Danfords Hotel & Marina

Update 12/2022 Danfords sent me an email asking for an updated review since they are up for an award that they give themselves since they own marinas.com. Granted I didnt keep my boat there this year but still in touch with friends. Horrible year, nobody showed up at the dock parties all the family atmosphere is gone empty slips everywhere. Some activity with pilings and electric but still a mess. James the dockmaster was electocuted on the dock and had to be hospitolized for days. Loose wires hanging everwhere stay away. They also did not fix the gate yet that doesnt lock, boards coming up with nails everwhere. They keep advertising specials for the rooms since no one goes there. 2 people called for info on slips and no one ever gets back to them. Probably figuered to much money to fix up maybe they will sell it and new ownwers can put things back to normal. Update, As a response to Michael. I'll just ramble........I have had my boat at Danfords from 2009 till 2021. He knows who I am. Dockmasters have been John, Tom, James and Jack (for a week in 2019). No dockmaster after that, only Marina Manager a 19-year-old. There is not a dockhand there with any training and have filled Diesel boats with gasoline twice last year. The docks are not secure! You can step around the fence at multiple points and the main gate did not latch closed the last 2 years. There was also no security in 2020 or 2021 in the hotel or on the docks. What's the point in selling me a parking pass with nowhere to park? Buying the pass does not guarantee a spot. They do have a 15 minute parking but don't enforce it and let select people stay in those spots. There was always supposed to be dockside food delivery, maybe they ran out of plates from the dockhands kicking them in the water instead of returning them to the kitchen. Your restaurant downfall was when you hired Chef John and he changed the menu. At least he tried to keep the place clean, unlike the last 2 Applebee's managers you hired. So glad they are fixing the electric after multiple seasons of pedestal fires and transformer burnouts on boats. Let's also not forget about 10 days of no electric last year with hardly an apology and no compensation. 1st Review, Not sure where these reviews come from? Wish there was a zero. There are zero amenities at Danfords!! Spa is never open or can't get an appointment due to no employees, hotel is run down in every aspect, outdoor food service area has bird feces everywhere, no dockmaster, dockhands that can't tie a spring line, WIFI does not work, cable does not work, old unsafe docks with nails popping everywhere, breaker wall is non existent with no sea protection, no food service at dock, no pool, no picnic area, no barbeque area, no vehicle parking, no ship store, no mechanical services, no shuttle to local beaches, no trash pickup, electrical spotty and blows breakers, no security at hotel or docks, dock gate does not lock in the evening leaving people to roam the docks while your sleeping. Most of the items I listed are said to be included on Danfords website or Dockwa. Others listed can be found at any real marina. Best part is.........OVERPRICED. This is at best a one day stop over. Danfords nor the town of Port Jefferson is a vacation destination.

We got caught out in late night storms in the Long Island Sound with Port Jefferson the only shelter to run to around 11pm. Though the marina was technically closed, James and his staff were extremely accommodating, they helped us out and accommodated us until the morning until the storms died out. The captain of Rise Above was also great and helped guide us and tie up.

Our anniversary! Our intent was to dock, spend a couple of nights at the Danford's hotel, which was excellent. Good restaurant for drinks, indoors or out, dinner and breakfast. We also had a lobster dinner down the block. Here's the best part. As we were motoring in, our heat alarm went off inexplicably, as the the temp gauge was at normal. I had zero expectations of finding a mechanic on a late summer afternoon, but I checked in with the dockmaster if he had a recommendation. John (I think) immediately made a phone call, hooked us up with Josh at Port Jefferson Marine Maintenance. Josh came by later, evaluated the situation (faulty temp sensor), got us a replacement sensor and also gave us some TLC recommendations for winter work on the motor. Wow!

The best friendliest dockhands with superior experience, recognizing a repeat customer. An excellent stay for me and crew aboard Capt G's Spot.

Docking is a little tight but very well protected and staff is really helpful and accommodating

Nice town, great staff and attention to detail Louis

Our arrival was late and our departure the following morning was early. However, the dock staff was there to greet us and see us off. Haven't been to the area in over 30 years and have decided to make it a destination next summer. Close enough to NYC, but one will feel as if they are in the countryside.

Just had our first visit. Floating docks are helpful. the staff is great, super helpful and friendly. Great location, however, for the price of dockage you really don't get anything. Restrooms are in the hotel, not convenient. No laundry facility. On separate note, ate at Waves, part of hotel (inside) and spent our dinner swatting off flies ! Not pleasant. Would love to see some improvements before we return.

Very nice small marina with well-mannered staff. We had a bit of a hiccup with their directions approaching their docks which resulted in our having to change our lines from one side to the other, however, a very able dock attendant (Justin) came aboard and assisted with the lines. Other than some mis-communication everything was very nice and we will return.

Always a great stop. The staff is very helpful and the town is alive. Great staff Same as above, one of our favorite stops. We love the town and marina.

