Ocean Park "hidden policy" Motel
I really, really, really wanted to like this place. Quaint, greal local and artsy-retro vibe...the makings of a cool place to be but 'tis not the case. Hated giving this place 1 star on yelp but I had to do it and now I must warn future vacationers headed up to the San Fran with doggies to really know what they may get into at this seemingly cool, dog friendly (not) motel.
Headed up to San Fran this weekend for a funeral and booked this 4-5 star "gem" off of reviews and pictures via website. Only a few blocks from the fam on Taraval, walking distance to a cool coffee shop (Java Beach) and super close to the beach, we thought we had a winner, winner chicken dinner, but alas, no! From the outside, it's a cool blue looking motel but as with people, looks can be deceiving. 2 nights at $130/a night wasn't the worst price but for a crappy policy about dogs being a "dog friendly" place and rattling doors when the wind blows, the only redeeming factor was the location. Not posted on the website, was the golden rule that no dogs can be left alone for no amount of time....period. Did they have "dog friendly" in their wordings....yes, did they have a picture of a dog chillin' off leash in the middle of the court yard...yes. Everything to lead you to believe that this place not only accepts dogs, but wants them to be at home away from home...but once money is exchanged and you've checked in, then it's stated "only if with you." We have a bulldog and anyone that knows bulldogs know that bulldogs not only sleep all day but they hate barking for the most part because it takes too much energy and that's energy taken away from them to walk to their food bowl and refind that comfy spot they had on the blanket. Now we picked this spot hoping to only leave him once for a few hours for a funeral during our 2 day stay only to have paid $260 to get the fact that he wouldn't be able to at all. Now I'm sure, someone out there ruined it for the rest of us responsible dog owners by leaving their yappy dog for hours on end disturbing other people there, but it is still the hotel's responsibility to state that big nugget of info before taking any money from people that tell them immediately they'll be booking a stay with their 4 legged friend. So very disappointing because now we have to transport our baby in the back of the Honda element (which has good room space) which he's had to already endure a 6 hour trip up, to stay confined in the vehicle while we try to go celebrate a life but also worry and check up on during and after the funeral/reception. Thank goodness it was cool and rainy because it would've been out of the question and more of a mess otherwise.
Now for the room itself....urghhhhhh! The door opens right up on the bed in room 17, barely any walking space for you, your other half and your baby...suck in please. 20" tv located diagonally across the room from the queen size bed and in front of the twin as if everyone will fit on the twin and forget the queen...squint here please. Bathroom was a good size but hot water in the itty, bitty shower takes 5 mins of time to kick in, therefor wasting more water in the "low pressure" water saving contraption that you must play defense with the coil on the hoisted shower head...duck now and block please. Door rattling all night whenever the wind blows so be prepared to jerry rig the door with shoes and other belongings to get a better restless night's sleep while wondering if someone will walk into the room at any time it may please them because you have no internal locking device to stop them except for the belongings you have now placed to quiet that rickety door....omg! Take a good look at the stair case because it may very well kill your doggie if it comes racing out of there at full speed spooked because it's steep and ends with a curving wall...geez. 4-5 star... not so if you want a better shower than you've got at home, space to move and maybe breathe, a door that's quiet and a place to leave your dog for a short amount of time. Maybe the bungalows had better rooms but we weren't going to stick around for another moment to find out so we raced out Sat. afternoon and chucked one night's cost out the window to sleep in peace and be at a truly dog friendly spot...our home. I'm just hoping our dog isn't traumatized by this outrageous experience and be willing to take another chance at a real "dog friendly" spot in the near future. =)
Headed up to San Fran this weekend for a funeral and booked this 4-5 star "gem" off of reviews and pictures via website. Only a few blocks from the fam on Taraval, walking distance to a cool coffee shop (Java Beach) and super close to the beach, we thought we had a winner, winner chicken dinner, but alas, no! From the outside, it's a cool blue looking motel but as with people, looks can be deceiving. 2 nights at $130/a night wasn't the worst price but for a crappy policy about dogs being a "dog friendly" place and rattling doors when the wind blows, the only redeeming factor was the location. Not posted on the website, was the golden rule that no dogs can be left alone for no amount of time....period. Did they have "dog friendly" in their wordings....yes, did they have a picture of a dog chillin' off leash in the middle of the court yard...yes. Everything to lead you to believe that this place not only accepts dogs, but wants them to be at home away from home...but once money is exchanged and you've checked in, then it's stated "only if with you." We have a bulldog and anyone that knows bulldogs know that bulldogs not only sleep all day but they hate barking for the most part because it takes too much energy and that's energy taken away from them to walk to their food bowl and refind that comfy spot they had on the blanket. Now we picked this spot hoping to only leave him once for a few hours for a funeral during our 2 day stay only to have paid $260 to get the fact that he wouldn't be able to at all. Now I'm sure, someone out there ruined it for the rest of us responsible dog owners by leaving their yappy dog for hours on end disturbing other people there, but it is still the hotel's responsibility to state that big nugget of info before taking any money from people that tell them immediately they'll be booking a stay with their 4 legged friend. So very disappointing because now we have to transport our baby in the back of the Honda element (which has good room space) which he's had to already endure a 6 hour trip up, to stay confined in the vehicle while we try to go celebrate a life but also worry and check up on during and after the funeral/reception. Thank goodness it was cool and rainy because it would've been out of the question and more of a mess otherwise. 
Now for the room itself....urghhhhhh! The door opens right up on the bed in room 17, barely any walking space for you, your other half and your baby...suck in please. 20" tv located diagonally across the room from the queen size bed and in front of the twin as if everyone will fit on the twin and forget the queen...squint here please. Bathroom was a good size but hot water in the itty, bitty shower takes 5 mins of time to kick in, therefor wasting more water in the "low pressure" water saving contraption that you must play defense with the coil on the hoisted shower head...duck now and block please. Door rattling all night whenever the wind blows so be prepared to jerry rig the door with shoes and other belongings to get a better restless night's sleep while wondering if someone will walk into the room at any time it may please them because you have no internal locking device to stop them except for the belongings you have now placed to quiet that rickety door....omg! Take a good look at the stair case because it may very well kill your doggie if it comes racing out of there at full speed spooked because it's steep and ends with a curving wall...geez. 4-5 star... not so if you want a better shower than you've got at home, space to move and maybe breathe, a door that's quiet and a place to leave your dog for a short amount of time. Maybe the bungalows had better rooms but we weren't going to stick around for another moment to find out so we raced out Sat. afternoon and chucked one night's cost out the window to sleep in peace and be at a truly dog friendly spot...our home. I'm just hoping our dog isn't traumatized by this outrageous experience and be willing to take another chance at a real "dog friendly" spot in the near future. =)
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