Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, Dana Point

Christina and Erin were the best!!! All the staff were pleasant and helpful. They were very good at engaging when I asked them questions and they all put me right ease! I would definitely stay here again.

The hotel is very clean and beautiful. It is walking distance to Dana Point and the beach. The rooms are updated and clean, with the bathroom having a jacuzzi tub and tv. The staff is very courteous and helpful. The breakfast crew is friendly, the room spotless and food is typical food along with a hands free pancake maker. We had one small issue with booking online, arriving at the incorrect hotel and giving a bit of wrong information. Once we were on the phone with BW Marina Shores, they worked quickly to resolve the issue by always looking for the solution.

There are a lot of options in Dana Point, but this is a reasonable place to stay. Clean room, nice parking, nice breakfast, five minutes driving from the Harbour (not easy walking) Useful coin laundry but expensive (well is... is California)

We were visiting family in Laguna Beach and of course could not find lodging (even for HIGH pricing). Dana Point had the best choices nearby, I'm sure glad we chose this. Super friendly staff, GREAT breakfast, clean, well take care of. Less than $1000 for 4 days in a busy time of year. Glad we found it.

So Cal was hit with a major heat wave. To escape the heat a couple of days we decided to go to a beach City. This hotel had great air conditioning (not all hotels in the area did). They also had an elevator for our elderly dog that can't climb stairs well (not all hotels in the area did). They had free charging for our electric car! Rooms were clean and comfortable. The pool felt good. Walking distance to the beach, a park with great views, restaurants and ice cream. This hotel worked great for our escape

This hotel is very clean, from the lobby, to the hallways, right into our room! My boyfriend and I went for a few days for my birthday over Labor Day weekend. From the start, I was dealing with Christine at the front desk, she is awesome and so friendly. She was helpful with all my questions. I had asked her advice to a nice restaurant in the area, she recommended the Chart House up on the hill over looking Dana Point Harbor, she even made the reservations for us. When we got seated and handed our menus, I noticed both our menus said "Happy Birthday Michelle" I knew se had let the restaurant know it was my birthday, such a nice surprise! The dining area was clean, the breakfast was wonderful. The kitchen staff was also so friendly and they too went out of their way to say hello to each guest that came in. Like another review said, anytime you came in the lobby, the front staff greeted you with smiles and hello's. I can't thank Christine enough for her warm greetings and taking good care of us during our stay. We will always come back to this hotel when we stay in Dana Point.

I highly recommend staying here if you're anywhere near Dana point it is very clean and the staff are very helpful breakfast was great!!! I am planning another trip next month and I literally go to Southern California at least once a month because my daughter lives near there I have stayed many places in that area this is my best experience all year I will definitely be back even if I'm going somewhere else anywhere near there I'm staying at this hotel if at all possible

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Chaun! Thank you so much for the absolutely stellar review and you have no idea how inspiring something like this for the staff of the hotel. Our crew works so hard to take care of the property AND our guests. It's comments like yours that reminds us all that what we do is much more than just a job. Welcome to the Marina Shores family and we look forward to serving you on your return trips!

good place, super great staff! I will be staying at this hotel again in the future. Warm (precooked) breakfast was good. Rooms are in good condition and the location centrally located and easy on easy off the highway.

Hotel is in a good location, close to harbor, food and drinks. Breakfast was good with plenty of choices, staff was friendly and accommodating. Room was not ready at check in time but we were compensated for the delay. All in all a good hotel experience.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the kind words and your understanding for the short delay at check-in.

Just got married and checked in for one night. Thank god just one. Staff wouldn't give us a late checkout even though we were EXHAUSTED beyond compare. They gave us 30 extra minutes and as we pulled our bags into the hallway after rushed showers and frantic packing, we heard the room phone ring. My husband answered and it was them kicking us out. Poorly run and managed. Elevator barely works, if you have bags you can't carry up 3 flights of stairs you have to go upstairs first to check in to get a key to use their elevator from ground level. Ridiculous service and staff couldn't have cared less that we just got married and were exhausted. Not one congrats and not any sympathy for the state we were in. My voice was hoarse and we were kind to staff. Disappointed. You can stay somewhere where people are caring and considerate. This isn't that place.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies if anyone on our staff came across as uncaring. I urge you to contact me directly at the hotel so I can apologize to you personally. The issue of the late check-out was completely out of our control. We are sold out almost every day during the summer so early check-in and late check-out requests can rarely be honored. For the other issues, I would again like to speak to you personally so please call when you are back from your honeymoon. I do offer my sincerest congratulations on your getting married and am truly sorry that your time here put a scar on that memory.

A super place to visit with several places to dine within walking distance. The breakfast staff was fun and welcoming. We enjoy walking over to the beach and picking up litter before it washes out to sea. Everyone needs a hobby!

The location of the hotel is great since it is close to the beach and we were there for a family reunion at the beach. Upon checking in they didn't have our rooms ready and once we did check in they had a pipe burst so there was no running water for the first few hours of our stay.

We live outside of Vegas and both work in casinos. Normally when we want to get away we head down to one of the major casinos in Vegas. The end of May was Electric Daisy Carnival which is an insane time in our area. When my husband got home from work at 10 PM, he asked where I wanted to go. I said I wanted water and either to a lake in Utah or a beach in California. He said let's go to California. I hoped on bringfido.com to figure out who was pet friendly and also had pet rooms available that night. I then called and talked to Maddie and asked a few questions. All rooms are pet friendly. Because I work in reservations, I know that you often have to pay the night before to be guaranteed the room before the guaranteed check in time. We knew we wouldn't be arriving until 6 AM at the earliest. So we paid for the night before so we could go to our room as soon as we got there. I went to Best Western's website and saw that with a member reward account I would receive a savings. So I made a Best Western account and then booked our room, We had chosen a 2 room King suite. Due to traffic in Vegas from the music festival and then morning traffic in So. Cal, we actually didn't arrive until around 8 AM. Deano was at the front counter and was very helpful. He gave us a goodie bag with treats, water, and sunglasses. Let me tell you, our room was immaculate! When you walk up, there is actually a seal on the door you have to break that lets you know the room was cleaned. In the room there is info on the ways they are deep cleaning post covid. Our peek-a-boo view was awesome! The property is non-smoking. My husband is a smoker and found that they have to outdoor smoking areas. The breakfast buffet was perfect. I think the funnest thing was the automated pancake maker. You wave your hand in front of a sensor. It then drops two globs of dough on a conveyor belt that has a view window. It reminds me of an easy bake oven. When they are done they pop out on the side. We explored Dana Point, Huntington Beach Dog Beach, and Balboa Peninsula while we were there. I wish I could remember everyone else's names who helped us. I got names but it has been a few weeks and I am struggling to remember them. We both enjoyed the jetted tub. We spent time on the patio enjoying the views. There is a guest laundry room. We didn't use it as we were only there for 2 days. On the 3rd floor near the elevator is a seating area to visit with friends. There is also a little honor lending library of books in case you finished reading yours. There is a pool. We didn't visit it as we spent our time at nearby beaches. We went to the nearby grocery store to pick up snacks and beverages. The kitchenette was nice. There are a lot of nearby fast food options. I can tell you that Deano greeted me by name the second day. There was a nice lady at the front desk who gave us extra towels. (we had just got back from the beach and were heading to our room) The morning we left, another nice lady noticed Bebita (our chihuahua yorkie mix) and offered us a baggie of dog bones for the road. The TV was never turned on during our stay. In fact the remotes were still in their wrappers. I just can not say enough wonderful things about our stay. It was a much needed break and a nice change from the desert.

I was attending a conference at the Marriott and the rooms there were out of my price range. I found this place right around the corner. It's actually fine. Very clean, excellent staff, super friendly, every morning there's a hot breakfast with lots of changing fresh options. My room was a suite with a jetted tub that I enjoyed. It's a really nice spot. My only two complaints are that they put me in a room waaaaaaaaaay at the end of a long outdoor hallway. Very, very far. I don't think the place was filled to capacity as I barely saw any guests. So I'm not sure why I was in this remote room. Also, as a single woman traveling alone, I did not appreciate having to take this very long walk down an empty hallway. Nothing ever happened but I didn't feel completely at ease with the set up. I was literally as far as possible as one could be from the front desk. Also, one day my keycard stopped working. So I had to do that looooooong walk twice just to get into my room. That was very annoying. Overall, this is a great place to stay. Service, convenient free hot breakfast, high end bathroom products and walking distance to lots of shops, restaurants and things to do. I definitely recommend this place.

The Hotel is right next to PCH 1 Hwy can be loud with vehicles constantly passing by early in the evening. But overall it was a good experience. Hotel is Nearby fast food restaurant. Clean Hotel & Friendly staff!

We wanted to celebrate my son being promoted to high school. We always enjoy going to the beach but have never stayed at a hotel. Your hotel was pet friendly and had all the amenities we were looking for.

Pleasantly surprised at the roominess of the guest room and plentiful of towels. (Some hotels are getting very cheap, although we are careful about use of towels anyway.) As well as the breakfast service, the room amenities showed “care”. Enjoyed the whirlpool very much. Thank you for having those nice rooms and for the affordable prices! Made us feel “rich” - hahaha! Breakfast bar choices and quality were very decent. Egg white patties and gluten free cereals were among the standard items also. Apples wrapped in plastic wrap, and paper bags provided showed care. The breakfast staff were very attentive and hard working! Definitely recommend to our friends and definitely coming back to stay again!

I have stayed in hotels around Dana Point my whole life and my mom and I think this is a hidden gem! Affordable, clean and great location! Kind staff and easy access to everything we love, it was a great Mother's Day weekend!

Always like having the extra room with a living area and separate bedroom, but this was far from a good nights sleep. The balcony faces the road which is very loud if you are a light sleeper and the walls are thin enough you can hear your neighbors. Looks like they are in the process of a remodel, which might be a good thing if some things are addressed such as room comfort. However, the sofa in the living area and the bed were both too soft and worn. The bedroom has an extremely small amount of counter space. Lighting in both rooms is not sufficient for reading. On the positive, the room was clean and all outdoor area spaces were also well maintained. The breakfast was sufficient and the lone employee assigned to that area was very pleasant and hard working. All front desk personnel were very kind and helpful also. Parking is at the back of the property and very safe, although they do charge a fee for parking.

Super close to tons of restaurants and even a grocery store. Pretty good size fridge in the room. Super clean bed was comfortable. Great size room. Breakfast was good lots of good options to choose from.

Really pleasant and nice place to stay. Close to the California Wine Festival Dana Point. The overall friendliness and welcoming atmosphere was very comfortable. The cleanliness of all the areas was nice. The gym was a bit shabby, but ok to work with. Over-all great location and reasonably priced, especially for members of the rewards club.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We appreciate your kind words and hope you had a wonderful time the Wine Festival. Remember us next year!

Tried to look up a reservation and an hour later found it - had to cancel and 2 hours later found it. Update your piece of crap BW website - it's 2022 - fix it! Get with the times. HORRIBLE and will NEVER book a BW EVER!

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Deb! I'm terribly sorry to hear about the difficulties you had navigating the Best Western reservations website. I know that Best Western invests a tremendous amount of resources every year to keep their reservation system secure and user friendly and other than people experiencing delays because of browser issues, I've never heard of anyone having difficulties with the website itself. When you made your reservation, Best Western should have immediately sent you an emailed confirmation and the confirmation number is your ticket on the website to go in and make any changes or cancellations later. Since I'm not the most tech savvy person around, I actually called Best Western's Customer Service for you to see if I could get any background on your reservation in hopes of finding out where the difficulties could have occurred. Their traces said (and I hope I'm quoting this right) that you clicked a link - probably in a google search - that brought you to the Best Western website, as opposed to actually typing www.bestwestern.com into your browser. It doesn't seem like that should have made any difference because you WERE on the actual Best Western reservations website and not some third party site masquerading as the official site (sadly, those DO exist.) Basically what I'm saying is that I can offer no explanation as to why you had so much trouble cancelling your reservation and I am truly sorry that something that should have been simple turned out to be such a headache. I wish I could have been able to provide you with a better explanation.

My entire experience was excellent and all began with my encounter with Najely. She went out of her way to accomodate me by making sure that my upcoming stay would be rememorable and seemless. My wife always says, that "it's not what you say but rather, how you say it" and let me tell you Najely sold this property to me over the phone. Najely was courteous, professional, and very intuitive when it comes to feeling a person out. I've had many travel and hotel experiences (more good than bad); however, this one tops them all. in that, it sets a presidence for all upcoming stays. Thank you Najely and Marina Shores Hotel. Best always, Dr. Luke

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Dr. Luke! You made Najely's day with this review ... we printed out a big copy and put it in the back office for everyone to see! While it's always our goal to make everyone's stay memorable, there is nothing like having a guest take the time out from their busy day to recognize our efforts - whether it's the whole team or one, very special employee. We are thrilled you enjoyed your experience and hope you come see us again soon.

Good location, but that does not make up for the shortcomings. Lousy, poor breakfast with no outside sitting area. Rude and unhelpful staff at the front desk. However, cleaning and maintenance staff were friendly. Hotel completely without charm and character, would never stay here again and do not recommend.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
I'm truly sorry that you were not satisfied with the hotel, the breakfast and the staff. The free breakfast will always be a challenge for hotels like ours that don't have a restaurant on site. We do rotate the menu every day so guests don't have to eat the same thing every day, but I understand that the variety and quality are still limited. If you would like to contact me directly at the hotel to let me know what happened with our front desk staff, I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. If you read through the reviews, one of the comments that always comes up is how friendly and helpful we are, so to read about your experience is very distressing. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest apologies if you were slighted in any way.

Had the most wonderful stay! Eva at the front desk was fantastic. She was informative, professional, and courteous. Eva called to let me know when I could check-in to the room and I got a little goodie bag for being a rewards member! She also checked in to ensure we're enjoying our stay - so thoughtful. When we requested more towels, Eva made sure we had fresh towels when we returned from the beach. The king suite was very nice and the beds were the most comfortable we have ever slept in at a hotel. Great location in Dana Point with restaurants across the street. The breakfast at the hotel was a huge bonus. There was hot options that changed every morning. The staff was constantly restocking the items and very welcoming. Highly recommend!

The hotel was clean and the staff was friendly, but I felt like $200 a night was high for what was an average hotel room - nothing wrong with it, but nothing special about it. Would likely have chosen a cheaper option elsewhere if we weren't staying with a wedding group. If we had paid closer to the $120 - $150 range I'd have 0 complaints!

Super welcoming and helpful staff. Great location and Fairmont level service at a Best Western. As a returning customer I was not disappointed in the least during my 8 night stay and I will definitely be returning again this year.

I have not stayed at a Best Western in years. Pleasantly surprised, would stay again. Excellent value for this area of California. Clean hotel, professional staff. Would recommend to others. I'm a business traveler

Great staff! Clean facility! Great value! Definitely, would stay again! The reason I gave a 4 star on sleep quality was due to the mattress being too soft and the room due to the water in the shower was not very hot.

We live close by in South Orange County and ended up staying in Dana Point for the weekend. We stayed at a nearby hotel in the marina on the first night that wasn't very high quality but had an amazing view. Picked this hotel because of the jacuzzi tub knowing full well our view would be of the street below. Check in was a bit annoying. Although the mask mandate has ended in California, this particular hotel has decided to still enforce mask wearing in common areas. When I asked why masks were still required, an employee didn't seem to know although she was handing me a mask while wearing hers below her nose and at times below her chin. Which I don't blame her at all. The employee next to her said it was the owners preference and seemed annoyed that I asked. So that was the first taste in my mouth. It was almost 4:00 pm. Our room wasn't ready, which I didn't care, but the employee said check in time was 5:00 pm. What?! Nooooo. They let us check in and gave us keys so we could go hang out in the pool area until the room was ready. It was tiny, but nice and we had somewhat of a view up there. Room was ready soon after. Nice clean room. Since the hotel is extra COVID sensitive, it was extra clean. Lol. That could account for the delay in room readiness. LOVED the jacuzzi tub. Bed was comfy. Overall exactly what I had expected and it was pleasant and relaxing. Breakfast: Meh… That's not a selling point for me but the coffee was cold. Go eat in the harbor! Takeaway: If you're COVID sensitive you'll LOVE IT! If you're the opposite, you'll be slightly annoyed.

This is an older hotel that still has older furnishings. The bed was comfortable, but it sloped to one side. The room was well lit, with a large mini-fridge with freezer. The bathroom was tiny, with a low toilet and almost no counter space, but good lighting. The showerhead was good. The sink backed up. Breakfast was decent but uninspiring with processed hot items. This hotel did not meet the usual standards of a Best Western Plus.

Staff at check out was also very rude and disrespectful. . Further more, I doubt very much if I would ever stay at this property again. Parking lot under renovation. Hope you don't mind leaving your car on the street and walking.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies in anyone on the staff appeared rude or uncaring over the parking situation at the hotel. The painting project was scheduled at the beginning of the week, specifically because those are the slower days here and the lower level parking garage should have provided adequate spaces for our guests. Renovation work of any sort will always cause some level of inconvenience, both to guests and staff, so hotels generally try to schedule most of it during the off season so the intrusions affect the least number of people. Apparently, our handling of your concerns fell short of your expectations and for that, I am truly sorry.

My husband & I will definitely stay here again for our weekend visit. Great location: it's close to restaurants & a walk to the beach. Balcony withh a small view. Friendly staff. Clean & tidy room!!!!

The Jacuzzi tub is amazing big enough for a tall athletic couple 6'3& 5'10. It's definitely the perfect get away for a couple for the cost . It's located near the heart of Dana point with many local restaurants around. I recommend Lupes, great drinks and food.

Spent one night here but wished we could stay longer. The rooms are clean and modern, the hotel staff very pleasant and the location is very walkable. I know it's not on the harbor but its so very close and it's certainly a quick stroll to the harbor or to restaurants. I highly recommend this lovely property when staying in Dana Point. And the prices were reasonable and they accept dogs!!

This hotel is perfect for the person who plans to explore South Orange county. It is near the Dana Point harbor and 10 minutes from Old town San Juan Capistrano. It isn't fancy, but it is clean and very well maintained. We like it so much that this was our 3rd visit in a 6-month period. We were convenient to Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, Irvine and San Clemente. We consider this Best Western a wonderful discovery.

The hotel is OK the staff is horrible Clean ladies were fine but everybody else was extremely rude. They tried to charge me for a mask even though it stated they had free masks available. My daughter only forgot her mask not as if we dint wear then and the front desk treated her like she forgot her mask just to upset them . Will never stay here again if any Bestwestern.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Mr. Cotrell, Since you were unwilling to accept my apology when I responded to your Best Western survey, I don't expect to fare any better here. Yes, we do offer one free mask to each guest who doesn't have one. We do this as a courtesy because many travelers are from out of state and are unaware of California's indoor masking mandate. Once we give them the mask, it is the guest's responsibility to remember to wear it. Again, if any staff member came across as rude, I am sincerely sorry. While we need to be firm in supporting the mandate, I understand that enforcement can sometimes come across as heavy handed and I regret that we gave you that impression.

I have stayed here once before and find it is an excellent location close to restaurants, stores and the marina. Staff is always friendly and welcoming and they have a nice variety of food at breakfast.

The room was amazing the Jacuzzi tub has a tv of its own so you can relax to your favorite movie the bed was extremely comfortable once your in it your going to fall straight to sleep highly recommend

Location is perfect for getting around Dana Point. The parking situation was fantastic. Easy in and out. Check in was easy. The staff was a little indifferent but maybe the nature of the day. They did give. Me a welcome pack of goodies and water. Room size is nice. There is a cold refrigerator waiting for beverages . The beds were made - clean and tight. Mattress was 7 out of 10. This is where the good part of the review ends. The room was moldy smelling. The bathroom was 1 out of 10 as far as being new. The jetted tub had rings “use” around the tub. A temp fix cover on the pump jet cover. There were holes in the drywall by the vanity countertop. Yuck. I called down to find out why my room was not cleaned - not beds redone, just trash and towels - “someTimes they miss room”. Exercise room was from The 90's. The treadmill was 1/2 broken and the elliptical would not stay on . The room is about 12 by 12. Cost is cheap, but the room was not worth the cost.

Nice, clean , large rooms, comfortable bed,Great soaking Jacuzzi tub. Overall fantastic location with walking proximity to Beach. Hot breakfast .The hotel is situated off a main road so some road traffic can be heard.

Great area to hang out and enjoy the marina sights. Hotel is clean and staff are great. Wife loves the Jacuzzi tub in our room. Lots of restaurants to choose from and all serve delicious food. Walking along the Marina is really nice.

This was the only hotel that would accommodate me and my four small dogs as we traveled in California. So happy to have found this place. Everyone was so amazing. Manager and staff is just wonderful and super friendly. Room was clean and spacious and the breakfast was so pleasant including their breakfast attendants! Loved the tub, bed was a little rough on my back though. Other than that, it was a great trip and so happy to have stayed. :-)

The staff at this hotel are amazing! Friendly, helpful, kind...just the best! The property is located walking distance to Dana Point Harbor, and across the street from some great restaurants (Try Stacks for breakfast, and VIBE for juices/smoothies and Carmelitas for authentic tacos!). There is self parking for $10/night, and a modest breakfast included in your stay. Unfortunately, the rooms needs some upgrades. They have jacuzzi tubs/shower combos, which require using steps in and out of the tub. Difficult and dangerous/slippery. Beds are very comfortable, but the rooms need updating.

Our hotel stay was very enjoyable. All the employees were very courteous, friendly and helpful. Walking distance to beach and restaurants. We stayed in a suite and it was clean and beds were comfortable.

A great location, reasonable rates, and excellent service across the board -- employees at the front desk, housekeeping, and in food service said hi, asked how they could help, and thanked me, Parking also was very convenient and reasonably priced. The rooms are a little dated, but the bed was comfortable.

Manager yelled every time to put mask on as every guest walked throughout the hotel. Even followed me to my room. When I took my mask off and said I'm going in my room, the manager pushed the door open as I was closing it to tell me he would kick me out if I continued to not put my mask up after every drink of coffee. Worst experience ever at a hotel! Other guests were also complaining about how rude the manager was about masks. Keep in mind the entire city, restaurants across the street etc and the festival we were at didn't require masks. Most of us were vaccinated and in a crowd of 1000 people without masks daily for the same event. Just 4 days prior I stayed at the best western inn by the sea and it was great and not one guest had a mask on. The manager was super nice and friendly. This best western by the marina was a jerk. Just silly to be so aggressive and rude. Room was dirty and the shower didn't function correctly either.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
As I previously stated to you, I am sorry that you didn't agree with our policy that masks have to be worn in the public areas of the hotel. We arrived at this decision in order to protect ALL our guests and staff members. Had you not repeatedly ignored our requests to put a mask on and not created a scene in front of other customers who respected our efforts and concern, your dealings with management would not have been as unpleasant. The majority of the folks who stay at the Marina Shores appreciate everything we do to protect their health and safety with regards to Covid-19 and the variants that have been developing. I'm glad you found another hotel that was more to your liking.

Myself and two friends booked the hotel site unseen. I had passed through Dana Point on the Amtrak a few years ago but other than that none of us had been there or knew anything about it. We initially had booked 4 nights but called in advance with questions and after being helped by Zack on the front desk, who was very helpful, we booked a 5th night and made a new booking for another future visit. Upon arrival check in was a breeze, our suite was nice, and included a jacuzzi tub and a balcony with a great view. The hotel itself is super conveniently located with the beach, harbor, restaurants, shops and bars all within a short walking distance. Our most pleasant surprise was at breakfast when we were greeted by Barbi our Breakfast Hostess. Barbi was an absolute ROCKSTAR who took care of our every need offering great advice and assistance! The breakfast buffet had a wide variety of hot and cold items, including fresh fruits, to suit everyone's tastes and appetites. Peter the GM was very friendly and welcoming and ensured that we had the best possible guest experience during our 5 night stay. In short, during our first ever visit, the Marina Shores team delivered Fairmont comparable service at a Best Western Plus!

Our rooms were nice and clean. Check in was quick and easy. Breakfast was the highlight of the stay. They had an awesome variety. I had eggs, potatoes, ham, cinnamon toast crunch, apple juice, water, coffee and grabbed a chocolate muffin to go for later. The staff was very friendly. Everything was great!

My friend and I needed a dog friendly hotel to stay in while in town on a whale watching excursion. This hotel was very nice for both people and pets. The staff was friendly and efficient and quickly answered all our questions. The breakfast and coffee was really good, We would stay here again.

Very comfortable, and clean establishment. Safety protocols were in place and we felt very safe in this hotel. The employees were friendly and professional. The breakfast was good and the lady working in the breakfast area was a kind and friendly as one could ever hope for. She went out of her way to make sure everyone was comfortable and got what they wanted. She wanted us to have a good experience. The location was right on the Pacific Coast Hiway so there was a little road noise, but not bade enough to affect our stay. The parking is a little tricky due to the poles in the parking lot, but nothing to cause problems if one is careful. We had a great stay.

The conference was at another hotel, I was concerned about the parking it did not seem enough. I never had a problem with parking. Loved the black out curtains! Jacuzzi tub was the best, water got hot quickly, never had to wait for the water to get to temperature.

The Best Western Plus Marina Shores is an excellent option when staying in Dana Point. You're close to everything, and the rooms are fantastic. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful. The whole place is clean and well managed. There's really nothing I can complain about. The balconies off many of the rooms provide a decent place to relax and take in a view. They even had a tower fan for use in the bedroom, which I appreciated. I like the white noise it provides in addition to the greater temperature control power. You can tell the people who manage this particular Best Western take pride in their property and they (and their staff) really care that you have a good experience. We will be staying again when we travel to the area.

Incredible value for such an enjoyable stay. It's obvious all the staff and management have made it a point to make every guest feel welcomed and appreciated! From the time I made my reservations via phone and spoke to "Clayton" to our quick and easy check out, I was so impressed by the staff's friendly and professional service! Our rooms were so clean and comfortable, so my compliments to the cleaning staff as well. I also want to compliment the manager of this hotel because it isnt easy to make guests adhere to Covid-19 protocol, but the care that they took to make all guests feel safe and comfortable during our stay, was very, very appreciated. I highly recommend this hotel for a family stay, and would love to return for a visit in the future!

The price was right for a great stay in Dana Point. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the spa tub was fantastic. Due to COVID, I wasn't thrilled with the scheduling of maid services, but I understand the necessity of the contactless cleaning. I'd definitely stay at this location again!

Great location for Dana Point. We even made use of the pool - not exactly heated but good on a warm day. Delicious breakfast - I expected packaged goods but lots to choose from including little cheese omelets and sausages!

We aren't sure why so many establishments and people in the OC choose to ignore CDC guidelines when it comes to slowing the spread of Covid… not sure if they're just stupid, overly entitled, or trying to make some sort of a political statement… But, it is extremely hard to find any place that is actually looking out for their customers and employees safety. Thankfully, this hotel was one of those few establishments that actually took it to guests and employees safety seriously. They were quick to enforce mask wearing in public areas, and they were steadfast when it came to sanitizing rooms and common touch point surfaces. We felt much safer in this establishment then we did going out pretty much anywhere else in the OC. The hotel itself is pretty old, and looks like it's in need of renovation… But everything was functioning just fine, and the friendly staff and their attention to guests made it worthwhile.

This imbecile threatened to call the police when I asked why the rate was triple the reservation rate I selected when I reserved online. 314 instead of the 172 shown on the site. Do not approach Zach about this bait and switch. He is a garrulous person who should not be working with the public.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear "Fishgrip": We apologize for your discontent with your visit to the Marina Shores Hotel. The entire negative experience revolved around your misunderstanding of the room rates for your visit. Your original reservation was a Sunday arrival for one night. You then contacted the hotel to change the arrival date to the preceding Thursday for three nights, which brought in the seasonal weekend rates for Friday and Saturday. The revised confirmation we emailed to you for your extended reservation included the price breakdown for each day; and finally, the registration documents you signed upon check in showed the daily rates for the room. We encourage all guests to carefully review these documents when they book a room. We believe that had you read any of these documents, the entire confrontation between you and our front desk associate probably never would have happened. There was absolutely no “bait and switch” as you claim. Our front desk clerk, Zach, tried to explain all this to you, but you were not interested in hearing. We regret that you responded inappropriately towards Zach with slurs and threats of physical violence, leaving the hotel staff with no alternative than to offer to call the police for resolution. Multiple witnesses saw and heard the exchange. We do not tolerate slurs or threats by any guest against any staff member. In spite of your inappropriate behavior, and to Zach's credit, he allowed you to get breakfast for yourself and your wife and we're happy that the situation resolved without actually requiring intervention by the police. I suggest that you would be happier staying at some other hotel in town the next time you visit Dana Point.

This is a lovely hotel in a wonderful location. Close to the Dana Point marina and a quick drive to San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. A perfect spot to be centrally located to all the delights of southern Ornage County.

The hotel room was clean and the staff was friendly. The free breakfast was decent! I would stay again. It's close to Doheny State Beach. My AC worked great. Parking was easy. The room was spacious. No traffic sounds to bother us!

Didn't have a very good experience, but Peter (GM) made things right in the end. He was pleasant to deal with and made sure I was happy in the long run. Location was great - just around the block from the marina with tons of good food in the area.

This hotel is less then a mile from Doheny State beach. The hotel staff are very nice and professional. They just started serving hot breakfast and the hotel is Covid compliant. My room was clean and the bed very comfortable. I did request a room away from PCH, based on previous reviews, and my room was quiet.

Very curtious staff at the front desk and in the breakfast room. Hotel was clean and located within walking distance to the beach & DP Trolley stop. We were also able to easily walk to places to eat. Plenty of parking, which was appreciated. Looking forward to our next stay.

We enjoyed our stay. The hotel and room were clean. Check- in was not the smoothest, but I'm thinking some of the housekeeping help were out sick? We had to wait until 7pm to check in. Close to the beach and parks and Carmelita's Taqueria across the street was delicious.

My husband and I had just stayed at a well known hotel just down the street for a work retreat and we decided to stay one more night on our own. We weren't completely satisfied with the hotel we stayed in for work but checked out there rates anyways and the room we had was $150 more than the room we had at the Best Western. At the Best Western we had a cleaner room, with breakfast, and a better rate still right in the middle of city not to mention walking distance from the beach. I would defiantly stay there again.

Easy walking to a variety of eateries (Thai food was yummy) and Doheny Beach Park. Don't be afraid to walk up the steep residential street to see a spectacular view from the trail starting at the park on top.

We were very satisfied with the entire experience here. Many restaurants within walking distance. Bev-Mo down the street and the harbor minutes away. Room was large with whirlpool bath. Friendly and helpful staff who knew the area.

A real dungeon, terrible lobby,parking so tight like a shoebox,unfriendly check in,lots of traffic noise,bathroom has a step up into tub/shower(dangerous) rooms are dark,breakfast a joke -did not partake-had to ask for clean towels on and on Location is good but sits on PCH lots of traffic.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for your open and honest comments at the Marina Shores and I am truly sorry if you felt slighted by our staff in anyway. We are still under the breakfast restrictions implemented by the State of California which is why the menu is so limited. Because we normally offer a self-serve buffet style, the restrictions are more strict that what you are seeing in regular restaurants.