Enjoyed our stay and the service levels were ideal. Also appreciated the floating docks which make life very easy. Dinner at the Wave was also great - recommended.

We love staying at Danfords. The marina team is always extremely helpful and the amenities are fantastic. Also, of course, you can't beat the location and live music!

Super friendly staff. Great venue with restaurant, bar and live music. Always a pleasure to stay over.

Docks need upgrading BIG TIME, people tripped numerous times in front of our boat nearly landing on their face (not because they were tipsy). security gate BROKEN, no need for a code. Ferry Horn became annoying. The gardens were filled with weeds, very unsightly. All in all, the whole place looked run down. Marina Staff was very pleasant & helpful we must say. Slip fees were a bit expensive as was fuel, this will sway my decision as to whether we will return anytime soon.

Nice place, great location. Unfortunately the restaurant was severely understaffed, The service was very slow, despite empty tables. The restaurant manager was rude. There was no cable in the marina & Wi fi reception was terrible, however the marina crew was excellent.

The staff was very polite and attentive. Clean docks. Always someone stopping by to ask if anything was needed. Perfect location to enjoy the all the town’s activities

Staff was friendly and helpful.

Great service and support from James and the dock staff. They are on it and make you feel at home. Great place to visit.

staff is great. town near by

It such a nice place to stay. Close to nice restaurants

Not a good stay: On arrival there. We’re two very inexperience dockhands. They didn’t understand spring lines or how to Properly tie off a cleat. The winds were high so it was more difficult than a normal day. I had to jump off the boat and with the help of a Yacht Controller I redid all the lines and showed them the proper methods. I asked when the marina opened in the am. I was told 8am. No one was there. The office was closed. We left on our own ( with help of my Yacht controller). Not what you’d expect from a marina that charges a love average $/ft rates. In fact while writing this I convinced myself I deserve a discount.

Nice protective marina with super nice staff. Will definitely return.

Really nice staff. Olivia was very helpful and attentive to our needs. Marina offers excellent protection. Docks could use a little work.

Marina was good, with staff available, though somewhat distracted. Docks and buildings need a bit of attention.

The staff and facilities were great! They even helped us a lot with a medical incident. So nice!

Deck hands were very helpful and very polite

What a great stop! Olivia and Kyle and the rest of the staff were friendly and helpful! See you next Summer!

Not quite up to what they charge.

Always a pleasant stay

Good staff, excellent protection, and the showers and heads are great. However there is no pumpout and the town pumpout boat only works weekend - definitely a negative. The docks still all have sharp edges and should have a rubber bumper along the surfaces.

Dock was fine. Dockhands were quick and knowledgeable and very service friendly. It was a bit tight for a 57 foot boat. Very disappointed with hotel. Spa was a joke and tiny with no services really, basically a few massage rooms. The hotel is a bit run down and not worthy of the big prices for docking. Save the dough and pick a mooring, nothing special about location.

Fun place to visit but owners don’t put an adequate amount of money in to bring it up to its potential. Docks need repair, electrical service is lacking, water lines leak, and docks need more lighting at night. The bright spot is the staff which is great.

Spent just one night at the marina. Dock crew was very helpful in getting us tied up in our slip. The town is an easy walk from the marina. Unfortunately, there were a number of misses. The floating docks are old and need replacement. Don't walk on them with bare feet as I squired many a splinter before I realized this. Also, there are no services at the marina. If you want to use a restroom or a shower, you have to walk to the hotel where there is a small bathroom near the dining room for boat owners to use. Loud partying on a nearby boat didn't end until 1:30 am. Knowing what to expect , I will probably revisit just because of their ideal location and great crew.

Great spot for gas. Easy docking and great service. First time I docked the new boat. Sam helped me in with smile and a great attitude. Will be back.

Very nice marina with an excellent staff of dock hands. The location is ideal in terms of storm protection and immediate walking distance to the charming town of Port Jefferson. There is also a fine restaurant at the marina. There is also a fuel dock.

Nice marina. Helpful staff

Great facilities awesome location. Dock hands right there for assistance. Warning tight turn with unmarked rock near dock2. Use caution. Should be marked

We had a good experience at Danfords. Solid floating docks which kept us secure during Tropical storm Isaias. Located right in town with all kinds of restaurants and shops. Dock staff was very competent and professional. Good nearby parks for dog happiness.

Tropical storm Isaias blew over while we were here, dock master checked before, during and after to make sure everything was fine. Watched them secure blowing covers etc. on unattended boats. Great crew they have

I thought it was very noisy. Live music at the on-site restaurant was the typical blaring noise that sounds even worse when you are 300' away and the ferry dock is adjacent so the sound and exhaust of large diesel engines is nearly constant. There is no pool. We had to drive home about 8 nails that were popping up from the dock around our slip. Having said all that, it seems to be a popular place. The village is very nice as is the large harbor. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

Well Dockwa never confirmed, so I had to call and confirm myself, not sure why I need Dockwa. Marina Sent my 6’ draft through 4.5’ at low tide To get to slip, no warning. No electric, got to review my bill to be sure I wasn’t charged .

