The hotel is very nice . Our single queen room was very spacious and clean. The only negative thing…read moreI can say is that our room was on the 2nd floor above the restaurant entrance. We felt the effects of the door slam each and every time it was used. It was horrible ! As for the lower level garden area bar it is a very nice area. Bar service was hit and miss . We ordered food while sitting at the garden area bar, my order was messed up . Also, the server who brought our food out asked if we needed anything else . We told him and we never seen him again. The bartender told us that that person won't be back . He went himself and brought back what we needed . I opted not to send my food back. We went up to the rooftop bar a few days later . The drinks were horrible. We ordered appetizers and entrees. I only ordered an entree . The appetizers came out about 15 minutes later and the main dishes took over an hour. The manager greeted us before we ordered our food . As we waited a few servers & the manager swung by and asked if everything was okay. I told the manager that our food was taking extremely long . Didn't matter to him I guess . Finally our food arrived and the person asked do we need anything else . I requested some mayo, he said okay. He ran down the stairs as if he was headed to get it . He didn't . The next time I saw him, he had another table's food in hand. He whizzed by me and I asked if he had the mayo. I had already finished my food but it didn't matter . He totally ignored me ! I do recommend this hotel but I would recommend that you go elsewhere for a meal.

First and foremost, the service was wonderful. Everyone I interacted with was extremely helpful…read moreand courteous. I stayed in a single queen room and the bathroom area was as spacious as the room! Really cute decor, lots of amenities. They provide towels, chairs and even umbrellas for your beach visit, which is walking distance (about 2 blocks). I had four 16 year old boys traveling with me and they stayed in a double queen room. They really loved the grab-and-go breakfast and coffee bar. And the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon! We stayed only one night but I would certainly return for an extended stay. Great hotel in a great location!

We stayed in the family suite, which has 2 rooms (each containing 2 full beds and a full bathroom)…read moreand a kitchenette. There are 4 buildings on the property. Ours was located in the rear of the property (on google earth/maps you will see a giant osprey bird mural on the side). Our building felt as if it was formerly a motel of sorts, probably from the 1950s, or thereabouts. Booking our suite was easy, and we did so through a direct phone call to the hotel itself. A deposit was taken over the phone (the rest due at check-in). Very friendly, patient, and helpful receptionist. We arrived at the check-in time and our room was ready. Lovely front desk area complete with a fresh coffee station, sundries, and souvenirs. Again, friendly and cheerful. All questions answered. Our room was delightful. Having spent my summers in LBI rentals since the 1970s as a toddler, this suite was nostalgic. If you know, you know. Be prepared for a shore rental experience, rather than a standard hotel room. A nostalgic shore rental will be worn and imperfect- having held hundreds of happily sandy families through the years. Our rooms did not smell bad, they smelled like a salty aired rental. It's a familiar smell for the shore. The kitchenette must be original because I haven't seen a diner table and 50s style countertop like that for a long time. Everything in the kitchen was clean. No oven, but a stove. I brought a crock pot. Full fridge (small) with freezer. Silverware (bring soap). No dishwasher. Small microwave. Single pod coffee brewer. No teapot. Pots and pans. Dish rack. No dishwasher towels. There are glasses and plates/bowls. So, you enter into this kitchenette, then into room 1 which adjoins room 2. Like a horseshoe. Each room has a sliding door (screened) balcony overlooking the main parking lot, facing beachside. You cannot see the ocean. It's a quiet parking lot. Our beds were dressed in white sheets, 4 standard pillows per bed, and a white duvet covered thin comforter. Our beds were clean and comfortable. No stains, no hairs, no bugs. The pillows were squishy like feather pillows. The bathrooms are older and have been repeatedly repaired so you will see tile cracks, worn grout, etc. The toilets were clean (one seat had scratches, yet still clean). Sink and tub clean. There aren't any vents in the bathrooms (no A/C, no ceiling ventilation). However, being old-fashioned, there's a tilt window over the tub shower to let steam out. It was effective for us. The bathroom was fully stocked with: 6 towels each, soap bars, large shampoo/conditioner/body-wash (all orange scent), washcloths, and a bath mat. Towels were white, and clean. There aren't any phones in the rooms, so bring your cell chargers. Each room had a brand new screen TV, yet ours weren't programmed to work properly. We just used our laptops and didn't bother asking for help. I did request room service, which includes fresh towels and trash cleaned out. They don't have turned-down bed service if staying for multiple days. We had brand new air conditioners that cooled down quickly. I like my air cold, so this was perfect. The curtains were blackout. No safe. We didn't notice any noise until the last day- sounded like kids above us running around. To be expected. The resort fee included the old-fashioned wooden framed canvas beach chairs and unlimited beach towels. It was nice not to worry about the beach towels and have fresh ones daily. The beach at this location is nice and wide with its classic soft "sugar" sand and sandbars. Our kids had a blast, and we got a much needed relaxing break for 4 days. Can't beat the price. We felt safe, taken care of, and comfortable.

SHIP BOTTOM / LBI: During our day trip to Long Beach Island, we stopped by The Drifting Sands…read moreOceanfront Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the island, just steps from the beach, dining, shopping, and more. Pups are welcome in the Ocean Breeze and Ocean Front buildings, making it a great pet-friendly option for your stay. For their full pet policy and more info, check out their website.