Dated hotel. Hotel is for people with dogs. Our room smelled like DOG. They change our room but it still had an odor. Thank God we could open the balcony door for air. They did not have any rooms where pets were not allowed. We have stayed at hotels that had separate rooms where pets were not allowed. If you have allergies and don't like pet smells than find another place. If you have a handicapped there are only very high bathtubs with showers. My husband could not use the shower. They use the excuse they must let service animals in rooms so they can't keep rooms without pets. Staff was friendly. They should take out carpeting if they are going to just have pet rooms. Area was convenient.

The manager of this property made sure to treat me with the worst amount of respect. When I pleaded with him to be kind, because I was a rape victim and he was causing me anxiety, he proceeded to treat me worse. It was absolutely appalling. When I reported it to Best Western, the manager.. who is short and male, lied about the situation entirely, and assumed NO blame. The owner decided to take his word for it, and did not even reach out to see what happened. This manager makes this hotel UNSAFE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Katherine, You are entitled to your opinion, but for the sake of the other readers, we simply told you that you needed to wear a mask while in the public areas of the hotel, in accordance with the current Covid laws for the State of California. There was no "blame" to be assumed, no one from the staff raised there voice to you - which was confirmed with other guests as well as staff members. While we are very sympathetic to your past traumas and had no wish to add to them, nothing on our part was disrespectful or injurious to you. The safety of our guests is of utmost importance to us and the accusations that you have made here - and on other websites - are completely unfounded.

This was the worst experience. The staff is not friendly, the rooms are old and out dated, no safe in the room so carry your valuables everywhere and do not try the breakfast burrito. It's a microwaved frozen kind and it's soggy. We went to McDonald's across the street.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Mary, As I stated in our other correspondence, we did everything in our power to meet the demands of the group, even those that we were unaware of until the guests arrived. Not everyone can check in early because we need time for the check-out guests to vacate and for our housekeeping staff to clean and disinfect the rooms. I understand that some of your guests became agitated because they were expecting considerations that we simply do not offer. Sometimes "I'm sorry, but that isn't available here" is the honest answer and not the result of a staff not caring or being rude. While we don't offer a high end amenity like in room safes, we do have safe deposit boxes for our guests to use. It's my understanding that you wanted to lock up an iPad, which was too big for the box.

Nice room with jetted tub, 2nd tv by tub, 10-15 minute walk to beach, great price and kind staff. Parking was good, breakfast was the only thing not all that great, but it's because of covid! We had a good experience!

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Grecy! Thank you for the wonderful review and I'm glad we gave you an experience to remember. I apologize for the limited offerings of our Covid-mandated Grab & Go breakfast, but hopefully the State restrictions will be lifted next month and we can get back to the full, hot breakfast buffet that everyone enjoys.

This is a nice hotel to stay in if you are in the area. The pros: easy to get to, the staff is very accommodating and friendly. It is pet friendly, they offer a continental breakfast, the rooms are clean, and the King Suite with the wet bar is nice. The balcony that we had was ok, only one chair, there was a partial view of the ocean, close to multiple eating venues and the beach. The cons: $10.00 a day for parking, the bed was a little too soft for us. Overall for the price other than paying for parking, I would recommend this hotel to friends and family.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Cyndi! Thank you for the review ... and just a reminder to all readers, if you are Best Western Rewards Diamond or Platinum member, parking is free!

BW + Marina Shores was a perfect location for my needs. Near friends. Just a few minutes from the harbor and baby beach. Staff was nice. Bed was comfy. Room was clean. Breakfast was very average. They were booked solid so room wasn't ready at check in time, but they upgraded and had me in a room in a short time. All and all a good stay.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the review and rating. Glad we were able to take exceptional care of you to get you into the upgraded room.

Hotel is clean and staff fabulous. The room was very nice, the only oddity was the shower. It was up a high step to step into the jacuzzi tub. I was so happy to find this hotel that was so affordable to celebrate our anniversary. Small charge for parking. Across the street from Dana Point Beach and several restaurants. Great location!

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the great review and the high rating. It's wonderful to know that even while we're all dealing with the restrictions and stresses associated with the pandemic, our staff can still deliver the service you come to expect. Yes, there is a bit of a "step up" to get into our jetted tubs. As you may have noticed, they're deeper than the standard bathtub and since we couldn't drop them below the floor, the only way to go was up (smiling)! Come see us again soon!

The staff at this hotel were exceptional. It was a close walk to the beach but located in a very busy street where the was some traffic noise. There was several places to eat within waking distance. Beds were comfortable and it had free breakfast.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for taking the time to post a review of your experience at the Marina Shores. While there are quite a few restaurants within walking distance, there are actually over 50 restaurants within a mile of the hotel. We're glad you enjoyed your stay. Come back again so we can earn that fifth star!

When I reserved a night, the total that was said was $141. I arrived at the hotel and they had a $150 holding fee that I was not told of. Now, my card has been charged double and I am out $430. I was told by the hotel I wouldn't get anything back till Monday and I stayed at the hotel on a Wednesday night.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience of having the extra funds on your credit card being withheld. It is unfortunate that almost all hotels have had to adopt the policy of pre-authorizing credit cards for anywhere from $100 - $200 extra to try and protect themselves from damages, theft or in room smoking violations caused by guests. Although these issues are infrequent, they are very costly to hotels. As far as when the authorization hold is put back in your account - that all depends on the bank or credit card company. We release the hold as soon as you check out. It seems that most of the time, cardholders see the funds back in their account within 72 hours, but we advise people that it could be up to five days, just to be safe. Car rental companies have used this security authorization policy for years. Hotels usually only placed an additional hold of $20 - $50 for incidentals, but as the industry has seen the trend to more damage from guests, we had to increase the amount. I am truly sorry that a few inconsiderate customers has created this headache for the rest. Peter Callan, General Manager

My dog loved the balcony and being able to look out. Close to a nice walking path that my dog and I enjoyed. Clean and comfortable, with close proximity to the harbor. I will definitely stay here in the future.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Nika! Sorry for the late response but I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your kind review and we're glad you and your dog enjoyed your time with us. The staff of the Marina Shores is proud to be one of the few pet friendly hotels in the Dana Point area and we are thrilled that we will be your hotel of choice on any return trips! Peter Callan, General Manager

Due to plumbing issues we had to find a place to spend two nights, close to home and we have a dog. How wonderful to find the Best Western in Dana Point. Just what we needed and got a good nights sleep both nights.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Jeb, Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your review. I hope all the plumbing problems at home got taken care of quickly and am glad we were able to provide you with all the accommodations you needed while the work was being done. Maybe you can come visit us again under less stressful circumstances. Peter Callan, General Manager

We were looking for just a nice local little break from the usual. Staff was very friendly and helpful, and the room was nice, and a great deal! Enjoyed our stay, and would stay again the next time we wanna a break from the norm

I booked the hotel thinking it was right across from the beach. So I was disappointed when I arrived. The view was McDonalds, Del Taco, and a new Starbucks. I could see the ocean between two trees in the distance. The street was very close to the hotel as well. However, I didn't hear it much. Ok, with my disappointment aside. As I said, it was my fault, not theirs. I should have done my research more. The rooms were very spacious and the beds were very nice as well. The jetted tub was a surprise and great to use after a day of beaching. The staff was very kind and helpful. They are doing all they can with the Covid situation and Newson's orders. If you do stay here, make sure you go to the Rib restaurant next to the hotel. It was great. Would I stay again? Probably not. BUT, that's not their fault at all. If I ever come back to Dana Point, I would be looking for a different location.

Fort he price of this hotel, it was so worth it! Every room has a jetted tub, I got a room with a balcony, the living room is separate from the bedroom. We were able to walk 12 minutes to Dana Point harbor. The only things that could have been better were the beds, they were very very soft. And the check in time of 5pm wasn't that great but still worth all the amenities.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Crystal! Thank you for taking the time to post your review and share your opinions with other travelers. We're happy you enjoyed all the little touches that go along with a stay at the Marina Shores although I'm sorry you found the beds too soft for your comfort. This will always be a tough point for any hotel because personal preferences vary ... some travelers like the soft, pillow-top mattresses that you can just sink into after a long day, while others want the firm support in order to be comfortable. I would also like to add that the odd check-in time of 5:00pm only came about because of the Coronavirus and all the extra cleaning protocols that were put in place to guarantee our guests' health and safety. We are taking almost twice as long to service our rooms now, just to make certain that every nook and cranny is disinfected before renting to another guest. We realize this can be a huge inconvenience, but we assure you that it is all because we want all our guests to check in feeling comfortable and safe during these difficult times. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy! Peter Callan, General Manager

Everything was fantastic, from the check in, to the size and cleanliness of our room, to the breakfast in the mornings. Even with a pandemic, Best Western handled to breakfast wonderfully and Gabi, the breakfast assistant was awesome.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
"Fabulous" and "Fantastic," all in the same review! Who could ask for more? We're happy you were so impressed with our service and cleanliness ... and I will be sure to pass your praises on to Gabi. She IS an incredible member of our team! Stay Safe and Stay Helathy! Peter Callan, General Manager

Everything at this Best Western is clean and well run-I stayed for work, and it was easy to access and located near a decent shopping mall with restaurants, and grocery story nearby. And its location is ideal for the traveling tourist as well, with all of the popular tourist sightseeing beaches etc. as it sits right on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and the five-star rating. We're thrilled that you thought so much of your experience at the Marina Shores and hope you will have to chance to return ... maybe next time for a nice getaway instead of traveling for work. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy! Peter Callan, General Manager

This hotel is a convenient place to stay. It's pretty old and has a musty smell to it. The breakfast isn't worth the time to go pick it up. Gross packaged muffins and a granola bar. The hotel really should refund part of the price back to the customer. The staff is nice.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
I appreciate the directness and candor in your review and can certainly understand your opinions. Yes, the Marina Shores is not one of the newer buildings in Dana Point, but we like to think that's part of our charm and history. Each time the hotel undergoes a renovation, the design people work hard to preserve our older period look with new furniture and fixtures. The musty smell we get from time to time during the off season like this comes primarily from some of the rooms not being used as often as they are during the summer, but one of the other things we've noticed is that the special Covid-19 disinfectant we're using after guests check out seems to hang in the air longer with the doors and windows being closed ... if we left everything open, the rooms might smell fresher, but it would defeat the purpose of the disinfectant. No excuses ... a noticeable odor is a noticeable odor. We HAVE updated our housekeeping processes a bit to address this. If a room sits vacant for more than two days after spraying, we are opening the windows and balcony doors to let some of the fresh air in. Hopefully that will remedy the problem once and for all. The breakfast too has been a victim of all the pandemic protocols. We were forced to shut down our hot breakfast buffet months ago to be in compliance with the Board of Health directives - only food that comes in prepackaged containers can be served. That's why we have such a limited menu. I assure that we HAVE taken this into account with our room pricing ... our rates are much lower than they were last year at this time, mainly because we understand that any "savings" we experience due to the limits the CDC, the State of California and local ordinances place on the hotels needs to be passed on to our guests. I appreciate all your comments and observations. Hopefully, this reply has addressed some of them for you. We hope you will continue to be our guest the next time you return to Dana Point. In the meantime, Stay Safe and Stay Healthy! Peter Callan, General Manager

Exceptional Hotel allow dogs first time travelling with ours. Extremely clean and beautiful hotel. Usually dog friendly do not look good in pictures this hotel was extremely clean, friendly wonderful shape . 5 stars

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Marnie! We hope your four-legged family member enjoyed himself (herself?) too. At the Marina Shores, we go the extra mile for all our guests traveling with pets, before they arrive and even after they leave. We have special cleaning processes when a pet room guest checks out so the next guest is never even aware that a pet was the previous occupant. That says alot about our housekeeping staff and the meticulous care they take with each and every room. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy! Peter Callan, General Manager

We had a suite room with two double beds and a pull out couch in a separate room. There were 5 of us so we all fit, though a little snug. The hotel did its best to provide the free breakfast through the COVID restrictions, everything was individually wrapped and handed out by a staff person. Our balcony overlooked the Pacific Coast Highway and you could see the ocean through the tree that were across the street. Overall very good value.

Best Western Marina Shores is in a great location in Dana Point; within walking distance to the beach and great restaurants. More importantly, since it's Southern California you expect friendly people but the staff at Marina Shores go above and beyond. They could not be more accommodating and will see to your every need.I highly recommend Marina Shores if you're traveling to the Dana Point area.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the glowing review and I hope other travelers will take your advice if their journey brings them to our beautiful slice of the California coast. As you saw, the staff of the Marina Shores lives and breathes our mantra of "may all who come as guests leave as friends."

We love this place and have stayed here numerous times. It's not a luxury hotel, but it is very clean, has a great staff, and is very close to the beach, great dining, and the freeway. The rooms are actually quite large and comfortable. looking forward to our next visit!

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Rob! I think the greatest reward a hotel can receive is the loyalty of guests who come back time after time. With so many options out there, just knowing that someone doesn't need to shop around for the next best deal speaks volumes about our efforts to provide the best in service and comfort. Thank you for your kind words and we hope we continue to earn your high praises.

This place is great. Within walking distance to the beach, the staff is so friendly, breakfast is great even only being a minimum right now. The pool is open which is a plus considering most places are closed. The room was cute and very clean! They even have stickers on doors to let you know which rooms have been sanitized. Would def stay again!

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Bridgette! We appreciate your recognizing all the extra things we're doing to help our guests feel a sense of normalcy in these trying times. We have put many new protocols in place to help combat the virus, including the use of electrostatic disinfecting sprayers which kills any trace of Covid-19 in under four minutes. We also seal the room doors (the stickers that you mentioned) once this treatment is completed to make sure no one on staff enters the room prior to renting. I know alot of hotels have eliminated almost every service beyond renting rooms in order to save money, but we are constantly looking for a balance between intelligent precautions and providing our guests with the best value and experience possible.

Hotel could definitely use a facelift but the location, free breakfast and friendly staff made up for it. We especially appreciated having a frig and microwave in our room. Finding a place where we could bring our dog was important and the daily fee was much less than other hotels we researched. Not too many grassy areas though. Balcony was something we really wanted but barely used it. Too noisy with super busy traffic directly in front of hotel. Couldn't sit and enjoy the view because the balcony wall was too high to see over when sitting. Walking distance to Doheny Beach was a big plus. Lots of places to eat close by. Overall we enjoyed our 3 nights and would definitely go back.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Debbie! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at the Marina Shores with other travelers. While the hotel maybe showing a few nicks and bruises, we go all out to keep her as clean as possible and I'm sure you noticed the over-the-top friendly service we show to everyone who passes through our doors. Glad you plan on being a return guest. We will work extra hard to earn a five-star rating from you the next time you come by. Peter Callan, General Manager

My stay at this property was due to my free night that I earned through a Best Western promotion. I was very impressed, for not only did they honor the free night on a Friday night, but I was given a spa room. Great customer service and a great room for a romantic getaway. Property was very clean and seemed very safe.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review. Best Western Rewards members are often our toughest critics (and rightfully so!) so when we get glowing comments like this, we KNOW we've done our best. Glad you enjoyed your romantic getaway. Come back and see us again! Peter Callan, General Manager

This hotel has a perfect location to walk to the beach, walking trails, stores and many dining options. The rooms are fresh, clean, and large. The beds are comfortable. Bathrooms are OK with a jetted tub, however you have NO counter space. Be careful when booking your room and read the room details as all rooms seem to have a mini fridge but NOT all rooms have a microwave. There is a small pool at the hotel, however there are only 2 chaise lounges and a couple of chairs so access is very limited. All the days we were there the same couple always had the chaises so we did not use the pool area. This was fine as the beach is walking distance. Be aware however that because of social distancing you are not allowed to have any chairs or umbrellas or coolers on the beach. (It is okay if you lay a towel down to sit per the beach patrol and enforcement) We stayed during the time of Covid 19 so of course in these unprecedented times you can expect a few glitches. I originally booked a room with a microwave wet bar and mini fridge (I have food allergies so prefer to make some meals in my room and also due to Covid, dining options are limited) however upon check in, as I was unpacking I noticed there was no wet bar or microwave in our room. I called and then went down to the front desk where I learned that the room I booked was not available. Management stated that their system did not allow them to see the type of room which I booked. Also management believed I booked through a 3rd party website and I had to explain that I had booked directly through the BW site. Management did rectify the situation by having a microwave brought up to the room and discounting our rate. The other glitch was that the room rate we were charged was quite a bit more then the reservation amount in my confirmation letter (even after the discount given for room type downgrade) Again, another conversation with the front desk person which ended in frustration and time finding my confirmation email, and the screen shots I had taken of the accommodation and price I booked through the BW website. All this I then had to present to and explain again to the manager who was then able to rectify the situation after showing him this proof (Burden of proof was up to me) Also they do a limited room service during these times which also is fine with me as I never expect to have my linens changed daily and I am also fine with reusing my towel - However I left a note for housekeeping to please leave me a few coffee cups as well as replace a couple hand towels - towels were replaced but no coffee cups and also TP ran out in room with no backup available. Housekeeping did not even come by until after 3:30pm (I think they are also working with limited staff during this time) Breakfast on Mon and Tue consist of a grab bag which included 2 small pre packaged muffins, two bananas, two oranges. (My suggestion is skip the breakfast - there is a great restaurant called 'Stacks' across the street which you can phone in an order and pick up) The rest of the days they do serve an abbreviated hot breakfast which is served by staff in a go box (again if you don't have a microwave in your room to reheat, you will be eating cold eggs, and sausage) Despite these few glitches it was all in all a good stay due to the great location, comfortable bed. I would definitely come back to this hotel during "normal" times and give them another try.

Peter Callan, Owner at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for providing such an in depth review - good or bad it really helps other travelers in making decisions about where to stay. I regret that I was never able to figure out how your reservation came in for the wrong room type ... all I can do is assure you again, that we didn't change it on our end AND thank you for being understanding about the whole mess. I'm glad that adding the microwave to your room and discounting the rate to make up for the inconvenience was satisfactory. I regret that with the Covid-19 virus still disrupting our lives many of the services we offer have been limited. Most hotels have just stopped serving the breakfast entirely, but we are doing our best to keep everything as close to "normal" as the law allows. This is truly been a difficult time for everyone, but your cooperation and understanding made all our efforts much easier. Peter Callan, General Manager

We were displaced from our home because of industrial cleaning of our downstairs d/t water damage so I figured- if we had to go to a hotel- why not try this one by the Surf Break? I was initially hesitant because we've stayed in Best Westerns before and NOT impreseed. I'm more a Hilton or Marriott Girl. BUT HOLY SMOKE this was AWESOME! OK, so I start with Grown up because I'm 45 with two teens and a hubbie. We stay in everything from Campers to hostels (when it was just my husband and I). This is literally less than a 0.5mile easy walk to Doheny Surf break (my favorite break in pretty much the world). It was QUIET and CLEAN and even a free breakfast! The motif is totally surf related and you look out your balcony to see the Iconic Dana Point bridge and can people watch all day long if it suits you. The staff bent over backwards to help you even with masks and gloves on. The breakfast Hostess was a SWEETHEART and really went out of your way to make you feel as at home as you could given the circumstances. Our room was ready early and they even gave us a microwave which was not standard in that room. I hate to write such a good review because that means it will be booked the next time I try and stay- but they deserve it. The ONLY down side is that the heat was not on in the advertised Heated Pool but why go to the pool whent he beach was right around the corner. Other than that- it's a WIN and so $$ Reasonable.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Eve, Thank you so much for the heartfelt words. Although the Coronavirus pandemic has decimated the lodging industry, at the Marina Shores we are striving to provide what guests we have with some feeling of "normalcy" during their stay. Most all of the major hotel brands have stopped serving the free breakfast as a way to cut costs during these leaner times. At the Marina Shores we are still serving our hot breakfast five days a week (Grab & Go bags on Mondays and Tuesdays) albeit with a less expanded menu. While the County's preference is that all hotels close their pools during the pandemic, we opted to turn off the heater to "discourage" people from using it and posted a sign that asks that no more than six people be in the pool area at any time. That way, they can adhere to the six-foot social distancing guidelines, but still soak up some sun if the ocean isn't to their liking. At the forefront of everything, we are concerned and vigilant about the health and safety of both our guests and our staff. We appreciate that our guests have been respectful of the rules and restrictions we've had to put in place . I am thrilled beyond words that you enjoyed your time with us so much and I hope the clean-up and repairs from the water damage to your home have been completed so that you and your family can settle back in to life as it should be. I regret that those were the circumstances that brought you here, but if we were able to impress you more than the "Hilton or Marriott," then we have done our job (winking!) Peter Callan General Manager

A very nice hotel at a great location, walking distane to ocean, park, etc, and view of ocean with short distances to several attractions. Setting is a understandable cramped situation but well worth it. Great friendly staff with usual amenties. Will gladly stay here again.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
... and we will gladly welcome you back (laughing!) Thank you for the review and we're happy you appreciated our close proximity to everything in Dana Point. Peter Callan General Manager

We came down for a family trip. And got one of the double queen room suites. So 3 total beds. Rooms were roomy plenty of space for bigger family. Balcony is nice. no hot tub and the pool is not really inviting. Staff we encountered was very friendly. And we were very grateful for the early check in. Did not experience any issues with noise. My one real complaint is parts of hotel. Such as hall ways and the parking lot were dirty. Lots of trash around parking lot. Room was clean but could still use a little more tlc. Overall a good choice and we would recommend it to families going to the beach.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the review and I promise we will take all your comments to heart. Although we police our parking garage several times a day for trash, it seems that so many people would rather just drop their garbage outside their car door than walk it over to one of the many receptacles we have placed throughout. Humanity lingers on ... imperfectly. Please accept my apologies. Peter Callan General Manager

Hotel is close to beach and marina area. Parking was covered. I stayed here last year for another family event. Property is in nice neighborhood and I felt comfortable walking around area. Centrally located to other tourist areas. Staff very friendly and always greeted guests in morning or when we came in/went out.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We LOVE our repeat customers! Thank you for the review and may you receive a "Marina Shores Welcome" no matter where your travels take you! Peter Callan General Manager

This is a real gem of a hotel!!! Located so close to the ocean and with a not too distant view is one of its features!! The staff there is wonderfully dedicated to helping their guests enjoy the time spent there. The morning breakfast is delicious and is quite the smorgasboard and it would appeal to all appetites. Everything is super clean. The people there are what really make it so enjoyable !! Trinity the sales director was very helpful prior to and during our stay; also Janice and Sierra and Dana at the desk were always ready to greet and offer as much advice or suggestions as needed. I thought everyone was adept at being helpful or leaving guests to their own . Great job by all!!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Daniel! We appreciate all your kind words and I will make sure to pass your praises along to the rest of our staff. You seem to be in tune with the service atmosphere we try to create for all our guests and I'm proud that everyone here was able to make your stay a memorable one. Come back soon! Peter Callan General Manager

We had a king size room and were upgraded to a jacuzzi tub room. The jacuzzi tub was relaxing. It was quiet and breakfast had variety of options including gluten free bagels and almond milk. Parking was easy and close to lobby and the was an elevator and carts for your luggage. We enjoyed our stay.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
You said it all, Wendy and we certainly appreciate the praise. Those whirlpool rooms with the huge tubs are one of the most popular features of the Marina Shores and we're happy we were able to give you the extra treat. Come back soon!

The location of this motel is excellent for access to the marina. It does sit on busy Hwy 1 but honestly we were not bothered by that. There is pizza, ice cream and an pancake house right up the block. We walked to the marina for seafood and a walk along the beach. The bed was VERY comfortable. Lots of space. The hot breakfast was very good and the staff is super friendly.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Betty! Sounds like we scored on every round with you - which, of course, is always our goal. Glad to hear that we made such a fantastic impression and appreciate your sharing the experience with your fellow travelers.

I would love to be a regular at this hotel. The room and staff was great. Lots of good restaurants nearby. Parking is a little difficult between pillars.The only thing that might keep me away is the traffic noise.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful comments and we would LOVE to have you as a member of our family. If your travels bring you to Dana Point on business, we have a great discount program for business travelers that is only available through the hotel - it's not available online anywhere, so give us a call the next time you're staying and ask about our corporate rate discount. It's very true that Dana Point is experiencing some growing pains regarding the traffic as more and more people discover our little jewel by the sea. We do have a quite a few standard rooms on the back side (residential side) of the building and all you need to do is request one of those when making your reservations. We appreciate your input and hope to see you as a Marina Shores regular!

I booked this based on all the other great reviews, but wish I had stayed somewhere else. Pros: Price Nice staff Free (average) breakfast Good location Cons: -LOUD constant noise from PCH road - noise from upstairs and outside motel style hallways in the back where people walk by and you can hear cars in the garage below -Old, rusty vents and paint over damaged walls, black mold in shower -Poor housekeeping- they made our beds, did not vaccum, change towels, or take out trash... makes me wonder how thoroughly other things are cleaned -Musty smell in the rooms, even after we tried to air out. I assume this is from all the pets we saw when people were checking in -Very small tight parking -Pool was closed for maintenance It was fine, not great and not horrible, but would not stay here again.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
I am truly sorry that we did not live up to the great reputation we hold based on all the positive reviews you read. Normally our housekeeping service is one of our stellar features so I am sincerely humbled by the fact that we missed the mark so severely during your stay. The issues you listed fall far short of the service level we strive to reach each day and I promise all your concerns with the room will be corrected quickly. The pool closing was for an unforeseen emergency repair, but it is supposed to be reopened by this weekend. Peter C, General Manager

There are several details about this hotel, really a motel, that weren't clear to us before we booked. 1. This hotel has outdoor corridors that lead to your room. It is more a motel set up. 2. The parking is extremely tight, small parking spaces and a long and skinny parking lot. The outdoor corridors with the room doors are actually over the parking lot so you have noise from people walking/talking by your room and also cars parking down below. 3. The entire property is long and skinny, our door/front room window was facing a mural-painted concrete wall and the other side of our room was facing the PCH (more noise).. so noise no matter which room you slept in. THOSE are just factors that can't be changed about this property. THINGS they could change: 1. The breakfast was very subpar, they ran out of fresh cut fruit and didn't seem to re-supply the rest of the breakfast. Bland potatoes, eggs.. prepackaged pasteries. 2. The bathroom of our room was so disappointing! They attempted to make cosmetic updates but those were failing. Latex painted grout was peeling. The bathroom had a jetted tub that I can't imagine anyone wanting to use. The vent in the bathroom was so gross. The room seemed clean enough and beds were comfortable. If the bathroom was updated, gutted and redone, it would have been a nice room. We were regretting our decision to stay here after driving around and seeing nicer properties not far away. We are very surprised by all the glowing reviews.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies, not only for the specific deficiencies you noted with your room, but for your overall dissatisfaction with the Marina Shores. We fully realize that our hotel is an older building, so we have always gone the extra mile to make sure everything is as clean and sparkling as possible. Obviously, there were some serious items in your room that we missed - no excuses made, we simply failed to deliver the service we are known for. The good news is that, with this being the off season for our vacation community, we are in the middle of our preventative maintenance program so issues like the discolored floor grouting can be addressed properly. Our free breakfast will always be a "work in progress," while trying to find a balance between nutrition, taste and value. We only started offering the fresh cut fruit within the past few weeks and are trying to get a feel for the demand. Items like this are best when purchased locally at grocers or farmer's markets to insure freshness and I know we have run short a couple of days. Our goal is to not let any of the fruit sit more than a day - we want it absolutely fresh, but truthfully, we are still learning how much to buy each day. Normally our potatoes are seasoned with red and green peppers and onion, but on weekends, when we know there are a lot of families staying, we tend to scale back on the added items because most kids don't like them. I appreciate all your comments and regret that we failed to meet your expectations. Peter C, General Manager

My wife and I go to Dana Point at least 7 times a year. We always stay at the Best western Marina shores . People at the front desk are fantastic especially Amanda who works the night shift. We frequent Best western marina shores so much we got to know Amanda pretty well. She always takes care of any problems we may have with our room. Amanda my wife and I (Kathy and Nob) we say to you thank you you are the best. And the rest of the team members we know we will get to know you guys too as we visit Dana point. Keep up the good work.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
On behalf of Amanda and the rest of the crew, let me express our deepest appreciation, not only for the wonderful review, but for your consistent loyalty to the Marina Shores Hotel. The greatest reward a hotel can receive is to have guests like you who return time and time again ... this shows us that we're doing our jobs to the best of our ability and the thrill of knowing that we've made your stay NEVER gets old. See you next time. Peter C, General Manager

I spent Christmas Eve at this hotel for the first time. A nice place. It was a pleasant surprise having a tv in the bathroom and the whirlpool tub was great. Customer service was pleasant and professional, and it didn't take long for my requests to be attended to. I was also happy that a bible was in my room as well as Christian TV programming; I've lodged at some Best Western hotels that didn't offer either amenity. The gym was ok. It would be good to install a sign to instruct how to turn on the room's lamps, because a wall switch is used for that purpose. But everything else was fine. Breakfast was delicious and discovering an auto-pancake machine was interesting. I would suggest making sugar-free oatmeal and other grains available for those wanting to avoid presweetened cereal. Had a great time at a good price.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Betty! A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. It was our pleasure to provide you with exemplary service and we are all so happy that we helped make for a memorable holiday. You'll be happy to know that we are updating our cereal selections in the breakfast room to provide for healthier options and less sugar. Oh ... and regarding that wall switch ... we are supposed to leave the switch in the on position all the time and let the guests use the switches on the individual lamps, just to cut down on the very confusion you experienced. I'm sorry that we missed that before you checked in. Peter C, General Manager

My husband and I stayed at the Best Western over the Christmas holidays since our daughter and son-in-law's home is undergoing construction. We were pleased with the service and rates, and enjoyed our stay. The hotel staff was friendly and accommodating.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Sharon! First and foremost, a belated Merry Christmas to you and your entire family! We are all so happy that you enjoyed your time with us and that we helped make your holiday just a little bit more special. While we would love to welcome you back next year, we hope all the construction will be long since completed and that you can spend Christmas with your daughter her husband all under one roof! Peter C, General Manager

This BW is definitely the best of its class. It is managed and runs super well. We stayed here 6 nights, felt like we moved in, and we had a wonderful experience! Great location. A lot of restaurants within 1-2 blocks. Rib joint, Thai, pizza, Australia coffee, organic juice, McDonald's, Denny's.... it's 0.8 mile to beautiful Dana Point Harbor. There are tens of seafood restaurants, cafes, ice cream, souvenir, clothing stores.... it's a fun place to hang out. We were there during Christmas holidays, the lights are just magnificent! Every employee is very friendly and helpful, always smiling. Whatever we asked for, more hangers, towels... we got it in a few minutes. Complimentary breakfast is the best you can get, hot eggs, ham, sausage, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, pastries, pancake, coffee, tea.... it's very tasty too. They don't use cheap stuffs here. They try hard. The carpet and some furnishings are a bit old, but everything is very clean and neat. We stayed at the room with whirlpool, it was spacious, has plenty cabinets and amenities. We are very happy with our stay. Whenever we come back to this area, we'll definitely stay here.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Happy New Year, Frances and we're glad we were able to blow you away with our service and hospitality ... that's what it's all about, no? The staff of the Marina Shores LIVES to put smiles on people's faces ... whether you're here for a night or a month, you're welcomed like part of the family and treated like the special guest that you are. Look forward to seeing you again! Peter C, General Manager

We enjoy our time at the Best Western plus hotels. Been with this company for about fifteen years. Great value, great breakfast very nice amenities, friendly staff. Everyone including the customers were very friendly.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Greg! We hope 2020 has started out well for you and we're happy we helped close out 2019 in fine fashion. Thank you for the review and your devout loyalty to the Best Western brand as well. If you don't mind my saying so ... you have excellent taste! (smiling!) Peter C, General Manager

Love this hotel still. Quality remains top notch. This hotel is centrally located (from the airport, from the freeway,close to the beach, Pacific Coast Highway). Lots to do and see in Dana Point. Hotel and staff do an outstanding job of being pleasant and helpful. Everyone here is . The rooms are clean and tidy, good internet, refrigerator. It seems they've thought of everything. Parking is onsite, close and easy. Stairs or elevator. Nice breakfast options included. Computers in lobby, printer if you need it. Laundry. They will sell you quarters. Laundry products also available. Surprisingly quiet for being so close to the highway. If your windows/slider are closed, you really don't hear the traffic. You can tell how good it is when you do open the window or slider and hear how loud the traffic is! I've never used the pool or fitness room, but they do have them. Well done, again. I'll be back soon1

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Terry! It's always a pleasure to welcome you back and I'm happy we gave you a glorious experience once again. We look forward to every one of your visits!