Great place. Marina, food and grounds! Incredible

The Marina is a beautiful marina. The docks are in excellent shape. The dock assistants are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. The checkin process was efficient. Security on the docks is excellent. But there are several unfortunate issues. The marina advertises wireless internet on Dockwa and their website. There is no signal on the dock except at the extreme end of the docks at the hotel. Unfortunately the hotel has the wireless internet not the marina. Also both places advertise cable television. That does not exist either. By the looks of the cable connections it’s been quite a while. I asked and I was told no we don’t have cable and they are not sure why they say that they do. And as far as the wireless they said it’s unfortunate but they have no options. A repeater maybe? A node on the docks maybe. I would come back again for an overnight but with different expectations.

Great facility. Attentive staff.

We were unfortunately placed next to a boat that hosted a party on the dock 40+ people in Covid environment which went on until midnight. High intoxicated, rowdy crowd ignored by marina staff. The following night a second party got completely out of hand with a fistfight, someone falling off a boat, and a middle aged woman passing out on the dock after a vulgar domestic argument. All of this was while the dock staff were in their building 30 feet away, who ignored it. Never again.

Beautiful port and really helpful and friendly staff.

I was a late season transit south and was picking ports based on the weather (duh). Kyle fit me in when the marina was basically empty and took care of me like it was high season. A truly positive experience- I’ll be back!

Nice but very busy/hectic place. (Restaurants, ferry, spa, etc.) Also pretty expensive.

Danfords is always a great weekend. Easy docking, excellent service, and right in town.

Excellent stay. The deckhands were great and knew their stuff. Marina shower/bathrooms were new and clean. There was live music all night at Danford's Wave Restaurant. Can't wait to go back.

Great marina and staff. Very Friendly staff and helpful.. Would come again!

The only problem we had with the marina was the placement of our boat. The water was extremely shallow. Our Dept sounder read: -1’ Otherwise the marina was excellent. The restaurant in the hotel, however, was horrible! Food was not good and two of our guests got some kind of food poisoning. The restaurant was the main reason for this poor review.

wifi did not work all weekend, needed for business. fitness center was flooded, could not work out. Shower rack was broken so unable to use marine shower. Don't get me wrong I love this marina and amenities but if I had my choice this stay would be comped for all that wasn't working this weekend.

stay was great, great slip, right in town, friendly dock staff, will be back

Accommodated us after we changed the date and they had a large charity event taking up all of the slips.

Docks & electric were upgraded since last visit. New Dockmaster/staff are awesome! We will return!

Great destination and staff was professional

good restaurant food. Great atmosphere. Wish there was a pool and wish the dock area was locked 24hr/day to keep general people traffic off and away from our boats. currently only locked overnight.

Great stay overnight at Danford's Marina. New Marina facilities is a major improvement for transients. Staff are always helpful and you are a short walk to the heart of Port Jeff's activities!

Very expensive for very few amenities, showers needed to be cleaned, no hot water

Great location and nice, helpful dock hands. We’ll be back!

I never respond to these but this time I really have to...the marina staff went totally out of their way to make sure all our needs were met. They brought out tables and chairs for our groups buffet breakfast and repeatedly asked if there was anything they could assist with. They were over-and-above with great, friendly, service.

Great staff. Excellent and clean facilities

The dock staff were great, as always. However, the “new” showers developed for the marinas guests were a disappointment. The shower stalls were tiny, the areas were poorly designed, and there was no complimentary soap/shampoo.

Excellent facility, friendly staff, the best dockhand we have ever encountered

Positives: well protected marina, walking distance to downtown Negatives: semi-welcoming dock hands, located directly next to the ferry with hourly departures, slightly industrial setting

all good a boater spilled some gas and it was problematic for awhile

The food was so bad cold over cook Rather eat at McDonald's at the wave No bath room for shower. Had you use a room to shower The only thing that was good is the dock hands were Great Will not be back

The dock hands where very helpful and friendly

Beautiful harbor and marina right in center of town. Both nights outdoor live music guitar playing for cocktails

Danfords is a very well operated and maintained marina. I have a 33ft express cruiser and I found the slips to be of ample size and there is plenty of maneuvering room in the fairway. The staff is very courteous and helpful. The hotel is beautiful but we noticed that boaters are treated as second class people, they cater to their other guests. The showers for the boaters can only be accessed by walking out to main street. Port Jefferson isn't really a boater friendly place. There's no place near by to buy groceries, liquor, or marine supplies/hardware. Nice for an over-nighter but not for an extended stay.