Spray Beach Oceanfront Hotel

What originally would have been quite a positive view was marred by the 'customer service' personnel in the hotel. I arrived at the hotel for a one night stay, I arrived quite early and let the front desk know I was there, gave my credit card and headed to friends and the beach while waiting for check in. Check-in was brief and no information was provided regarding beach tag procedures or checkout expectations. Called me at 4:16pm to let me know room was ready. At this point, I had already headed down to friends as I had been there for a bit, so headed back around 6pm just to get keys. She asked me how many beach tags, but at this point, I wasn't headed back to beach so just said two for the following morning. Room was very clean, pool facing, which wasn't ideal, but corner room so I could see the beach from the side and quiet. I enjoyed the room, not one complaint. Beds were very comfortable. TV wouldn't work but I didn't need it so didn't matter. Unfortunately, the checkout experience completely changed my impression of the hotel. I got up quite early, packed up my stuff and planned to head to the beach until the rest of my crew was up and we had a plan for the day (they were all staying in houses scattered throughout the island). I knew it was July 4th weekend, so they needed us out asap, I was walking back to the beach after checking out. Checkout is 11am. My phone rings, its 11:06, it's the hotel. I answered, the lady said, you checked out but didn't turn in your beach tags. I said, Oh I am sorry, I was going to head to the beach for an hour until the rest of my group was up, didn't realize we had to turn them in. She said you have 10 minutes to turn them in or you will be charged to your credit card. When I explained that I hadn't been told the tags needed to be returned before checkout, I was told I had 'definitely been told.' That was not my recollection of the check-in process. As I approached the front desk, no one was there because the employee was standing partially inside the office speaking with coworkers. Before she realized I was there, I clearly heard her say she would have "charged my ass" for the beach tags. That comment was both inappropriate and unprofessional. Afterward, I asked several friends who regularly stay on LBI, and they confirmed that returning beach tags is common practice at area hotels. I have no issue with that policy. My issue is that it was never explained during check-in, especially since other shore towns, including Ocean City, often allow guests to use beach tags after checkout At this price point, I expected professionalism, especially from the front desk staff. The property itself is beautiful. My room was spotless, comfortable, and quiet, and every other employee I encountered—including the staff at Drift—was friendly and helpful. The only reason I cannot rate this stay more highly is because of the front desk interaction. A simple explanation of the beach tag policy and a respectful conversation would have prevented the entire situation. Instead, I left feeling that I had been treated as though I had done something wrong when I simply hadn't been informed of the hotel's procedure.