Very satisfied with my stay at the best Western in Laguna Beach California. Front desk had excellent service personal touch and they were very pleasant. Room was exceptionally nice everything worked in the room even had a TV in the bathroom. Had a whirlpool bathtub which worked fantastic.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We're so happy you enjoyed your stay. The whirlpool tubs are a fantastic amenity that you'd expect to find in much more expensive hotels and we love surprising our guests with features like that. Come back and see us soon!

I just wanted to give a shoutout to the staff at this Best Western location. From start to finish they were helpful, exceptionally friendly and kind. I noted it was my birthday in my online reservation, and the first thing Amanda at the front desk said was "Happy Birthday!". My husband and I couldn't get over how nice the staff were, including the front desk, the cleaning staff, and the employees in the breakfast area. We would go back just because everyone there was so nice. And the whirlpool rooms are totally worth the tiny bit of extra money - relaxing in your own personal jacuzzi in your room is fantastic!! Thanks for the nice birthday stay, Best Western!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are all so happy that you enjoyed your birthday stay with us. Amanda and the rest of the crew appreciate the recognition for their efforts and we hope you will come back and see us soon, even if you're NOT celebrating anything special (laughing). You probably noticed the signs all around the hotel that read "May all who come as guests, leave as friends." That is our mantra! You can't say something like that and then not back it up. We truly DO have a wonderful team here ... review after review always says something about how great and friendly the staff is ... and I am so proud of every one of them for keeping the true spirit of hospitality alive. Thank you again ... and a belated happy birthday to you!

Very nice stay. Loved having a private whirlpool in our room especially in the cold weather. Located close to the harbor and restaurants, coffee houses and bars. Nice staff. They do charge $10.00 for parking even if you have a handicap car or AAA.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the review and high rating. Regarding the parking ... hopefully there is some consolation in knowing that most of the hotels in the beach area charge for parking and they are more than double our fee. Alot of them also tack on the mysterious "resort fees" that no one really knows what they're for.

I stay at many hotels but rarely review. This one was great enough to merit a few kind words. We loved our King Balcony Suite that was a REAL suite with a dividing door and a real view of the ocean. Great choices at breakfast with really kind, helpful staff. Plenty of covered parking merited the $10 charge per night. Amazing price considering how close to the ocean it is.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Andrew! We are so happy your experience at the Marina Shores inspired you to write one of those "rare reviews." That speaks volumes about our staff and the service they provide. Three star pricing with five star service goes a long way. Come back and see us during the SUMMER months when Dana Point is in full swing and I think you'll be just as impressed.

We highly recommend this hotel. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice the facility was, how polite and helpful the staff were and the cleanliness of the rooms and overall facility. The rooms are reasonably priced especially considering neighboring hotels costs and parking is only $10 / night with sufficient parking.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Kathy! Thank you for the wonderful review and we are all glad you enjoyed your time with us. We honestly try to put our best foot forward every day, combining the best value and the best staff in the city ... we truly believe that the Marina Shores offers an exceptional experience for the cost conscious traveler and it looks like you're on board too. Come see us again soon!

We found this property to be clean, comfortable, well-maintained and located in beautiful Dana Point close to the harbor, beach and shops and restaurants. We were pleased to have our dog welcomed as a guest. And we thought it was very reasonably priced for the location.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
As one of the few pet-friendly hotels in Dana Point, we take great pride in welcoming your furry fellow travelers - after all, they're part of the family too, right? We appreciate the recognition and we're glad you all enjoyed your time with us. Whenever someone mentions our pet-friendly policy in a review, I like to make a special note to other travelers who may be reading. Always remember that when you bring your pet to a hotel, they are in a strange environment with all kinds of unfamiliar sights and smells. Even though your pet may be perfectly behaved at home, you can't assume they will be just as peaceful and content when you stay at a hotel. They get scared - especially if you leave them alone in the room. We always encourage our guests to take their pets with them whenever they leave the hotel. These animals love you and you are the one constant in their life when you're all traveling together.

We have been staying at the BW Marina Shores at least 6 times a year for the last 4 years and can honestly say that have continued to meet our high standards. Every employee that we come in contact are completely professional, and always find a way to meet many of our request with a very pleasing attitude. If we felt there was anything sub-standard with Marina Shores we would not hesitate for a moment to list it here.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
It's always great to welcome back old friends and who better to share real honest feedback about the Marina Shores experience than someone who stays here regularly ;-) All kidding aside, we are truly humbled by your words and so grateful that you have found a real home away from home here in Dana Point. Thank you for the review and we will always try to make your next visit even better than your last.

Really nice property close to the harbor and Doheny State Beach and is pet friendly! Lovely room decor and comfortable bed. Surprised to see a standard room with a jacuzzi bathtub and a TV in the bathroom! Close to shopping and restaurants...I loved this place and very reasonably priced.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We appreciate you taking the time to post this review and are glad you took notice of all the little things that make the Marina Shores someplace special. The jetted spa tubs are a wonderful feature and folks are always pleasantly surprised. Come see us again soon!

This property was very clean and full of amenities. All of the staff were extremely pleasant and helpful, and our room was beautifully appointed. The location can't be beat- an easy walk to Doheny State Beacb and Dana Point Harbor. We will definitely stay again.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you so much for the wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience with other travelers. We take tremendous pride in offering clean, comfortable accommodations to all our guests, but the fantastic staff at the Marina Shores is probably our greatest amenity. Come back and see us soon!

Thanks y'all for being amazing. Such a cleaning hotel. Nice breakfast. Close to everything. Friendly staff. Seriously, Dana Point is a pretty boring town. Little beach. Lotsa boats and a few shops and restaurants. This hotel was my favorite part of the town.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you so much for the wonderful review and we are thrilled that the Marina Shores was the highlight of your visit. Dana Point DOES have its moments ... for example, the music festivals throughout the year are a huge draw. I'm trying to come to terms with "boring" ... and I am writing this with a huge smile on my face so please don't take this as anything personal, my reply is meant in fun ... Dana Point, CA has not become a tourist trap yet unlike Laguna Beach and many of the other resort communities along the coast. We have the Marina, with all the shops, the restaurants and the yachts, but for the most part, along PCH the restaurants and the nightlife still center on the residents and you can find many hole-in-the-wall places that are full of the local color and flavor, without any of the pretense or commercialism that most destination towns throw at the tourists. I don't know how long you were here, but given a week, there are many surprises in Dana Point ... there may not be any flashing, neon arrows pointing the way, but just strike up a conversation with a couple of the locals and you'd be amazed at the places they could point you. Come back and give our town another try someday!

This was the best experience ever. Carolina has great customer service and was so sweet and very helpful She is friendly and welcoming. The continental breakfast was delicious. What a wonderful way to start the morning. Thank you.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Rosita and thank you so much for the wonderful words about Carolina. She is the newest member of our great breakfast team so she will be thrilled to find out she made such a great impression on you.

The hotel is in immaculate shape, very clean, neat and organized. The staff all went above and beyond making our stay a pleasant one. The breakfast are is well organized, the food was all prepared that morning,everything was very good and if you are a gluten free person there are several options to choose from, which was a plus for my wife!! Bob and Tara A...

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Bob & Tara, We are very happy that we helped make your California vacation so memorable and are extremely grateful you took the time to share your experience with the TripAdvisor world. We hope you can come back for another visit soon ... you can never have too many vacations!

Love this hotel! Everyone is so friendly and helpful with always delivering excellent customer service! Close to beach, restaurants, and easy access to everything you might need. Highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay here again soon!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hey Brenda! We took a vote and we love you too! Thank you for the great rating and review ... your fellow travelers need to know what an outstanding value we are.

We stayed two nights , Sunday and Monday, in late September and found it to be a restful and pleasant place to stay. The staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy their work. Dana Point is conveniently near San Juan Capistrano and also to beaches. The room was a generous size and there was a large bathtub fitted with water jets. There was some noise from the Pacific Coast Highway, but they supply earplugs! The breakfast offerings were good and all in all it was a place we would return to.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Well, if you're a "CA traveler" then your opinion should mean alot to all the folks who explore the Southern California coast. We're thrilled you found a comfortable home with us, even for just a couple of days, and we're happy you enjoyed your time, not only at the Marina Shores but in Dana Point and SJC too. Come back soon!

We really enjoyed our weekend visit. Nice, clean attractive and comfortable rooms. The staff is friendly and efficient. The complimentary breakfast was convenient and well managed. The room rates are surprisingly affordable, Great experience ~ we will return.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
A pox on anyone who says "soulmates" don't exist! I love it! Thank you so much for the great rating and for sharing your comments with your fellow travelers. At the Marina Shores we really DO go the extra mile to make everyone feel welcomed and hearing how well we've served you never gets old. See you next time!

The Best Western plus hotels are a very good bang for the buck. This is a great Best Western Plus, love the ocean views great. We usually stay at the Best Western Plus in Redondo Beach, another wonderful hotel!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Greg! We appreciate that you are loyal to the Best Western family of hotels and were happy that the Marina Shores made such a great impression. Hopefully you've added us to your Make-Sure-We-Return-To-It list!

Great location, every morning the breakfast was good and had plenty of options, even a pancake maker. the rooms were spacious, we had a small suite but it still was great we had a balcony. The pulll out sofa was pretty squeaky, but the mattress itself was very comfortable and soft. Quiet little town, about an hour each way to both LA and San Diego.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Heather! Since you stayed with us for a few nights, you got to see that we rotate our breakfast menu every day - something that alot of hotels that offer this free breakfast don't do! We're glad you liked the variety in our breakfast room and that you found the suite accommodations comfortable. Please remember us if you plan a return trip to Dana Point ... we'd love to see you again!

I visited this hotel and found the staff to be amazing. They worked hard to make my visit better than average. They were very accommodating and wonderful to deal with. I would recommend this as a hotel.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We really appreciate your wonderful review, Debbie and we're thrilled that we were able to make your stay "amazing."

This was honestly one of the best hotel stays I have ever had, the staff went above and beyond to do everything in their power to make sure I was taken care of. I would recommend to all my friends and family!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hey Dani! Our mantra is "May all who come as guests leave as friends" and it sounds like we worked our magic for you. The staff is thrilled that you enjoyed your experience - pass the word!

Cute place to stay. Close to the beach. Nice rooms. Small pool but is relaxing. There is no Jacuzzi. You can walk to the harbor or pay $6 for a ride. Free trolly. You can see the beach if you are on the far end.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Irving! We're so happy you enjoyed your time with us. We truly believe that the Marina Shores is the best value in our area - priced comfortably, convenient to just about everything and a staff that will move mountains to make your stay a memorable one. Thank you for the wonderful review.

We stay here a lot. Every single person on the staff is smiling, friendly, greets you and is available for assistance or answers. The rooms are clean and comfortable. The amenities at this hotel are pretty much everything you need. Internet in the rooms, computers downstairs, printer, good breakfast options, gym, pool, washer/dryer, close parking, pet-friendly and great staff. I just cannot say enough about their staff! I've reviewed before and updating to commend this hotel and staff on a job well done again and still!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Terry! As always, it's such a pleasure to have you as our guest. As a travel industry professional yourself, the input I get from our conversations is priceless and lets me know that we're really onto something special with our staff and service philosophy. Thank you for the wonderful review and rating .. as always, we are humbled by your praises.

Good location 5 min walk to the beach and had a great free breakfast in the morning. I was a little disappointed that this was a pet friendly hotel but did not have a designated spot for the dog to go to the bathroom. Also elevator was small and slow and ice machine was only on the second floor.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Melanie! Thank you for the kind review and rating. I apologize for the lack of a grassy area on the property for walking your dog, but once you exit the building or parking garage, it's all pretty much city property. There is a beautiful park up the hill behind the hotel - a bit too steep to walk, but only a two minute drive. Even though we lack the outdoor facilities, we feel it's important to be pet friendly because there are so few hotels in Dana Point that allow them.

For the night before my 13-year-old daughter and I were to go on a whale watching trip out Dana Point in early August, I had booked a hotel that turned out to be a huge disappointment. I canceled our stay there and we left to search for something better. Both my daughter and I were pretty upset, but fortunately I decided to check out the Best Western Plus Marina Shores. I explained our situation to the women at the front desk. They were both very sympathetic. One of them checked their availability then gave me a key to a room so I could look at it before checking in. It was a suite, with a separate living room, two beds, a balcony with a peek view of the ocean, and a whirlpool tub in the bathroom. It was much larger than the room at the other hotel, plus it was extremely clean, AND it was even less expensive than the place we'd left. We checked in quickly, and walked across the street to one of the fast food restaurants to get something to eat. We then sat on the hotel balcony and watched the last remnants of the sunset. The location of this hotel is great. It's a five minute drive to the marina, and the beach. The area seems very safe. The whirlpool tub in the room worked perfectly. The beds were very comfortable. We were on either the second or third floor, and didn't hear any street noise from below. The balcony wall seemed to buffer the traffic sounds. We had a great night's sleep. The next morning, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet. They had a large selection of food, including scrambled eggs, French toast strips, pancakes, and flavored syrup (even Boysenberry!). The breakfast area had plenty of seating and space. The parking garage is tucked under the hotel. There is a mural on the garage wall which makes it look pretty and bright. There is a pool, but we didn't use it. I just wish I'd chosen the Best Western Plus Marina Shores from the beginning so we could have spent more time at this hotel. I highly recommend it, and would love to stay here again if I'm ever in the area.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for this absolutely WONDERFUL review and assessment of your experience with us! I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought you here - while it's great to know that we exceeded the competition, the hassle of changing reservations at the last minute must have been stressful. It's great to know the staff of the Marina Shores was able to save your vacation and I hope you got to see some whales while you were on the cruise ... it's breath taking!

We usually prefer Best Western hotels and this is our favorite one in Orange County and Southern California. It's very convenient to park and check in, The rooms are big and super clean, and it's located near lots of great dining and Doheny State Beach is only a block away. Great hotel choice if you're visiting Dana Point.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hey Rob! Thanks for putting in a good word for us with all the TripAdvisor travelers. We'll see you the next time you're in town!

Still completely livid about my experience here. The parking pass states that it does not give you permission to park on the street. Okay, one of those cities where you need like a city parking pass. Went to an early breakfast, came back to no parking avail. I .had to check out of this place at 7.15 in the morning. Was looking forward to using the whirlpool tub after coming back. So I had to hurry and park up all my stuff hoping my car would not get towed. At the front desk, after mentioning that had to check out because there was no parking, the person just responded with "ok". Really, you can even say sorry!!! So when I had come back the evening before and had there not been parking, I would have had to check out then. Would they have refunded my money? Probably not. For what you pay, I would expect to be able to actually stay there. NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Wendy, Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for the horrible miscommunication you experienced from our front desk. We actually have ample parking at the hotel ... if you drive all the way to the end of the garage on the main level, there is a large sign that directs you to additional parking on the lower level - you just go around the curve in and it brings you to the lower level garage. In the outside chance that the lower level is full as well, on the weekends our guests are allowed to use the parking garage at the office building across from our main entrance and the clerk you spoke with should have let you know both those options. Since you are a Best Western Rewards member, I have assigned a substantial number of bonus points to your account that you can use toward free stays at any Best Western hotel. While we would love the opportunity to serve you again - this time without any mistakes - we especially don't want Best Western to lose a loyal customer due to our transgressions.

Nice 2 queen suite with balcony, microwave and frig at a good price. Our 5th time here and always have fun. Peak a boo ocean view. Walk to Doheny beach and Dana pt. Harbour with many resturants,beautiful boats and great people watching. Desk staff were all very professional and friendly. Free breakfast could be a bit better, but it is Free. Plenty of parking and close to LG Beach and Balboa Island.

Is this really a Best Western-or a 5 Star Hotel hiding as one? I am a professional, have visited a number of hotels and motels throughout the USA and this place impressed me as much as the best of them. Special kudos to Halia at the front desk for taking such good care of my arrangements and making sure I got the best rates available. The staff in the breakfast dining room (an automatic pancake making machine? Outstanding!) could not have gone out of their way more to serve and be friendly. Very impressive. The room was clean and well appointed, a comfortable bed and small sitting nook with an oversized chair. The bathroom had its own TV and a large spa-jet step up tub! If you desire quiet, ask for a room away from the relatively busy street. There is even a small reading library off the elevator lobby on an upper floor. Will I stay there again? You Bet! PS: I am not affiliated in any way with Best Western or this property. Just a very satisfied guest.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Okay ... I am totally blushing on this one. All of us appreciate the incredibly kind words, but in all honesty, in order to qualify as a "Five Star Hotel" we would have to have a full service restaurant, spa facilities and a whole host of other amenities. That doesn't mean we still can't provide Five Star SERVICE, which we try to do every day ... and that is obviously where we impressed you the most. All of us at the Marina Shores are proud to have made your stay so special and so memorable. It is a culmination of all the little things we do and the recognition you offered is what makes our job such a joy. Thank you again and we look forward to your next visit to Dana Point.

Hotel was a good option in Dana . The rooms are a good size with comfortable beds and are very clean. The breakfast is typical USA fare , but little choice for vegetarians or vegans. It is well placed and would stay again when in Dana Point

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the kind review and I regret that we did not have enough vegan options in our free breakfast. This is something we can look into to make our breakfast more inclusive. We appreciate the suggestion.

Best hotel I've stayed at in many years in SoCal. We would definitely stay here again if back in Dana Point. Loved the pool, shaded parking balconies and huge delicious breakfast. Staff very friendly and helpful.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We thank you for this absolutely incredible review. With so many lodging options available we are truly humbled that you found the Marina Shores to be at the top of your list.

This hotel has nice staff and a good breakfast. The room was small but in decent condition. It is on PCH, so there is a lot of road noise. Even if you are on the back side of the hotel, it is so loud. We would not stay here again

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Wendy! Yes, as Dana Point has grown from a sleepy little beach community into a vacation destination, the traffic and sounds of the outside world have grown with it. About 10 years ago we installed double-paned sound dampening glass in all the windows and balcony doors throughout the hotel in an effort to keep these symptoms of progress at bay. While some guests enjoy the convenience of our location and being in the heart of the hustle and bustle, others, like yourself, don't like the trade-off. We're sincerely sorry to lose you as a customer, but appreciate that you still recognized all the positives that go along with the Marina Shores experience.

This is by far the best hotel on the PCH in Dana Point. Clean Rooms, excellent service, very nice staff. There wasn't a time I walked into the lobby that I wasn't greeted with a warm hello by all staff that were present. There is an ocean view from the front of the hotel/rooms on the PCH side. It's an easy walk to Doheny State Park, Dana Point Harbor and all the things you can do on the ocean. Easy Trolly ride to many beaches along the PCH. Restaurants, shops, homemade ice cream all within a 5 minute walk. Great value; very comfy beds. Every time I come to Dana Point, I stay at this hotel, it hasn't disappointed me at all. I've been here several times and it's always a pleasure

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Teri! Thank you for the kind words and incredible recognition of our staff and, of course, the Marina Shores itself. We do truly have a wonderful team here and we love making everyone feel welcomed. Great traveler tips too ... Dana Point is still an undiscovered treasure along the California coast ... but people like you are getting the word out - Thanks!

It was a wonderful stay no complaints breakfest was good room was good and staff was friendly. The parking was good and it was right next to the beach. I would recommend this to all of my friends. Best hotel ever!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We appreciate your letting other travelers know how much you enjoyed your stay at the Marina Shores ... the "friendly staff" seems to be a recurring theme in so many reviews and our team relishes the recognition. Thanks for spreading the word.

Our family had our vacation at this hotel because it was in the right spot for all the activities we were going to do. The staff were very nice and even let us check in early because they had a room available. The beach was within walking distance which was nice so we did not have to go far to enjoy it.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
"Yes" is one of our favorite words at the Marina Shores ... this goes for early check-ins or most any kind of special requests our guests might have. In a world where the personal touch seems to be giving way to technology, it's nice to know that we can still bring a smile (or a sigh of relief) to folks seeking something that many other hotels might say "no" to, just because they can. We're so glad you and your family enjoyed your vacation and the we were able to play even a small part in it's success. You're exactly right when you said we are "the right spot" ... centrally located to all there is to see and do in the beach area and just minutes from the interstate the brings the rest of Southern California right to you.

Shout out to Ali and Amanda at the front desk. These two gals welcome you and do everything to make your stay the best it can be. How lovely to come back in the evening with a hello _ , how was your day. Let us know if there is anything you need :) The rest of the staff - helpful and friendly. The room (1st floor) & location great! Will be back.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and for sharing your great experience with your fellow travelers. Ali, Amanda and the rest of our staff are always available for a warm greeting, helpful service and the greatest smiles west of the Rockies! Come back and see us soon.

Location is great! Nice, clean rooms and seating areas throughout the hotel. Great hot breakfast! Best part is the Staff at BW Marina Shores. Every staff member we interacted with during our 3 night stay made us feel welcomed. Especially, Halia and Amanda at the front desk. They made us feel valued as a hotel guest and helped us with whatever we needed. The breakfast staff are so nice and they always made sure there is plenty of food.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
As we tell all our new hires in training ... a clean room and a comfortable bed should be the minimum expectation of any hotel guest - it's the attitude of the staff, the warm friendly greeting, the offer of assistance and a sincere smile whenever a customer passes by - that makes an average stay an outstanding stay. Ali and Amanda are shining examples of this philosophy, as are ALL the staff members, both on the front lines and behind the scenes, at the Marina Shores. We all thank you for the wonderful review and are thrilled for the impression we made. Come back soon!

I was impressed. It's an older property well worn but well cared for and appointed. I travel a lot for business. I stayed 11 nights. Not a single ball was dropped. Check in was amazing. Ali at the front desk is one of the most helpful and impressive hotel staff members I've ever seen. She made me feel like a part of the family. Amanda was also great. Housekeeping was done properly each time. The breakfast was a treat tons of options. Gluten free friendly. I really liked seeing Colton each morning such a helpful and friendly guy. Just a perfect experience.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and I will make sure to pass on your praises to Colton, Ali and Amada. They are core members of our "May all who come as guests, leave as friends" team and really enjoy the surprise people feel with our brand of welcome. Glad you enjoyed the hotel, the breakfast and all the little features that truly make the Marina Shores experience something special.

My wife and I go there 4 times a year the staff is amazing the rooms are great and the hot breakfast is very filling we live in Henderson Nevada so its a 5 hour trip and being so close to Dana Point Harbor is a plus the shops and restaurants are amazing you can actually walk to the Harbor in 10 minutes we have been Best Western members for years and this is one of the best.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are thrilled to welcome you back time and time again! Thank you for the high praises and we will continue to provide you with the best experience possible every time you return.

Clean hotel located within easy walking distance to the beach, food and shops. Heated pool with nice rooms, some with balconies with a water view. The staff was the icing on the cake. They were friendly, fun and easy going and very knowledgeable about the area. The hotel is pet friendly and both upon booking and check in they took extra time to find us the right room at a great rate that fit the needs of our family. The breakfast had tons of choices such as eggs, meat, breads, yogurts, cereal, pancakes, fruit, oatmeal, etc. I would highly recommend this hotel and we will stay here every time we come back.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We so appreciate your wonderful review and are super grateful that you took the time to share your impressions with other travelers. We truly believe that the Marina Shores is the best value in Dana Point and our goal is to make every visitor's stay as memorable as yours. Thank you again for the kind words and we'll see you next time!

I usually do not write review, but leaving my token of appreciation is the least I can do for one individual who made my stay so pleasant. After I checked out on the 4th of June, I realized I left my hanger that go with my garment bag, so I went back the property and asked if it was reported as lost and found. I was advised that the housekeeper threw it away and cannot retrieve, so I was unhappy at that moment. However, front desk staff provided me a substitute, so as least I could pack my suite alright even it did not fit with my garment bag. I just gave up and left, took the situation as it was. 30 minutes later, I got a call from a front desk staff and advised me they found my hanger so I went back again. The gesture was good, even I was not happy that I needed to go back, but I had to appreciate the fact she cared enough. When I got there second time, what they found was not my hanger, , so I felt I totally wasted my time, but again, I appreciate the gesture and talked a little why I even care for such inexpensive item. Then one of the employee Bobby surprisingly offered me to look into the trash bin where housekeeper threw away. I could not believe he offered, understand the my point of view. I was totally blown away by his genuine interest to help people. I wanted to so something for return like leaving tip or something, but I did not carry enough cash at that time, so I thank him, how much I appreciate his willingness to help, did all he could just based on his genuine interest to help people. Bobby, you absolutely made my trip amazing. Thank you very much.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
For true hospitality professionals like Bobby, this was all in a day's work, but on the guest's side it is truly something special. Bobby told me all about it the day it happened and he was really excited that he was able to turn a disappointing situation for you into something amazing. He will be thrilled to see you took the time to recognize him on Trip Advisor and we all appreciate your sharing the story with other travelers. Glad we were able to save the day for you!

Rooms were super clean. Service was AMAZING! Employees EXCELLENT! Locations was spectacular. We can't wait to go back! Close to highways, the beach, beach activities, great good. Area was great and would definately recommend

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Sounds like we hit a home run for you, which is always super to hear. Thank you for the wonderful review and 5 bullet rating. We're glad that the team at the Marina Shores made your Dana Point stay something spectacular and hope you come back to see us soon!

I'm not really the type to give a low rating but I feel like for the price we paid for a night it did not reflect the service we have gotten. We get it, it was around Southern Cali area, Orange County area, but we thought it was way over priced. One is that it is not near a walking distance beach, nowalkable shores around the area. We are giving a 2 instead of a 1 because most of the staff are relatively nice at the front desk and breakfast area. Parking is not free even though you are a guest and you have checked in. Was surprised by that as other and most hotels gives free parking for all guest. The extremely downside we had was we checked in around 6-7pm only to find out some fecal matter on the toilet, and to say that check in time is at 3pm we expected that everything should be ready and really cleaned or at least inspected well. We did not had the chance to report it to the front desk as we are tired from our long drive, and it is easy to discredit the guest if there are complaints like that. The rooms are otherwise ok in size BUT you could pretty much hear all the chatter and noise of your next door neighbors and people from the hallways the whole time, so expect little privacy. Breakfast options are limited to powdered eggs(as most hotels served),potatoes and a dispensing pancake machine. Hope you'll have a different experience as we had if you are checking in at this hotel.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies for the cleanliness issues you discovered at check-in. I assure you that this in no way reflects the standards we set for our housekeeping and room inspection processes. I am so sorry that you didn't report this to the front desk immediately so that we could clean the toilet and compensate you for our service failure, but understand that it was late and you were tired. The fact that any traveler felt that they might be discredited for voicing a complaint is a sad reflection of what industry service has become. At the Marina Shores, we take all guest concerns to heart as is shown by the high ratings and the overall positive comments we receive in social media, so on the rare occasion that something goes wrong, we do everything in our power to correct that matter as fast as possible. Our parking fee is not unusual for the hotels in our area and our $10.00 per night fee is actually the lowest for all that do charge. We also waive the fee for all Best Western Rewards Diamond and Platinum level members. In closing, I again can only express my deepest apologies for your experience and hope you will give us another chance to serve you and show you what the staff of the Marina Shores is truly capable of.

We are long time customers of the Best Western brand and have very high expectations. There is absolutely no doubt that the " Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel " always meets ours, having stayed with them for 3 separate visits of 4 nights each time in the last 2 months. Each visit was met with employee's that performed exceptionally, making us feel like part of the Family & VIP's ! We are already planning our next trip to Dana Point and our usual comfort zone at Best Western

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Words cannot express how moved we all are for your kindness and generosity of praise. It is because of guests like you that we, as "hospitality professionals" can look at our work as a calling instead of a job. It is an honor serving you and we hope, with each successive visit, we continue to make your experience as pleasant as the last!

This was our first time staying at this hotel and by far this was the best hotel we have ever stayed at! We will definitely return. The customer service was spectacular the room was very spacious and nice and the breakfast was delicious!

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
If you were this impressed on your first visit, just imagine what the experience is like for the folks who stay here on a regular basis :-) We look forward to your return - in the meantime, spread the word to your friends ... if you want to vacation on the coast of Southern Calfiornia, Dana Point and specifically, the Marina Shores Hotel is the best central location for everything there is to see and do! Thank you for the wonderful review and we're glad we left you with such good memories.

Great location, very quiet, modern and convenient....love staying at this hotel...beds are comfortable, Tv service has HBO, room is spacious with both a fridge and microwave. Also there was an in room coffee pot. Towels were fluffy and plentiful...

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and for rating us so highly. It is always our goal to provide the best accommodations and service possible, but when a guest takes the time to share their experience with other travelers, it is such a rewarding feeling. Come back and see us again soon!

Best Western Plus has really stepped up their game. Very clean hotel. Staff is always friendly and accommodating. I would not hesitate on staying at a BW+. In fact we often look for them when we are travelling.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the great review. I look forward to the day when the service and value at Best Western Plus hotels is not considered a surprise (laughing). At the Marina Shores, we are doing our best to set the example.

