Lambros & Hampton House Apts

First impression: Old, dirty, and looked like a flop house, and this was just the foyer, our room was another story! The smell was overwhelming when the staff opened our door, the musty odor was almost putrid and there was no ventilation, the windows could not be opened per the staff due to ""code"". Paint was peeling off the windows, the rug was absolutely filthy, we would not let our child walk on it barefoot. There was a dirty ring around the tub, the furniture looked like it was either found on the street, or from a thrift store. The toilet would not flush unless you took the tank top off and jiggled the flushing mechanism in the tank. The airconditioners were filled with black, sticky soot, for that matter, the kitchen table was a sticky mess too. There was old food, wrappers, dirt and unknown petrified objects under the soiled couch in the kitchen....and we were told we had the ""best room they had!"" Last impression: Very dirty. We would never go back. more

Short Description: Half of balance must be paid in CASH! No HOT WATER for entire stay. Longer Explanation: When I made the phone reservation I was told a security deposit of $75 cash was be made upon arrival and would be returned at checkout barring no major damage was done. That seemed reasonable. I was also told half of my balance was to be paid over the phone via my credit card and the rest was be paid upon arrival. A few hours after I reserved my room I received an email confirmation. The confirmation stated that not only must I pay $75 cash, but I MUST pay the remainder of my balance in CASH upon arrival. I wanted to cancel my reservation completely after seeing this but the confirmation also stated there was a $150 fee for cancelled reservations. We had a late check-in, 10 pm Friday night. We were shown to our room. My first impression was it was a dump. It was furnished with old thrift store furniture and had a sink with separate hot and cold spigots. There was mildew on the shower curtain and paint peeling around the pipes for the claw foot tub. Saturday morning I went to take a shower and found that there was no hot water. I proceeded to take a fast cold shower. We promptly went to the office and asked about the hot water. The manager told us the problem happened late last night (we never did get a straight answer as to if she knew about it before we checked in, we suspect she did). We were told as soon as there was more information we would be notified and the problem would be fixed ASAP. We heard nothing, so late Saturday afternoon we asked about the progress and the manager told us that the broken part of the hot water heater would be in on Monday and it will be fixed on Monday. We were also told a shower in the neighboring building would be available for hot showers. On Sunday we spoke to the manager again and asked about our options about leaving or receiving a discount for our inconvenience. She said we could receive $75 refund or $125 credit for our next visit, or we were free to find another hotel and be refunded that portion of money. We decided to stay since the hot water was supposed to be fixed the next day and a $75 refund was decent. $75 would work out to $25/day discount if the hot water would be fixed on Monday. Monday came and went, Tuesday came and went still no hot water. We checked out on Wednesday morning. I had planned to negotiate for more money since we never had hot water during the entire five days. Well Wednesday morning the manager was not there and none of the clerks were allowed to negotiate with us. I asked if she was available on the phone and they said they would call her. They came back and said we agreed with the original discount and there was nothing they would do. When we tried to explain how we were lead to believe it would be fixed they said that the main boiler had broken and it was a major repair. Up until this point we had been lead to think it was a small part not the main boiler. When we started to tell them this fact, they refused to listen and told us everyone was notified by phone before they checked in about the water situation. We said that we were told it happen late Friday night and we were told nothing about the hot water not working when we checked in. The clerk just throw up her hands and walked away. We did get our $75 refund and the $75 deposit back. We will never stay at Lambros and Hampton House again. more

Our family has been having reunions here every summer for many years. We normally rent about three or four apartments for the week, which can easily fit our large family of twenty five. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. We had two rooms in the white building and two in the main house. The rooms were comfortable and spacious and were all decorated with that personal touch.\r Our family has many kids so it was great to relax on the beach and watch them play. Since the hotel is so close to the beach, we could come back and eat lunch instead of bringing all of our food onto the beach.\r There are so many acivities within walking distance so that each individual family could do what they wanted or group with others. There are boat rides with pirate themes and others that discuss the ecology and nature of the local area. Parasailing and ziplining were available for the more adventurous of us. \r At night we all went to the end of the boardwalk to the pier and the kids went on the rides and so did some of us adults. there are so many retaurants within walking distance that the whole family loved!\r We are definately coming back next year and many more years to come! more

My family and I have been staying at the Lambros and Hampton House for years. It gets better each year as nice touches are added every year. What a friendly staff who go out of their way to take care of you. If you need anything, just ask. The most charming place on the boardwalk. Check-in is a breeze and our apartment is clean and comfortable. Perfect location on the boardwalk -park the car and walk to everything. Love sitting on the oceanfront veranda watching the waves and the kids flying their kites on the beach. We are going back this summer. It is our family tradition. Lambros and Hampton House here we come! Pros: Great Hospitality more

Just made reservations (again) at the Hampton House. Can’t wait to take my kids on the boards and hit the beach. So glad our room with a porch overlooking the ocean was available. HH is old-time OC at its best. Glamour is not what it’s all about – but wearing your bathing suit and sandles for a full week and not having to change or get in the car if you don’t want to is awesome. HH is clean and comfortable and the staff is great. Renee and Mary made us feel like one of the family. My mouth is watering for some boardwalk junk food and Bahama Mama steamed shrimp and the best crabs in OC. Can’t wait til vacation in June!! Pros: On the beach!; great ocean front porches; family atmosphere Cons: None - I am coming back for sure more

My family and I had a great stay. The management and staff were warm and friendly, made us feel very welcome. Our apartment was clean and comfortable. Loved sitting on the patio watching the people go by on the boardwalk and relaxing with the view of the ocean. Location is ideal, you can walk to everythting. We will stay here again! Already got my reservation in for next summer! Pros: clean, friendly atmosphere, great location more

I have been going to OC my whole life for fire convention. Decided to stay somewhere different. This place sounded great! HAHA! Furniture was very old, bed broke and never got a new one, had to sleep with mattress on floor all week. One of the owners came in my apartment when I wasnt there and took my comforters and did not replace them with covers. She said ""I was abusing them because of all my cosmetics on them"" Funny I have never wore make up in my life! When we went to office to confront her, she called the police on my mother! Who is a very timid, quiet person! She also went in to my friends apartment without permission as well. Said they were being loud on their deck. When I was the only one on the deck so I know I wasnt being loud. I would never recommend this place to anyone! Pros: Renee was great to deal with Cons: Wont stay there because of Renees mom! more

Beware! This place is awful. Lambros apartments are a rat trap! And the customer service at the front desk was the worst. Not a place for families and for seniors. Unrespectable sorts stay here and their ""commotions"" can be heard throughout the night. Pros: The patio Cons: A dump more

We spent two glorious weeks at Hampton House and Lambros and wish we could have stayed for two more. Renee was an amazing hostess/Innkeeper and couldn't do enough to make our stay memorable. And memorable it was. Check-in isn't until 3pm, but our unit was ready at 11am and they let us check in which was great as we had groceries and couldn't wait to get on the beach. We had a full kitchen with full size fridge. The kitchen and family room were pretty big and easily accomodated our family of 6 (4 kids ages 6 - 13). We spent a ton of time on the gorgeous beach, but my husband and I spent time relaxing on the huge patio that has big umbrellas to shade you from the hot sun. We could sit there having drinks and the kids could run around and play on the beach where we could see them. Great food places closeby (and not only fast food, but some really good restaurants) and a short walk to the rides. We had a blast and will be back for sure. Pros: Charming, Clean, Family-oriented, Friendly Cons: Nothing bad for two weeks! more