The Island Guest House
4.8 (235)
207 3rd St, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 709-5791
theislandguesthouse.com
Claimed
Victorian B&B offering individually decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi, plus a cottage & garden. Dating from 1900, this Victorian B&B sits on a residential street; it's a 3-minute walk from the beach, and a 2-minute walk from the shops and dining on Bay street. Rooms range in styles, including Victorian, European, Old World and Island. All feature free Wi-Fi and TVs with cable channels; some add private bathrooms, minifridges, 4-poster beds, private balconies and/or private patios. A cottage offers a screened porch, a kitchenette, a fireplace and a whirlpool tub. Amenities include a hot homemade breakfast, a large communal flat-screen TV, a shared fridge and free beach badges. There's a garden area with umbrellas and evening candlelight.
Reviews
Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.
Wendy Zedack
6 months ago
This Bed and Breakfast far exceeded my expectations ! Joanne, Mark and Family were very welcoming. Joanne provides a Fantastic breakfast every morning.The property is very well maintained- a reflection of the love in their hearts for their business. Both my stay in June and again in September provided the respite I much needed. I highly recommend staying there !!Walkability: The location is in the perfect spot. All my needs were within walking distance.
Mark Blanchette
7 months ago
This was our first experience at a Bed and Breakfast. It far exceeded our expectations ! Joanne, Mark and Christina were so welcoming and attentive to our entire stay. Joanne provides a breakfast that is amazing.The property is very well maintained and you can tell these folks love this business a lot. We could not have had a better vacation due to the outstanding accommodations provided at the Island Guest House. We highly recommend staying there !!
Pat Ervick
8 months ago
We loved The Island Guest House. It had everything we needed. Victoria, Joanne and Mark are lovely and very hands on and personable. The breakfast had an array of options, even for the pickiest eater. Our room was clean and comfortable. I gave it 4 stars out of 5 only because we booked a queen bed. My husband is tall and next time we will need a king bed. Otherwise, a very pleasant and wonderful stay.
Tracy Marmolejo
7 months ago
This is my second time to stay at this wonderful B&B. I enjoyed the first stay so much that I brought my husband back for a long weekend over Labor Day. We had an awesome time and every breakfast was fabulous and along with afternoon treats that were amazing!! We loved every minute of our stay and will deffinitely be back. Mark, Joanne and Christina were lovely host..Rooms: So nice and clean and the rooms are so comfortable....Nearby activities: The beach is a block away.. so wonderful!!Food & drinks: Plenty of places to grab a bite to eat an get drinks!
Heather Tolvay
9 months ago
This was our first Bed & Breakfast experience and it was fantastic! Absolutely exceeded all expectations. Mark and Joanne were so friendly and constantly went above and beyond to make sure we felt at home. The bed and breakfast itself was beautiful, I absolutely loved the outdoor area and the outdoor shower! The bikes were one of our favorite amenities, and it was so nice to have beach chairs available. Breakfast each morning was freshly made and so delicious. We were steps away from the beach, and also nearby so many restaurants and shops. Also want to mention that the other guests were all so sweet and friendly as well. Had the absolute best time during our stay. Definitely plan on returning and would 100% recommend!
Danie Piacentini
9 months ago
We recently stayed for 4 nights over 4th of July. Overall our time there was great! My fianc� and I loved the quirkiness of the design throughout, the location to the beach was perfect plus they provide beach chairs, we took their bikes for a morning ride and the best part was the homemade breakfast each day. Also, they are close to many great restaurants, bars & shops which was nice as we only want to walk to places and not drive. The family that owns the B&B were super friendly with Victoria, their daughter, was the best! She really does make sure each guest has a wonderful experiance!
