeared to be very young, but boy, her soul is that of an older kind. Her attitude, mannerisms, attention to detail, making sure I was comfy, and had everything was EXCEPTIONAL. We hit it off right away. Hard worker! I had Gianna the next day and, BOOM, same thing! Just so attentative, sincere beautiful inviting smile. Even with a large party next to me of 6, as I was sitting outside, she still managed to make sure I was good PLUS taking care of people inside the restaurant. And it was BUSY. Not once did I ever have to ask or look for anyone. I don’t know how they do it but my, what QUEENS. There was a gentleman, Ryan, that came outside to tell me my food was ready when I went to go smoke by the bench. Housekeeping was AMAZING! Wow, do they really work hard and what A team! Thank you Rodrigo, Max, Fatima, Lidia, and Romana. I sincerely and genuinely appreciate all the hard work you guys do. My room was spotless. They were running up and down stairs I was getting dizzy just watching them going up and down, helping each other like a well-oiled machine to get rooms ready because it’s the Ryder cup! They even upgraded my room and I didn’t even know! I wanted to cry from joy! Thank you so much Danfords! I will recommend you, always. I am so impressed with everything and beyond grateful, to the moon and back. I wish you all the best! Best place I ever stayed at in Long Island and I’ve been to many. It blows gurneys out the water. ;) My new home away from home. Side note: Please be kind to staff. Be respectful and mind your manners! They work so hard and do their...

Update to this review: Danford’s hotel management did reach out and offer apologies and several concessions regarding our stay. I appreciated their follow up and have greater confidence that they will do better in the future. I will leave this review as it was our experience but was surprisingly satisfied by the hotel’s follow up to our review and survey submission post stay. A+ for owning your flaws and addressing them @danfords management team.

I stayed at Danford’s recently based on the location and need to be near family for a funeral. I had low expectations as I am originally from the area and know how old the hotel is but booked it anyway based on how the hotel presented recent room upgrades. I paid for a two floor room with 2 queen beds and seating area on the bottom floor for roughly $500 per night (with taxes). This is a 100% accurate depiction of our stay and experience:

Every time we needed the front desk we had to wait minutes for staff to come from the back office. In most cases we had to knock on the glass door to get them out of the back office.

There is no car valet even though there is a valet sign and lane for valet as you enter. There is also no bellman, they leave a cart outside that you self serve your luggage. Which is fine, but for close to $500 per night and how the hotel presents on line you would expect both.

Our room A-6, which was presented online as recently updated, had a broken window upstairs in the sleeping area and was missing a blackout shade. Which was awesome for my 3 year old at 4:45am when the sun would rise and she woke up.

On the morning of day two of our stay, we went down to ask for the window to be fixed with a new shade or a comparable room offered, we were told it would be fixed. After leaving for the day we returned and it was not fixed. We were then moved to A-7 which only had one bed, so I had to sleep on a pullout couch… that was awesome. My back thanks you Danford’s.

I had breakfast one morning. I was served a breakfast sandwich. The breakfast menu was very limited. I had to ask for a fork/knife set up (twice) and when presented there was no napkin. When I asked for a napkin I was presented 5 paper bar napkins. Super classy.

A-7 had very little natural sun light, and one bed, a far cry from how these rooms are presented on the website.

The noise from the street was pretty bad on a Sunday night until about midnight. This isn’t the hotel’s fault, it’s a local hangout and tourist spot but the loud cars, etc. were annoying. Again, not presented very well. This was a “family friendly room”… well, hearing loud cars race the street and loud music blaring until midnight is not my idea of family friendly. Our room was also close to a hotel garbage area and we could hear the bar staff throwing away all the empty bottles and trash at the end of each night.

When I checked out I asked to speak to a manager and was told no manager was available by the front desk person. (Who had to be summoned to the front desk by me waiting a few minutes and finally shouting—- “hellllllllloooooo”). I have never been to a hotel for work or family trips where the staff was so hard to find and more often no one is at the front desk and have to be summoned.

All of staff look to be from the ages of 16-22 and could use a lesson on professionalism. Had a person/staff drop an F bomb in front of my 3 year old in the lobby.

Finally, my hopes for the Danford inn stay were not high. I knew it was an old hotel with it’s best days behind it. I chose to stay there for the location and the supposed upgrades to the rooms that were made. I went in with low expectations and amazingly, the hotel...

My recent stay at Danfords Hotel, Marina & Spa in Port Jefferson, New York, was a delightful experience that combined nostalgic charm with holiday comforts. Established in 1986, this charming hotel, originally the Danfords Inn, offers a nostalgic nod to the village's bustling shipbuilding era with some buildings dating back to the 1800s. It is nestled in the picturesque seaport village of Port Jefferson, known affectionately as "down port" by the locals, offering stunning harbor views and a slice of maritime history.

Personalized Welcome: A highlight of my experience was the exceptional service provided by Lauren at the front desk. Her warm, engaging manner made me feel incredibly welcome, turning a simple check-in into a delightful interaction. We chatted like old friends, and her recommendations and insights into the area enriched my stay. It's rare to find someone who makes such a genuine effort to connect and ensure guests feel at home.

Accommodation Choices: While I opted for the most budget-friendly option in the Driftwood building, my room on the 3rd floor was spacious and charming. The room's high ceiling with wooden beams added a rustic charm, while the king-size bed provided a haven of comfort. The thoughtful inclusion of a coffee maker and mini-fridge added to the convenience. The decor was tastefully done, providing a cozy retreat after a day of exploring. For those considering different options, the hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites, some featuring fireplaces, water views, and additional luxury touches. While you can request a porter’s assistance, it's worth noting there are no elevators in any of the buildings except for the Admirals Building (where you check in), so choose your room based on mobility needs.

Atmosphere & Location: The festive decorations throughout the hotel and the village's charming streets created a magical holiday atmosphere. The beautiful views of the harbor and marina reminded me of the unique maritime history of Port Jefferson, making my stay not just a hotel visit but an immersive experience. Another unexpected treat was the live stage production of “A Christmas Carol” at Theater Three, just a short distance from the hotel.

Dining & Amenities: The included continental breakfast was a pleasant way to start the day, with a selection of pastries, bagels, boiled eggs, fruits, and more. For dining out, the hotel's location is unbeatable, with fantastic local restaurants like Pasta Pasta, The Fifth Season, Ruvo, and if you’re craving ramen, Slurp is just a short walk away. The hotel's own amenities, including its restaurant, lobby bar where I enjoyed 2 complimentary drinks, and the on-site spa added an extra layer of relaxation to my stay.

Considerations: Although the room was generally quiet, some street noise was noticeable until midnight. Additionally, the $29 daily destination fee might be off-putting for some.

Final Thoughts: While the room was the least expensive option, it didn't skimp on comfort or charm, proving that Danfords offers quality across its range of accommodations. The daily destination fee is a consideration, but the overall value, especially given the exceptional service from staff like Lauren, makes it worthwhile. Danfords Hotel, Marina & Spa is more than just a place to stay; it's a place where you're treated like a welcome friend, surrounded by history, and indulged with comfort. My time at Danfords was a highlight of my holidays, and I look forward...