Ocean Front Paradise Resort

Throwbacks. If you want a stay in the Indiatlantic-Melbourne Beach area, there are options to the beachfront high-rises that might save you $50 or more per night. One is the SeaScape Motel. I stayed there a couple of years ago, and would have gone back, but my dates were not available. So this review will primarily concern the Oceanfront Paradise, about a mile to the south. By throwbacks I mean that these facilities were obviously constructed before the age of high-rise beachfront hotels. Tradeoffs: you get a view of the ocean through a kitchen window (although SeaScape has a couple of units built up on the dune with a more panoramic view at a higher price) rather than from a balcony high up letting you see much further out to sea. On the other hand, it's a better view than you would get from a room on the back side of one of those pricey high-rises. At the Ocean Front, the units were built in a stepwise fashion, so that every unit had the same ocean view from its kitchen window. And with these two motels you get a full kitchen, a nearby Publix so you can save on dining in addition to on the room rate, and a bedroom separate from the living/dining area. In both instances, the beach itself is a walk of about 50 yards. The Oceanfront Paradise has a resident manager who can and will see to everything during office hours and would doubtless be available in a true emergency pretty much all the time. (She lent me an iron so I could be presentable at dinner.) She's effective and efficient. Enough parking, convenient and free. What matters most to me is my mattress; this one was firm throughout without being hard; just what I need for a comfortable sleep. All of the furniture was in good condition; not, I think, brand new, but up-to-date. There was a very large-screen tv. Kitchen was fully stocked with cooking and serving dishes and utensils as well as a small fridge with separate freezer compartment, microwave, range, and sink. Bathroom was in good shape, with a ready supply of warm water that did not run out during my rather long showers. A little bonus was that when the heating/cooling unit shut down, I could hear the surf, without opening a window. Next to a good mattress, what matters to me is good internet. The connection came up immediately, although it was a little in-and-out regardless of where I sat with my device. I don't want this to sound worse that it was: I would click on a link and get a "no internet" message; but I hadn't really lost my internet--I could quickly re-connect. So that was an inconvenience, not a disaster. I think the sofa at the Oceanfront was a hide-a-bed, so there might be the possibility of having two children sleep in the living room. Check on that. The thing to be aware of is that the Oceanfront Paradise has only eight units, and the SeaScape not many more. So it's possible that if you don't plan ahead--maybe _way_ ahead during the season--availability may be an issue. That's why I mentioned both

Amazing location! Cute, low-key motel right on the beach. Free parking and free wi-fi, and only 13 minutes from the Melbourne Airport! We loved the little apartment and the fact that you could see a glimpse of the ocean from each unit. We were in Unit 2, and it was extremely clean, with lots of natural light and equipped with all the necessities - kitchenware (including wine glasses and all utensils), extra bedding / blankets, bathroom towels, etc... and the bed was very comfortable. The refrigerator is a mini-fridge, but surprisingly spacious and we were able to shop at the grocery store just a half-mile away and stock all of our groceries needed for the 4 days we were there. There is also a liquor store within walking distance, an adorable diner across the street, as well as a Dunkin Donuts, and a Starbucks within 1 mile (a MUST for my husband!) ;) Several other cute restaurants and shops were also within a half-mile walk as well. My daughter LOVED the enormous beach-front playground that was 3/4 mile down the street as well. The only thing that would make this place even better would be a pool in the center courtyard, but for the value this is an absolute GEM in my opinion. My parents rented a room also at the same time, and I consider them to be a bit more "upscale" so are usually accustomed to a fancier vacation experience and weren't thrilled with our choice; but if your expectation is a simple, low-key, quiet, comfortable, BEACHFRONT getaway, then this is definitely the place for you.