We had one of our best stays at the Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel. The reason we put the full name is there is another Best Western in town, which I'm sure if nice but the free breakfast here was delicious, and with five (5) kiddos, it sure helped financially :) The rooms were clean, and the beds so comfortable. The staff was amazing, made us feel like family every day and told us the best beaches nearby so we enjoyed having our toes in the sand, and not rocks, or where there were dangerous rip currents, etc. We had a bad experience booking online as we wound up at a run down timeshare nearby, so the staff, shared with us some secrets so that won't happen to us again. The only negative is the bathtubs, weren't geared for young children, but, most are not. I'd stay here again, I never knew a Best Western or a Free Breakfast could be this nice.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are so thrilled you enjoyed your time with us and we're glad we helped make your family's vacation a super success. As I've said in many of my review responses, our mantra at the Marina Shores is "May all who come as guests, leave as friends" and I can't tell you how great your words made our staff feel, knowing we made it happen for you. Come see us again soon!

My wife and I stay at th BW marina shore every time we go to dana point. Here's why. All the staff member from the front counter to maintenance are excellent friendly and efficient. Hotel is close to the harbour and eating establishment. We will return for our anniversary in July.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for your kind words and we are humbled by your praises. We all so enjoy bringing the spirit of hospitality back to everyday encounters. See you in July!

Hotel had beautiful views and was in an excellent location. Within walking distance of stores and eateries. A lot of choices for breakfast and coffee available all day long. Environmentally conscious. Service was consistent and friendly from front desk reception to service positions.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We appreciate the great review and we're glad you recognized the friendly service provided by everyone on the staff. We see ourselves as one big family, welcoming people into our home ... comfort isn't just limited to a bed, it's the people who truly make a hotel stay comfortable!

We enjoy stay at this hotel! It's close to everthing, safe parking, friendly, helpful staff and clean, well cared for rooms! The hotel is centrally located and close to the beach and many restaurants.

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Well, you certainly hit every bullet point on what makes the Marina Shores the best place to stay in Dana Point! Thank you for the great review and we're glad you enjoyed your time with us.

I would say this hotel actually gave me more for the price we paid, great accomodations, spacious room, great service, tasty breakfast, great location near the beach and Dana Point Harbor. We really enjoyed our time there I would definetely come back

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
WOW! In this day and age, how many times can we leave someplace feeling like we got MORE than our money's worth? That was so wonderful to see and I hope that other travelers reading your review take note. Yes, in a resort area like Dana Point, hotels will charge a premium simply because they can. At the Marina Shores, we want you to come back because you saw the value in what we offered - from the accommodations all the way to the friendly staff welcome.

Located off of PCH parking in the rear is good but challenging. We thought we might be able to check in a little early, but the lady at the desk was a little rude. When we came back at the correct time all the folks were really nice. Our room was on the third floor, but there was an elevator. Not the fastest elevator in the world, but adequate for our needs. The room was very clean and we were given a little bag of goodies. I really liked the selection of channels on the flat screen TV. The items at breakfast were really good with a nice selection. It was sad to note that Gideon Bibles are no longer placed in the rooms (at least, I could not find one)

PeterC34280, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Rene! Please accept my apologies if the clerk on duty came across as rude ... that certainly doesn't reflect the service spirit we strive for here. I'm also sorry that Bible was missing from your nightstand. The previous guest must have needed a little spiritual support when they continued their travels, but we have double-checked all the rooms and Bibles are all in place. Thank you for the kind review and we hope you will return soon.

Convenient location, and pleasant, helpful staff, but rooms are worn. Jacuzzi was dirty and cracked. Hall carpet was worn. Room relatively clean, but chair arm was broken, and tv had no cable signal (but was fixed by staff). Bed was uncomfortable and sheets had ink spots. Hotel has the ambience of a motel.

This hotel is one of our all-time favorite Best Westerns. The staff were wonderful and did everything to make us feel welcome. We had a great room in a wonderful location, close to whale watching trips and good restaurants. There were also extra amenities which pleased us. We hope we can come again.

Great location, value, and experience. Hotel and room were nice and clean friendly staff, no noise issues were noticed. Walking distance to the beach, lots of food options within walking distance as well. Everything was great!

We stayed at this hotel, and we were very pleased. Bobby and Amanda were the greatest staff to have on board. They made sure all of our reservations, request, and accommodation was just perfect. We appreciate all that they did to accommodate us and our stay was very pleasant.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you so much for the wonderful review and I will be sure to pass on your praises to Bobby and Amanda. They are such great representatives of the Marina Shores hospitality pledge, don't you think? Glad you enjoyed your time with us ... perfection is always our goal.

This hotel had a fairly high ranking on TA and was reasonably priced. The staff and service were great. The breakfast was also very good for a hotel. However, we were sorely disappointed in the condition of the hotel. The outdoor walk to our room with some concrete in disrepair made it feel like we were staying at a motel. Then our room was dark and quite smelly. The area had had a lot of rain so it was likely mold or mildew. Nonetheless it was problematic and caused us to go out to look for air fresheners. We were just staying one night but we would have sought other accommodations if it had been longer. Again, the staff and breakfast were great so they are doing the best they can with a hotel that is in need of renovation.

The hotel is located right on Pacific Coast Highway #1 so it is conveniently accessed, but subject to some road noise in every room. Parking is off the highway in the back which is actually the front in so far as the entrance and pickup place for Uber/ Lyft rides. Rooms are of varied sizes. We had a King balcony suite which translates into a small walled balcony with one chair off the bedroom on the highway side with a limited view of the Pacific through the trees. The carpets were worn and the rooms decently appointed, but somewhat outdated. There's plenty of restaurants nearby within walking distance. The front desk is extremely y cordial and helpful. The elevator is SLOW. Breakfast is included, but it is really not very nutritious and looked even less so.

Living in Dana Point my wife and I and our cat needed to stay at a hotel for a few days while our house was being fumigated for termites.The staff was extremely nice and accommodating. We stayed in the King deluxe with a extra room with a couch and chair and second TV. The room was clean and comfortable.They have a small breakfast in the morning included in your stay but being literally only minutes walking distance from the Dana Point Harbor there are numerous restaurants to choose from. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Bernie! I'm sure that having to leave your home for the extermination work had to be pretty stressful so I'm glad the staff of the Marina Shores made you feel comfortable and welcome. Hopefully everything back at your house is taken care of and your family has settled back in to life as it should be. In the future, if you ever have friends or family come to visit, please remember the service spirit you experienced with us and refer them to the Marina Shores Hotel with full confidence that we will take excellent care of them.

We stayed the night before taking a day trip to Catalina Island. This is a very clean, well kept facility, conveniently located on Pacific Coast Hwy, very close to Dana Point Harbor. We would highly recommend it, if you're looking to stay in the area!!!!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Ken! Thank you for the great review and we hope your excursion to Catalina was fun and exciting. There are tons of things to see and do along the our stretch of the California coast too and Dana Point makes a great central location for anyone's vacation.

Checked in on Saturday 1/26/19; Checked out on Sunday 1/27/19. Quick overnight get-away to visit Dana Point, get to the Beach and do some reading and relaxation. This hotel is conveniently located on PCH 1 and walking distance to the Dana Point Harbor where there is great food, entertainment, activities for all. Interacted with the front office at Check-in and Check-out and on both occasions the interactions were very pleasant. I had a standard room with 2 queens and the room was spacious, well decorated with tasteful beach decor. Not to mention the room was very clean and well appointed. The room attendants that serviced the 3rd floor on both Saturday and Sunday always greeted/acknowledged me as I walked down the hallway which was very nice and welcoming. Complimentary breakfast was great. The breakfast room was clean, stocked, and organized. The food items were well displayed and the hot food items were hot and fresh. Good coffee too. Upon Check-out I was able to share these comments with GM Peter and the front office agent. While I cant remember her name but her recommendation for Fish and Chips at Jon's fish market at the Harbor was spot on! Thank you. Great overall experience and look forward my next visit. Thanks again!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, both of the Marina Shores Hotel and our fantastic little beach community. Isn't it amazing that, in this day and age, it is still the simplest human interactions - pleasant greetings and friendly conversation - that we notice the most? We are thrilled that you enjoyed your brief stopover and hope your next trip allows you to be our guest a little longer!

Check in staff was courteous and helpful. Everyone was friendly. Breakfast was satisfying. They thought of little details like cheese to put on the eggs and chocolate chips to add on the pancakes. There were gluten free, low fat and keto options. Get there early. Breakfast ended at 10 sharp, but they ran out of hot food around 9:30. This is an older hotel, but they've done a good job keeping up with maintenance. The beds were comfy with duvet covers. Bring your own shampoo and body wash. The ones provided were too small to wash a barbie doll and it was difficult getting anything out. Our room had a balcony with a view of the ocean. I enjoyed the sea breeze, but had to close the windows at night due to heavy traffic right outside.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review of your time at the Marina Shores and we are so happy that you enjoyed your time with us and in Dana Point. I LOVE it when people comment that "this is an older hotel, but ..." Modern, pre-fab, steel and glass construction may have it's place, but cookie-cutter hotels are so impersonal and boring. Our area of the beach community is very historic and it's an honor to be a part of that design and feeling that keeps Dan Point from turning into a tourist trap. Awesome observation and thank you again.

Loved this place. Quiet, clean and check in easy. Great full breakfast. Bobby on the desk so friendly and helpful. Good price. Gave us inside recommendations from locals for dinner. Comfortable bed. Good parking.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the great review and Bobby sends his best. I'm so glad you mentioned the "locals" aspect because that's something often missed in reviews. Hotels everywhere are inundated with promotional offers from local restaurants and shops - recommend us to your guests and we'll give your staff great discounts - kind of a "you scratch our back and we'll scratch yours" thing. At the Marina Shores, we'd rather make the best referrals we can so we simply ask "what are you in the mood for?" and go from there. We know the dives with the best barbecue, we know where the locals go when they want the best seafood, steaks or foreign cuisines and we would rather send you someplace where you'll come back happy (and full!) than someplace that will give us 50% off because we dropped their name. I'll take this opportunity to remind all travelers that a hotel is not just a place to stay while you're in town. It is literally a base of operations while you plan out your activities, so knowing that the staff has your best interests and comfort at heart is a big plus. Referrals for dining and sightseeing can make or break a vacation. Business travelers looking for a brief respite from work need to know they can count on the recommendations made by the staff - your time is valuable and we will always do our best to make sure you enjoy ALL aspects of your stay, even the ones that take place away from the Marina Shores Hotel!

Great little hotel in a nice areaNice free breakfast and friendly staff. Sleeping experience good, as mattresses are very comfortable. Hotel is always very clean and well kept. Rooms well appointed with a refrigerator in each room

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We appreciate your review and are happy you enjoyed all aspects of your time with us. Come back soon!

Call during the week and ask for Diane Reynolds. She will book you at the best rate, make you feel like your her friend instantly - She cares!!!She grew up here and don't be afraid to ask her where to eat shop , swim etc. She is Right on. Breakfast and Coffee was pretty good.Entire staff are so friendly. I mean all thisI'm a tough customer and I have no complaints. Staff greatGive you 4 star Concierge attention!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Diane asked me to pass along her gratitude for the recognition you gave her. She has been a front desk attendant at the Marina Shores longer than anyone else and for an obvious reason. We are proud of her and appreciate that you not only felt the warmth and welcoming spirit she provides, but that same spirit throughout the staff. We're glad that you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to the next time you "come home."

This was a good place to stay, given its proximity to the Doheny State beach. I did not bring a car along with me. Uber is quite easily accessible and the prices of uber is quite competitive. There are couple of good restaurants/fast food available just outside the hotel. The rooms were quite spacious for us and I had no hassles anytime. The staff are polite and quite responsive for your needs. On the flip I feel the breakfast is quite functional and elementary. I would have preferred that they do provide some variety , especially when you are around for more than 3-4 days. Even though we had green tea during our initial stays, getting this later was difficult, probably they ran out of supply. The room which were allocated to us had a corridor which was exposed and it could get uncomfortable, especially during nights/evenings when you are getting out of or getting in to your rooms.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the nice review and we are happy you enjoyed most aspects of your stay at the Marina Shores Hotel. The free breakfast will always be a challenge for hotels like ours that doesn't have a full service restaurant. We do rotate our menu every day to try and provide some variety and frequently try new products so we can offer the best that is available. Breakfast will always be a "work in progress."

This has become our "Go-To" hotel in Dana Point. We are in town approximately every 2-3 months. They usually have a good rate too. Friendliest staff. Everything you need is included: Daily Breakfast, in-room internet, computers in the lobby along with a printer if you need it, coffee, mini-fridge, easy parking (extra $). The rooms are clean and comfortable. The location is central to everything. They even have 2 coin-operated washers/dryers along with the soap/bleach/dryer sheets (for purchase) if you need to do wash. Requires quarters. Front desk is very accommodating in order to give you change. They even allow pets. I've never noticed anything negative about pets being here. I can't say enough. It's very clean and nice. Everything seems to always be kept up. Stay here and see for yourself!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
So sorry for the delay in responding to your review ... even hotel managers get to go on vacation sometimes! (laughing) We're so glad that you recognize the atmosphere we promote at the Marina Shores. Our mantra of "May all who come as guests, leave as friends" is a service philosophy we try to promote in every aspect of your stay. Even when someone is travelling on business, there's no reason why they can't feel like they're on vacation, right? Thank you for the kind words and we hope that the Trip Advisor readers will make us their "go-to" hotel in Dana Point as well.

At least 7-10 rooms with dogs in them Do not want to stay on a room that has had dogs in it !!! Do any of the dogs have fleas??... pretty ALL dogs !!Do they clean the rooms well enough to mitigate germs , fleas ticks !!??I don't think so!!!Plus you can smell them And they Bark at 4 am!!! Seems they are as pet friendly as they are marijuana friendly !!...Wow!! NOT the standard I wish to purchase anymore at this location!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for taking the time to post a review of your stay at the Marina Shores Hotel ... while we strive to offer everyone a positive experience and when that doesn't occur, we need to be held accountable. Yes, we are a pet friendly hotel (one of the few in Dana Point) and we deep clean every pet room when the guest checks out, whether they were here for one night or ten. Some hotels designate particular rooms as "pet rooms" but what ends up happening is that these rooms end up taking a tremendous beating and when the hotels are full, guests without pets are forced to use them. Since none of our rooms end up with pets in them stay after stay, we can remain on top of any deep cleaning issues. Since we are a pet friendly hotel, we have had many guests with allergies express concern over the possibility of dander or other traces left behind, but have never ended up experiencing anything unpleasant once they arrived. That is a credit to our housekeeping and maintenance staff. The barking and marijuana smell is a completely separate issue and I am reviewing this with our overnight staff to find out how this went unchecked. We have a zero tolerance rule for people who leave unattended animals in their rooms who end up disturbing other guests and, as a 100% smoke free hotel, we don't allow ANY substances like tobacco or marijuana to be smoked within the building. I give you my assurance that this is being looked into and our night staff and security will not allow this to happen again.

This best western was one of the best I have ever stayed at and I have stayed at a bunch over the past couple of years - it was the staff that made this hotel - they checked our group in quickly - they made great recommendations for food - the rooms were spacious - it was nicer than the hotel I am staying in on Catalina Island now - and at a much better price. The hotel was close to the marina and beach - had a great bbq joint right next door- I would definitely stay at this hotel again !

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and we are so happy that you enjoyed your time at the Marina Shores and we hope your trip to beautiful Catalina Island provided you and your family with some great memories of your vacation on the southern coast of California. We are very proud of our awesome staff and the spirit of hospitality they share and I will pass on your recognition to them all. Come back and see us soon!

Thank you to the staff here for being so nice and helpful. Rooms were very clean and check in/out was very convenient.Morning breakfast had great choices. Great location,easy access to the freeway.We really enjoyed our stay.

Local to Marina, Beach and Dining! In the morning, Barie made us feel like family. Great location and service. Took our christmas photos by the beach, walking distance. Living room space fantasic! Enjoy

This hotel is decent, with polite and attentive staff, good location, and a good breakfast. However, the room (a "king suite") is way too small. It had the least counter space of any hotel I have stayed in for the last 20 years. There was barely a place to put a toiletries bag. The sink is tiny. The tub is tiny. The bathroom is tiny. There are no free-standing tables . . . the dressers are covered by lamps and big TV's. The desk is OK, but only usable by one person for a writing table. The parking lot is very difficult . . . very long, lots of pillars, about 55 spaces for 100+ rooms. And they charge extra for parking. Bottom line is that the things that are subject to easy modification -- breakfast, internet, staff -- are pretty good. The things that are hard to change -- room size and furnishings, parking lot, hotel configuration -- are incredibly bad (other than the location, which is quite nice). I would usually give a place the benefit of the doubt, but in this case I suspect that current ownership/management really doesn't care. They are in the business of maximizing revenue. I don't object to that concept, but you as a customer do not have to buy into it. I might have given this place a 3 or 4, but I kept going into the bathroom and being shocked by how small and inconvenient and messy it was . . . and my girl friend kept complaining about the lack of counter space. There is literally less than a square foot of usable space, and the sink is tiny, and the tub is a weird and inconvenient size. Very good breakfast, attentive (sometimes obnoxious) staff, good location, decent place for a single person at their reasonable midweek rates. However, this place should never have received a BW "Plus" status. I have stayed at 8 or 10 of those, and physically, this one is by far the worst. Thus the 2 rating.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Jeffrey, Thank you for taking the time to review and rate your experience at the Marina Shores and I sincerely regret that the layout and design of the hotel did not meet with your needs. The bathrooms in our two-room suites do have very limited counter space and the oval design of the jetted tubs may make them appear to be smaller - a few inches shorter than a standard tub, but a few inches wider as well. I have a feeling you didn't see the signs at the far end of the main parking garage that indicates additional parking on the lower level. The spaces down there are much wider and provides an ample amount of parking for our guests. In spite of your overall dissatisfaction, you did point out that the staff of the hotel was good, and your objectivity is greatly appreciated.

The rooms could use a remodel...smelled musty. Very dark as well, not a lot of light. The carpets needed either a good cleaning or to be replaced! Unless you drive a compact car, parking is very, very tight. They need to have ice machines on every floor - we were on the 3rd floor and had to go down to the second floor for any ice. The one and only elevator in the lobby moved at a snails pace. Good thing, it's close to the beach - less than a mile.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Not the worst, but pushing very hard to get better! Now that the majority of the tourist season in over, all the hotels in the area are gearing up for their off-season, deep cleaning projects and the Marina Shores is no exception. We will be systematically breaking down each guest room, steam cleaning all the carpets, painting walls and trim - anything that needs to be done that we couldn't address when running at full capacity. Please accept my apologies that we weren't looking our best while you stayed with us. It was a long and very busy summer at the beach.

The staff was excellent! The amenities were great! I was with a wedding party on a weekend where two were booked into the hotel. The service was impeccable from housekeeping, front desk, and management.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We're so glad you enjoyed your time with us and it is always so uplifting to hear that we've hit one out of the park. You're 100% correct ... the staff here is awesome and I am so honored to have such a wonderful team. Thank you again!

Ok. So I stayed at this hotel because my college roommate was getting married at a venue in Dana Point. I love this hotel. It is very clean, very quiet, and very close to everything. Doheny beach is about 5 minutes away. Plus, it is close to some great restaurants. I took a Lyft to Laguna Beach, which was about a 20 minute ride. Staff was soooo awesome. They are very nice. They have sausage, eggs, pancakes, yogurt, cereal for breakfast, but again, there are some great restaurants around if you want some other options. I definitely recommend this hotel for your stay. Also, if you are visiting this area, I recommend flying into John Wayne Airport, not LAX. LAX is further away and the LA traffic is not pretty.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for this absolutely awesome review, not only of the Marina Shores, but of the Dana Point area as well. I hope your friend's wedding was a smashing success and that ALL the guests had a wonderful time no matter where they stayed!

The staff at this location was phenominal. They were so incredibly friendly and made it feel like we were friends for a long time! The cleanliness of the hotel was top notch and I noticed it instantly. The bed was pretty comfortable but just a tad stiff for what we like. The location was great and not far from our friends who were staying in other counties. Parking was never an issue and they were extremely booked so it was super to always have close parking to the building. Room service was quick and effcient. I would definetly stay at this location again if I am ever in the area!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Kellie! We're glad we were able to make you a part of our family for a few days. We do our best to make sure everyone feels truly welcome and comfortable ... and we hope you will be making that return trip sometime soon!

Dated dark dismal hotel. Rate us only because it is in Dana point. Check in wasn't ready at 3pm. Room was dark, shower was dangerous to get in. Funny smell, dated decor, old paint. Only reason they are charging $200 is that it is in OC.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are sincerely sorry for your disappointment with the Marina Shores Hotel. When the hotel was renovated just six years ago, the idea was to stay true to the older, historic design that represents Dana Point so the dark woods and the rustic colors were part of the overall plan. I fully understand that tastes vary ... some think our hotel is beautiful and others don't. The important thing is that travelers know what they like so I encourage everyone to compare online photos and descriptions of any hotels they are considering before making a choice.

Our stay here was peculiar at best and appalling in parts. It was also our first (and definitely last) stay at a Best Western property. Here's a quick recap of the pros and cons. I try hard to be objective in my reviews and this is no different. The negatives outweigh the positives by more than enough to justify the overall rating. PROS: 1. The location is good. It's not too far from Laguna Beach, and its proximity to other beaches is a big advantage and the biggest reason one would stay here. 2. The staff are welcoming, although they can only do so much. 3. The rooms (we had a third-floor suite) are decently-appointed and clean on the inside. CONS: 1. Let me get right to the biggest issue. The rooms' balconies are separated by dividers that are off the ground, and the height of the space is enough for a small dog to fit through. How do I know? Well, WE FOUND A DOG IN OUR BALCONY, belonging to the guests in the neighboring room! (See pictures.) We were fortunate that the door to our balcony was closed at the time, because this little dog wouldn't stop barking until it eventually figured out that it could go back and forth between balconies at will. I'm a pet owner too and I have nothing against pets in general, but this is simply unacceptable design. 2. The gap between the balcony floor and the divider also means that if there is a pet in a neighboring room that urinates in the balcony area, the urine can flow into your balcony, as it did into ours. Unlike Con # 1, I'm going to spare you the pictures this time. Needless to say, we never thought that using our balcony was an option. 3. Our room came with a whirlpool tub, but the whirlpool feature wasn't functional. I discovered this at around 10:30 PM and decided against the front desk's recommendation of inviting an engineer over to investigate and possibly fix. But shouldn't they inspect these enhanced room features before letting people check in? 4. There was also a hotel-wide POWER OUTAGE the day we were there. I discovered upon calling the front desk that the hotel does NOT have backup power. I was also told that power outages occur occasionally, and the person I spoke to did not hesitate to blame the city for an unanticipated outage. Fortunately, the outage lasted for less than 30 minutes in all, but the point is, there is absolutely nothing the hotel can do for what they say is a periodic event. 5. Minor quibble compared to the rest, but breakfast was below average by quite a bit. Not only did the selection lack variety, even the lone toaster was broken. We ended up having our own breakfast elsewhere. Overall, I cannot recall any hotel stay with as many significant issues. We were looking to get away for the weekend but clearly ended up in the wrong place. Needless to say, I won't consider staying at a Best Western hotel again.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
On behalf of your inconsiderate neighbor, I apologize for them not attending to their pet and allowing their dog to not only urinate on the balcony, but to crawl through the small space underneath the partition. While we are proud of the fact that we are one of the few pet friendly hotels in town, we fully realize that we are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the negligence of any pet owners who stay here ... and for that, I am truly sorry. That small space below the partition is just the building design to assist with drainage in the event of a heavy rain. To clarify with the power outage - an automobile had hit a pole several blocks north of the hotel and a large section of Dana Point was without electricity while the repairs were being made. All of the restaurants and businesses along our section of PCH were without power, so it had nothing to do with us. We do our best to make our guests as comfortable as possible when things like this happen ... we provide flashlights or heavy duty glow sticks so they can get around, but a backup generator large enough to power the entire hotel would have to be huge and would simply be impractical. I've checked with most of the hotels in town and one of the five-star resorts has a generator to power lights in the public areas, but none have the facilities to keep their entire hotel supplied with electricity. Just like at home, we are dependent on the fast and efficient service of our local power company. Fortunately, the repair crews from SDGE do an excellent job, so when our area does lose power due to accidents or other causes, they generally restore service very quickly. We're sorry for your discomfort and hope you understand that this had nothing to do with our being negligent.

Our family had a wonderful stay at the best western Marina Shores hotel. Great customer service awesome rates comfortable beds and one of the best breakfasts! We look forward to visiting and staying again soon.

We stayed for 3 nites and had a 2 room suite w 2 queens. the extra space made our stay more enjoyable than a single room. Location great across from the beach and marina and walkable to grocery shopping and food. Dana Point is awesome and Laguna Beach is a short drive. The staff was attentive and spot on. We look forward to our next visit

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Jim! Glad you had such a wonderful time and enjoyed exploring Dana Point and the neighboring beach communities. It goes without saying the we're especially pleased that you were so happy with our role in your stay! Welcome to the Marina Shores family and we look forward to your return.

I have stayed here twice for an annual conference. It is clean, quiet and the staff are friendly. Breakfast is a plus! My room did not have a safe, which would have made it a little more convenient in which to store my ipad, watch etc. But overall I highly recommend a stay.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
So glad that you enjoyed your time with us and hope the conference was a huge success. If you return to the Marina Shores, we do have safe deposit boxes at the front desk for our guests to use. There is no charge for them.

Stayed at this best western for the tall ship festival in Dana Point, ca. Stayed in room 286. Nice, clean, quiet room. Overlooks some homes on st of crystal latern. Breakfast included. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Sandra! The annual Tall Ships Festival in a great event in Dana Point and we are so happy that you chose the Marina Shores Hotel for your stay while attending. Thank you for recognizing our friendly staff ... we all go the extra mile to make sure our guests feel welcomed and comfortable. Hope you return for the festival next year and remember us when you book your next stay!

The hotel was clean and well maintained. The rooms were updated, clean and TV was easy to work. We stayed there to be close to the marina, in order to catch the 6am boat---so we didn't get the breakfast that started at 6:30. The staff was a little resistant to give a late check out but later resolved with the manager. The price was a little high for this type of hotel with no bellmen or valet. A fine hotel overall for families with a fridge and microwave .

Nice ocean view but the room is too dirty and stinky, it is also too expensive, I won't come back to this hotel ever again. I will not recommend this place, if you like a place closer to the beach access and you don't mind over pricing and the smell, then it's all up to you.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Words cannot express my sorrow over the conditions you described during your stay. If you look over other reviews of the Marina Shores Hotel, the two most consistent compliments we receive is for our friendly service and exceptionally clean rooms ... this is why I find your comments so concerning. I invite you to contact me directly at the hotel so I can get more information and take it up with our head of housekeeping. All of our rooms are inspected prior to being released for occupancy by a new guest. Sometimes the outside ocean air leaves a stale odor behind, but we have products and equipment we can use to clean and purify the air in our guest rooms and utilize them frequently. If we someone managed to miss this, I would at least like the opportunity to apologize to you in person. The conditions you describe in no way reflect the standards we set and strive to meet every day.

The location of this hotel is really good, easily walkable from Doheny Beach and Dana Point Harbour. The rooms are a little darker and smaller than the photos on the internet and the air conditioning sounds like a plane taking off! There is a balcony, and you can see the ocean from it (sideways) but it is on a really busy road and so I don't imagine you would sit on it for long. All was going well until about 2.00 am when a party started down the hall that continued on until 5.30 am at least. We were thankful of the loud air conditioning then as it drowned a bit of the noise out! It was really bad at the front of the room near the corridor where my son was sleeping on the sofa bed and he ended up in the two smallish double beds with us and his two sisters. Not a very comfortable night! We think we heard the room next door leaving in disgust at 6 am. I think they must have been directly next to the party. We didn't want to stay and risk another night like that. We had paid in advance for four nights and so we contacted our hotel booking website customer services and they negotiated an exit for us and the hotel refunded us the three remaining nights so that we could leave. I haven't given the place a low rating because of the party. Hotels must get bad guests all the time. It probably helps to have a 24 hour reception that could intervene but this is a reasonably budget hotel,so... I haven't given them a low rating because of the refund. As far as I can tell, they agreed to refund the money for the future nights to us reasonably quickly, although no mention was made of a full or partial refund for our sleepless night. I will probably take that up with Best Western directly when I get home. My rating is because when we checked out, not a word was said about the all night noise, shouting and music, let alone any kind of apology. In fact, I may be imagining it but I think the front desk staff were complaining about either us or the room next door and I think there may have been some eye rolling from the man who appeared to be the manager before he disappeared into a back room to allow his staff to deal with us. So they get the rating because of the attitude. Having said that, although there are no frills here, as long as during your stay you don't have a problem with other guests like we did, for the money it is probably still an OK place.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies for your stay being disrupted by the noise and I hope you will have a few moments to contact me directly at the hotel so I can get more information on the incident. We DO have a 24 desk staff and security that patrols the property overnight just to make certain that issues like this don't occur, so I find this whole report most concerning. I assure you, if I happened to walk out to the desk while you were checking out, I was completely unaware that anything was wrong or I would have stepped in immediately. Again, please call me directly at the hotel so I can get the full details from you and take appropriate action to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

We go down almost yearly for our son's summer camp at Ocean Institute and stay at BW Plus Marina Shores. It is close to the beach and convenient restaurants. The staff for the most part is friendly and helpful.

The rooms are clean, the location is good (walkable to the Lantern district and close enough to highway 5), and the staff is friendly. Our favourite feature is the walkability to local restaurants, CVS and even a pricey grocery store. The hotel and surrounding businesses are on a hill so most of the walking is up and down the hill. Overall the rooms and floors seemed a bit dated but it was clean and well maintained. Note: on-site parking is split into 2 levels and some spaces require backing in and around the building's pillars.

3.5* Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel Dana Point Tricky finding the parking lot (bottom floors) Renovated motel; furnishing look good, but some of the basic services are antiquated e.g., plumbing The complimentary breakfast gets mixed reviews. Real eggs okay; egg white patties are tasteless. Good sausages. An assortment of breads and cereals. Toaster available. The gluten-free bagels are also tasteless. Coffee is good. Non-fat and 2% milk. Make-own-pancake machine. Have Chobani yogurt which is GMO! Cupcakes. Juices from the machine taste acidy or watery. Staff is very helpful and friendly

Very nice staff and great room set up. Don't be alarmed by busy road, noise was not an issue. Great space in the room and the bathroom is between the living area and bedroom, which makes it ideal for a party of 5 and multi generations.

