Our room was one step above being in a camping tent on the beach. Although the room is located in the most prime spot (just a few feet from beach) it's outdated decor and repair needs are most obvious. A toilet not bolted to the floor properly made for an E ticket ride. A real visit back to the 60's in a most unpositive way. NOT RECOMENDED ... will not go back!

I have stayed at this particular motel on many occasions in the last 15 years; it has steadily gone downhill every year until it has become marginally better than a flop house.

In August of 2006, I booked a room for 4 nights. After arrival, I found that the card key didn't work, and they could not get it to work; I had to leave the balcony door unlocked when I went out.

On the second evening, I stepped into the very small shower and onto the drain cover that was upside down and impaled it on my foot. I limped to the office bleeding; there was no concern whatsoever even though I left a trail of blood in and out. They said maintenance would repair it.

After my emergency room visit, I was told that my vacation was over. I returned to the room and found the blood cleaned up, but the drain cover "reset" to impale another foot. I also noticed that the security lock was broken, and the smoke detector was missing.

Upon checking out, the clerk said that they wouldn't charge me for the room - no apology. They did charge me; all 4 nights!

There manager was rude and insulting; he refused to give me information about their ownership or insurance carrier. It took a year and a lawyer to be reimbursed for the room and expenses.

So, if you don't mind camping out in a room that smells something like urine and pine sol for about $300 a night this is your place.

It is a great location and incredible view which keeps drawing people in for a one-time stay.

Peter G. Heckler
Houston, Texas

I called from the airport for instructions to get to the motel and was told to go to 981 Coast Blvd. At the airport taxi stand I was unfortunate enough to get a burly Russian guy who claimed he knew San Diego like the back of his hand as he has been driving taxis there for more then 7 years.

Of course he took the long way intoLa Jolla as he was not sure which end of Coast blvd we wanted, and after cruising up and down he Coast Blvd he couln't find the motel. I finally spotted the sign (the signage was poorly lit and it was ten p.m.) but he argued it was the wrong place! So I got out and went to the office but found it locked! I borrowed his mobile and called the motel phoneline and was told to go to La Jolla Cove Suites as it was managing the motel. When we got there, the receptionist who answered the call shouted at me and told me that I should have come to La Jolla Cove suites to get the keys!

Shell Beach motel consists of three sets of lodgings.. The first set comprises wooden huts with upper and lower levels. The second set is a white brick building with apartments also on two levels, and the third set comprises of apartments in a wooden frame house. We given an apartment on an upper level in a wooden hut with steep staircases despite having two large suitcases, and when we asked for the lower level rooms we were told that we had to pay extra. We spent two nights in the crummy WOODEN huts which had dark furnishings and very little lighting. There were no overhead lights and only two table lamps. The shower was so tiny you couldn't even stretch your arms. Something bit me in the night and I have a bite mark on my arm. My friend was less lucky-he got a rash!

On the last day I asked for a tranfer to a lower level room as I had an early morning flight and feared I would tumble down the steep staircase with my large suitcases in the dim lighting. The new apartment in a white brick building was much bigger and nicer but there was a large dark stain in the middle of the carpet. When I asked for it to be cleaned, the acting motel manager told me that her housekeeping staff were fully occupied as they were fully booked ( a lie) and it was probably some coffee or coke spill! Incensed I called the general manager (who was busy of course) and was told that carpet cleaning takes a whole day and another day to dry. I told the office that for HEALTH reason they should spot clean the carpet so they agreed, but no one turned up while I waited for another two hours. Finally I wrote a note to the acting manager ( who was really rude to me) to have the carpet stain spot cleaned ASAP. At that point I was going to call the Health dept /SD Tourism office to complain if they gave me any more excuses.

My advice to other travellers-stay away unless you like rude and snorty reception and service. You are really paying for the location, being on the beach.

I had stayed earlier at the related La Jolla Cove Suites, and although the rooms there are a bit faded, the location can't be beat. On this trip, the Suites were full and they booked us into Shell Beach Motel. When we walked into the room, the stench was overpowering. It seemed a dog had urinated on the carpet and someone had tried to cover up the smell but that only made it worse. On top of that, the furnishings were shabby and felt dirty. We didn't even sit on the couch. The room next door, people complained because there was no couch. We tried to get another room but they were full. I scoured La Jolla for an alternative but everything was booked. Then the next morning we went for a walk and found the room key didn't work on our return. As we sat on the stairs, it took an hour for the desk to send a maintenance guy to change the battery. Through all of this, the attitude of the desk clerks was, at best, blase, and at worst, hostile toward us. I will never stay there again and caution other travelers to stay away.