owinsmom

I am in a quandry. I have narrowed in down to 3 places to stay in Homer and wonder if you fellow fodorites could enlighten me with your opinions. One is on the spit (Sea Lion), one is downtown (Mermaid) and one is up in the hills (Bear Paw Inn). I am only looking for advice really on location unless you know that one of these places are awful. Please tell me you views of where you would prefer and why. We will be there Labor Day weekend for 2 nights. Also, can someone tell me if there are shops, restaurants etc downtown? Thank you once again.

prarihil

I don't know anything about your choices (sorry) but when my husband and I were in Homer 7 years ago we stayed at the Ocean Shores Motel and found it to be reasonably priced, clean and a good location. If my memory serves me correctly, Homer downtown is rather small but there was an interesting "tourist" shop. Of course in 7 years, Homer could have changed. I hope that I was a little help to you.

Orlando_Vic

About 5 years ago, we stayed at Victorian Heights B&B <http://www.victorianheightsbedandbreakfast.com/>.
The rooms were large, had great views and the breakfasts were very good. Like the Bear Paw Inn, it was up in the hills and we had a great view of the Homer Spit and occasionally saw wildlife walking around below us. I have not stayed in town before, so I can't comment on that location, but we enjoyed staying up in the hills.

letsgo39

I always check out hotels on the tripadvisor forum.

The reviews on there show Bear Paw rated number #7 and Mermaid rated #10. There is no mention of the Sea Lion.

owinsmom

Thanks everyone for your replies. What I am really asking is which LOCATION do you think would be better? Do you have a preference of being on the spit, downtown or up in the hills and why? I have gotten great reviews from various places on all 3 places, but not sure if the location really matters.

Bill_H

What I am really asking is which LOCATION do you think would be better?

I didn't particularly like staying on the spit (though we were at Land's End, the very tip of the spit ... never saw the Sea Lion & don't know where it is) since it's a bit of a drive back into town thru heavy traffic. It's fine if you're in Homer in the winter to photograph the eagles at Jeanne's but too busy otherwise. Maybe OK if you're there for fishing though.

But if you have a rental car it's not a big deal since you can drive anywhere in 20 minutes or so.

I would 2nd parihil's recommendation for Ocean Shores, which has a great view of the bay, is relatively inexpensive, has great internet service if you bring a laptop, is close to the main junction between the spit and downtown but just far enough off the main road to be quiet.

can someone tell me if there are shops, restaurants etc downtown?

Yes, but the restaurants seem to be scattered around. Last trip (few weeks ago) we had good meals on the spit (I think Capt. Paddy's or Capt. Patty's) and on the main highway (Fat Olives). So you don't have to be 'downtown' (which is pretty small) for restaurants.

We will be there Labor Day weekend for 2 nights.

It will be very crowded, especially the spit.

Bill

prarihil

I guess that if it's location...I would stay downtown. That's because I live in a wooded area and I would appreciate walking around town and being fairly close to the ocean. If you live in a city....I would opt for the hills. The spit would be my last choice.

owinsmom

Thank you very much, that is what I wanted to know. Bill, Sea Lion Cove is actually down towards the end of the spit too, just not as far as the Land's End. It is actually just 2 apartments above the Sea Lion Art Gallery.