There were several positives: super great variety of breakfast items, and a very helpful, friendly male employee who greeted the guests every morning. We stayed in a 2 room suite, which had plenty of plugins, 2 TVs, and was very clean and spacious. Also, you could not hear the a/c come on, but it was efficient. There was a jetted bath tub. Now the cons (at least for me): our room had an outdoor corridor, which was loud as others would wheel their suitcase over the concrete. The elevator was extremely slow, so I took the stairs often. This is so pet friendly hotel, which usually isn't a concern, but bringing a large, furry dog into the breakfast room, isn't sanitary. Also, the hotel allows 2 dogs up to 90 lbs each. My husband was a little anxious when he got into the elevator with someone who was holding an infant and had 2 dogs, including a pit bull. Also, this hotel charged for parking which I wasn't thrilled about. What was somewhat odd was that there was a fridge in our room, but no microwave. Lastly, the hotel is on PCH do if you are bothered by street noise, bring your headphones (there were earplugs next to the bed so others must have complained about this). Overall, the place was clean and spacious, and fairly priced. I just didn't leave with a sense that I would definitely stay here again.

My wife and I and my Service dog Max stayed here in late July and the staff and establishment was over the top accommodating. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite and everything was magnificent. The breakfast was more than adequate. Pool is nice and the hotel is very centrally located to Dana Point! The price was right! Thank you and see y'all in November for thanksgiving.

This hotel is really more of a motel. While the people are really nice, I won't be staying there again. The first night, our bathroom had a faulty lock and locked itself. Not good at 2:30 am when you have to go. To make things worse, I had to walk outside to get to the front desk. A little creepy! The guy at the front gave me a dime and said it would unlock but it didn't so I had to go back down. He came up, still didn't work so he gave me a key to a room 2 doors down to use. They sent a handy man to switch out the door knob/lock at 8 am. Lastly, I left my favorite linen shirt in the closet and called 2 days later and it was missing. That was the biggest bummer of all. I feel like I should have gotten free parking or a discount or at the very least an apology of some sort.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Denise, Please accept my apologies again for the issues with your bathroom door. I'm actually the one who came up to try and fix it for you in the middle of the night. Although I did apologize to you several times while I worked on the door, you seemed to take it all well and also appeared satisfied when I gave you use of the closest room for your bathroom needs. Apparently I misjudged your good nature about the incident as satisfaction, so I have also processed a partial refund to your bill as compensation for the inconvenience.

The hotel was average, not the greatest but because of the location and price we weren't expecting much. Great location to walk to the marina though but a little far to have to walk to the lamplight district. It was clean and quiet.

This medium size hotel with an adequate lobby and good restaurant. The complementary breakfast was very good. The front desk personnel were helpful, friendly and courteous. The hotel room was large, comfortable and clean. Self-parking beneath the hotel. Good value: $$.

We stayed 5 nights here, and we had 2 comfortable queen beds, a set off room that had a sleeper sofa, and a patio. A laundry room is outside, accessible by room key card. Salt Creek Beach was nearby and had cheap parking. This was a great location if you want a hotel south of L.A. Breakfast was great...lots of choices and the staff went out of their way to be friendly and clear extra dishes. Would definitely recommend!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
So glad you enjoyed your weeklong stay with us and that our staff really made you feel welcome. That is the exact experience we strive for with every guest of the Marina Shores.

Stayed here for two nights with family and overall it was a wonderful place to stay with almost no downside, I would recommend to anyone. Rooms are recently updated and in excellent condition. Despite being on the PCH, we found our room to be very quiet and private. Breakfast in the morning is above average and hotel staff is extremely pleasant and helpful. Close walk to Doheny beach just right across the street basically, and several decent restaurants just a short walk up the street. Only real downside is that it would be nice to have beach views and be ON the water, but that's pretty hard to come by and certainly can't knock them for an excellent location.

The title of my review says it all. I might add that it was quiet and the beds were comfortable. The only negative is that they charged $10.00 to park in their private lot at the back of the building....where else were we going to park???

Don't let the “Best Western” name scare you away. This is a great place to stay in Dana Point. It is very clean and the rooms are nice. Numerous places to eat are right across the street. Every staff person that I came in contact with was really friendly. Will surely stay here again!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We're thrilled that you were so happy with your stay at the Marina Shores, but I'll admit that the "don't let the Best Western name scare you away" item kinda threw me. Once upon a time, there was a new hotel brand that pioneered the idea of networking hotels rather than franchising them. Unlike franchises that are mostly cookie-cutter, no personality properties, this network of hotels formed a membership where they all referred guests to one and other, but each hotel was unique ... combining the best qualities of independent hotels with the marketing and purchasing power of the big franchises. This was the concept that created Best Western. As the years passed and the family of hotels grew, there became a huge inconsistency from one hotel to the next ... one could be a budget, no frills property along the highway and another could be a luxury, full service hotel in the heart of metropolitan America. Travelers became confused because they didn't know what to expect from one Best Western to the next. In 2011, Best Western created three separate tiers - Best Western, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier - in an attempt to clarify for all travelers the level of service, quality and amenities they could expect during their stay. I promise you, "Best Western" is not a name to be scared of (smiling). We're glad you were pleasantly surprised by the Marina Shores in Dana Point and hope you will remember your experience here and book with our brand, wherever your travels may take you.

Very clean. Staff was very friendly. Only complaint is the mattress sagged and was uncomfortable. Location was great. Right next to Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach. Lots of restaurants near by.

This is my second time at the BW Dana Point. I had 2 days of work in Dana Point and the BW is conveniently located. Clean property, easy parking, really friendly and helpful front-desk staff. The rooms are perfectly clean, wifi solid, breakfast has enough options for everyone. I even forgot my toothbrush and they gave me one and some travel sized toothpaste. I got a good rate by becoming a BW member and was welcomed with a goody-bag. Nice touch. This place feels like a mom and pop run place, not corporate. I would def come back.

We stayed for 5 nights and everything was perfect except the room smelled a bit funky, like dog or musty or something but it appeared very clean. I can't say enough about how nice the staff treats their guests. The breakfast and breakfast room is very nice with flowers on the table and a full breakfast. The attendants keep everything perfect and are very nice. We had a car but walked to the marina and caught the boat to Catalina Island and went to the restaurants on the marina. The beach is a 5 minute walk where you can enjoy the beach or walk or swim. Lots of surfers to watch too. The shuttle bus which took us to the Doheny Blues Festival was no more than a 10 minute walk. There is a Rib joint next door to the hotel and couple more restaurants a little further up the road. I noticed a Thai place. We would stay here again. OH the hotel was quiet!!

Great staff amenities were lacking. Would give the hotel another chance because of the staff. The pool wasn't available during our stay which was a letdown. Every question I had was answered by the staff.

Extremely satisfied with our stay. The staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was great. The room was clean and nice. Overall great place to stay. We will definitely come back and stay here again..

I spent two nights here while visiting family. The bed was comfortable enough and the room reasonably clean. The parking spaces were a bit tight. The breakfast spread was generous and ample. The main reason to stay here, though, is the close proximity to Dana Point Harbor, just a few short blocks away. "I shall never forget the impression which our first landing on the beach of California make upon me," wrote Richard Henry Dana, Jr. in Two Years Before the Mast, published in 1840. Words that have stood the test of time, to say the least. Check it out!

walking distance from the harbor and beach, quiet, central air in the rooms, view of the harbor......heaven in dana point. the breakfast isnt bad and several options to eat out surround youn all within walking distance

The staff was great the cleanliness was great the breakfast was great the service was just phenomenal really appreciated you guys already made three more reservations for this year. Located in an awesome spot right down the street from Doheny beach

We stayed at the BW Marina Shores for one night. I booked an executive suite king room with a balcony and to be honest I did not expect much because of the low rate the hotel charged. We arrived about an hour before check in time and the hotel got us into our room. The room was not large but it has some features that you find in upscale hotels. There was a separate living area with a sofa bed and chair and tv. Then the bedroom had its own tv with a desk and balcony. I like having my own television because my wife and I can never agree on what to watch. And even though the hotel is about a mile from the ocean, our room still had a sea view. I could actually see all the way up the coastline towards San Clemente. The hotel also provides free breakfast which was decent with good selections. In addition I liked the fact that there are a number of stores and restaurants all within walking distance. This was a very good experience and I will definitely stay here again.

We stayed here as part of a honeymoon road trip. The hotel is situated on the side of a very busy main road so you can't really miss it, although it is slight difficult to find the entrance. Check in was easy and the room and the bed was massive. Much bigger than other similar hotels. The breakfast was fantastic lots of choice and the staff were very attentive and always looked to clear your plates. Across the road there is a number of fast food restaurants including subway, tacos and more. Location wise it is only a few minute drive from the harbour where you can go whale watching and walk along the beach.

This was a fantastic property for me while I moved from San Clemente to Laguna. I had one night where I was in between properties. This BW+ has the friendliest staff, offered the most competitive rate along with a AAA discount. The property was fully booked, but you would never know. Extremely quiet and a great experience.

Have driven by this property a number of times. Wanted to use some of my points for a free night and paid for the second. To do that you have to make the reservation through the rewards program which is very helpful. Upon arriving at the check in I was followed by a man with a large labrador dog, beautiful animal. It was funny when he stood up and looked over the counter at the young man checking in his master and him. The host made a comment about a signature or paw print needed. My host mentioned that he had upgraded our room to one with a balcony. It was a king suite. Little more than a balcony and a jetted tub. There was a little bit of remodeling going on so the parking was a bit tricky, the pool was closed. Very helpful staff from the front desk to the house keepers. Breakfast was good because they rotate the food so you don't have too. They change the egg dishes and the meats(Would be a good idea for the McKinney, Texas property. Spent five nights there and was doing the don't eat everything everyday. Cereal and toast one day, biscuits/ gravy and eggs the next, pancakes and muffins, etc.)

We weren't expecting much more than a place to lay our heads ( ahem...the pillows could have been better), but were astounded by the hospitality by EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE. Foster helped this cranky couple as we arrived with a multitude of problems and idiosyncracies. He was so happy to be our solution hero and threw in some extras that showed us the love! The food service department bent over backwards to accommodate our whiny selves and made a pot of extra strong coffee just for us, hot and ready when we dragged our selves down to breakfast in the morning. Tamara, you are the best! Thanks to all, we really did come as guests and leave as family. We'll be back!

This is an older motel situated directly on the Pacific Coast Highway. Our room had a balcony overlooking that highway and an exterior corridor. We had brought a fan to reduce noise from the balcony side, and there was another fan in the room to further assist in noise management. So we were OK in avoiding significant road noise that would have interfered with sleep. The exterior corridor faced north, which made for a chilly walk in the morning to exit and/or obtain breakfast. Not fun. The in-room coffee is superior to that of the breakfast bar. Breakfast is very basic but there are a variety of hot and cold choices. Seemed to be frozen then defrosted fare, nothing fancy. Coffee and tea were very generic and inexpensive stuff. Our room did have features requested, including a king bed, refrigerator and microwave. Cleanliness was good. Reading other comments about parking, we found the outdoor parking to have a reasonable number of spaces. Spaces are targeted to small to medium vehicles; had we brought our larger SUV, parking could have been a problem. Given our midsize vehicle, we were fine. It appears this property is similar to most 2-star accommodations. We did pay an attractive rate; only you can decide what is an attractive rate for you. My impression: value received was in the range of $100 - $125 with the upper end of the range giving credit for walking distance to the Dana Point Harbor. We might return, but, again, only at an "attractive rate". My rating about "location" has to do with how our room was situated and the presence of an exterior corridor. If we had had a similarly-equipped room with an interior corridor and placement away from the road noise the rating might have been higher.

We walked to the hotel from the Catalina Express. We had booked a larger room with spa bath. The room was very spacious with good amenities. The breakfast was as expected. The staff were helpful. The view from the room is only of the road, but great views can be seen if you walk a bit. The pool wasn't in use.

Parking at this hotel is not good and there's no way to change it. Parking spaces are small. If the car next to you parks crooked or over too much you can't get in the next spot. Support beams for the building are every 2 spaces so you have to contend with that while parking also. The parking is under the building and second floor rooms. So, if your room is there (like mine) you can hear all late night/early morning car starts in your room.

Good location - walking distance from beautiful park and marina and ocean - and a multitude of dining spots of all type. Good (and real) breakfast included (eggs, sausages, hash-browns, rolls, fruit and pancakes, etc.) I'd stay here again.

We stayed 3 nights at Best Western Marina Shores Hotel in August 2017. This was our last stop in the 11 nights California road trip and by far was the best location, accommodation and service that we have experienced. The employees at the reception, at the breakfast serving and room services were very professional, courteous and friendly. The location is on a busy highway, but is very safe and convenient doesn't matter if you are walking to the beach or marina, taking a free trolley or driving. The reception area and the hallways are very tastefully decorated. Our room was very big, clean and very well equipped. The king size bed and a sofa bed were very comfortable and the bedding was very high quality. The sitting area and the balcony added that homey feeling to a hotel room. The hot breakfast is basic, but everyone from our family could find something tasty and filling. The price that I paid through Hotels.com was very reasonable for August. I highly recommend this hotel for a short or even longer stay at Dana point.

Wife and I started coming here about 3 years ago. We love this best western. It's walking/driving distance to the beach and to the harbour. Probably better to drive. The front desk people are the best. They are friendly and very helpful.

Our last visit at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel was April 25, 2017 with my wife. It was excellent as usual. With traveling and and other situations that came up, we celebrated our 43rd Anniversary there. Peter C. - General Manager and Diane R - Front Desk was exceptional and gracious. Even though we celebrated our anniversary late they made us feel like that day April 25, 2017 was our special day since it is in January. My wife loved it. Speaking from experience that has to be part of the key to happiness. They provided to us wine and flowers. The staff is always nice, kind and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. Also what I like is the excellent customer service from Peter, Diane and the other employees. A commitment they have for customer service and their satisfaction. Why do I write a review for Best Western Marina Shores Hotel? I travel and stay in many hotels, but the service and customer service as far as I am concern is superior. I want others to know what they are missing by not staying at this property. Inside the hotel have a large breakfast facility to eat hot food and drink. The rooms are very comfortable and homey. The location is very convenient to the Ocean Institute where families and children can go to learn about the ocean and aquatic life, different food eateries and retail stores. We have recommended this hotel to our friends and business acquaintances. When it comes to our 44th anniversary we will be staying their again because, " We Never Get Tired in Returning to a Great Location!" Matt Key

A great value for people traveling with their dogs. It is very dog-friendly and the area around the hotel is perfect for walks. This hotel is in a great location, too, it is close to most everything in Southern coastal Orange County.

We liked this place a lot. It started poorly as our Check-In time was supposed to be 3 PM and our room wasn't ready until 5:45. Nevertheless, the manager - Steve - was very friendly and aware of our concerns. When we did get into room, we immediately found drug paraphernalia in the bathroom. It was a poor start for this stay. Nevertheless, the room was very big, and nice. And the location is excellent - near the beach and restaurants. We think that this place could use improve it's service quality a little, but overall we were very happy and will stay there again.

Everything was good except for the parking fee... The guy that works at night Frazer I think that is his name was a fun guy, he is awesome, he made me feel like home The rest of the states were friendly too

This was my first time staying here and it was great. They were constantly cleaning the already meticulous facity. The room was great and the employees are super friendly. I will be back in April to see family again and will be staying g here again.

Nice hotel. No wonder why it was a great hotel. There was a heated pool and it was close to the beach. Nearby attractions included Laguna Beach and Dana Point. Not far from theme parks like Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

This is a very nice hotel, with friendly, helpful staff. It is close to hotels, beach and major highways. Great place to stay! Spacious rooms with whirlpool tubs, suites and secure onsite parking. I highly recommend staying here.

Friend recommended this hotel. We were going to a company Christmas party at a nearby resort that was highly overpriced for what you were getting. We decided to take my friends suggestion. Was not disappointed. in fact, it was even better than we expected. If you ever have the opportunity to stay at this hotel. You should you would definitely enjoy it.

Good value for a hotel close to the ocean. Free complementary breakfast is good with enough selection to satisfy most people. Parking spaces are small and not a good choice for full size pu's with 4 doors. Room/bathroom were both clean and the bed was comfortable.

We really enjoyed our stay here. Check-in was easy and fast. Our room was perfect. Jacuzzi tub was a nice surprise. TV was HD and had free movie channels. Wi-Fi worked excellent and was free! We will definitely be back. Restaurants were easy walking distance as well as the beach.

First of all the prices are so reasonable. Second of all, the staff is very friendly and accomodating, no matter what time of day. Third, the room was delightful. I had a sitting room and a bedroom, both with tvs and had the luxury of a jacuzzi to enjoy. I also had a little porch off the bedroom but it is pretty noisy to sit outside. Everything was clean and comfortable. Fourth - they serve a full breakfast complete with a pancake machine! I was really pleased.

Walking distance to beautiful beach and beautiful area. Ocean view from hotel. Fast food restaurants right across the street. Marina with nice restaurants close by. Walking trails. Hotel is nice too. Friendly staff.

Clean room. Nice stay. The staff was very helpful and went out of their way to help when locked out of my room. Parking was easy, and the hotel was very close to the places that I needed to get to. Good stay.

Stayed there one night while visiting the California Mission's. Needed a place and found this on Trip Adviser. Checked in when OK. Now the not so good things. TV remote didn't work, called front desk. He came to the room, found that only one of the two remotes worked properly on both TV. So he left us with the one remote. Next the bottom sheet had stuff on it. Not sure what it was but not nice. Called front desk again and told them we wanted new sheet. Showed up at the door with new sheet, when to hand it to me and I told him I wanted it changed. Showed him the problems and her was very apologetic. Next came the shower. The on/off knob was so stiff that the whole shower moved but not the knob. Finally it did move. The rod holding the hand held shower head was about to fall off the wall. Hope it gets better. Disappointed

Great location, close to freeway, ocean very close, good restaurants nearby, ribs and Thai food, great and friendly staff, clean, great value, breakfast needs an upgrade, very comfortable, two tv, balcony and view

Staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, truly enhanced our vacation experience. Hotel location provided quick access to Dana Point harbor, ocean views. Walking distance to restaurants and harbor amenities. Short drive to Laguna Beach and San Clemente.

Wow. What a great place to take vacation. If you want the So.Cal. experience. This is the place. Walking distance to everything. State beach, marina, shopping and good food. I'm from So. Cal. and I've stayed at many places on the beach. This is one of my favorite.

I was there for the Dwiftwood country music festival and it was a 5 min walk to the venue on the beach. Everyone at the hotel was so nice and helpful. They even offered at check in to deliver our bags when the room was ready because we had to go over to the festival. The breakfast was amazing!! Also the room was amazing for three young women!! Thank you!!

I have not stayed at a Best Western for a long time, and I was impressed with the Marina Shores Hotel. It was clean and well kept up. The staff was friendly and service oriented. The location was excellent or walking to the Harbor nearby or ubering to nearby sites to see. Definitely would consider staying at this hotel for a pleasurable trip.

Close to beach and shopping. beautiful sunsets. lots of great restaurants (especially Thai) We parked the car for a few days and walked to everything. very pretty and safe location.I would go back anytime.

Very pleasant hotel, great location in a scenic area. As of this writing, four EV chargers (two J-1772, two Tesla HPWC), available at no extra cost to guests. Also, extremely helpful staff in the breakfast area (one of our party was in a wheelchair).

While the room looked fine, the bathroom sink drain needs to be thoroughly cleaned. It smells really bad like sewer. The room never cooled down. It was hot. Could not get comfortable let alone sleep well. When the air conditioner did actually kick on, smelled of mildew. Also, the elevator was dirty. The kind that makes you feel like it has not been cleaned for 30 years. The room itself, looked fine. If it had been maintained, it would have been a nice stay.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Maria, Exceeding our guest's expectations - not just meeting them - is always our goal and we admittedly missed the mark with your stay. For the readers' benefit, Maria and I have already corresponded at length about the room issues at the hotel and I believe she is satisfied with the compensation we offered. On rare occasions, things will happen that may have an adverse reaction on a guest's stay. We believe that the odor from the sink drain was related to a plumbing repair made in the room next door, but we still should have caught that prior to her checking in. The A/C in the room has been thoroughly cleaned - we have a regularly scheduled maintenance program for this several times a year - but again, any issues with strange or unpleasant odors should be caught and corrected before ever releasing a room to be rented. As a smaller hotel, the Marina Shores has only one elevator and we need to consider our guests when closing it down for daily cleaning. Since the most heavy use is right before check-out time, we clean it between 11:00am and noon and then do a light refresh in the evening. It is regrettable that it was not looking very good in the earlier morning hours before the major daily cleaning and we certainly could have wiped off the fingerprints and other signs of use without inconveniencing our guests.

The location of this hotel was magnificent. It was right in the middle of amenities, shopping, and recreation. The staff was caring, efficient and professional while still maintaining the the level of authentic friendliness I expect from Best Western. The rooms were well appointed and comfortable. The housekeeping staff kept the rooms spotless. Great Stay!

My husband and I stopped here for two nights of our cross country road trip from VA to CA for our honeymoon. I don't ever write reviews to be honest but I felt compelled to write this one since we had such an amazing experience. Dana Point was DEFINITELY our favorite stop out of the whole trip! We loved it so much we hope to live there one day. Our experience at this hotel was amazing from the moment we walked in the door thanks to Tom at the front desk! He made it obvious that he truly cared about our stay and wanted to make it unforgettable. He was very busy when we got there as he was the only person working the desk. We didn't have a reservation yet and he let us view two different rooms before we chose our room on the third floor with a king bed, a separate living room and kitchenette area, and a beautiful view of the ocean from the balcony. He even surprised us with a bottle of local champagne to congratulate us on our recent marriage! We truly enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the area. Ask for Tom!!

We stayed one night for a wedding in San Juan Capistrano. The hotel was great! Large room, king size bed in ours, fold out couch worked well for our daughter. Staff was friendly, location was great, could see the ocean (a little) from our room. No surrounding noise. Would stay again! Picture is view from the room.

The staff is second to none, rooms are large, clean and newly remodeled. The breakfast and wonderful. This is the best deal in Orange County. The property is in like new conditions. The staff is better than any other hotel I've ever stayed . I say that as a travel that spend over 90 days a year in hotel.

nice & comfortable breakfast offerings were good close to all we wanted a lot of road noise very low water pressure room was nicely laid out and quite comfortable, except only 1 sink would come back again if in the area

Great staff. Clean. New building construction in 2012. The place is very noisy. I could hear when my neighbors were taking showers and there were 2 dogs across the hall that kept barking. It sounded like they were right in front of me. I opted to be cheap and stay here versus the Marriott across the street for a wedding. Definitely understand why this place was a lot cheaper. You get what you pay for.

A little loud being so close to PCH. All good though have stayed at worse hotels. The breakfast needs some major overhaul. Staff was very helpful . Parking lot very tight spaces. Other than that had a great time at the beach for our 25th wedding anniversary.

Typical best Western on main drag in Dana Point. No good views. Parking $10/day extra. Typical breakfast buffet, with an egg dish, a meat, make-you-own waffle/pancake. Staff couteous and place well kept.

This Best Western has the best staff that we have ever experienced. The breakfast staff was always welcoming and they remembered our names. The cleaning staff was great as well. They made sure we had what we needed. The front desk staff helped us with directions and finding the best places to eat.

Big room with comfortable king sized bed. Very large bathroom, door did not close completely, though. We were in room #237, which was on the end of the second floor, had a slight view of the Pacific, and overlooked the pool. Good room location. I was a little concerned that they had earplugs on the bedside table, but we found the room to be very quiet. Easy walk to the Marina and very close to our family, whom we were visiting in Laguna Beach. Also very easy drive to John Wayne airport.

Our booking experience with Diane was wonderful. We didn't see or interact with other staff particularly. Diane was there at check out and she is delightful and so helpful. She made this trip wonderful. We kept the do not disturb sign on our room so we didn't interact or have any comments about the room service.

I've stayed here several times and each and every time the service is better than before. They've updated and remodeled the breakfast area and it's beautiful. The breakfast hosts/hostesses are very accommodating and go out of their way to give you the friendliest service they can. There isn't a time when you can pass a hotel employee and not get a hello, good morning, or some sort of pleasant salutation along with are you enjoying your stay? Rooms are clean and comfortable and housekeeping staff is excellent. I can't say enough, this is my all time favorite place to stay and some of the rooms have the most beautiful ocean view. I highly recommend the Best Western Marina Shores to anyone visiting the area.

My daughter and I just took a trip to California. We started in San Diego and headed north to the Las Angeles area. I picked a hotel that was halfway between the two so I was not stuck driving at night to our next adventure in the L.A. area. I found this Best Western just off the freeway. I have to say that, generally Best Westerns are a "safe bet". Well, this Best Western was better than that. We were greeted by a very helpful receptionist who provided a "spot-on" place for dinner, they had a huge jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and a t.v. in the bathroom which my daughter took full advantage of. We had a king size bed with all of the other normal accommodations of a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, etc. The rooms stayed very dark and we slept a little longer than usual which was great. The hotel offers free breakfast which was surprisingly tasty. We were told that you had to present them with a ticket, they said not to worry about it. The breakfast included pre-made omelettes, sausage, potato's, pancakes, toast, oj, cereal, hot cereal, and all the fixings for the oatmeal and pancakes. The staff was incredibly friendly. The breakfast was not spectacular, but it was really pretty good. We were very happy with the bang for the buck that we did get and the incredibly friendly staff. I highly recommend this Best Western and will definitely stay there again if and when in the area again.

This hotel was clean enough, and okay for a quick stay, but I probably would not stay there again. Didn't care for the location (right along the very busy Pacific Coast Highway, not near a marina), minimal parking (that costs $10/night), with a lower parking area that felt very isolated, especially at night. Entrance to rooms are accessed from an outdoor corridor. Pillows were small and lumpy, breakfast was typical and unappetizing, and business services were pretty lame.

My husband and I stayed here last week and had a wonderful experience. We were very impressed. The hotel is very clean with great amenities (comfortable beds, great towels, etc.). The staff are friendly and helpful and the complimentary breakfast is really good. A wide variety of items, scrambled eggs, has browns, ham, muffins, bagels, cereal, etc. We definitely plan on staying here again when we come to Dana Point.

Nothing wrong with this hotel, but expect worn furniture and room fittings and basic facilities. Our room also had a very weird smell throughout. Only upside is the price and the generally friendly staff.

Title sums it up. For the price we paid, it should have been much better. Location was good and I was glad we were not assigned a room on the main road. I usually don't complain but with the price charged plus had to pay to park your car I was disappointed.

We were impressed with the friendliness of the hotel staff from checkout to the breakfast room to checkout. The rooms were quiet and comfortable. Nice Bath and Body Works amenities in the bathroom. Good location in Dana Point. Highly recommended!

The BW Marina Shores suites are great for families....The quality and value are both excellent...location is great and next to the harbor....Why pay an extra 125.00 per night to have a view of the harbor since your next to everything and the room is better and larger ....and includes breakfast.....The Dana Point...Laguna Beach/San clement area is designed to explore ....This is the hotel to stay at....Spend your extra $$$ on memories.....

Comfortable hotel located right across from the beach - so if you are beach bound, this is the place to stay. Rooms have nice upgrades/amenities - but pillows could be more comfortable (we were only there to sleep, so that counted!). This is right on PCH so it can get noisy if you open your windows and the walls and doors are think so if there are a bunch of revelers roaming the halls, it can get a little loud. We thought it was pricey for a BW, but it's probably the location that made it so.

Came for the Ohana music festival. The room was close, clean, comfortable. The breakfasts were decent, The price was good. The housekeeping staff was a little overly enthusiastic - but that's good if your room is a mess. Staff was friendly and warm.

The hotel is located on the major high way and easy access to the beach, harbor, good restaurant and St. Edward The Confessor Church in Dana Point. All in a walking distance. The harbor and beach has limited parking so, many people just walk over instead of driving over.

Best Western Marina Shores Hotel is a great stay, clean rooms, great pool, great location. Service is excellent, check in & out is a breeze. I would highly recommend staying here if you can get a room, its popular.

We stayed here for one night for the Ohana festival. Great location if you're going to the beach or any music festival that's at Doheny state beach. The rooms were nice size and spacious with a normal sized bathroom. The service was really great here! Front desk manager (forgot his name) was really nice and got us checked in early. Wifi great and free. Breakfast was a large selection but nothing great. Your typical American feed the masses breakfast. We barely touched it but the room was packed. We will definitely stay here every year for Ohana.

Very nice hotel for the price. Clean and well kept for my family. The breakfast was fantastic! Very good food and selection. My family was impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the breakfast staff. Well done!

hotel staff were friendly and helpful to my needs during my stay. beach , shops, and lots of restaurants all walking distance from this hotel. my room was very nice thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this location. breakfast was delicious.

We enjoyed our stay and liked the proximity to the beach. The room was a little smaller than we expected for the price and because it was a suite so not good for 6 people. We loved the breakfast and the morning staff was amazing.

Lovely hotel for the price point, excellent staff and great location! Enjoyed the pool with my grandson, walked across the street to McDonalds, approximately 1 mile to Baby Beach and less to Doheny State Beach.

This was just right for our anniversary getaway. We were able to walk to the beach and the rooms were so comfortable and nice for relaxation and function as well. Carefully located close to everything but still a fairly quiet part of town

Overall great experience. Very nice breakfast. Comfy beds. They had one employee there , Bobby, who went out of his way to make our stay great. Excellent climate control ability in the rooms. We had an unexpected very late arrival and Bobby helped us get settled in

My husband and I went for our 4th year anniversary and it was such a pleasant stay! They gave us complimentary champagne and a card with such a warm greeting. The staff are easy to talk to and very pleasant. Overall wonderful time!

Loved the location, staff & room! Great breakfasts too! The staff at check in were extremely helpful. The location is perfect with quick access to the marina & the beach. We will plan to stay at this hotel again when we are in town.

We stayed here on a family vacation. The hotel is within walking distance easily of the beach. And there are many food options within walking distance. The parking is a nightmare and the pool was nothing special. But all-in-all it was a good stay.

We stayed here three nights. The location is fantastic, easy walking distance to beach and marina, restaurants etc. We had a room with two queens and a separate room with pull out couch. The mattress on the pull out is incredibly uncomfortable even for my skinny teen, but overall the space in the room was fantastic for a family of four. Mini kitchen area was really great. Balcony was fantastic. Breakfast not so great. Our balcony faced towards the beach. Possibly a bit noisy because it faces the main road, but we had a fan which drowned out the noise perfectly. We'd stay here again based on the friendliness of the front desk staff and the value for a room that size in that area.

The room was big for our group of 5. The balcony was great. We could see the ocean and smell the air. The service was great and friendly staff. Not enough parking. More room in the breakfast area. It was really crowded to get food. Breakfast was ok.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Heather and thank you for the great review. I apologize for the parking challenges. IT seems that lately, we have been getting alot of guests with multiple cars for each room. Parking is at a premium throughout our beach community ... hotel, restaurants, stores and even the marina faces the same difficulty. I guess that is the "downside" of so many people discovering that Dana Point is one of the best kept secrets on the Orange County coast. You mentioned the crowding in our breakfast room. Ironically we actually expanded the room several months ago, almost doubling the seating. For other readers ... when you stay at a hotel that serves a free breakfast like ours, please remember that the design is not like a full service restaurant. The idea is for us to serve you a quick hot meal to start your day and then you head out to the beach or the attractions or whatever business brought you to town. If you see people waiting to be seated, please be considerate and let others enjoy.

