The Sanderling

From DCTraveler45: Just returned from a four night stay at the Sanderling, and I have to say it was the worst hotel experience I have ever had. First, we were initially put in a handicapped room in the south inn, which has a bathroom which is not nearly as nice as the other rooms, and appeared to be a significantly smaller room. We requested to be moved to another room (it took them 25 minutes to get back to us on this request and that was after I called them a second time).

While waiting, we went on the terrace and found an adult diaper wrapped up on the side of the terrace (unused, but still disgusting) which had clearly been there for awhile. We were finally moved to another room in the north inn, but our experience did not improve. We were never given the champagne that the hotel gives new guests, there was debris on the terrace from the last guests (thankfully just used matches and napkins), the napkins in our room had been used, there was a large piece of granite missing from our sink (leaving just particle board in the middle of the sink), and on the first night we had to kill about 10 ants that marched across our bedspread.

On the 3rd day our hotel key stopped working, and when I went to the front desk to have it rekeyed, they had the wrong name in the computer for our room (apparently they had not bothered to change it when they moved us). At this point, I asked to speak to the manager and told her about all the problems we had had.

In addition to the things noted above (including the diaper), I mentioned that the maids had not been changing our sheets, had not bothered replacing the decorative pillows when they came in (instead left them strewn on the floor), did not give us new toiletries, and never stopped by for turndown service.

I was informed that it is the Sanderling's policy not to give new toiletries if it looks like there is enough left in the tiny bottle for another days use. She apologized for the rest, but did nothing to remedy the situation other than to send a maid by to change the sheets.

The final insult came when we received the bill, in which they had charged us $60 a night more than quoted on the phone for the last two nights. When I called, the manager said that even though they had not told me that the rate would go up on the last two nights on the phone, that I should have realized this because it was counted in the final grand total I received (which included tax and other charges).

After arguing that I should not have to ask what the NC tax rate is and keep a calculator next to me to make sure that they are charging me the quoted rate, she finally agreed to take off the extra charge, but only after making clear that this error was my fault.

For almost $400 a night, I expected a certain level of service, but the Sanderling provides only rude management and neglect. I have received far superior treatment at hotels costing a fraction of the rate charged by the Sanderling. I know that many others were complaining as well, as the Sanderling keeps the beach towels hostage at the front desk so I had to stand behind complaining guests several times while waiting to request one.

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to frequent this hotel, but if you do, a few tips: The person I went with had stayed at the Sanderling 4 or 5 times in the past, but not in the past 3 years. Things have changed since then (and not only in the hostile management). First, they remodeled the rooms, but have removed many of the things that were standard in the old hotel, including the sofas in the rooms, kitchenettes, and free breakfasts.

In addition, the Sanderling will charge for an "ocean view" room for anywhere on the oceanside of the hotel, but you can only actually see the ocean from the third floor of the buildings (only south and main inn, I believe). From the second floor, I could only see a thin sliver of ocean above the massive grass covered sand dune if I stood on my toes. Although they used to have games to borrow, the front desk was unable to accommodate (not that they tried) a request for a deck of cards (even the gift shop didn't carry them).

The Sanderling's nice restaurant, the Left Bank, has a nice view of the sound, but has mediocre and very expensive food. The Red Skye Cafe (a drive away) is loud and small, but has good food, and Elizabeth's cafe (also a drive) has a great wine list and pretty good food. Reservations are key in all.

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