Angela Barbella
8 months ago
The Island Guest House makes me want to return to LBI! I found it online when I googled Pet Friendly places to stay. Our dog was so happy to receive treats everyday and have water bowls provided. We stayed in the Cottage and it was awesome, perfect for our family! It was neat and clean and had everything we needed. Joanne's breakfasts were so tasty and there was a good variety. She even took the time out to prepare some vegan options for my son who appreciated it very much. Victoria was so pleasant and friendly, always asking if we needed anything and if everything was ok. Mark was welcoming and kind, wonderful hosts! The Inn was awesome with a great courtyard and main house. Just steps to the beach, bay, shopping, dining, an ideal location! Bike riding was fun and chairs and towels were provided, so nice not to have to pack all those items! This is one place I definitely want to return to! I miss it already! Hmmm...next summer?? ;)
Michael Lombardi
8 months ago
Absolutely beautiful property. Guest services were outstanding. Exactly the kind of experience you want at a bed-and-breakfast at the Jersey shore. Homemade blitzes, pancakes, and quiche for breakfast along with fresh fruit,Oatmeal,coffee,juice. 24 hour, coffee and tea service with fresh baked goods all day long. I absolutely love staying on LBI and the Island Guest house is my new favorite place to stay. Perfect location in the heart of Beach Haven. Can t wait to go back.Do not believe any negative reviews that you read. They are just miserable people that will never be happy. This place is awesome.
Lumturi Gjeta
8 months ago
This was my first time at the Island Guest House, but definitely not my last one. I was very pleased and happy with my standing there. Everyone is so nice and kind. The location is 10 out of 10, the room was so comfortable and clean. I really enjoy the breakfast everything was so delicious.Thank you for your hospitality!
Michael Dundie
9 months ago
Lovely family owned B&B a short walk from the ocean. The food and hospitality were top notch. Mark & Joanne were very flexible with our dates and a joy to work with. Morning breakfasts on the outdoor patio were amazing. Highly recommend!
Joseph Barbella
8 months ago
Excellent stay at the Island Guest House! I have been to LBI a few times before but this was my first time staying at the Island Guest House. You feel as if you're staying with family here. Breakfast is included and there is a nice patio for guests to enjoy as well as beach chairs and bicycles available for guests to use. The Island Guest House is also in a great location next to many restaurants and attractions within easy walking distance. Highly recommend staying here while in LBI!
Karli Van Duzer
10 months ago
My husband and I stayed here for a long weekend. I will start with the positives. The location is amazing, in walking distance to lots of restaurants and shops. Christina, one of the daughters, was soo nice and seemed genuinely concerned we we had everything we needed.Now on to the negatives. The website is extremely misleading. It states that Joanne makes the breakfast fresh however the pastries are frozen and the "hot item" is cooked the day before then just heated up in the oven. The complimentary beach chairs and bicycles are old and rusty. We took the bikes out for a ride and immediately turned around because we thought the wheels were going to fall off. One of the beach chairs broke at a rust spot while we were using it. When we brought this up to Joanne she said "it happens, that's why we buy 100 of them". We tried finding a nonrusty beach chair and did not succeed.While hanging out in the courtyard one afternoon we overheard a conversation Joanne was having with another guest. She openly admitted that she and Mark will turn away families with young children or young couples if they call. I feel like if we didn't book online we would of been turned away. They definitely cater to an older clientele.We stayed in the balcony room with a private bathroom. The bed was comfortable. The air duct was dusty, the air conditioner was so loud we turned it off because we thought it was going to die, and the carpet is so old and dirty I don't want to think about the last time it was properly cleaned.I could go on about the things we did and didn't like but I'll stop. I really encourage people to read all the reviews because I think they delete bad reviews. One last thing, when you check out before you can even tell them how your stay is Joanna just writes what she wants. She asked how things were then before I could say anything said "I'll give you a smiley face". I would not give this stay a smiley face.
Kathy Johnson
10 months ago
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Colleen Cormier
2 years ago
My family and I were long overdue for a vacation together and we decided to book the Island Guest House after reading a few good reviews online. Well, the B&B far exceeded any expectations that we had. Mark, Joanne, Victoria, and Brenda were all such great hosts and we enjoyed getting to know them each day. The B&B itself was full of charm, it was comfortable, and clean. The homemade breakfast each morning was delicious and a great way to start our day and we took advantage of the beach chairs and bikes available to us. We somehow felt the perfect combination of being on a fun and exciting vacation, but also feeling right at home. We will definitely be back in the future!