We would like to especially thank Steve Wolters and Tom for helping to make our stay a wonderful one. They did an absolutely fabulous job getting us a great room at the last minute. This was a special 25th Anniversary getaway for us. We were booked at Quality Inn down PCH in Capistrano Beach and when we checked in we found that this hotel was an absolute nightmare. We immediately checked out being very upset with the lies and misinformation we were given earlier. The pool was green with algae and the room was filthy as well as the property. I remembered visiting Best Western Marina Shores before and when we called, Tom was so gracious to inform us that by the time we arrived he would find us something we would enjoy. He and Steve worked together to find us a nice room with a balcony and we were delighted because we brought our little precious 8lb Yorky, who is a registered service dog, for her first trip away from home. We were also impressed with Diane at check-out for helping us with a speedy and pleasant departure. We enjoyed every minute of the few days we spent and again want to thank Best Western and it's staff for everything. I am also going to be writing a letter to the General Manager, Peter Callan to tell about the wonderful service. Thanks again!!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Congratulations to Rick & Gloria on 25 wonderful years together! Steve, Tom and Diane had a great time working with you and we are all glad we could help make this an anniversary to remember. Hope to see you for the big 5 OH!

I loved the room 224, the view was not fantastic but I loved the balcony because we could walk outside. My little one could also run around on it as the wall is almost 5 feet tall. The beds I have to say must have been doubles, they looked way too small to be queens, but I felt like I could hear the springs and was worried about sleep, but I passed out. I had no back issues when I woke up. So the bed is good. I also wanted to mention I know some people have complained of the noise from the road and they do give you ear plugs, but I never once heard the cars driving by. Breakfast was not good, pancake maker did not work. The food took forever to be replenished which was disappointing. If they had just one more attendant it would have made a huge difference. 2 was just not enough I'll stick to jack n the box for breakfast. I also wanted to mention that Ralph's is a grocery store that's only 5 minutes away and if you really. Ended something to eat jack n the box and McDonald's are across the street. The hotel is in a real convenient location.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the kind review Christina, even though there were a few hiccups with your stay. We are actively looking to add staff to our breakfast team and the problems with the pancake machine have been fixed.

good hotel close to beach, fast food. room good, noisy if on street side. when checking make sure you have or better yet they have the correct payment info it took several tries on their side to get it straighten out. the pool is small for the amount of rooms but with space at a premium this is not a deal breaker. 5 min walk across the street to the beaches. the breakfast could use an upgrade very small area guests are on top of each other to get food items, not much of a selection choice. would stay again if in the area

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Vince. It's always best to confirm your form of payment when checking into a hotel rather than when checking out. Credit cards are always pre-authorized when the guest checks in so switching cards or splitting payments at the end can needlessly tie up funds with your bank until they release the authorizations - something that is completely out of our hands. If you want special arrangements made on your billing, we're happy to comply, but it works out alot better for the guests if we know to set it up that way when you arrive. As with many of the other reviewers, I will again apologize for the crowds in our breakfast room. We expanded the room and nearly doubled the seating earlier this year, but it seems that even with the added capacity many of our guests don't see that others are coming in and linger at their tables for one more cup of coffee or to sit and talk. There is so much to see and do in Dana Point, you'd think that everyone would want to get out of the hotel and start experiencing the beach life right outside our door.

This was our first time staying at this hotel for our anniversary. We usually stay in Laguna Beach. The manager was so gracious knowing it was our anniversary and being a diamond member he had a bottle champagne on ice waiting for us in our room. He also at check in congratulated us on our anniversary. The room was lovely with a large whirlpool bathtub and we could see a little bit of the ocean from our room. We could walk to Dana Point Harbor from the hotel. Very nice stay and we will definitely be back.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Cathy ... and congratulations again! I'm glad we were able to make your anniversary stay even more memorable. Please know that it is a concerted effort on the part of our staff to review every reservation and look for mention of requests or events that we can honor or make note of in hopes of creating a stay that will be extra special. My signature may appear on the card, but it is a team effort to make sure that "all who enter as guests, leave as friends."

Didn't receive 2 queens as reserved bed was bad comforter dirty with makeup bathtub dirty. Understand it is about location but I have stayed at a better Motel 6. Breakfast wasn't good no room to sit at pool to watch kids. Only 4 chairs available.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies for the conditions and experiences you reported. The comforter with a makeup stain is inexcusable. We make every effort to thoroughly examine every piece of bathroom terry and all the bed linens after laundering them, just to make certain things like this don't happen. I also went to the room immediately after reading your review and I did notice an edge of the tub where the finish was worn and not as white as the rest. If this is what you noticed, I hope you will take comfort in knowing that is was not dirty and I will have our maintenance team address the finish on the tub right away. Lastly, I assure you that other than the two room suites with couches in the living room fold out to a double bed, there is not one double bed in this hotel. The smallest bed we offer is a queen. The complementary breakfast is something that all hotels like ours will constantly be working on. The trend in our industry is for all hotels to offer some type of breakfast and for those like ours that have no restaurant, the concept has to be quick, simple and free. I fully admit that we don't offer a restaurant quality sit down meal, but for those looking for that added extra, there are plenty of restaurants nearby where you can get a cooked-to-order full breakfast. As noted in my reply to the Best Western survey you completed after your stay, you know that we provided compensation for your dissatisfaction. I'm assuming you wrote this review before you read my reply and that's why you didn't mention it here. Again, I am extremely sorry we didn't meet your expectations and we will continue to take these reviews to heart and strive for improvement.

Great staff, wonderful room, superb location, real breakfast included. We opted for a suite - and it was well equipped, roomy, clean. Folks couldn't do enough for us! Convenient to restaurants and beach. We'll definitely stay here again!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are thrilled that you enjoyed your time at the Marina Shores and visiting Dana Point. Our two room suites are great for families, offering added privacy and a little extra space. Glad you enjoyed and we look forward to your return!

This was in a great location, the rooms were clean and large enough for 3 adults to share, there is a refrigerator and a microwave, breakfast was good. There is a good Rib place right next door and it's in close walking distance to Doheny beach.

Considering this is a Best Western Plus, the hotel seems dated. Parts of the room were nice but some of the bathroom fixtures need to be replaced and updated. The housekeeping staff needs to learn when to use the elevator.... It is not when guests are waiting. Normally, hotels have housekeeping stations on each floor..... Best Western needs to re-think this policy/procedure.

I picked this hotel based on the good ratings on TripAdvisor. It was very clean, the person who checked us in, the maids, hotel security and especially the lady who took care of the breakfast area were all very friendly! The breakfast actually tasted good and there was a variety of food to eat. There were a few people who complained about the noise of the highway, we didn't hear anything. I don't think you will find a better deal in Dana Point. We will be staying here again in the future!

I lived in Laguna Beach for many years. Recently travel back and forth weekly to Orange County. I have stayed in a hotel for this purpose at least 125 days in the last year in addition to luxury travel. The location of this hotel is ideal for a vacation. The staff is fantastic, and the price is right! Go have fun!

Highly recommend! The right location. Between Laguna Beach and San Clemente. The trolley experience makes it wonderful to get around. Staff is very friendly, place is clean, beds are very comfortable.

I have made a 2 rooms reservation for 5 nights each when I realized that I need to add another room. I called the hotel and spoke to the front desk attendant who was so polite and so accommodating. I then realized that I needed to add one extra night to one of the rooms, I called back and again, the front desk staff was extremely friendly and kind and very happy to help. I was also told that all our rooms are already assigned and we already have the room numbers....wow, I was totally impressed!!! The staff, Anna, was kind enough to take my information and called me back after she finished helping the guest she was with. She gave me information about the beach, restaurants in the area and even advised me to bring umbrellas for our beach visits. I have also spoken to Diane, Jessica, Steve and few others and have been extremely satisfied with all my interactions with the hotel. I am looking forward to meeting all the wonderful people that I've talked to over the phone and also looking forward to a sweet vacation next week. Peter, you are all doing a great job!!!!

nice stay. only problem was that the electricity went out at night. for about 20 minutes, i would stay again,very clean, nice location across the street from the beach ( Doheny ). Close to restaurants.

We reserved two rooms for a four night stay with both rooms charged at the same rate. A few of the nice touches included a USB charging tower for charging multiple devices and a pancake machine at breakfast. But that was about it. The pillows were horrible and should've been replaced at least 6 months ago. Our room also had a musty smell when we first arrived. I also take issue with hotels charging an extra parking fee. Given the distance to the airport and the fact that nearly everyone will have a car, parking should be included. However, if you are going to charge for parking, you better be sure to not charge those who don't have a car. We specifically told the staff that our second room did not have a car and did not include car information on the check-in sheet. Yet they STILL charged for parking! They did remove it when I pointed it out, but it should not have been on the bill in the first place. The other issue I had, with respect to charges is that both rooms were charged at the same rate even though one room barely had counter space beyond the sink. Sure, both were king rooms, but our bathroom had a full counter, the other room would barely hold your toothbrushes. The rooms also had a musty smell and our AC did not keep a consistent temperature. Other things to watch out for. Most of the pictures for the pool and the workout room make both seem larger than they are. The pool is quite small and the workout room could barely hold four people on the four pieces of equipment.

This was absolutely the nicest BW I've ever stayed at. It was exceptionally clean and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The price for the location was outstanding. To the owner of this hotel, "Keep up the good work!"

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review Joann and we're thrilled you enjoyed your stay. I will make sure to pass along your praises to the owner and the rest of the staff as well.

Smelly sewer gasses leak into the room through the drain; WiFi didn't work at all; the loud refrigerator woke us up at night; the eggs at breakfast were way too salty; and the front desk staff usually ignored us when we returned to the hotel. On the other hand, the room was clean; the bed was comfortable; and our dog was welcome.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Collene. I'm sincerely sorry for the issues you experienced. I wish you had reported the refrigerator so we could have replaced it for you. The earplugs are there because some people are disturbed by the traffic noise from Pacific Coast Highway. I promise you, they weren't there because of the refrigerator. The room we initially assigned to you was supposed to be out of service because of a plumbing leak from the floor above. Even though the leak had been repaired, that room was supposed to be closed down so the carpet could be thoroughly steam cleaned and dried and the room aired out. We were completely remiss by having that room in service and I can only offer my apologies for the clerical error on our part. We would never knowingly place a guest in a room in that type of condition. I will advise the breakfast attendants about the salt in the eggs. Obviously, since we don't have a restaurant, we can't serve restaurant quality food, but seasoning should be left to the customer's taste. The only thing we add is a butter spray to give them a little more flavor, but I will definitely advise the breakfast attendants not to add salt at all. Again, please accept my apologies for your disappointment. Your experience fell far short of the standards we set.

This was an interesting stay starting before we even arrived. On May 15th I received a call asking if I really needed a handicap accessible room that they had someone else that had MS that was wheelchair bound that needed it. I told the lady that we did as my brother has CP and is also wheelchair bound and needed the extra room. Upon check in I verified that we still had an accessible room to which I was told no, it was being aired out and are going to be in a standard room. After explaining our situation we were given the accessible room that was being aired out. The room smelled, but it was accessible. The next morning we received a call stating that house cleaning saw our dog peeing on the carpet in the hallway. I told the guy that there is no way that anyone saw our dog peeing on anything other than the designated area that I was told they needed to do their business at and we had taken them out 1.5 hours earlier. I asked what the dog looked like he said she did not know just that it was a little dog. I asked when and he told me just a few minutes ago which was funny as I was in my underwear searching google for things to do in Dana Point and my wife was in the shower at that time. Also my brother that has CP, was in his chair and has no ability move on his own let alone walk a dog. We let the front desk know that we did not appreciate the accusatory phone call to which they said they figured out which guest it was and that dog was doing the same thing in that guests room. Our dogs are extremely well behaved and know when and where to go potty, and yes we even picked up all their waste and waste of other dogs. We did receive an apology. We left around 11 am, did some driving and touristy stuff and got back to the hotel at 3 to change for a wedding. Housekeeping was in there and told us it would be 20 minutes. We needed to change and my brother had to use his special toilet. I told her we needed the room she said 20 minutes. She did not understand me so my wife went to get someone to tell her we needed the room and she was out in less than 5 minutes. This was appreciated!! She was unable to finish the room this was okay with us, we did get the towels replaced and trashes emptied. Not having the room done by 3 pm was not appreciated. We switched reservations from a different hotel because my wife wanted a hotel with a gym in it. BW did and Choice Hotels did not. The treadmill had a note that it was down for routine maintenance, the elliptical kept shutting off during the workout and eventually never turned on. That is half of the machines in the room!!! Not good at all!! Food was okay. Coffee was great! Pillows sucked, they were super lumpy and small.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please accept my deepest apologies for all the issues you experienced during your stay. When we contact a guest regarding a reported incident we owe it to them to be polite and inquire rather than openly accuse. I am extremely sorry if you felt you were shown any lack of respect. I'd also like to apologize for the issues with your accessible room. We had a pipe burst two days before your arrival which flooded your room, the room next door and the one below. Once the plumbing repair was made, our maintenance staff worked tirelessly to get the carpets dried out and fumigate the rooms to get rid of the wet carpet smell. I take personal responsibility for the room type being changed - this was my error. While I did pre-assign the accessible room to you, I didn't put an alert on the reservation stating that you HAD to have that room type. Usually, our accessible rooms are booked last and are selected by guests because there are no standard rooms available. If we know that the guest DOES in fact need the accessible room, we are supposed to note it on the reservation so there is no last minute switching of room types. I neglected to make the notation and am extremely sorry for the confusion I created. Please also accept my heartfelt appreciation that you were able to tolerate the remaining odor from the wet carpeting. Lastly, we are trying to get a service company in to take care of the treadmill and the elliptical machine. There are very few service techs in our area and trying to get one scheduled has been a challenge. I know this is no excuse, but I wanted you to know we were aware of the problem and are doing our best to get them repaired. Also, we have replaced the pillows in the room so the next guest will not experience the same discomfort and I appreciate your bringing it to my attention.

The people next door partied all through Thursday night not stopping until 5:30 am of Friday morning. Of course that's the time I had to get up. Between all the talking, playing the guitar and the dog barking there was no way to get any sleep. The requests to keep it down were ignored. BW staff said they couldn't do anything nor did they offer anything to me.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Lynda, I am extremely sorry to hear of your displeasure. I understand that you went to the guest's room yourself to ask them to quiet down rather than reporting it to the hotel. It is never recommended that a hotel guest confront another. We have 24 hour staffing at the front desk and overnight security just for this reason. I confirmed through the surveillance videos that our guard made frequent rounds that night, but as luck would have it, whenever he passed through your floor, apparently there was no noise carrying out to the hallway. I give you my assurances that had you reported it that night, we would have insisted that they quiet down immediately or leave. A peaceful night's sleep is the minimum expectation a guest should have at any hotel and we have zero tolerance for guests who have no consideration for others. I also understand that you let the desk staff know about the disturbance when you were checking out. We apologized, but also asked you why you didn't report it when it happened and were told (not a direct quote) what difference would it make, you wouldn't have done anything anyway ... I am so sorry that this is what the perception of service is in our society. People seem to surrender to the idea that businesses don't care - it doesn't make the problems any more tolerable, if anything, it just magnifies the issue. I give you my every assurance that if you had reported your noisy neighbors to us, we would have dealt with them quickly. If you don't report a problem, we can't fix it.

This was our first time to Dana Point, we selected the Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel for the price. We were overall impressed by the quality of the hotel, amenities and wonderful staff for the value price we paid. Lisa and Bobby at the front desk were professional, friendly and very helpful. "May all who enter as guests, leave as friends!" Thank you for a wonderful stay ! See you soon !

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
It's always great to hear from first time visitors to our little beach community! I'm glad you were impressed by our staff and the quality of the Marina Shores overall. Just goes to show ... cleanliness, comfort, quality and service don't have to be things that cost a fortune. Thanks for the great review and we look forward to having you back.

We stayed at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel for two nights - coming in late in the evening we were very happy to find our rooms, that worked miracles to wipe away the fatigue from many hours of travel. It is not always easy to find sensible accommodation for our family of six, but with the help of the staff we found the option of connected rooms with two queen beds each, which was just fantastic. The staff at the hotel were super friendly and welcoming, and rooms spotlessly clean and comfortable. Adults and kids both enjoyed the breakfast immensely and due to the excellent location of the hotel, we were able to go and explore what Dana Point has to offer. Dana Point Harbor and Baby beach recommended especially for families with small kids are just a few minutes away. Before we left we had a swim at the hotel pool, and our children did not want to leave. Thanks again to the hotel & staff!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Jason, It was an absolute honor to be able to serve you and your family. I can't even begin to imagine how exhausted you all were after flying halfway around the world, so anything we could do to make your time with us more comfortable was simply our privilege. Glad the kids had a good time - VERY well behaved, by the way. You have a beautiful family and we all hope you all took some great memories of Southern California back to Finland with you!

I would recommend staying at this hotel if you are wanting to stay near the beach at Dana Point. It was centrally located and had electric car charging stations for our vehicle. Also the room had a partial view of the ocean. The noise from the road wasn't to bad and the air conditioner worked great. I would not recommend eating the breakfast there it was sub par but right across the street is McDonalds, Jack in the Box and Del Taco.

BEST hotel on the coast you will ever find.....they acted like we were family. we were on our honeymoon and they made it pleasant and problem free. the complimentary champagne was local and very good...

Location and price were good but couple of problems made the complete stay not entirely great. Stay on the second or third floors, tons of construction noise. Would stay again but need to know about the construction before hand.

We had stayed here before and it was much better last time. This time we were in a room on the 2nd floor that was accessed from the outside. There were 5 rooms leading up to our room under construction & we were right above the pool so the noise was disturbing. The food options for breakfast are terrible and the food is gross as well. Even though the breakfast is free we went across the street to Stacks and paid to eat. We will try out another hotel on our next visit.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
We are saddened to hear of your decision to choose another hotel the next time you visit Dana Point. In fairness, renovations are necessary to keep the hotel current and the disturbance renovations create are temporary. We're sorry you were inconvenienced by the construction, but we sincerely believe our guest will appreciate the new central A/C units being installed in the suites. As for your breakfast at Stacks, we're glad you enjoyed it and we know Stacks is a highly regarded full service restaurant (which our hotel is not.). Thanks for your feedback.

The hotel is great over all. We have stayed at this hotel once before with a great experience. Clean comfortable rooms and nice views. Nice breakfast with lots of options. I look forward to staying here again.

I chose this hotel because of it's proximity to family living in the area and functions that I had to attend. The location was fabulous, I would love to return to this location and take advantage of some of the tourist activites. The hotel was clean, breakfast was pretty good and the bed was very comfortable.

We've stayed here 5 times over the years have never had bad experience. When there was a glitch they made it right! They make the festival goers at home with Blues Bros. paraphernalia. There are rooms without a view so you pay less, but pop for a view. We've reserved for next year !

If your looking for great place to visit, Dana Point is the best location to take your family for either a long weekend or extended stay. Both the value, and friendliness of the staff are an added bonus.

Bobby walked in on 2 guests changing (nearly nude) and just stood there staring before he walked out. Our fridge made the LOUDEST ticking noise & we were told they all make that noise, our sink backed up the entire stay, even after maintanance came to fix it. We called to speak to a manager and were given Bobby & then found out he was pretending to be the manager. Absolutely horrible service. Would NOT reccomend this location.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
It's truly sad that you opted to post a review like this even though we corresponded about all your issues and you also neglected to include what we did to rectify the problems. For any readers, this guest's bathroom sink got clogged up late at night, after our maintenance team left for the day. We offered to move them to a different room, which they declined due to the late hour so we gave them a second room at no charge and that way they could use the facilities with minimal inconvenience. Bobby never pretended to be "the manager' ... when you called the front desk early on Saturday morning, the two people on duty were Bobby and a new clerk who had only been with us about two weeks. When you asked for the manager, she gave the call to Bobby because there was no one else here. Also, Bobby wasn't the one who walked in on you. It was one of our housemen who entered the room to strip the linen because you had checked out with the front desk and never told them that there were still people IN the room. When a guest checks out, they are releasing the room to us to be serviced for the next incoming guest. Had you let us know that there were still people in the room, we wouldn't have entered. I've also spoken with the houseman who said that the door was propped open with the security bar and that everyone was completely dressed. I understand that you were upset, but there is no need to exaggerate the extent of the intrusion. I am also sorry that you failed to mention that we comped your entire stay. As you stated in your email to me, even that wasn't enough to satisfy you. Were there issues with the room? Of course there were and everyone on the staff you came in contact with did their best to help rectify the situation or compensate you for your discomfort. At the Marina Shores we do our best to make sure we provide our guests with clean, comfortable accommodations and friendly service at a fair price. On the rare occasion that something goes wrong we do whatever we can to make it right. If you can't accept that, I am sincerely sorry.

Stayed here for one night as part of a 3 week road trip. We had a spacious room with a separate living area. The sleeping area with a balcony is right over highway 1 but with the door closed we could not hear the traffic. The king bed was comfy and we slept great. The breakfast room was clean and had enough seating for everyone. The food was the standard hotel breakfast. Service was helpful and friendly. I would choose to stay here again if in this are

There is absolutely nothing remarkable about this BW. Typical BW with typical BW accommodations and breakfast. Do I need to describe it? I don't think so. My advice, ask for a room on the opposite side of PCH unless you are a heavy sleeper because you are RIGHT ON PCH! They charge $10/night for parking which is typical of most hotels in beach areas. Reasonably easy walking distance to the marina, beaches and restaurants.

Extremely pleasant desk staff. We were on mid floor and the noise above us was deafening. It was either construction or housekeepers, uncertain, but prevented us from sleeping in. Breakfast was good, hot and plentiful. Nice to have a balcony even on the PCH. It was worth the lower price but 2 days was plenty then we switched to a pricier hotel just for ambiance.

Though this hotel has a 2 star rating, it is clean and comfortable with an excellent speedy breakfast. The decor is mid scale and feels more like a 3 star hotel. The staff is friendly and helpful but not in the way.

It is close to the beach and a great full breakfast is included! Is it an easy walk to the beach, and it is where I always stay! This hotel is the closes to the beach and I love that! And the fabulous Rib Joint is right next door!

We normally stay at a nearby hotel when visiting family in Dana Point, but chose Marina Shores this time as they had rooms at a reasonable price that accommodated our family of 5. They have a good hot breakfast, location is close to the beach, harbor and restaurants. Beds were a little on the hard side, but I find most hotel beds are.

We stayed at this hotel for 1 night after an even in the area. We booked the 1st floor suite. Room was basic & small but clean. View was nice. Since the hotel is pet friendly it smelled a bit in the hallways & the room. We brought room spray to neutralize the smell so that helped. Since the hotel is right on PCH it was a bit noisy & room walls are thin so you could hear people talking & walking by. Hotel location was perfect, close to the beach, restaurants & area attractions. Front desk staff was very friendly. Parking was convenient but a bit tight. Will stay here again when in the area.

Great hotel, the breakfast is a real breakfast. Beautiful location on PCH. Close to everything in Dana Point and surrounding cities like San Clemente. The rooms are clean and the staff does a great job! Thank you!

Stayed at this hotel for a special occasion with the boyfriend and felt like the stay made the experience together more romantic. Location was great but the jacuzzi really made it exceptional. They provided bath salts and there was a tv near the jacuzzi which was great because After fully zen-ing out I didn't want to get out so it was great to be able to watch a show/part of a movie without having to get out. Also the boyfriend even got to watch the epic basketball game that night. (You probably might be wondering how long were we in there?! But it was just that good!) Overall the stay was great, no complaints with the staff or the amenities. But really recommend the jacuzzi suite with jetted tub if u want the full experience.

Checkout staff, horrible. I was forced out... NO LATE CHECK OUT??!! Also the condition of the room, not up to par with prior Hotels. The noise @ 8 am was a huge issue not allowing any sleeping in during my vacation from work.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Please allow me to extend my deepest apologies for the issues and room conditions you experienced during your stay. We are aware of the condition of some of the balconies and are in the midst of making all the repairs. I'm sure you heard the construction noise during your stay. We are installing central air conditioning in all the rooms where you stayed and that was the sound of the contractors building the unit platforms on the roof. This week they are starting the work in the rooms themselves and we have a crew going in to make the balcony repairs at the same time. I know this does nothing to change the discomfort you experienced while you were here, but I did want you to know that these issues were not being ignored. The heavy rains we endured from December through March slowed the whole project down, but we are now in full swing and everything should be in beautiful shape in a few weeks. Regarding the late check out ... it sounds like there was some kind of misunderstanding over our regular check-out time. Check-out is at 11:00am, so if the desk extended you an hour to 12:00pm, that's why they were calling you at 12:30. On the weekends, it is very difficult to extend our check-out time later than that because we have so many new guests coming in and our housekeepers need time to get their rooms ready, not to mention servicing the rooms for our stayover guests as well. If this was not communicated to you in a polite and professional manner, I apologize for that as well

My experience here at this hotel with staff wearing burgundy scrubs felt like I was staying at an assistant living facility. One girl in particular seemed so miserable working there never smiled once or even looked up. It will state that you will get a full breakfast more like a Continental breakfast. Beds are very comfortable room is comfortable. Walking distance to the beach. Lots of places to eat nearby.

A most pleasant stay and wonderful location. If you are a light sleeper, you need to know that the bedroom portion of your suite will likely be on the street side. The hotel does have fresh earplugs in all rooms for anyone who wants them. The traffic noise did not both any of the three (3) of us, however. Parking is under a carport, which is a nice feature. Staff was amazing in every way. We would definitely stay here again.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the wonderful review and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your time with us.

Booked Hotel b/c Trip Advisor had 4Star gGest rating- Rooms with a view- View is Hwy 1 & Mc Donald's- A/C SO close to Bed it cooled the bed & kept turning off! Parking is UNDER rooms-Ear Plugs by Bed!

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi George! I'm sorry that the Marina Shores was not what you were expecting. Our 4 1/2 star rating is mostly because of our friendly staff, the cleanliness of our rooms and the tremendous value we offer compared to most of the competition in town. We never bill ourselves as having a great view of the Pacific Ocean .. we are a block and a half off the beach so the best we can offer is a peek of the ocean from our top floor suites. I regret if you read something on line that sounded different from that .. on our website and on Best Western's website, our location is stated pretty clearly. If you booked through a third party site, while we provide them with the same detailed information, we have no control over how they describe us or how they display the information. Most hotels in Dana Point have parking in or below their buildings. Real estate in a resort area is at a premium so it only makes sense to make the most out of the land available. Occasionally we will have a guest with a loud motorcycle or car that echos through the garage and can be heard in the rooms, but most of our guests are considerate of that ... if only the folks cruising the Pacific Coast Highway were as nice. From what you described about the air conditioner, it sounds like you had one of our two room suites. We are in the process of installing central air and heat in all of the suites so by mid or late June, this should not be a concern for anyone. I know this doesn't do anything to make up for the issues during your stay, but I mention it only to assure you that the issues experienced by our guests are what motivates us toward constant improvement ... we're not satisfied having a 4 1/2 star rating. If we didn't look to improve our service and facilities, that high a rating wouldn't last very long.

We needed a convenient place to stay locally while visiting extended family. It's right on Pacific Coast Hwy in the middle of town. I was a bit apprehensive about the comments on traffic noise but it turned out not to be an issue (we stayed on the second floor facing the back away from the street). The rooms are clean, spacious and the beds comfortable. It's clean and the staff is warm and welcoming. The breakfast is good, pretty typical of the kind that you get at these places. Parking for $10/day in back is quite reasonable. Very fast free wifi, I clocked it at 50 Mbps download. Lots of food options within walking distance and a nice Ralph's market about ten min walk. A few min drive to the beaches, it's near the center of all the local action. This area has been face lifted and gone upscale, a welcome change in recent years.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi "Dad" and thank you for the wonderful review of the Marina Shores. I'm glad you mentioned the street noise (or in your case, the lack of ...) We get so many people commenting on the traffic from the Pacific Coast Highway. This is a tourist road, like historic Route 66, many travelers would rather follow the coast highway for the view than take the Interstate highway that runs further inland. While the noise from the traffic can be annoying at times, this is "life" passing in front of our hotel ... an endless stream of travelers from all over the country, touring the coast and seeing all the sights of South Orange County. As I've mentioned in many of my replies to reviewers, we replaced all our windows and doors with double-paned, sound dampening glass many years ago, but to expect no sound from the outside world - especially when we are located right on this historic roadway - is pretty unrealistic. Other than the 5 Star resorts which have acres of real estate to set them off from the community, you would have to travel at least 10 miles inland to isolate yourself from the traffic noise. We appreciate your comments and understanding and hope you have the opportunity to stay with us again.

It was on a very busy street with tons of noise and the curtains didn't close to block out the light. Rooms were clean and staff was good. Not sure I would stay there again if I did I would recommend staying on other side of the building and bring a extra blanket to block the light from window.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear Michelle, I know I already responded to your review on another site, but I wanted to share the same words with your readers here. All of our rooms have drapery sheers and a full blackout curtain. My only guess is that you didn't see the blackout behind the sheer, so it was never closed. I'm sorry that you didn't notify the front desk because we could have taken care of it for you immediately.

Enjoyed our stay. Very nice hotel. Everything we did was in walking distance. We had a blast and can't wait to our next trip. This location was perfect for all our needs and was very clean with wonderful staff.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Lisa - you are WELCOME! Moreover, we thank YOU for the kind words and we hope to see you back with us soon.

We attended a wedding in the area. Very nice hotel. Good location. Noisy room, right on Pacific Coast Hwy. very clean and comfortable room. Breakfast was disappointing. Food was cold. The kitchen personnel were unfriendly.

Peter C, General Manager at Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the review of your stay and I'd like to apologize for the issues with our breakfast. As you know, while the renovations and expansion of our regular breakfast room were going on, we were using our meeting room as a temporary location for our daily free breakfast. Although this posed some logistics challenges for the staff - like getting the hot food from the kitchen to the meeting room before it had a chance to cool - there was no reason for the breakfast staff to be unfriendly ... if anything, we should have all kicked our service attitude into high gear to make up for the limitations on the buffet line. In any event, now that the renovations are complete, the expanded breakfast room is reopening this week so all issues should be eliminated for future travelers. Again, I am sorry that we let you down during your stay, but also hope you will have the opportunity to give us another try someday.

