Seaside Artisan Motel

I’ve stayed at the Seaside Artisan twice now when I’ve gone to Dunedin to visit family. Each time the woman who is one of the owners has been kind, friendly and accommodating. I’ve stayed in two different rooms, both of which were light, airy and felt more like efficiency apartments than a motel room. Can’t speak for other people, but if you are willing to call to talk with them in person (or email) to make your reservation, and like old-​time Florida motels, I highly recommend this place.

I was so excited when I found this reasonably-​priced motel in Dunedin; the reviews were great (on Google and Trip Adviser) and it looked really cute. I called 3 weeks ahead of time and told the owner that I lived out of town and needed to make a reservation. I told him I would be arriving after 8 PM as well. He told me it wasn’t a problem and that I just needed to come in when I got in town and there would be a room for me. He asked for my name, and that was it. I assumed this meant I had a reservation.
When I showed up, I found a «no vacancy» sign on the office door. I was hoping this didn’t apply to me since I had a reservation, but when I spoke with the owner (the same man who spoke to me on the phone), he said there were no rooms. When I reminded him that I had made a reservation, he said, «Oh yeah, I remember you,» and that was it. No «I’m so sorry» or anything (not to mention that it was pouring raining that night too, so I was soaked with no place to stay). I was so disappointed; I ended up calling a friend in Tampa (an hour away) who was able to accommodate me.
From my own experience, I definitely do NOT recommend this place. If a motel can’t make and keep reservations properly, it shouldn’t be operating.
However, I had friends who were in town for the same event as I was, and we had all planned to stay at this motel together. They called and spoke to the wife (co-​owner) to make their reservation and they DID have a room that night. (They also checked in 4 hours earlier than I did, so maybe that’s the key.) I’m not sure how their stay was, but if you’re going to stay here, make sure you speak to the woman and call back the week before to confirm.