I wanted to provide a review of the Compassion Cafe LBI that is held Monday - Thursday from 7am -…read more11am at The Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club. Compassion Cafe seeks the integration of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through hands-on training and employment in a small coffee shop environment. By providing meaningful, paid employment for teens and adults with special needs, our employees will gain independence, self-confidence, and work skills for a successful future. WHAT an incredible and moving idea. The cold brew was PERFECT and I was even able to take away some dog treats that my doggers will enjoy. It was so nice to be able to meet some of the employees, support a great cause and enjoy some delicious coffee. Kudos to Sea Shell for hosting this cafe for the 2025 season!

I have the sweetest girlfriend who tried to finish her steak that smelled and tasted off instead of…read morecomplaining. I have never sent back food in my life, but when I smelled and tasted it I knew right away that it was spoiled meat. So when I say I'm sending back a steak that smells and tastes foul and the manager comes over with an attitude claiming it smells perfectly fine to her, the problem is self evident. The restaurant has good ambiance, our waiter was nice, and the manager ultimately offered to take a portion off of our bill, but her attitude leading up to that point was really off putting because we were very kind and respectful about it. She invalidated our concerns and was rude. If you plan on dining here, don't be fooled into thinking that an expensive meal is a high quality meal...my poke bowl wasn't very good, either.

awesome staff! great room!…read moresuper location!!! We will definitely be back!!! Quaint and cozy porch! complimentary coffee bar!!

The Windward is a hidden gem on LBI! David, Kaori and the entire staff are so kind and extremely…read morecommunicative and accommodating. Its location is prime and walkable to all the best restaurants and shops. The entire place is so charming and cute and the rooms we got were so clean and spacious. We will absolutely come back here! Highly recommend

What an experience! From the food to the ambience to the service, everything was spectacular…read more I was served some of the freshest and definitely the largest muscles I have ever eaten. Perfect restaurant for special occasions or just a nicer night out.

Terrible restaurant pretending to be high end. The food is poorly prepared, by using sauces to…read morecover their mistakes. The waiter was incompetent and rude, spilling food on us while bussing the table, and barely acknowledging it. The atmosphere would be appropriate for a wake. You get this for a price fix that can reach $500 after tip and add-ons, because they charge an extra $50 for an overcooked steak. Please avoid at all cost.

Three and a half stars. Not amazing and not terrible…read more We were recently here in the off season for a wedding. Unfortunately this meant that the heated pool, the restaurant and the bar were all closed. Hotel prices should be much cheaper because of this reason, but they aren't. Thankfully, there is a restaurant called Dockside within walking distance on the main boulevard. Rooms are pretty small. Ours had 2 double beds and the area to walk around them is tight. Bathroom area to access the toilet is also tight. You have to enter and squeeze behind the door to close it to access the toilet and we are not large people. The shower stall was nice and big and very clean. It comes with shampoo/conditioner/bath gel in dispensers attached to the shower wall. Blow dryer in the bathroom sink cabinet. There is also an ironing board and iron in the closet. The room looked to be nicely renovated with a coastal and light/bright vibe to it. Everything was clean which is important. The air conditioner was a bit noisy at moments with some rattling but it did the job and didn't keep us awake. There is a mini fridge and a large tv on the wall. The best part is probably the proximity to the beach with easy access.

I made a res here for a stay in June 2026. Two weeks AFTER…read morei had my confirmation email in hand, i got an email saying they were going to tack on an add'l resort fee of $50 per day upon check in. What a load of crap. So, i guess confirmaitons mean NOTHING. I cancelled and would never stay here and I will leave reviews all over. Jerks.

This review is ONLY for the great time we had playing "Family Trivia" in the bar/restaurant area of…read morethe Surf City Hotel. We had a great time, the service was awesome, the drinks were strong (though expensive) and to top it off...WE WON! Can't say anything about the actual hotel, but we had a blast playing trivia

We came in for lunch and happy hour on a Thursday and really enjoyed our visit. Sofia was a doll…read moreand came with water and offered us drinks and three separate menus including one for specialty cocktails and the happy hour menu that is honored from 3-6 pm. My lovely date and I ordered a 6-pack of clams and oysters and went back for another and another. $3 PBRs sounded fun so I had that while Mrs Me had a lemonade and Tito's special. On top of all that we added street corn and conch fritters and mahi tacos and calamari. Everything came out in a timely fashion and Sofia checked on us just often enough. Loved the live music when we went and would come again for sure.

I don't get this place. The food is super expensive while the quality and service both are below…read moreaverage! We went on a "off peak" time and waited quite a bit of time for food and drinks. The server was overwhelmed and kept making mistakes or forgetting what to bring. We got a combo of clams (decent), Salmon (disappointing), sea scallops with angel hair (overcooked pasta and flavorless) and a couple of kids meals (average). Place is really tight so forget about personal space. I get that the place is near the ocean but one and done with this spot.

BEACH HAVEN/LBI: the weather is still great for a trip to LBI and Engleside Inn is a perfect place…read moreto stop for a meal, a fantastic beach view, and you can even stay overnight with your pup! We had fun at The Sand Bar, a seasonal outdoor tiki bar and restaurant with live music and a nice menu. The fried cauliflower is excellent! Pets are allowed to stay at the hotel from the third Monday in September until the second weekend in May. Beach Haven beaches are dog friendly from 9/16-5/14. And the doggy bay beach on Taylor Ave. is confirmed to be open to the pups all-year-round.