Beds comfortable, queen room included 2 queen bed, fridge, desk and large TV. Continental breakfast offered which included eggs and pancakes plus cold cereal, yogurt etc. They also included a bottle and wine opener and ear plugs (which all were not needed) This was neat. The desk was helpful, especially since I made an error with the reservation system and they worked with me to accommodate. Parking is $5-10 per night It's not a resort but a good accommodation in the area especially since the state part and harbor are not accessible from may hotels anyway, thus driving is needed to get around to the many sites

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the review on your recent stay. Even though you only rated us three stars, it certainly sounds like you more than satisfied with our accommodations and service - which is the most important thing. You're right when you said we're "not a resort" ... check out their prices and you'll see why (smiling!) Our philosophy at the Marina Shores is to provide clean and comfortable rooms coupled with over the top friendly service ... these are benefits money can't buy and allows travelers to spend their hard earned dollars on the events and entertainment in the area, rather than their hotel. Thanks again!

This is an amazing location with a friendly staff. All the shops, restaurants you could want are walking distance and the rooms have all the amenities , including a comfy bed. I would stay here again and again. A very unique and beautiful part of OC.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Short, sweet and (we're proud to say) right on the money! We all thank you for the great review and look forward to your next visit with us.

I had booked 3 rooms in this hotel without seeing it. The occasion was a anniversary celebration with my family (3 adults, 2 seniors and 4 children). A few weeks before the booked date we decided to have look and discovered that this hotel is located on a very noisy PCH and furthermore that the swimming pool is too small . We decided to try our luck elsewhere. This hotel is probably OK for business travelers

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
I am so glad you had the opportunity to come see the Marina Shores before your stay. While we publish many photos of the property on our websites, it's never the same as walking through the hotel and getting a feel for the experience. While our pool is certainly not Olympic sized, it IS heated year-round, which many consider a plus when staying in March. Also, with the beautiful Pacific Ocean only a block and a half away, our pool doesn't see a lot of activity during the summer months. While we always hope to be the hotel of choice for all travelers coming to the south coast region, we fully understand that different people have different requirements when they stay. The Marina Shores may not be for everyone, but if you're looking for clean, comfortable accommodations with friendly service at an affordable price, we believe we are the best option in Dana Point.

I stay at this hotel every time I come to Orange County. Love the location and the complete area. There is everything in the area from great sea food restaurants to your local McDonalds. The staff is great.

First thing to point out is the parking is $10 a night but if you have AARP or some other groups you belong to it's only $5 a night. Call ahead to see what qualifies. Hotel is pet friendly. Friendly people at front desk and also knowledgeable about surrounding areas of interest. Room was great and wife was thrilled that bathroom tub was a Jacuzzi. Great breakfast and is so popular that they have a separate room on the 2nd floor ( we were in room 282) for overflow to sit and have your breakfast. When I went at 8:45 in main area, there were no seats available. Great location ! right down the street and turning right at light is the marina. . Best place to stay.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Charlie and thanks from the staff and myself for the great review. Sounds like you enjoyed your entire experience, not only at the hotel but in our wonderful little beach community. Hope you get the opportunity to come back and visit us again!

I would absolutely stay here again! The breakfast is the best out of anywhere else I've stayed. Location is great! Could see the ocean from our room. Close to all kinds of fast food, restaurants abs bars.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the fantastic review, Megan and we're super happy you "loved everything" about the Marina Shores. We especially appreciate your positive comments on our free breakfast because that is one of our industry's biggest challenges when it comes to people pleasing. Most hotel brands offer some kind of free breakfast to their guests, but a lot of travelers don't realize that these same hotels don't have actual restaurant facilities. It's not that easy to put out an appetizing spread each morning when your building was never designed to deliver an amenity like that. Our breakfast attendants work very hard to provide a wide variety of fresh and healthy options every day, from the hot egg and meat selections, all the way to the fruits, muffins and dairy choices. We truly appreciate your including recognition for their efforts in the review.

Simple, clean, great value for Dana Point. Plan for all meals out, including breakfast, which is typical economy hotel fare... Throwback jacuzzi tub a plus. Within 10 minutes of multiple surf breaks...

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the great review and for recognizing the Marina Shores as one of the true values still available when visiting Dana Point.

Clean quality room, friendly helpful staff, great location all at a great price. We just walked to the harbor for dinner, and the Beach is walkable too but we drove to Dana Strands which we think is a better beach. The only downside might be the noise, but we were on the side not facing PCH. We still had some noise from the AC, and it doesn't help to turn it off because you will just hear the AC from the unit next door. But I thought it was a minor issue, and this hotel deserved 5 stars

My husband and I stayed at Dana Point Marina Shores for a quick kid-free getaway in late October. We booked on Hotwire so we got a pretty good deal, but we were pleasantly pleased with the hotel itself as well as the room and it's location. The hotel is a block or two from Doheny State Beach, which is an AMAZING beach - calm water, great for swimming and beginning surfing, as well as paddle boarding. Perfect for kids, though we didn't bring our own. We traveled mid-week so the beach was nearly deserted. Walking from the hotel saves on parking, and it's about 5 minutes, very doable even carrying stuff to spend the day there. Another 5 or 10 minute walk will take you to Dana Point Harbor, which has shops and restaurants. We didn't spend too much time down there, but the hotel is very close - even so, I think parking is free down there so you could easily drive as well. This hotel is a little older but the rooms have been renovated more recently. The room we had was on the small side, but I believe they offer suites which we walked past on our way to the pool, and they are much larger. Our room was on the second floor on the backside, so it was very quiet (even slept with the window open and didn't have any noise issues). The front side of the hotel is on PCH so you'll get some traffic noise if you want an ocean view. Housekeeping did a great job, and our room was clean already when we got back from the beach around 11:30 am on our second day which we majorly appreciated. Breakfast is pretty standard, but I'll rate it a little higher than most because of the pancake machine. Endlessly better than waffle makers - less mess, less wait, and they're actually pretty great pancakes for something that comes out of a machine! If you're not stoked on the breakfast, there is McDonald's and Jack in the Box right across the street - I walked over to McD's for coffee because the hotel offering wasn't great - so you have plenty of options. There's a couple other restaurants across as well in a nearby strip mall - Stacks Pancake House, and for lunch/dinner, Chronic Tacos. Down the street in the other direction is Carl's Jr, a Denny's, and a burger place. There are plenty of options for cheap eating in the nearby area, and if you want something fancier, head down to the Harbor. Hotel parking is an additional $10/night. However, we asked about street parking when we checked in and the front desk employee told us it's easy to find. So we just parked on the side street right next to the hotel - Crystal Lantern - and never had an issue finding a space. Again, we traveled mid-week so this may not be an option if you're staying during a busier time. But it's worth a shot - if you can't find a space one night, you can always add on the parking pass later. This was our first time in Dana Point and it's a great quiet vacation spot with perfect weather and awesome beaches. Highly recommend especially for the time of year we traveled - still pretty warm during the day and no crowds.

The front desk staff get five stars for being efficient and friendly. We had a standard king room and I would say that is a perfect title for it. There was a small desk, flat screen tv, refrigerator, and a chair with ottoman, as well as the bed. The bathroom is small with almost no counter space. Although there was a large tub which may be nice for soaking, it made for difficult entries and exiting. The king bed was not comfortable for us but we are picky. The view out our window was a brown hill out the back and a sign saying you will get a fine if you try to access the balcony. The housekeeping staff did a great job keeping the room clean. The hotel is within walking distance of some decent restaurants. The marina and park with beach are a short drive across the highway. We did not eat the breakfast there so can not attest to that.

Overall, this hotel was OK. It is your standard/nothing fancy room to lay your head after a long day of walking and exploring Dana Point. We found the hallways to be quite noisy, particularly at night which can be a downside when trying to catch a good nights sleep after a long day of travel. We also found that our door let in too much light from the hall (needs to be replaced), the drapes in our room were also too short as it let in the light from the balcony (that we had no access to) and the AC unit was also quite loud (needs to be relocated or made smaller). The breakfast is standard/not the best (i.e. coffee, cereal, toast, yogurt, etc) however we found it quite odd that we had to use plastic utensils, paper plates, cups & bowls considering the hotel was trying to be socially responsible and implement environmental practices whereby they would ask us to reuse our sheets and towels. What gives? Does it cost more money to wash dishes as opposed to throwing it away?!?

Strong spray smell in halls. Room had ionizer air cleaner mid room plus spray smell I find BW plus just average. Stayed elsewhere. Yes reasonable price but right on Highway. You need binoculars to see a tiny slice of ocean

During our trip to California, our family planned to visit the beach, Disneyland and Sea World. This Hotel was in a great location and within reasonable distance to both Sea World and Disneyland. The beach at Dana Point was within walking distance from the Hotel and was so family friendly and beautiful. There were a few restaurants that were within walking distance to Hotel and the Breakfast was great! I would definitely consider returning to this Hotel in the future.

We stayed here based on the location. It is very well situated for access to the beach and all of the beach cities along the coast. Although this is not a new facility, it was well cared for and clean. Getting into and out of the jetted tub to shower in the bathroom might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if mobility or balance is an issue. Not sure if there are stand-up showers in other rooms. The carpeting in the hallway was a bit tired, but the carpeting, furniture and bedding in the room appeared to be new. We selected a room on the back side of the building to avoid the noise on PCH, and it was very quiet. The parking under the hotel is an extra fee, but it beats hunting for parking at the beach. My only complaint would be that the breakfast room (the breakfast was standard motel fare) was quite small for the number of guests. The tables were all full at 8:30 AM. However, there is a lounge on each floor where one could eat, or you could take food back to your room. All in all, we would happily stay here again.

The room 327 was musty smelling upon arrival. Fan in entry way to bedroom. Didn't know why A/C ineffective, Side located NO AIR FLOW! Called desk Brought up bigger box fan REALLY! Called desk again requested another room Told how to adjust A/C again Checked out after one miserable night Will dispute charge when we go home Best Western Plus is a MINUS! Lk

I booked the hotel based on the rating and the location. The room was very noisy due to the room facing Pacific Coast Hwy. I had hard time sleeping. The sink in the bathroom was smelly every time I ran the water down.

This was a great hotel that we used for one night before getting the ferry over to Catalina island. It was very conveniently located just down the road. The room was nice and big with a nice comfy bed and we even had a double bath. We were even given a complementary breakfast before leaving. Would quite happily stay here again.

We needed a place to stay before and after going to Catalina Island. We made the resrvation based on location in Dana Point so we could get the ferry eary the next morning. The hotel turned out to be very nice. It had the most comfortable bed! That is so important. They let us leave our car there for the 2 nights we were gone for only $10 per night much safer than the big parking lot at the ferry terminal. When we returned we had a beautiful room with jucuzzi tub. The staff were great.

Well, checked in after booking the room through 3rd party, booked a king online and was told the only room left with a king bed was a suite. Well they forgot to mention that it was an accessible room. The worse thing for me! The bed is lower, the chairs are lower and so is the shower head. Not good for someone who 6'3". The shower had NO water pressure, and the second spray head valve wouldn'the even work. It was OK being next to PCH highway, the room was quiet. The bed was hard, but the room was clean.

This is a lovely dog-friendly hotel that is less than five minutes by car to the Dana Point Harbor. We stayed in the king room with the whirpool bath - loved it! Everyone at the hotel was friendly and helpful. Breakfast offered a variety of choices and was nice to have so we didn't have to schlep offsite to eat.

It started when I called the hotel the week before our reservation since we had to add a guest. Diane at the front desk could not have been nicer. This was the smoothest change to a reservation I have ever had. Everyone at the hotel was as pleasant as could be and very helpful. I wish all hotels were run this way.

This hotel was very good. The bed was comfortable and the room quiet. The first morning we noticed a broken shower head and the TV wasn't working. While we were away that day, it was all fixed. They responded very promptly. We would stay there again.

Our room was wonderful - particularly the jetted tub. However, there were no curtains on the window and it was really hard to sleep late in the morning due to the light. The breakfast offerings are abysmal and should be skipped in favor of most any other options.

Everything was great about the hotel, the location, the rooms, the service. We went to watch a soccer tournament but we wanted to be closer to the ocean. Breakfast was nice, veggie egg whites was a nice and healthy choice to add to the menu. Like the decoration also. Thank you!

Excellent hotel. This is the 2nd time that I have stayed at this hotel and it definitely worth it. Rooms are very clean and breakfast is well done. Also a very close walk to the beach. Definitely recommend

We arrived at the hotel and booking.com messed up our reservations, we had just drove in from Vegas, and Chis Frazier wasted no time making sure we were taken care of. She was very pleasant and Inviting. So thank you so much Chris F for taking good care of us... The room was clean and comfortable modern and the breakfast exceeded our expectations. Definitely will be back..

Dana Point is a lovely upscale area about an hour and a half south of LA. The hotel is within walking distance of the marina which is really stunning with some great restaurants and shops as well as lots of fabulous boats to admire. Our room was more than comfortable, breakfast was great and there is a nice pool area at the side of the building. We also used the laundry facilities. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly and when there was an error made regarding the points we were using for a free night, the manager e-mailed me directly and rectified the situation immediately. Would definitely recommend both this hotel and this little town!!

We have stayed at this hotel for 4 visits over the years. Every time we stay here we really enjoy it . The location is great, close to the harbor and 7 miles to Laguna Beach. We walk or drive to the harbor at least twice a day., it is super mellow althouhgh this year was a bit more crowded. The staff at the hotel is always great. Diane made my reservation and was very nice to us and made us feel special. I walked at least5 miles a day and the walking around the hotel is both safe and scenic. The women who cleaned our room as well as maintance staff were all very nice and professional. I highly recommend this hotel to any one who would like a great location,friendly and helpful staff at an extremely reasonable price for the area.

Great Hotel we will definitely will stay here again. A perfect location right at center of every attraction. We liked it so much that we came back for a second visit and stay 2 nights. The rooms are very presentable. The granite in the bathrooms brings a nice quality touch to it. Nice flat screen TVs nice furniture. I can't even explain how the location made it so easy to travel all over Dana Point to Laguna Beach and San Clemente. Great Hotel highly recommend.

Located in Dana Point this is a great location to enjoy the little beach towns south of LA. We attended the Pageant of the Masters and enjoyed wonderful scenery, beaches and delicious food. This is our second stay in this comfortable hotel. Friendly staff, very clean.

The service was excellent from the front desk who found our reservations (my name was misspelled) to the Manager who helped us out with our luggage when we left. The rooms were very comfortable and the beds were awesome (not too soft/hard and a good height). It's an excellent location, close to the Dana Point Harbor and easy on and off from I5. I would definitely recommend this hotel and the staff.

Rented two suites for an extended family vacation. We had four adults and six kids with other members coming and going. The hotel was very clean, it's location to the beach is great and several decent restaurants are nearby. The bedrooms had two queens in each and the living room had a pull out sofa. Perfect for what we needed.

Great location and fantastic staff. Stayed there in Feb 2016 and will definitely be back. We had to book 2 extra nights in addition to those booked on line. They only had suites available but gave is the same rate at the same price. On one occasion we heard banging coming from the next door room. We called reception to ask the guests next down to pipe down. Within two minutes the noise stopped and we got a phone call from the manager who personally apologized for the inconvenience. Turns out that the noise was due to maintenance works being carried out next door. They only did the work when we were out which I thought was a nice touch. But then customer service in the US is miles better than anything one comes across on Europe

All rooms face Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). We reserved 2 nights in a suite (living room and bedroom) @ $250+ per night. First clues that this was a mistake: standing fan in the living room, only air conditioning was in the bedroom-which faced PCH, pairs of earplugs in bedroom, info about keeping the drapes drawn, how to use air conditioner. Traffic noise went all night, earplugs didn't help, air conditioner was noisy. We left the next morning after a miserable night! Hotel is clean, staff was very nice but....impossible to relax here!

Everything about our stay here has been effortless. Every member of staff has been helpful from directions to getting us to late night milk for a cup of tea. The hotel is spotless, from rooms to open areas. Breakfast is just what is needed for a day at the beach. The beach is practically a stone throw away. For what we paid. I couldn't have asked for more

We stayed at this hotel with friends and family. For the area, it was very reasonable, clean and great value for money. Don't expect anything fancy, this is for all intents a motel, but the rooms were large and we stayed in a 2 room "suite" with 2 queens and a pullout in the seating area. It had a microwave, coffee maker and a small wetbar and refrigerator. Room had a balcony and a large whirlpool tub in the bathroom, all for under $200. Our stay included breakfast, but it is really basic, with some cooked food not was not really appealing, They do have fresh juice, cereal, fruit and yogurt which was nice. A small pool that wasn't really worth using, but overall friendly service and clean! I would recommend it to families, and with the money you save you can splurge at the beach.

My experience at the Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel was wonderful from the start. Trinity was on duty at the front desk. She greeted me warmly, expressed interest in my visit and went the extra mile to put me in the perfect room. That room was terrific. Not fancy, but clean, modern and well appointed. The hotel is located close to the Dana Point Marina (where I walked each day), as well as restaurants and other attractions. Parking was convenient, too. Breakfast was a little crowded, but well-stocked and perfectly adequate. Before my stay, some of the reviews here had me a little worried. But, what I discovered was that the negatives noted by others were super minor. The noise from PCH was not an issue. The posts in the parking lot were easy to maneuver around (that's why we have mirrors!). The breakfast was fine and different each day. And the staff was AWESOME. Don't be worried at all. This is a good place to stay. You won't be disappointed!

I stayed there with my family in one of the double queen suites. The room was clean and the service was fantastic. Short drive to any of the local beaches. I would strongly recommend, especially for families.

I selected Best Western as they accommodated me travelling with my pet. The room was nice and spacious which was nice for the little furry one to run around. I would deodorize the room better. You can definitely tell pets had stayed there. I have stayed in other pet friendly hotels which did not smell like pets. The bed was comfortable and the overall place was what I expected.

Small room with super loud AC. They even offer free earplugs in the room, maybe received lots of customer complaints. Breakfast was good but dining area was small with limited seating. The front desk lady was rude with a careless attitude. Good location which is close to the harbor. Nothing fancy about this place.

The Hotel is conveniently walking distance to the marina. Our suite on the 3rd floor was comfortable and quiet ....altho the A/C was noisy. A small balcony provides a partial view of the ocean. The breakfast is less than desirable with too few tables/chairs. Parking is $10. Very tight spaces with posts to navigate.

Checked in here a little early with no problems and were only staying one night before heading on down to San Diego. The reception staff were very welcoming and most helpful when we were asking for advice on things to do, places to eat etc. They recommended a restaurant in San Clemente and we had a really good meal here and also suggested a nearby bar for a drink later that evening. The room was clean and comfortable and the included breakfast was more than adequate.

Dana Point might not be the liveliest or most charming town along PCH, and this hotel's location is a little bit awkward, squeezed in between a steep hill/cliff and the Pacific Coast Highway (on the «wrong» side of the road from the ocean), but it still has some good vantage points. Rooms are fairly up to date, clean and spacious, and the noise from the highway surprisingly was not bad at all (I became somewhat worried when there were ear-plugs laid out on the nightstand!). Breakfast is included and the selection is decent for a Best Western. There is a nice little pool, although the pool area surrounding the actual water is tiny tiny, and the sun disappears from the pool at around 4 pm. The Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor is literally just a short walk away, and we found a good restaurant (J-FAT) by the harbor. From the harbor you can also go whale watching. Parking is ample, 10 bucks a night, and you can always drive up to Laguna Beach for a night if Dana Point is too slow.

This is a good hotel in a good location within walking distance to the beach. Upon check in, the front desk clerk was very helpful and friendly, which gave us a nice first impression. Our room was clean and had everything we needed, including a decent-sized mini-fridge with a small freezer. We liked that breakfast was included, though it was pretty basic and the seating area is too small to accommodate even a fraction of the guests. Overall, this was a positive experience, and I would certainly consider returning here.

We stayed for four nights, during 4th of July holiday this year. The hotel staff and management really work hard to make sure that the guest has a thoroughly enjoyable stay! We had the King Suite with Whirlpool room. We could see the ocean from our window! I felt like I had walked into a "high end" hotel room. We were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, and there was even a bottle of champagne, waiting for us in the room with a congratulatory card! The management and staff knows how to take care of their guests. The breakfast buffet was delicious, and the staff kept the dining room clean, and supplied at all times. This hotel is where we will stay on future trips to Dana Point!

We had a wonderful time together as a family for our 1st family vacation. We have 3 year old twins and a 6 year old and our stay was wonderful. The rooms were nice and the pool was always kept clean. The staff delivered extra items we requested promptly and we are very excited to visit again. Thanks Again

All of the staff, from the front desk to housekeeping were friendly. One of the female workers in the breakfast room was really helpful and hardworking. Kept all items refilled and helped guests when needed. Rooms were clean and updated.Amenities were nice. Air conditioning unit was loud.

We stayed for two nights while in town for a wedding. Great location and easy to get around from the hotel. Staff was friendly. Breakfast was ok, nothing fancy. The room was clean but had some small issues like a constantly running toilet, large hole in the screen near the handle. We were right on the street, which didn't bother us, but it is definitely noisy at night and could easily be an issue. Not sure if the free earplugs are for the street noise or the loud air conditioning unit. Overall, the stay was a success but we would look to stay somewhere else if we returned again.

This was a great place..awesome pool/workout area..The breakfast buffet was one of the best...very clean.Also they individual box cereal instead of the big containers..lived that .The beds were nice and room was very clean..Great staff...especially the guy who's running the breakfast buffet!!

This was an excellent stay for us. Very relaxing. I used to live above this hotel as a kid so it was great revisiting the area 30 years later...This Best Western was the best of 3 that we stayed in during our trip. We stayed in Sacramento and in Santa Rosa, and this by far was the best! The rooms are big, the amenities are great, even the breakfast was good! I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again...

a/c unit is so loud this motel provides free ear plugs. bed was very uncomfortable and should be replaced. tiny fitness facility and pool area had 5 chairs. breakfast was goof and the staff is very friendly

Very helpful reception staff. Second visit to this hotel and would choose it again. Doheny State Park is within walking distance and this was the main reason for our trip. Easy access for So. Cal travel.

We had an exceptionally pleasent stay here in Dana Point. The staff and manager were a joy to work with and so kind. This hotel is across the street from a beautiful beach. The hotel was more than we expected and the staff was amazing! Highly recommend.

As a traveler on a budget, I wasn't expecting a resort when I booked this place, so I wasn't too disappointed when it turned out not to be one. For my needs, however, it was the perfect home base for a quick tour of Dana Point and surroundings. It's wonderfully located, within walking distance of Doheny/Capistrano, the Lantern District and the marina. Our room was a nice-size space on the third floor that was well-appointed if nothing fancy. Had a balcony with a semi-obstructed beach view and a single chair, but we didn't spend any time out there, anyway. The weirdest thing for us (being from Phoenix) was that the room was not centrally air-conditioned. There was a small window-type unit in the bedroom and a hotel-provided tower fan in the living room. Between the two, we were perfectly comfortable. The pool's not much to speak of aesthetically, but it has a decent view of the coast and is kept at 83 degrees year-round. Parking's covered, which is a plus considering it costs $10 a night. The true bright spot for me was the service, both front desk and maid. Everyone I interacted with seemed genuinely friendly, and they jumped to help with anything that was needed. The maids did a terrific job, even arranging my son's stuffed animals in humorous positions each morning. The hotel's Kryptonite is its hot breakfast, which was essentially inedible two out of the three mornings we ate there. It was literally the worst hotel/motel breakfast I've ever had, and ironically, they keep a security guard stationed in front of the breakfast area to keep non-guests out. Pretty funny. Next time, I'll just walk across PCH to Stacks Pancakes, and you should, too.

We travel a lot and I wanted to really like this hotel, but it was very average. The hotel is on Pacific Coast Highway...very busy with lots of noise from motorcycles and trucks. Nice that they actually leave ear plugs on your nightstand. Staff was friendly. The room was average. The balcony only had one chair (they all had one chair). Breakfast was awful...the food was super cheap (cereal, an apple wrapped tight in celophane, cheap bread and English muffins). The "eggs", were some sort of fake imitation eggs. Yuck! Our second day we went to the marina for coffee and a muffin....much better choice. Overall, just a very average hotel on a busy street with an icky breakfast.

We booked here for a family function and because we were late other hotels in the area were booked. I know why this one was still open. The room smelled, the bathtub had chips in it that looked like bugs, the parking was AWFUL. We got back late and had to park in an electric vehicle parking spot because no other parking was available, but they charge you $10 to park. One morning their was even a truck parked sideways blocking cars in because of the lack of parking.

Very cordial friendly staff. Great location. Easy to find. Nice balcony where you get some water view. Small nice clean pool. Clean lobby. Fresh breakfast. Ok internet. Reserved at $157/night, signed for $157, somehow was charged for almost $190/night and didn't notice till home. They fixed it after I phoned a few times, but the mistake was unsettling. I almost never have to check those things nowadays everything is so up and up. So they could improve things so that didn't recur. The parking is pretty ample but a bit tight with poles at challenging spots. A little tough to maneuver. The king suite had two rooms, worked well, clean bath, but the second room wasn't so useful - warm, a little couch, more like a luggage room. Did have a fridge and microwave, which was great.

Hotel was within walking distance from the beach and from restaurants. The room was average. The breakfast was fair- thought it would be a little better since it stated that it was a full breakfast but seemed more like a continental breakfast. The pool was a heated pool but was small & there was not a restroom close by the pool, so had to walk to restroom or headback to hotel room. I didn't like that we were charged an extra $10 a night for parking since this was not included in our total price.

Hotel was clean, great service, friendly staff. Would stay here again but not with our pet. Incovenient area for pet to "go." Not on property although adjacent. Not the grassy area as promised when we called - unless you want to go across the street to another property.

while not perfect results from previous stays, the staff, location and features of the hotel made it our first choice. Not disappointed once again and enjoyed our stay. However this time the charge for parking bothered me; I see no need other than greed and it is enough to make me reconsider before another stay there.

We spent 4 nights here and it was just what we had hoped for. We wanted a nice, clean room with free breakfast at a reasonable price in a good location. We got all of that and more. Very nice people at the desk. Parking is a little tricky as the spaces are tight. Would definitely return to this location.

We took a leisure 3 day get away down the coast. This Best Western Plus was close to our Dana Point activities and a lovely well equipped guest room for us. My husband especially appreciated the the large handicap bathroom for his cripple disability. The double pane windows kept out the traffic sounds below on the blvd.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Diana! Thank you so much for the kind words and we're glad we were a part of your coastal getaway. We do our best to make our handicapped facilities as comfortable and accessible as possible and are especially happy that your hubby was pleased with them. Hope to see you both again in the future.

We checked in on Tuesday, June 14 and the front desk clerk raved about the beautiful view we would have. UGH! We requested an ocean view room. In order to see the ocean, we had to stand on the balcony, lean over and look way to the left. In addition, the balcony was solid block so if we sat the wood block was our view. The door in the front of our our room faced a concrete wall. Lovely view (not)! We decided to stay just that night and go elsewhere. In the morning when we took our luggage to the car, there was a group of men (6 to 8) standing around my car. When we informed the front desk clerk she was very snotty and said she knew about it. There was no other explanation. A guard did offer to walk us to the car which we declined as she didn't indicate a problem. I wrote to the GM that afternoon and his response said that they were aware as these men had bullied the front desk for information and authorities had been called. (I have his statement in writing) And knowing this, they let us walk out on our own (should have insisted on escort). Wouldn't have been smarter to inform us of a potential issue and suggest we wait inside. Everything about this experience was scary! If you decide to stay there be careful. I could go on about other issues, such as, concrete dust all over my car (also admitted in writing from general Manager). Poor, limited breakfast choices and odorous rooms.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Part of the training for all new hires at the front desk of the Marina Shores is a discussion on how the guest's perception is our reality. This review is a perfect example of how a guest can see or hear things to be a certain way and we owe it to them to validate their concerns and offer our apologies for what they perceive as failings in service no matter what we think actually transpired. This I did directly with the guest in several private email exchanges. I also refunded all of her money because nothing I could have said to her would change her perception of what she believed happened during her stay. I had hoped she would accept my apology and refund as a gesture of good faith, but apparently this was not the case and for that, I am also sorry. We never tell our guests that they will have a "beautiful ocean view." On our websites and in all our literature it states that we are located a block and a half from Doheny State Beach. There are tall trees across the street between us and the beach so only our suites on the third floor get any view of the water and we tell people they will have an ocean "peek," not an ocean view. Yes, this guest did request a view of the water when she made her reservation online, so we assigned her a room at the end of the building closest to beach, but no one "raved" about any beautiful view. This guest had reserved a two room suite and yes, the entrance to the living room portion does face a large, concrete retaining wall on the back of our property. It is the bedroom balcony that faces the Pacific Coast Highway and provides the view. The group of people this guest encountered when she left the lobby and headed toward her car were simply a bunch of rude and inconsiderate young guys waiting for a friend of theirs to come down from his room. Since being rude isn't a crime, all we could do was tell them to wait for him outside Our security guard asked them to move away from the doors as a courtesy to the guests who were entering and exiting the building. While there was no need for concern - they weren't approaching anyone or bothering anyone - we did call the local authorities and ask them to do a drive by, just as a precaution. When the reviewer returned to the front desk to check out, she expressed her concerns to the clerk on duty. Apparently when the clerk offered her assurances that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about, the guest took that as being "snotty." If we had done what the guest suggested in her review and have everyone wait inside, that would have caused a needless panic and upset alot of people. Lastly, regarding the concrete dust this guest claims was on her car when she returned home, she also said that she spent her last two days in Dana Point at another hotel, so we can't be sure if the debris even came from here. I asked her to send me a photo that I could pass on to the painting contractor that had been working here the day she stayed but she never sent one. Yes, travelers, perception IS reality, so please take both this review and my response with a grain of salt. All I can tell you for certain is that our guests' safety, security and comfort are our highest priorities at the Marina Shores Hotel. While we may live in troubled times, it is very important not to let our imaginations run wild. The Marina Shores serves customers from all walks of life, business people and vacationers from all over the world. It is the diversity of our clients that makes this job so exciting and rewarding. We may not score a "5" with everyone on Trip Advisor, but we try our hardest to provide the best value, the cleanest rooms and the friendliest staff of all the hotels in the Dana Point area.

We came here on accident when we were going to another Best Western location at Dana Point that they were so friendly we decided to come back. It gets booked up quick so book early! They are so friendly here. Kid friendly too! Room is clean. Great breakfast selection. Nice small pool area. Close enough drive to Disneyland for us.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Guess this was a very fortunate "accident" for all of us! We're glad you decided to come back and thank you for sharing one special point with your fellow travelers ... our location. So often we talk about the beach area right here without noting that we are conveniently located between Disneyland and San Diego too. Everyone knows that hotel prices are incredibly high the closer you get to major attractions and metropolitan areas. You can get to almost every southern California attraction from here in an hour or less and your hotel stay will be a fraction of what you would pay by Disney or San Diego. Great call, Sabena and thank you for the great review.

This property is outstanding in every way. The staff is personable, professional and since I have stayed here a number of times, I am regarded as 'family.' The rooms are always fastidious and tended to immediately. Any occasional problem is taken care of immediately. This is a lovely property and I hope it is there for many years to come.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the kind words and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Marina Shores "family." Whether you're a business traveler, a family on vacation or someone just stopping over for the night on a coastal road trip, we want you to feel comfortable and cared for. See you the next time!