Alysa D
a year ago
I had an incredible experience from start to finish staying here. What a dream! Mark, Joanne and Victoria are wonderful people who go above and beyond to make you feel at home and provide every comfort and convenience they can for the entirety of your stay. The daily breakfast was fantastic, the 24/7 coffee was so good and always hot, and it was so awesome having the bikes and beach chairs to use on the beach which is literally a block away. I truly cant say enough about how much I loved my stay, and I can't wait to go back.
Lisa Jensen
2 years ago
This was our second stay at the Island Guest House and once again, we were not disappointed. This time we even brought our dogs for the 4 days. Though it was a little cozy in our room with 3 adults and 2 dogs we were quite comfortable. Mark, Joanne, Victoria and Brenda were all very accommodating and the generous breakfasts sustained us easily til dinner. It's a great location, close to beach, amusement and shopping. Dog friendly eateries and a beach for pups. It was a wonderful getaway and we look forward to a full week next year!
Shay Reisert
2 years ago
Mark, Joanne and Brenda were excellent hosts. They truly make you comfortable in every way.Our room was wonderful. Joanne is truly a fantastic cook with a delicious breakfast every day. No need to take your bikes, they have new ones for your use and beach chairs also! We have a smaller dog and they told us about the dog beach that you can use year round. You are in walking distance to all the best Beach Haven restaurants and shops!
Online Reviews
a year ago
The family is an excellent host. We had great friendly interactionswith everybody there. Breakfast was good on both days with plenty of options to eat, drink, and plenty of space inside and out to sit. I over ate the first day! Great to see a water cooler and ice machine on the firstfloor that we used. Our Madison room was the right size for us, King Bed, dual shower to fit 2 people at once. I would suggest bringing an eye mask if you are a light sleeper as you are 1.5 blocks from the beach so the sun comes up early. We are used to black out curtains so woke up at 730 thinking it was 1030, but not a deal breaker.Bathrooms were stocked with good TP, soap, shampoo/conditioner. The price we paid was great for what we received and the location is superb! We didn't utilize the bikes but plenty available for free. Quiet hours were respected, I never heard anybody else even though it was a full house. We would certainly return here over a hotel.
Dawn Seier
2 years ago
We had such a nice stay and were able to relax and enjoy our vacation! Victoria, Joanne, Mark and Brenda made us feel welcome and part of the Guest House family. We particularly enjoyed breakfast each morning and the beautiful courtyard patio - it was SO nice to have our pup with us and to know she was welcome! We met other guests and shared laughs each day! Everything we needed in a wonderful location with lovely people! What more could we ask for? Not a thing!
Andrea Hehlinger
a year ago
Can t say enough about this B&B. The hosts and staff were phenomenal from the time we arrived until check out. The rooms and bathrooms were impeccable! So many amenities! The included breakfast was beyond fabulous! So much and so delicious Kudos to the chef! The outdoor shower was my favorite. So spacious with a large shower head. Not to mention the included bathrobes! The proximity to the beach, restaurants and shopping is the best! Park when you arrive and forget about your car until you leave Can t wait until to my next stay at the Island Guest House!
Kelly Skobo
a year ago
We booked the entire inn for 3 nights for our wedding. The rooms are spotless, the hosts are incredibly accommodating and breakfast is delicious, with tons of choices, every morning! All of our guests felt at home and talked many times about how they were going to book their own trips to come back and stay! At the Island Guest House, you are treated like family from the moment you arrive!
Samantha Overstreet
a year ago
Mark and Joanne were extremely friendly and accommodating from booking the room to departure.The location couldn't be better. You are two blocks from the beach and two blocks from the restaurants and dog beach.We were traveling over Memorial Day Weekend and they had a great rate and were dog friendly. Our room was dog ready for us with a tray, food/water bowls, a treat, and dog blanket for the bed. They even had a pet sitter available for a dinner out or beach time.There are two types of rooms at the bed and breakfast - with a bathroom or without a bathroom (just a bedroom with a sink). We stayed in just the bedroom and sink and used the shared bathroom. This made me nervous at first but I never had to wait for other guests and it was cleaned multiple times so you were always going into a fresh bathroom. It is also a beautiful bathroom that has everything you may need including: Shampoo/body wash/conditioner, toothpaste, q-tips, etc. The room came with the essentials, TV, work station, and wifi.The yard at the house was perfect for us! There were many tables to sit at and eat (or drink), corn hole, misting station, dog bowls, dog shower and human shower (outdoor showers with shampoo/body wash/conditioner AND DOG SHAMPOO!), ping pong, bikes, chairs for the beach, etc.Bottom line, Joanne and Mark have made this bed and breakfast into a sanctuary to travel too. I have been referring friends and cannot wait to come back.
