We stayed in the Hollywood Room at Old Northside Bed & Breakfast, and unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. From the beginning, I felt pressured about providing an exact arrival time. I understand the owner’s desire to greet guests, but the repeated emphasis on timing made the experience stressful rather than welcoming. I’ve never felt so anxious about simply checking into a place, which set the wrong tone for the stay.
The Hollywood Room itself was in poor condition and lacked comfort. The plaster was cracked and falling in places, and there were visible watermarks under the windows where rain had come in. Even basic upkeep like dusting hadn’t been done, which added to the neglected feel. The bed had no headboard, so it wasn’t possible to sit up comfortably, and the pillows were flat. The placement of the TV made it awkward to watch from the bed, and the room felt overly warm. Although a box fan was provided, there was no good way to position it high enough for effective airflow. Security was also a concern. While the door could be locked from inside the room, it could not be locked from the outside, leaving belongings unsecured.
Breakfast added to the rigid atmosphere. We came downstairs a little earlier than our scheduled time just to grab a cup of coffee, and it was clear this wasn’t welcomed. The strict focus on timing made the stay feel more restrictive than relaxing.
We’ve stayed at many B&Bs before, and sadly, this was the worst experience we’ve had. Between the lack of comfort, cleanliness issues, and the unwelcoming pressure around timing, Old Northside did not meet even basic expectations. For many reasons, this B&B is not for us, and we would not stay here again.