I just love everything about the Oceanana. The staff is wonderful and there is usually someone there who will remember me by name. I've only stayed there about 5 or 6 times but I absolutely love it. During one of my stays there, I met my current husband and for that I am greatly indebted to the Oceanana. I plan to return there as often as I possible can. I live in the mountains of NC and love the beautiful atmosphere I receive during each and every visit there. True, it's not elegant, or luxurious, but it's calming, and has breath taking views from the terrace and the tanning deck. The childrens playground if finaminal and the tropical breakfast is to die for. I have always felt very safe on this property and never fear for my children to be a few feet away from me. The pricing here is VERY reasonable considering all the aminities you receive. I love the idea of the private beach area with staff providing you with complimentary umbrellas and chairs. To me that's amazing and rare. I love the swing under the peer. I have done a lot of travel during my life and this hotel is by far my favorite. I've stayed in everything from a Mom and Pop owned and operated property to the Raddison. And again, this ranks TOP on my list. Thanks Oceanana staff for all that you do. I'll be back

Let me try to address some of the negative reviews:

The beds - they may not be truly full-sized. I don't know. But they were comfortable enough. After a full day of swimming, shopping, more
swimming and walking the pier, we could have slept on anything. The beds were fine.

The facilities - not the most luxurious in town, but definitely geared towards families, especially kids, and fun-loving people.

If you want quiet, total privacy and spa-like luxury, this probably isn't the place for you.

However, if you have kids and want ot have fun...stay here!!!

The buildings are painted cinder block with sliding glass doors. You
can close your curtains for privacy or you can leave your curtains open and see all the other people and be friendly. We saw people doing both.

The breakfast was great. Nice assortment of donuts, cereals, instant oatmeal and grits, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, fruit, yogurt, milk, juice, coffee, tea, etc...Really a nice assortment. I've stayed at a luxury Hilton and only had stale pastries and coffee. The breakfast area had more then enough room for everyone and it was nice eating outside with the warm air and ocean breeze. They even had high chairs.

Next all the kids stuff - playground equipment galore, an arcade, Little Tykes riding toys, an assortment of bicycles - all free for their guests.

They will put out umbrellas and chairs on the beach for free. I've stayed in places that charge a fee or a deposit for using beach chairs and umbrellas. Everything here is free. The guys working will put up your chairs and umbrella wherever you want.

The pool area is nice and clean, too. There was no sand in the bottom
of the pool and there were plenty of chairs. It's also the kind of place where if you're at the pool and you want to wander down to the beach you can leave your watch, book and cell phone by the pool and not worry about it being stolen (even your room key). This is seriously a fun family environment.

There were plenty of shady places, too and a nice rocking chair area.

For lunch we used their outdoor charcoal grills. They provide the grills (free), charcoal, paper products (plates, napkins, cutlery) and they even had little condiment packets - all free.

We had a kitchenette in our room and it was stocked with dishes, pots, pans, utensils, salt & pepper, dishwashing liquid, dish drainer, etc. We had a microwave, 2 burner stove top, small frig and sink and a little counter space and a shelf for keeping our non-perishables.

They have a nice little restaurant at the pier - a grill - burgers, hot dogs, candy, ice cream, etc.

They also have some vending machines near the office that sell sodas,
ice cream, candy, snacks, etc.

They have ice machines and always have out free coffee near the ice machines.

The room was nice - plenty of closet space - we had a one bedroom suite and had plenty of sleeping space - The living room had a pull-out couch that slept two and also had something called a "mode lounger" that converted to twin bed so the lving room slept a total of 3 people. Beyond that was the kitchenette and bathroom area. On the other side of that was our bedroom which had two double beds. Our kids slept in one bed and us in the other (grandma and the baby slept in the living room).

Outside our room were a few chairs to sit in and also they had plenty
of clothesline strung up outside each room and they provided clothespins - nice to dry out beach towels and bathing suits.

Oh, they provide just about everything except beach towels - take your own. They DID clean our room each day and provide clean bath towels and linens.

We really enjoyed our stay there. Everyone on the staff was helpful and friendly. The place was clean and well-maintaned. Not the most luxury place on the coast, but it wasn't dilapidated and falling apart either. And it was definitely fun!

My aunt (now 76) has been staying at this motel for 20 years. Last year was the first year for me. I stayed there on three separate occasions. One of those stays included my aunt and my three oldest grandsons (7,5,3). Here's my take on the Oceanana. It AIN't fancy and I don't consider this a resort but it does have all the basic necessities for a pleasureable time. The atmosphere is laid-back, wholesome, quiet and friendly. A little something for almost everyone. Yes, the motel is old and the walls are concrete. It has withstood years of winter storms and summer hurricanes but is still structurally sound and well maintained. This includes all the purchased and home-made playground equipment. Not once did I hesitate to let "my boys" play on any apparatus. They absolutely loved it. There were ropes to climb, slides, games to play (i.e. shuffleboard), bikes for all ages to ride, swings, plastic ride toys, etc. all in excellant condition. The pool was immaculate and larger than most pools at other motels in the area. The beach area is huge with chairs and umbrellas which, if all are taken, just notify the staff and they will set up your chairs and umbrella for you. The watermelon party was great fun. Guests gather around to eat watermelon and get to know one another. There was plenty for everyone. There is a large sheltered area where the tropical breakfast is served with rocking chairs for us "old folks" to enjoy. Restrooms are available here which came in handy for the kids without having to go all the way back to our room. Our room was ok. Again, nothing fancy - a basic room. The biggest drawbacks for me were that the air conditioning is controlled from the office ( I had the foresight to carry a portable fan to use just in case -Luckily the weather was very warm, not over bearingly hot.) and parking can become an issue when the motel is full. The carpet also needed cleaning but the linens were very clean. The outside lighting was appropriate.

The Oceanana should be ashamed that it calls itself a "resort". There's nothing here that would appeal to anyone born after the second world war. The playground area is a joke, with homemade contraptions that would be better served as medieval torture devices. The refrigerators in the rooms will barely keep a drink cool on high and the air conditioning does about the same thing on a larger scale. Air conditioning unit is old, dusty, and mildewy and I felt dirtier after I got out of the shower than before. The Pier House food was decent, but the pier itself was filthy and smelled strongly of urine. Doors on the hotel rooms are turn of the century (last century) sliding glass doors, and the decor would feel more at home in 1967. It is nice to see that the Oceanana supports the local Goodwill and Salvation Army, because this has to be where the furniture, linens, and curtains came from.

Never again