Karen B.
a year ago
The Island Guest House Bed and Breakfast Inn, is a charming, and welcoming B&B. It is obvious its owners, Mark, Joanne, and Victoria take great pride in their beautiful inn, and make every effort to ensure guests have an enjoyable stay.We stayed in Christina s Room. It was cozy and air conditioned, and its bathroom had a large, two person shower. Each morning, we ate a delicious breakfast (crumb cake; asparagus frittata; oven baked French toast topped with fresh blueberries; assorted fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt; homemade cheddar bread and assorted bagels) outside in the courtyard, where their friendly cat made his appearance. The garden room at the front of the inn is a perfect place to sit back and relax. The outside shower is spacious, enclosed, and private. There is a community refrigerator big enough to chill your favorite beverages, an ice machine, and a water cooler.The inn is located less than two blocks from the beach, which means you can roll out of bed, grab a cup of tea (or coffee) from the kitchen, and walk to the beach to watch the sunrise. That was the highlight of my trip. It is centrally located to numerous restaurants and eateries, shops, the grocery store, the theater, the amusement park, and the public library. They also provide bikes, which we enjoyed riding along the bike path.I highly recommend staying here, and look forward to returning in the near future.
Denise Hurley
10 months ago
We have returned to Boston and we feel we died and went to heaven. It was our first visit to the Jersey shore and we plan to return to this Inn. Joanne and her family roll out the red carpet to all of their guests. Her breakfast is to die for. Her and her staff are special people and no one is ever disappointed. We feel we hit the jackpot when we found this gem.Walkability: Many places to walk. Wonderful restaurants and shops.Food & drinks: Above and beyond any of my expectations.
Elysia Trapp
a year ago
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Denise Tarkenton
10 months ago
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Sarah LeFevre
a year ago
Exceeded all expectations!!-Breakfast each morning was absolutely amazing. So much thought and effort put into what was being cooked each morning.-When I booked my room, the only rooms left were ones without a private bathroom which made me nervous. However, it was no problem at all. I never had to wait for a bathroom or shower and everything was kept so incredibly clean the entire trip.-You can't beat the location of the house which is a very short walking distance to both the beach and restaurants, bars, shops etc.-Last but not least the owners were WONDERFUL. They were so personable and went above and beyond to remember your names, talk to you each morning, and made sure you felt at home and had everything you needed at all times.Looking forward to booking another trip to LBI again to stay at the Island Guest House!
Cindy Bassel
2 years ago
Our 1 week stay at the island guest house was awesome , Could not ask for a better team then Joanne,Mark, Victoria and Brenda. Joanne s homemade breakfasts were delicious, something for everyone even a picky eater like myself. A quick 2 block walk to the beach (chairs provided ) and shops and restaurants, bicycles also are available for use. The island guest house is clean and comfortable.Can t wait to return !!
Mark Skove
2 years ago
Mark, Joanne and their staff have thought of everything! It's really more than a bed and breakfast, it's a magical experience. The building and grounds are spotless, the food is outstanding and the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed. Forgot to bring a beach chair? No worries, they have plenty to lend. Notice how many people are riding bikes and wish you had one? Again, they've got you covered with a fleet of bikes to ride. And the location: minutes from the beach, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. You can truly park your car upon arrival and not think about again until its time to go home.
Elise Ennis
2 years ago
From arrival to departure a perfect long weekend to refresh and recharge. Couldn t ask for a nicer, cleaner, more perfect place at the beach. Got there early and took advantage of the early check in for $20 got my beach badge, access to bikes and beach chairs and because my room was ready I was able to settle in and head right to the beach. Great room, lots of little details, literally everything I could ask for. Each morning they make a different delicious breakfast before you head off for the day. It was a rainy weekend but the Inn has plenty to do on site and within walking distance. Great family atmosphere!