Great hotel. After driving 9 hours I was greeted by Kenia at the front desk. Friendly, very helpful and patient. From the manager on down, everybody at the hotel wants to make you welcome. Excellent free breakfast in the morning, big clean rooms and excellent location. Plus, the hotel is quiet. I'll be staying here again for my next vacation.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dave, so glad you enjoyed your stay. I know you and I had several one-on-one discussions about the hospitality industry and it was great to hear that someone noticed and appreciated all we do to make the Marina Shores feel like a home away from home. We all look forward to having you back later this summer.

my girlfriend came from riverside county and i came from LA County to meet for an overnight visit in dana point. from the beginning, starting w/ getting/re-scheduling a reservation, the customer service was comforting and friendly as we made and last-minute changed our plans. they were all about “no worries; we can make it happen.” room was clean and quiet. the attention to our needs (directions to places we wanted to go; recommendations on where to eat; when we wanted to stay in, "who delivers"; etc. (including menus) was exceptional. we usually pick Best Western when we have our overnights, but feel this one will be a go-back-again spot for sure.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Being the shameless Marina Shores Hotel promoter that I am, I'd like to mention to our readers that Betty and Judith actually stayed here back in April and I think it's awesome that we made such a great impression on them that even after two months, the memory of our service is so strong that she wanted to post this review. It was a pleasure having the both of you here and we look forward to the next time you can escape the smog and traffic of home and come see us again!

This place is well located to catch the ferry to Catalina Island. The exterior and the lobby look great, however, once you are inside of the room you can well see that they are tired and old. There were pieces of wood (e.g., the size of one's hand) and paint missing from the outdoor balcony, and you could see daylight around the entire perimeter of the door when it was closed (so much for enjoying the A/C). The mattress was imply horrible. I do not have ANY back problems and my upper back ached after each night's sleep there ... my aching back immediately ceased upon our departure. The parking lot exit ramp that takes you back out to the street appears to only be able to accommodate a vehicle about no larger than a (e.g.) Toyota Highlander (e.g., forget a Chevy Suburban, a pick up with duel wheels, etc) as the continuous sharp curve of the exit ramp is VERY tight and not forgiving if you are not paying continuous attention to your driving of it. The staff were most helpful and delightful people to deal with. This place would do well to attend to upgrading its dated rooms, as they did with the exterior and the lobby already.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear MB, Thank you for the honest review and I want you to know that all the room issues you mentioned have been taken care of. Even though the entire hotel was renovated in 2012, we just replaced 10 of the beds so we can keep everyone's comfort at top level. We also took care of the repairs to the trim on the balcony that you mentioned. I'm extremely sorry that we weren't more proactive - none of those issues should have been present when you stayed.

a very nice and clean hotel. the staff is efficient and welcoming. the hotel is pet-friendly. we recommend this hotel. the room to the back are quiet. the twin room is big and very comfortable. /////////////////////

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Thank you for the great review and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your time at the Marina Shores Hotel. As one of the few pet friendly hotels in our area, it is always our pleasure to open our doors to four-legged guests and their families!

So, we stayed here for two nights. Overall, it was a nice stay. We paid close to $200 a night, which may be competitive for the area, but I thought it was a bit pricey for this hotel, which I thought was a bit dated. The photos on its website and TripAdvisor make the property look nicer than it actually is. The elevator was super slow so many were just using the stairwell. Breakfast was free, but I was somewhat grossed out that they had rotting fruit mixed in with the fresh stuff. I threw away a rotten orange that was in the bin. It made me wonder how bad the other food potentially was.

The BW Plus Marina Shores was an excellent hotel. Even better, it was a good price especially for the area. The service, value, beds, location, rooms, and cleanliness were very good. I would definitely stay in the Dana Point, CA hotel again.

Clean, easy to access and good price. The front desk was helpful and quick. Check in and out process was quick and efficient. Al areas of the hotel were well maintained and clean. Parking is tight but the location is perfect for access to Dana Point, San Clemente, Mission San Jaun Capistrano and Doheny Beach. I have stayed there several times business and find it meets all my needs.

I spent a week traveling Cali, first Yosemite then traveling south from San Fran down the Pacific Coast HWY. This was my final stop before heading back to the PHX, AZ area the next day. This hotel cost only a touch more than the other 2 places I had stayed along CA 1 PCH, but this was by FAR my best value. Room had a balcony, very nice comfy bed, and it was HUGE. Loved everything, pretty good bfast in the morning too, but the only thing I didnt like here was the coffee. I wasnt staying long in the area, but if I were, this hotel was so close to all kinds of restaurants, shopping, beaches, and it is literally ON the PCH. Great location, value, and friendly staff. If I ever return to the area, this is my choice!

My husband and I stayed there for a little weekend getaway. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. We had a room with the jetted tub and when we tried to use it, the water smelled like human waste or rotting eggs...either way it was disgusting. The staff were OK, the only person at the front desk that wasn't hiding behind a computer and actually approached us before we had to approach her was a woman named Chris. She was very energetic and positive. Even though we were already being helped and she was helping someone else, she made sure to let us know she would be with us briefly. The location of this Best Western is great. It is close to the beach and harbor. Both were within walking distance. We had amazing views as well. We will most definitely stay here again in the future, I just hope to see a more customer service geared front office team and the water doesn't smell like rotten eggs.

We usually stay at Best Western hotels because of the reasonable price and closeness to whatever our activity is for the day. The Dana Pt. Marina Shores Hotel is great. Very helpful employees, great location and accommodations. It is near restaurants, boat docks and shopping.

When I stay the Staff is always kind and care about their guest. I feel at home when I stay at this Hotel mostly for the staff from the front desk to the breakfast staff and the staff that cleans and fix what needs to be fix. The Caring Staff always have smiles and ask if everything is fine.

I had to stay one night for a business trip and arrived mid week in the winter in the rain, so this is an off review for this property. I assume in season the area bustles. For me, it was dark and quiet. The front desk was repeatedly helpful. Upon check in I was upgraded to a nicer room - great view, fresh air with good circulation, small balcony, whirlpool tub. Gal at the desk recommended a couple of local restaurants with different scenes/price points until she understood my needs. When I returned from dinner I had to do some work and the desk in the room was great. It seems like a small thing, but I was able to really spread out and get things done. At one point I realized I needed copy paper and the manager at the front offered me an entire ream at 11pm so I could finish my presentation. Outstanding service, great deal for the money, lovely rooms with ocean view. I want to go back for R & R!

This place was great! I was skeptical when I found out the price to stay at this hotel but it was wonderful. The people were great. The room was huge and had a fireplace (which we didn't need but it was nice to have) and there was a restaurant attached that had excellent food. You could walk a short distance to the beach. We were leaving LA the next night so we just rented an additional day for the money and still came out cheaper than when we stayed one night in Santa Monica. Definitely would recommend this hotel to anyone.

We attended a wedding in Laguna Beach - so we stayed up the street in Dana Point at this Best Western. We used LYFT/UBER for travel to the event. It was close to everything - grocery store to get extra water, great coffee shop/bike shop up the street! Right on PCH - so you can travel up one way or the other to several beach areas or into the LA (if you dare) - LAX is a distance, so I'd suggest LB airport as an alternative.

This was a work provided room for me. I really liked the room. It was a suite with a small balcony. Very comfortable and clean. Tv cable was good. Modern amenities. Even a spa tub in bathroom. Some ocean view from balcony. Good location. Beach and park right across the street. PCH runs out front, but after 9:00pm, very quiet. I would stay here again and on my own dime. I'm writing this as I chill on the balcony of my room.

wow the spa rooms are really nice, the breakfast easy good and well placed the location has the best access to beaches harbor or north or south fun if you are caught between San Diego fun or LA you cant go wrong with Dana Point right in the middle of both and pretty as can be

Our middle school came to stay at this hotel for an academic competition. I had 17 rooms booked and about 40 people staying there. All the parents were impressed with this hotel from the clean and tidy condition of the rooms and lobbies, to their fantastic service. Krista who books the large groups was exceptional at her job and the whole staff was very friendly and made us feel very welcome. When you look at location, price, quality of the hotel and the impeccable service, this place is such a great value that is it a no brainer.

I was pleasantly surprised at this hotel. We decided to stay at this hotel based on price for one night while travelling to our next destination. The room was adequate and clean. Staff was friendly and the breakfast sufficed. Overall a good experience.

I always like staying at this location. Its a very nice and clean hotel and you can walk to the beach, restaurants and the harbor. It's also a quiet and safe location perfect for families. I will definitely be back again

Great staff, who did some magic to let us check in early, after a frazzled and tiring traveling day. Nice breakfast and nice kitchen host greeted and interacted with guests. We had an ocean view, which is on the noisy Pacific Coast Highway, but fortunately, the hotel had earplugs in the room and it proved not be a problem with our fan running on low. Fabulous location, only ten minutes walk from Doheny State Park, which is a beautifully tended and relaxed beach. No fees to enter if you walk in. The Pacific is expansive here and lots of great relaxing spots to hang out. Just another ten minute walk away is a little "village" with the yacht club, several restaurants, ice cream shops, etc. Paddle boarding and kayaking are available, or just meander the rows and rows of boats and ships to admire. This is a great place for a little strolling to burn off vacation calories! Plenty of free parking if you should choose to drive.

We stayed here for 4 nights on a recent trip to Dana Point. The location is excellent, within easy walking distance to the marina and harbor area. The rooms were well kept and very clean. The staff were especially helpful too. Parking is a little limited in the garage behind the hotel and it took us two drive-bys to figure out the entrance was on a side street. Lots of traffic noise from the PCH here so be fore warned and ask for a room facing the back.

After reading reviews, my expectations were definitely too high. This is an average hotel that is both dated and updated, fairly clean & uninspiring. It has a tiny pool not worth visiting, a crappy hotel chain type of breakfast and it's located right on a busy street in beautiful Dana Point. Not really any views and no restaurants or bars nearby if you come in late and hungry like I did. All in all, nothing special.

8 of us descended on Dana Point as a stop-over place on our way to catch a ship at Long Beach. None of us had ever stayed at this BW, but I took a chance and recommended it to the rest of the group...great recommendation in my opinion!! The place is really nice and in a good location. The staff was professional, friendly, and helpful (front desk clerk recommended eating establishments for us out-of-owners). Nice room and an acceptable breakfast (I'm not much of a breakfast eater anyway). Glad we stayed here!

Great location with easy access to restaurants, beaches and the harbor, extremely friendly and helpful staff. Clean rooms, comfortable beds, even though it is right on Pacific Coast Highway it is still quiet in the rooms when trying to sleep. Sometimes weekend prices can be a little high but overall great place to stay!

Second time coming to the Best Western Marina Shores and have never been disappointed. Staff is friendly, always saying good morning or have a nice day. We returned to the hotel to celebrate my mom's birthday and was given a bottle of champagne and card. Hotel is clean, roomy and has comfortable beds.

Good value for money, clean, large rooms, good basic amenities. Extremely helpful staff, arrived early in the morning from New Zealand, very tired but they found us a clean room immediately, brought in a microwave at our request.

This Best Western was the economy option for the wedding we attended in the area. It turned out to be clean, well served by the front desk, and close to the Dana Point Harbor. The room we had was on the first floor, ours had an in room Jacuzzi tub which we used and was very relaxing. Breakfast was included in our rate and was quite good with a large variety of fruit, healthy main course options such as egg white only eggs, with a highlight being the automatic pancake machine - all you needed to do was push a single button for a pancake. The eating area for breakfast was relatively small and therefore crowded, a possible downside. Hotel parking was free but was at times crowded also, we were fortunate to have an easily parked compact car. I did not find road noise to be a problem, and I am fairly sensitive to road noise as a rule. All in all I would recommend this hotel for anyone on a budget.

We liked this place. It had a nice third floor hall with book shelf for readers. Staff very very helpful in giving directions. The breakfasts are excellent. They even have a pancake machine that makes its own without any of those messy make your own waffles in motels. There is free wifi. The price is reasonable for the location. It looks small facing the highway, but it holds many guests. It is a little difficult to find on a busy highway.

Great hotel and clean but a bad location. If you are not use to freeway noise or traffic noise, you would not like this hotel. I am a light sleeper and had trouble sleeping at night despite the ear plugs the hotel supplied.

In the area looking for a stop for the night and happened on this BW Plus. We have stayed in many Best Westerns but this one I would rate as my number one. First, the front desk crew on duty, Tiffany and Peter (Manager) were so friendly, I felt we were friends. We had an online rate but the Manager's special gave us a better, and very reasonable rate, for not only the area but for BW in general! Our room was good size and nicely appointed. While we did not use it, there was a jacuzzi tub. This hotel sits right on the road so road noise could be an issue although the hotel is outside the very touristy area. We had a room in the back and slept well. Another in our party had a room on the street and said ear plugs were provided just in case but we're not needed. Breakfast was standard BW. There is a McDonalds right across the street. Our only negative was no microwave in the room and the little balconies are just decoration and not accessible. Thanks for a nice stay...hope to return some day.

I always feel at home when My Hubby & I stay for whatever reason, My Hubby always tells his co-workers & whoever about the Hotel & offers to pay just so we can stay! The staff, rooms & breakfast are Awesome too!

well run hotel. clean, friendly staff, great location for our traveling Southern California. Good value for the money. Very adequate breakfast, well organized. tight parking, but close. was not aware of modest charge for parking until we checked out.

Good price for a last-minute check-in. The walls are paper thin and the guests who stayed during my stay, for some reason were loud and discourteous. Someone's dog barked for hours during the middle of the night. SERIOUSLY? Leave your freakin' dog at home if you're not in your room.

Check in was good - we arrived around 1400 which was before check in time and had to wait for a room but, as BW Diamond Select, they placed us in a suite. The team at the front desk was really friendly and welcoming and the suite was well worth waiting for. The hotels sits right off of PCH with nice balcony (I think for all the rooms). They have a chair on the balcony but the traffic noise makes sitting out less than pleasant. The room had a separate sitting room and bedroom (with a door) separated by the bathroom and a wet bar. Each room had a TV and the tub was a whirlpool. There was a great internet and convenient outlets. I loved that there was a recycle container in the room. The room was clean and very nicely appointed. It was a very good stay. I also really liked the recycling container that they provided in the room as it made recycling very easy. Breakfast wasn't remarkable and that is a place for improvement. You can get oatmeal packages but need to ask for them. Also, as other reviewers have commented, the hotel charges for parking. It is a narrow row of spaces on the back side of the hotel. The cost is $10 but they waive the parking charge for diamond level guests and only charge $5 for AARP members. I will stay here again without question when I am in the area.

Staff was very friendly and helpful. They knew the area and were helpful making dining suggestions and places to see. Rooms were good and we didn't spend much time there anyway because we were out and about. I would stay again if I were passing through.

We stayed there for 4 nights and used it as a base point. Very clean and good breakfast. When they found out we came on motorcycles they gave us free parking. Great staff and great view from the swimming pool area.

Had a large group stay here for a local fund raising event. The hotel and staff were great and everyone enjoyed their stay. Second year here and we will be back next year. By the way, we raised over $31,000 for Laura's House, a local domestic violence shelter.

The front desk is the face of any hotel and Steve is a great one. His service went over and above expectations to find me a room that was ready and met my unfortunately, exacting requirements.... and all done with a smile. The hotel is well situated as well as clean, well maintained and a hot breakfast is included. The only disappointment is the pool is quite tiny so no real laps are available and if there are any kids there is absolutely no possibility of actually swimming. In the rooms, the one thing missing is lamps with power outlets in them. Most business travelers (and others) use their cell phones for alarm clocks and they need to be plugged in over night preferably on the nightstand by the bed.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Laurie! Thank you for sharing this review and I will make sure to pass on your compliments to Steve. First impressions are also lasting impressions in our industry so it's wonderful that Steve became "the face" of the Marina Shores for you. It's true that our pool is small, but as the weather warms up, the Pacific beaches will call out to most of our guests anyway. I was confused by your comment regarding the lack of auxiliary outlets on our lamps. All the lamps in our guest rooms, both on the desk and the nightstands, have the power outlets for cell phones or other devices. This was one of the many upgrades when we renovated the hotel back in 2012. If you happen to see this reply and can call me at the hotel, I will look up the record of your stay and check the room personally. If one odd lamp came in without the outlets, I would want to replace it right away.

Stayed here on business. Wanted to stay near the beach instead of the usual Irvine and couldn't believe the price. This met everything I needed. I got a great rate on a King Suite with balcony and ocean view. I was super excited. I spend so little time in the room on these trips that I hate to spend a lot of money. I had heard about parking being a nightmare, and if you have a big car, it will be "fun". You'll have to maneuver a little. I drive a Cadillac ATS (small car) and it was no biggie at all really. You are haggling with big parking garage beams. I didn't realize the first night that if you continue driving to the end of the parking garage, it will take you around to the front (PCH side) of the hotel and there is a lot of parking and no one hardly parked there. You'd have more room. This is what the elevator considers the Garage. The initial parking is on the first floor where the lobby is. Check in was easy. The staff are super nice. I got room 333. The elevator was super slow (there is only one) but with my bags I didn't want to take the stairs. I got to the room and it was what I expected. A little living area with sofa bed and table, extra chair, flat screen tv and fridge. Then a little hallway with the bathroom. Not a ton of counter space in the bathroom but it's fine. Then a separate bedroom with bed and then a desk area and coffee maker. There was a balcony with a chair and an ocean view. What I didn't take into consideration is that it is on a busy side of PCH. It is not a very soundproof hotel. The first night felt tremendously loud until around 11 p.m. After the first night, I kind of got used to it. If you turn the AC until (or heat) on, it kind of creates a white noise. Because PCH is so loud though, I spent zero time on the balcony. I just went to the beach instead. You are extremely close. Across the street are three 24 hour fast food restaurants. A Del Taco, McDonalds and Jack in the Box. If you work late, there is an option for you. The hotel comes with breakfast but I never went. I only do coffee for breakfast and that was already in my room. The other issue was noise from the hallways and other rooms. There is zero soundproofing. You can hear everything in the other rooms. When they would take a shower, I thought my own room was going to flood. The neighboring room must have had an early flight to catch or something because the first morning it went off at like 4 a.m. and scared the crap out of me. It took me a minute to realize what it was. If you are a light sleeper, bring headphones or this place will consume you. I got used to it but it took me a few nights. I can handle sounds, it was mostly just orienting to what exactly those sounds were. There were tons of outlets but only a few that worked. A coworker was also staying at the hotel and said the same of her room. Just a quirk. The bed was not comfortable. The mattress probably needs to be replaced as when I laid on it it caved completely. Not like memory foam, like cardboard. That said, if you want to be close to the beach and you are on a budget, this place is a god send. It's a great location to the various Dana Point beaches and marina. I am not trying to beat this place up, I'm just trying to let people be aware of what may or may not drive them crazy. Or to prepare for it at least (headphones, white noise machine...). If you are a high maintenance traveler (I have tendencies) or a light sleeper, you may not love it. I liked this place okay despite its quirks. Would I stay again?? Maybe. I wouldn't worry about having a room with a view though next time. PCH is just too busy and loud to utilize the balcony in my opinion. So in summary, great location (though noisy because of PCH), really great and super friendly staff at ALL levels, great price, but noisy and worn down.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hello "Ms. Bing" and thank you for providing an in depth review of your stay with us. You brought out quite a few good points that will serve as an excellent guide to future travelers. I wanted to let you know that we have replaced the bed in the room you used and I'm terribly sorry for your discomfort during your stay. As I have said to many of the reviewers in the past, Dana Point has grown tremendously, both in population and as a tourism draw, since the Marina Shores Hotel was built almost 30 years ago. The traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the prices of prosperity. We installed double-paned, sound dampening windows and balcony doors several years ago in an effort to combat the noise from the world outside, our alarm clock radios have "white noise" settings, like falling rain and ocean waves to try and drown out the traffic and we recently started providing earplugs as an amenity in our rooms for the light sleepers. The pricier five-star resorts may offer the more isolated locations, but we still believe that the Marina Shores offers the best value for its location ... and like you said, the service is fantastic! Thank you again for sharing your comments.

With hotels in Laguna Beach and Dana Point fully booked and not any room available in a radius of 1,5 hours drive from here we arrived at Best Western Plus Marina Shores to ask for some help. Both Tom and Trinity of the front desk did all they could to help us out. After several attempts to find something using the hotels computers, without success, Tom made it happen that we could stay at the Best Western Marina Shores after all by "juggling" with the booking system. A very lucky chance! Both Tom and Trinity kept a very high level of service during peak times (lots of people calling in to ask for a room and customers at the front desk). We spent a good night at the hotel, with great location nearby the beach and boats to go whale & dolphin watching. Thank you Tom & Trinity; you made our stay in Dana Point a very memorable one.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Hi Annemarie and thank you for the wonderful review of the Marina Shores and ESPECIALLY Tom & Trinity. You have no idea how much it means to the staff members to be remembered by our guests. You experienced first-hand the level of service we try to provide. For other readers, these poor folks arrived in town with no reservations and all the hotels for about 30 miles were sold out, including us. At any other hotel, they might have just received a cold, "sorry, no vacancies" and be sent on their way. Tom and Trinity took the time to call everywhere and helped them search online for accommodations. Finally, we had a last minute cancellation so we were able to check them in and give them their happy ending. THAT is what hospitality is all about. I am extremely proud of both Tom and Trinity and are glad they were able to make your trip to Dana Point memorable for all the right reasons.

This was one of the best hotel experiences my family has ever had. Everything was just perfect. Clean, well maintained, staff helpful and friendly...All that you could ever ask for in a hotel. Should be rated a 4 Star!

Nice place close to everything you need to go Whale watching or visiting the beach. Have stayed at other locations in Dana Point but this was the first time at this location. Very pleased with the room and service. Nice breakfast in the morning too.

Excellent. We needed a local hotel that gave us access to local area shopping, relaxing and to complete arrangements of our move in. The hosts and staff gave us super recommendations on where to shop and the local environment.

Dana Point is home to some incredibly posh resorts and while this place is not in that league, it has three things going for it (1) a great location with decent views of the ocean and Dana Point Harbor (2) large rooms with nice furnishings and a comfortable bed and (3) outstanding price point. The folks who run the place are friendly and helpful. Parking is easy and on site and there is laundry. Also the place is spotlessly clean.

The staff was very polite and professional, but did not help us to sufficiently solve two noise issues during our 21 day stay. The first was on arrival night when fire alarm was beeping whole night from midnight. Receptionist informed us that service will come in the morning - they compensated us with 60 USD, but 4 people could not sleep that night! Second noise experience lasted for four nights when people above were gettin up at 5 a.m. and taking showers etc. Hotel staff did not provide info upon numerous questions about the noise, so I finally discovered a company working crew occupynig room above us. They should move us after the first night!! They gave us Best Western Points as compensation, but we did not sleep well these 4 nights due to bad staff consideration. Peter Strnad from Czech Republic

The breakfast was very good every day. Al, who appeared to be in charge, was always happy with a smile on his face, helpful and remembered our names every morning. It was nice being greeted each morning by name. All the other staff in the breakfast area were also friendly and helpful; we didn't get their names. The only complaint with the area is that it isn't very large (crowded). The majority of the desk staff were friendly and very helpful. We enjoyed our room and waking up each morning to see the sun shining off the ocean (there were no leaves on the trees-December). The only complaint was the hot water in the shower. If a room has very hot water at the faucet and in the hot tub then why can't there be hot water in the shower. I don't know if this was just a problem on the first floor all over the hotel. We will definitely stay at this location next time we are in Dana Point.

Hotel was very nice in a nice location. The Staff was very helpful. My son who is stationed in San Diego met up with us for dinner and stayed one of the two nights with us. When I asked for a rollaway, the nice Desk clerk offered us a free upgrade giving him a couch bed to sleep on. I was impressed with the service of the staff the options for the breakfast and overall quality of The Hotel. I would recommend this Hotel.

This is a pleasant hotel if you are traveling to Dana Point. Covered parking since it is under the hotel for $10.00 per day. BW always gives you your money's worth but never exceeds your expectations. The staff was very friendly and helpful, breakfast was as usual. Wish there were more healthful items. The room was comfortable, but noisy overnight since it is on the Pacific Coast Hwy.

Very nice hotel. Everything was at our finger tips. The staff was great. The room was nice. The only thing I would do different is I would go out for breakfast. It is right by the Marina. Not far from the beach.

Great staff, typical of good consistent Best Western quality, while affordable. PCH side of hotel can be noisy, traffic is almost constant, parking is tight, but where in CA is it not? Breakfast area is small for the number of guests, but it was a free hot breakfast.

We had the pleasure of staying at the Marina Shores Hotel during the holidays for 3 wonderful weeks. The staff was super friendly and the hotel was amazingly spotless. The complimentary breakfast was a nice tasty addition to our stay. The location is close to the harbor and many beautiful beaches, coffee shops and restaurants. I would highly recommend this place to anyone traveling to this area. Thank you from Canada!

Little gem in Dana Point. The overall experience was spectacular The staff members were attentive and prompt, but not overbearing. The room clean and sunny. We will be back and we will send our friends.

My husband and I booked a king suite room for 3 nights at this Best Western. Although the furnishings are a little dated, I was very pleased with our choice. This hotel is a good value compared to the hotels in the area. Some of my reasons are that It is located within walking distance of the Dana Point Marina, is right on the Pacific Coast Highway, and has parking for a reasonable $10 per night fee. The suite was perfect for the two of us. It had a comfortable king-sized bed in the master with a slider to the balcony. From our 3rd floor room, we had a nice view of the distant ocean and a lovely sunset each night. In the living area of the suite, there was a pull-out couch that proved to be useful when our son stayed one night. Both rooms were equipped with t.vs. The wifi was free. There was a complimentary breakfast in the morning that was tasty. It offered the usual fare - various breads, bagels, muffins, a machine to make pancakes, choice of hot and cold beverages, yogurt and some apples. There was also warmer plates offering sausage and eggs. I find it to be a plus when a hotel offers free hot breakfast so I don't have to go offsite in the early morning to find breakfast. The front desk clerks were very friendly and helpful with easy check-in and gave lots of good advice for touring the coast. Also, I was able to use the lobby computers to check in with my airline and print out our boarding passes. The Christmas decorations were cheerful. I used the fitness room but didn't swim in the outdoor swimming pool. The fitness room was adequate with one elliptical, and one treadmill but not much else. It was about a 10 minute walk to the marina where there is shopping, lots of great dining, and the fun of California's sea lions hanging about on the docks. The Christmas lights and decorations were very festive and a great addition to our weekend.

the staff is the best always carful to suit all your needs the horse shoe parking cn be trcky but drop your luggage at the door and then there really is no bad space to park easy to access restaraunts and a store all walking distance gotta love Dana point and a best western to make it all feel likek home

Large room, well cleaned with comfortable beds and a whirlpool in the room. Friendly staff, complementary hot breakfast. Easy to find parking, close to the highway. A good night sleep. I would stay there again.

A wonderful property. Service was excellent. Their two room suites are perfect for families as the kids can use the sleeper couch in the living room. Definately would stay again. Their self service breakfast included a wide variety of items including a number of hot items.

Very, very satisfied with out stay at this hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel to others. It is a high quality hotel, great breakfast and has a great location. Do not hesitate booking a stay here.

We stayed in a 2 queen bed suite with our 10 year old granddaughter. This hotel was clean and very comfortable. The seating area and second TV was great. The beds were comfortable. We really enjoyed the pool. This time of year the pools are often to cool for swimming but this one was almost bath tub temperature. The pool was a nice size for family play-up to 5 foot. We had a balcony with a view of the marina a couple blocks away. The hotel serviced a good breakfast with pancakes and egg/bacon along with the normal cereal and yogurt. The staff was friendly and helpful. If in the area, we would stay here again.

First time staying at this hotel. Won't stay anywhere else in Dana Point in the future. Fantastic accommodations and service. The room was excellent, the breakfast variety for a Best Western was top notch. The staff could not have been any more friendly and professional. Great job Peter (the manager)!

I was in Dana Point for a business dinner but decided last minute to bring my husband and son. This was my son's first hotel stay and he was very excited!! We had chosen the room based on the giant Jacuzzi tub that we'd seen on the website, but when we got to our room it was a suite with a separate living space but a small jetted bath tub. I went back downstairs and Krista and Kenia were AMAZING! They found us the perfect room on the first floor with the giant Jacuzzi that my son had hoped for! The staff all around were amazing and accommodating. Super family and business travel friendly!

This is a great hotel for the price.( Price is higher during the summer.) Staff is professional and accommodating. Breakfast is the usual stuff but always plentiful and fresh. Rooms are always clean. Location is centralized in Dana Point.

HVAC in room was noisy. Maid service was very good with no complaints. I want happy when they tried to charge me ten dollars a day for parking. I told then that the Hilton doesn't charge guests extra for parking, and they waived my parking fee. Overall, it's a very good place to stay, but they do have some quirky issues. I normally would never consider a Best Western, but this place is an exception. I recommend it, but read the fine print.

Peter C, General Manager at BEST WESTERN PLUS Marina Shores Hotel, responded to this review
Dear "Armchair," Thank you for the review and we appreciate your objectivity - even though there were some issues with your stay, you still endorsed the hotel overall, which was extremely fair. Our goal is for every guest to enjoy a clean, trouble free room and to receive warm, friendly service ... obviously there will be occasions where something will go wrong - in this case a noisy air conditioner - then the important thing is that the hotel (any decent hotel, anyway) leaps to correct the issue as soon as they become aware. Now, regarding the parking fee ... most of the hotels in our area charge for parking. Of these hotels, our $10/night fee is the lowest. Many of the hotels charge a mysterious "resort fee" (I don't think anyone has actually figured out what that fee covers) and some hotels actually charge that in addition to the parking. We stress that, even if you add the nightly parking to our room rate, you still come out paying less than you would at any mid-tier hotel in our market. I have to assume that the Hilton you were referring to wasn't the one in Dana Point because they actually DO charge for parking; $22.00/night. The GOOD new is that all Best Western Rewards members who achieve Diamond or Platinum status receive free parking at the Marina Shores ... one of the many reasons that it pays to be a member of the Best Western loyalty program.

The Best Western Dana Point : Perfect location! The hotel was clean, nice, quiet and in walking distance to restaurants and Harbor. I'd recommend it to friends and families a they are kid and dog friendly

Classic property with nice upgrades. Close to everything, right on PCH. Rooms were large, clean, and all amenities worked well. Jacuzzi tub was great my wife says. Convenient location for good food, fast food, sightseeing, and area travel. Our room overlooked highway and ocean. Noise was never a problem when closing drapes at night. Parking spaces are a bit snug. Recommend: 1)Stacks restaurant for great breakfast (just across the street) 2) Watermans for fresh, reasonably priced seafood (Don't miss happy hour prices). 3)Dana Wharf whalewatching tours (very reasonably priced and customer friendly). 4) Mission San Juan Capistrano (quick drive and fascinating).