This property has had many upgrades and major improvements since the last time we stayed many years ago and we were thoroughly impressed!
The entire staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The grounds were impeccable. Our room #3, on the second floor was very clean, bed extremely comfy. It had 3 windows one of which gave a spectacular view for the sunrise. The location is perfect! Steps from the beach; bonus is that beach tags, chairs, umbrellas and towels provided, we did not use provided bikes. There was never a line to wait for early morning coffee downstairs. We knew breakfast was not included or on site. There is a side lawn with chairs, and the boardwalk which is steps away has plentiful benches to sit and relax in the evening. We look forward to booking another stay at the Grand Victorian! We noticed that the boardwalk and beach area to be very safe and has a strong police presence, also found beach patrol and lifeguards very helpful. (Observed a young lifeguard go and offer aid to elderly folks walking through the sand to their beach chairs)
(Our favorite place to eat is a short drive to Belmar for amazing vegetarian food at Kaya’s Kitchen…save room for dessert!)

Clean hotel with a very nice staff and an excellent location.
The staff had a golf cart ready to help with bags and accommodated our late check in. Every person we encountered couldn't be nicer. They have beach badges and chairs for you. They clean your room daily and the maid staff were also very nice and did a great job.
There is a very popular (and delicious) restaurant downstairs, so the lobby area is just a room -but you have 24/7 access to it with an ice machine, cold and hot water, coffee, etc. There is a grassy area on the side of the hotel to sit and relax with chairs and tables. The front porch is for the restaurant so you can't relax out there. Town is a fast walk- you cannot beat the location.
Our room (16) had a very very small bathroom. That was probably the only downside of the place. It was very quiet in the back of the hotel even though the entire inn was sold out and the restaurant was packed.
Spring Lake is a wonderful place and this hotel does a nice job. We will definitely be back.

Review

We stayed for a week at the end of June 2023. The hotel was recently bought by a company that owns resorts further south. We were told this is their first boutique hotel. It seems that so far they are keeping the beautiful and quaint aspects of this location.

Pros
⁃ Amazing location: right across the street from the water. You have an access badge to Spring Lake beach. A few blocks from the downtown area for good restaurants. On site restaurant is good but gets a bit loud (Amelia’s by the Sea).
⁃ Room 15 was good: we had our own spacious bathroom and it was at the end of the hotel. Bright and clean. No view but relatively quiet and large closet. Comfortable bed with super soft bedding.
⁃ AC worked!
⁃ Bikes available (fun) and even golf cart for town trips.
⁃ Alison, the manager is a gem. She is from here and had good tips. We enjoyed visiting some lighthouses she recommended.
⁃ Bikes, beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas all free and plentiful.

Cons or Meh
⁃ Street parking: seems some rooms have designated spots on site. For the rest of us, parking on street during day and across the street in the diagonals at night. We always found spots but wondering how it gets during the busier summer time.
⁃ No real lobby or chill area. Outside there are chairs and umbrellas. Adding tables would be nice. Next door at The Breakers hotel we notice huge wrap around porch that had rocking chairs and other seating looking at them sea for guests. They also have a pool!

Tips for eating around the area…
Downtown Spring Lake walking distance and great dining selections. Honey Berry was our “go to” breakfast place - everything was tasty but my favorite was Heavenly Bliss eggs. (Marigold was further away from downtown but good for breakfast and not as crowded.) SL Seafood was great, as was the SL pizza and Belle’s ice cream (gelati was the best). Dunes Donut and Bagels delish. The Scone Pony amazing but get there early; if there is a long line, it’s worth the wait. The chorizo and cheese ball breads at Nick’s & Son bakery good to take to beach.