Mariner Motor Lodge

This modest hotel has a classic motor lodge feel, with parking in front of the rooms and a two-story building that stretches around the outdoor pool and landscaped grounds. The small lobby is bright and inviting, with a vaulted ceiling, dark carpet with neon accents, and windows that overlook the indoor pool area. Menus from several nearby restaurants are displayed on a rack across from the wood-paneled front desk. The adjacent breakfast room also has colorful '80s-style carpet and several polished stainless steel tables and chairs. It can get crowded at peak times when seating is at a premium, but more tables and chairs are outside. The pool areas and mini-golf course are popular places for guests -- who are mostly families -- to enjoy some time together, as is the grassy picnic area where families can grill out. This is a casual and relaxed hotel that aims to be family-friendly and usually hits the mark.

This hotel is centrally located on busy Route 28, the main thoroughfare that runs through West Yarmouth to Falmouth (southwest) and Chatham (east). It’s a few minutes' walk to several restaurants and shops, and more eateries are within about 10 minutes' walk or just a couple of minutes driving in either direction. Seagull Beach is a five-minute drive, and the Bayberry Hills Golf Course is seven minutes away by car. Attractions in the heart of Hyannis are about 10 to 15 minutes by car (traffic dependent), including the JFK Hyannis Museum. The Inner Harbor at Hyannis is around 15 minutes away. Once there, ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket takes about one hour by high-speed ferry, or a little over two hours by traditional ferry. The Barnstable Municipal Airport is 10 to 15 minutes' drive away, and driving to Provincetown takes about one hour. It’s approximately 90 minutes to two hours by car to either Boston Logan International Airport or T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island.

Guest rooms were refreshed in 2016 with new beds and bedding, carpet, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and furniture. Decor is pleasant and cheerful, with navy blue as the featured color, along with pistachio-green accents in carpeting and walls. Matching, two-tone wood furniture extends from headboards to desks with ergonomic office chairs, while beach-themed art decorates some walls. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi that many past guests report to be spotty. The rooms offer enough space for comfort and remain clean and well-maintained post-upgrade, although some past guests have reported minor housekeeping and maintenance issues. 

King, Double Queen, and Double Double rooms are available. The size and configuration of the bathrooms can vary by room -- granite vanities may be placed either inside or outside bathrooms -- with some on the small side. All of the rooms we saw had acrylic shower/tub combos and beige tiling. Ground-level rooms have sliding doors that lead out to small patios with plastic chairs. The rooms are relatively quiet, but those adjacent to the outdoor pool area can hear ambient noise from swimmers. There are no elevators at the property, so guests with mobility challenges may want to request ground-floor rooms. 

The Mariner Motor Lodge added a free continental breakfast as part of its 2016 upgrade. Breakfast is average and served in a space that’s rather small for a 100-room hotel. Free coffee is available all day, along with vending machines for snacks and drinks. An outdoor pool, indoor pool, and whirlpool allow for swimming regardless of the weather. All of the pools are spacious, and there are plenty of tables and loungers nearby. Pool towels are provided upon request. The hotel also has a nine-hole mini-golf course and a picnic area with tables and grills that guests are welcome to use. The grassy grounds also feature a playground with swings. Free parking is on-site and located in front of the rooms. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property, but some past guests have reported it to be spotty.