Bay Club, Humphrey's or Island Palms???

[ndloewen]

Help!! I've narrowed my hotel choices for the first week of September down to Shelter Island. Which do you all recommend?? Bay Club, Humphrey's or Best Western Island Palms?? Prices are all quite similar, and reviews are mixed. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jenjersnap]

Well, we love the Bay Club and chose to return there, but all three are right in a line, with similar views and, from the exterior, a similar "tropical" slightly dated style.

Bay Club has a fantastic complimentary breakfast. I also have heard you cannot book a room view with the BW, but I am fairly confident you can with the Bay Club (a deluxe room will have the preferred marina view - we booked a suite both times which is why I am unsure about the regular rooms). The Bay club staff has been wonderful to us too.

Another consideration at Humphrey's might be their concert schedule. Concerts make things rather chaotic and noisy and parking is a challenge. Last year our room at the Bay Club looked right at the Humphrey's stage so we got a free Beach Boys concert, LOL. We enjoyed it, but concertgoers used the Bay Club lot (illegally) too so, if they had a busy schedule when I was going, I'd be tempted to try the BW.

 

[ndloewen]

Thanks! I have been leaning towards the Bay Club because of their free full breakfast. Humphrey's doesn't have much on their schedule for when we are planning to be there, so I don't think the concerts will be an issue.

 

[redsox721]

I have only stayed at the Island Palms but it was amazing. Here are some pictures--

sunrise from our balcony

wonderfully, comfortable bed

lots of space, corner room

nice bathroom and vanity area

balcony

here was my review posted on another thread--

Just returned from our trip. The Best Western Island Palms is amazing. We loved it. The room was beautiful. It was large and clean with comfortable beds. The staff was very friendly. The grounds were beautiful also. There is a nice "park" area across the street to walk around. The marina is on the other side of the hotel and is nice to watch the boats. It is close to the airport, zoo and other attractions.

 

[ndloewen]

I have only stayed at the Island Palms but it was amazing. Here are some pictures--

sunrise from our balcony

wonderfully, comfortable bed

lots of space, corner room

nice bathroom and vanity area

balcony

here was my review posted on another thread--

Just returned from our trip. The Best Western Island Palms is amazing. We loved it. The room was beautiful. It was large and clean with comfortable beds. The staff was very friendly. The grounds were beautiful also. There is a nice "park" area across the street to walk around. The marina is on the other side of the hotel and is nice to watch the boats. It is close to the airport, zoo and other attractions.

Oh, that looks really nice! Love the sunrise picture. I would be totally sold on that one, except that they don't have the free breakfast.

My other concern is that my son has mobility issues, and so we don't want to have stairs to deal with. So it will need to be a first floor room...however I still want a nice view. I've emailed Bay Club to inquire about whether they have any first floor rooms with a balcony and nice view because of the disability issues. What were the Best Western first floor rooms like??

 

[redsox721]

I believe if you get a room with a marina view you will have no obstacles and instead of a balcony it is a patio. The first floor rooms view on the bay view side are somewhat limited due to the parking. Not bad but not good either. They also have a patio instead of a balcony.

As for breakfast, we found a delightful place called Marvelous Muffins not far from the hotel. We weren't concerned about "no breakfast" since a cup of coffee and a muffin/bagel work for us. We didn't have kids with us, as this was just my DH and I. No matter which hotel you pick, Shelter Island is wonderful.

 

[jenjersnap]

Humphrey's might be different - it's sorta situated on a corner rather than along the street - but both the BW and Bay Club have marina views right on the water (the better views I mentioned) while the bay view will have the parking lots and Shelter Island Drive in between.

Bay Club also has a roomy centrally located elevator - it even goes directly to the parking garage underneath. I would think it would be a good choice for those with mobility issues!

If you PM me, I can give you a link to some of my personal pics of Bay Club. Tripadvisor also likely has lots of traveler's pics of all three hotels.

 

[ndloewen]

Humphrey's might be different - it's sorta situated on a corner rather than along the street - but both the BW and Bay Club have marina views right on the water (the better views I mentioned) while the bay view will have the parking lots and Shelter Island Drive in between.

Bay Club also has a roomy centrally located elevator - it even goes directly to the parking garage underneath. I would think it would be a good choice for those with mobility issues!

If you PM me, I can give you a link to some of my personal pics of Bay Club. Tripadvisor also likely has lots of traveler's pics of all three hotels.

I didn't realize bay club had an elevator. That is very good to know. I will pm you. Thanks!

 

[redsox721]

Follow up----we able to book a room view with BW.

jenjersnap is right about the road and parking lot but since we were on the second floor it didn't effect us.

 

[ndloewen]

I have only stayed at the Island Palms but it was amazing. Here are some pictures--

sunrise from our balcony

wonderfully, comfortable bed

lots of space, corner room

nice bathroom and vanity area

balcony

here was my review posted on another thread--

Just returned from our trip. The Best Western Island Palms is amazing. We loved it. The room was beautiful. It was large and clean with comfortable beds. The staff was very friendly. The grounds were beautiful also. There is a nice "park" area across the street to walk around. The marina is on the other side of the hotel and is nice to watch the boats. It is close to the airport, zoo and other attractions.

Were you in the island palms section, or the other (casa) section? A standard room or a suite??

 

[redsox721]

We were in the Casa building in a king room. Not a suite. It was wonderful having a corner room. You could see the bay from the window behind the desk and both views from the balcony. (the marina view is not a full view but you could see boats)

 

[ndloewen]

Thanks everyone for your input. The prices went down dramatically at Island Palms over the last few days, so I have reserved a Jr Suite in the Casa section. From the pictures it looks beautiful!

 

[redsox721]

Thanks everyone for your input. The prices went down dramatically at Island Palms over the last few days, so I have reserved a Jr Suite in the Casa section. From the pictures it looks beautiful!

It is beautiful. You will have a great time.

 

[Huff]

We stayed at Humphreys a few months ago and loved it. Got it for about $50 through Priceline so could not beat the price. We got a 1st story room facing the pool area. Kids loved being able to open the arcadia door and walk right out to the pool.