I read the reviews, and drove by the place the last time we were in Gloucester. Pretty unbeatable if you want the beach at your doorstep. The photos are accurate; you walk out your door and on to a huge, pretty private beach. (We were there in September 2011, so it wasn't really busy on the beach, but the hotel was full.) The rooms are adequate, not luxurious, but the bed was comfy, and it was great having a kitchenette in the room. The whole point is that every room fronts on the beach with sliding glass doors. We laid in bed and watched the sun come up over the ocean...a priceless experience. Everything worked; the room and bath were clean. If you want to be pampered, don't come here. (Actually, if you are that type of traveller - PLEASE don't come here.) But if you want to chill on a private beach, you can't beat Cape Ann Motor Inn. And...they are open year round.

This is a slightly older hotel. I was on the top floor, no elevator, but incredible views of Long Beach and amazing sunrises. The rooms were just fair, though clean. Wireless internet worked. The balconies were all interconnected--one long balcony running the length of the building. A bit unnerving if you wanted privacy, and disturbing for the amount of cigarette smoke that invaded the room. There was quite a bit of noise coming from the other rooms, as insulation was not very good. They had coffee, muffins and donuts for breakfast in the lobby. Staff was friendly and accommodating. I found Gloucester itself a bit difficult to navigate with its one-way streets and curvy layout. Overall, though, it was fine for a short stay.

This was a nice place to stay. It's an older place. It's not a luxury resort. But if you want to get away from it all, and you want to bring your dog, it's a good place to go. There is no boardwalk there. I really liked it. You walk out of the hotel and you are right on the ocean beach. I would go again.

Where else can you walk through a door and have a view of the ocean without spending extra money for 'ocean view'. Just lovely. Room is comfortable; bed; couch, table and chairs. Sliding door opens for balcony with outside seating. Breakfast is included; coffee; tea and/or orange juice; muffins or donuts.