Hotel Blue Wave Inn (Rockport, USA)

Countless guests vow to return here because of the prime location. With beautiful views over the water and a cool breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico, the hotel is ideally situated for taking in the many local shops and quiet beaches, with the popular pier just opposite.

Travelers are often pleasantly surprised at the high standard of the rooms, given the hotel’s exceptionally economical rates. Guests expecting the worst are routinely wowed by clean, comfortable spaces with soft beds and views that smell beautiful and in which everything works as it should.

While staff across the board here are appreciated for their many efforts, it is their professional management which is  routinely praised by guests for running such a tight ship. Helpful, patient and quick to find solutions, they lead by example and foster a truly warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Old air-conditioning units in rooms are loud, and perhaps in a bid to alleviate this particular issue, are placed in the far corner of the room. Unfortunately, this renders them powerless to cool the room sufficiently, and some guests have had hot, uncomfortable evenings as a result.

One small but recurring gripe concerns the hotel’s Wi-Fi. The service is complimentary, and when it works, it is very fast, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. Sometimes down for long periods, guests who need to be online at all times might be frustrated.

While reviewers tend to sleep well in comfortable quarters, rooms are old, outdated and in need of modernizing. Appliances in particular are an issue, with ancient microwaves and fridges that barely work, while chipped furnishings and peeling paint suggest a little attention is in order.