FellowTraveler586214
Google
Oh, how I'd love to write a stellar review for the Sally Webster. But alas, I can't. It feels like a passion project for its owners who have another Rockport B&B-love has clearly gone into it. And the sister property is truly amazing. But some aspects at Sally really left us feeling underwhelmed. But first the positives: good location, well within easy walking distance of Dock Square, Bearskin Neck, etcetera. (Make sure you don't mind walking up a fairly steep hill on your way to the inn-we didn't mind it at all, but some might.) Nice stroll nearby down Atlantic Avenue takes you by Old Garden Beach and the Headlands. The decor is attractive and the bed/bedding some of the coziest ever. The room is sparkling clean. Their method of handling breakfast-a door card that you fill out and place on your door the night before is convenient and full of choices. Breakfast food is bagged and available for pickup at 0830, simple but good, accompanied by small coffee/teapots. Now for the down side-there is no one in residence or even on duty at the building, which gives an odd feel. Our bathroom/shower very small (not unexpected for an older home-but shower closet small) and no hot water. My shower barely edged from really cold to tepid-not great in December-with water pressure so strong it was literally uncomfortable. Oddly, there is no trash can in the bathroom-so if you use a Kleenex or a q tip for makeup, you've got to leave the bathroom, cross the room to discard it. Our room had no bedside tables or chargers-just a small metal plate screwed to the wall on which you could place your cell, with the sole charging bank in the room secured to the fridge a small distance away. No instructions in the room (key codes and internet access were texted) for the limited cable service or anything else. If you are expecting typical B&B amenities (snacks/baked goods, toiletries if you're missing something, live advice on anything Rockport) you will not find them here. There is only one very small common living room and no dining space. When we stayed, a second group comprising the rest of the guests that weekend complained it was difficult for them to breakfast together-required rearranging what little eligible area was in this main room. One guest remarked on the lack of board games, etcetera in the common space. This also impacts a pleasant aspect of staying in this type of lodging-the option of meeting/chatting with other guests, often at breakfast. Perhaps in the future the owners might open up what seems to be a room behind the living room-there are two doorways, one clearly a door, a second a "bookcase" but framed like a door-to provide more common space or a dining area for guests. Parking is available behind the building-tight but well-marked and adequate. Would we return? probably not in its current iteration. But knowing how well run and comfortable the sister property is, I'm in great hopes that the owners can bring the Sally Webster up to speed in a way that would change our minds.