Drifting Sands Oceanfront Hotel

Location and service was great, the room was great but the kitchen was bit small and rusty.

not sure why all the bad reviews the staff if very friendly & helpful had 3 minor issues which were handled quickly & efficiently. My wife & I booked an Ocean front king suite. the suite is spacious & clean yes sand gets tracked in but it is manageable the so called resort fee is not hidden, it is listed on the website when you make your reservation & on your reservation confirmation. the view is spectacular

We have been staying at The Drifting Sands in Ship Bottom for over 25 years and, sadly, this last visit was extremely disappointing. We’ve spent thousands of dollars here over the years, but the hotel has gone downhill badly and it feels like no one cares anymore. When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready and we didn’t get a call until 4:02 p.m. to say it was available. In the offseason, this is unacceptable. At check-in, the woman at the desk continually addressed me as “ma’am,” which felt patronizing and off-putting. Housekeeping was practically nonexistent. Although the paper we received at check-in promised daily cleaning, our room was never cleaned during our three-night stay. Towels were taken but not replaced, and we ended up having to buy toilet paper and tissues ourselves. One day we came back from the beach to find our door left wide open by housekeeping. That alone is inexcusable. The room itself was in poor condition. No coffee pot, no glasses or cups—just two flimsy plastic cups. The bed was uncomfortable, the pillows were terrible, and the floor was buckling. The stairways and outdoor areas were dirty, with hairballs and debris that no one bothered to sweep. What’s most frustrating is that ten years ago, the oceanfront rooms were actually nice. Now, they’re falling apart. It feels like the owners are relying solely on the location and putting no effort into upkeep. For the price—even in the offseason—it’s simply not worth it. It’s heartbreaking to see a place we once loved deteriorate like this. We won’t be returning unless there are serious improvements.

My husband and I recently stayed in the Ocean Front building. Our room was perfect. The view from the room was spectacular, and it was so nice to be able to enjoy a meal or read a book out on the private balcony. It was very quiet while we were there and that was perfect. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I have already recommended Drifting Sands to friends, and will most surely be back!

WE didn't go, and never will. After reading the reviews, we changed our minds and cancelled the next day. The said they'd send a refund, but had not after three weeks they hadn't. So I called and was told, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'll send it now." They did. But this experience supports other reviews that this place isn't to be trusted. Don't risk it; stay elsewhere.

The cost doesn't match the condition of the rooms. The mattress has springs poking through that can cause back pain. The pillows are older than dirt — lumpy & smelly. We used beach towels. You can see shadows through the curtains at night, which is very uncomfortable for a woman staying on the first floor. The air conditioner was so loud that we had to turn it off to sleep. That was replaced the next day, but the "engineer" did not want to do it. He tried to convince me that ...it was the sound of all air conditioners. There was still sand on the floors when we arrived...I have stayed at many beach hotels, and the sand is cleaned off the floors between guests. When was the last time the shower curtain was replaced? So gross! There isn't a plug for the sink....so tacky! Again, if I had paid $150 for the night....I would expect these conditions.....but over $350 and a bogus "resort fee". The staff was very friendly.