best BUDGET OC/MD hotel?

[mtquinn]

Planning a year in advance here, but we have never been to OCMD. I hear it is wonderful, so instead of NJ we will try it next summer.

Any hotel recommendations that are budget-friendly? Thanks!

 

[dthogue]

We always stay at the Dunes Motel - its at the end of the boardwalk, oceanfront (they have poolside rooms too) at 28th Street. Nothing fancy, but it is always clean and in a great location.

http://www.ocdunes.com/

 

[monorailsilver]

We are headed there next week.

I have never been but we are staying at the Hilton Suites-FYI I wouldn't pay $510/night to stay there per night but I am using Hilton rewards.

You can download the OC vacation book & get one sent to you as well. It lists alot of hotels which I do want to look up for a hopefuly future visit.

 

[MELISAZACK]

well we have owned a house there for 20 yrs and budget and OC md don't usually go hand in hand for me..

anything on the boards is high.. dunes "MOTEL" which is the blue white one in the link no the BIG pink one which is the Dunes Manor which is much higher in rates.. (my dad works there) nice but again nothing special.

you are at the end of the boards and will not be able to walk to the other end it is not a short or mild walk.. they have trams though.

beaches are clean and tons of bars and restraunts and things to do though.

i can't really give you advise of rooms everything I like or would feel good about staying at is more than a night in a Mod resort at peak times.lol.

 

[maciec]

I live here and you are good with any of the chain hotels (Holiday Inn, Best Western, Quality Inn, Howard Johnsons). I don't know what the rates are, but the Courtyard is new this year. There is also an Econolodge on 145th St that I have had friends stay at.

Stay away from the Fenwick Inn, Burgandy Inn, Royalton.

PM me if you are looking hard at any particular place and I will give you my opinion. I have lived here for 20 years

 

[allison443]

OP would you consider renting a condo, instead of staying at a hotel? We have rented condos and they vary in price depending on proximity to the beach, size of the unit, etc.

We love Ocean City...I went there every summer growing up and we took our family there. Haven't been in a few years...thinking of going next summer! We miss it.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

The Bonita Beach Hotel was reasonably priced compared to others and was very clean. Rooms were pretty large, you get a balcony, full size fridge, and quick walk to beach.

 

[mtquinn]

OP would you consider renting a condo, instead of staying at a hotel? We have rented condos and they vary in price depending on proximity to the beach, size of the unit, etc.

We love Ocean City...I went there every summer growing up and we took our family there. Haven't been in a few years...thinking of going next summer! We miss it.

Yes, I would consider that, but I don't think we would in the end. I really don't like to lug my sheets, towels, etc to my vacation. Plus, I really love daily cleaning.

Keep those opinions coming!

 

[jjsmom]

I'm a part time resident. I agree, budget and OC aren't usually used in the same sentence.
I'm not sure it will be around next year, but there is a wonderful search engine that you can find be googling "ocean city secure online reservations" powered by IB strategies. We used this several times before we had a permanent place. I don't think it can be used for year in advance reservations.
I certainly would check into condos. There are linen services available if you want to avoid hauling that stuff from home.

Any decent, nice hotel in OC will run you around $200/night during peak season (in OC that would be about 3rd week of June through 3rd week of Aug). Prices drop drastically after about the 20th of Aug. Since OC is a short destination weekend town, mid-week prices are much cheaper. Plan a Monday-Thursday trip and you'll save big $$$.

Here are a couple of recommendations: Crystal Beach Motel 25th st. on the boardwalk. We stayed here about 5 yrs ago and LOVED it.
-Clarion Hotel on 101st St. They have their own website; sign up for their email alerts for discounted nights.
-Comfort Suites in West Ocean City. Cheaper than hotels in OC proper. This is a relatively new hotel. You would still have to cross the bridge to get to the boardwalk. But it's only a 1/2 mile from the Park and Ride Bus which will take you to the inlet/boardwalk area.

 

[mtquinn]

Great recommendations!

One more question, how is the weather there in late Sept/early Oct?

 

[jjsmom]

Weather in late Sept/early Oct is still quite nice, daytime temp 70's or 80's and not humid at all. Nights are a little chilly, but not cold. Be aware that we are still in hurricane season at that time which can churn the water (ripcurrents are VERY dangerous) and make for blustery days.

FYI, The third weekend of September is Sunfest, a craft/artisan/food fest at downtown inlet, which is very popular. Hotel rates are still kind of high for the "shoulder season". Most hotels close their pools either right before/right after Sunfest.
First weekend in October is winefest which has become crowded as well.

 

[derricksonb]

Definitely agree with everything that has been said so far.

We just booked the Clarion Inn on 5th Street for the third weekend in September for $179/night. We've stayed at quite a few places along the entire stretch of OC. If you're going to stay anywhere north of the Convention Center (45th Street) park your car and get bus passes.

 

[maciec]

Sunfest is always the last weekend of september.

Bike week is September 15-18

Cruisin' is usually the first weekend in October

Derriksonb are you sure you booked the Clarion? Because it's at 101st st and it's not an inn?

 

[jjsmom]

Ha Ha I'm throwing in a funny; I just remembered what my SIL said to me 2 weeks ago as we strolled the boardwalk with her 3 kids...

"I believe it's cheaper to go to DISNEY WORLD for a week, than it is to go to Ocean City".

She may be right!

 

[wvjules]

We always stay at the Dunes Motel - its at the end of the boardwalk, oceanfront (they have poolside rooms too) at 28th Street. Nothing fancy, but it is always clean and in a great location.

http://www.ocdunes.com/

I stayed there last weekend. First time there and I loved it. Great, great location. Our room had 2 double beds and a sleepersofa and a kitchenette completely furnished with dishes! We had an ocean view room. Our rate for the night was $302 total. A bit pricey but cheaper than many other locations on/near the boardwalk and ocean front!

 

[maciec]

Ha Ha I'm throwing in a funny; I just remembered what my SIL said to me 2 weeks ago as we strolled the boardwalk with her 3 kids...

"I believe it's cheaper to go to DISNEY WORLD for a week, than it is to go to Ocean City".

She may be right!

I absolutely agree!

 

[sharon_wv]

Ha Ha I'm throwing in a funny; I just remembered what my SIL said to me 2 weeks ago as we strolled the boardwalk with her 3 kids...

"I believe it's cheaper to go to DISNEY WORLD for a week, than it is to go to Ocean City".

She may be right!

We say the same thing... It won't be much more to go to Disney at least (and we're getting the dining plan for a week next June)! It doesn't stop us from going every summer though. We love OC, MD.

We stay at the Marigot Condominiums each summer. It's next door to the Clarion Hotel on 101st street (recommended above) and you get all the amenities of the Clarion as well. For a 2-bedroom condo (sheets and towels, etc. included) cost us about $1900 for six nights this summer. This amount included tax as well. We book fairly early in the winter though. The do not do daily cleaning, but have a washer/dryer,e tc.

 

[crazy4claspooh]

We stayed at the Barefoot Mailman the name sounds wierd but the hotel was decent just the basic though. It's been a few years since we stayed there but we did enjoy it.

 

[mtquinn]

What an odd name for a motel, but I looked it up and it seems perfectly nice. I liken it to The Crossings in OC NJ. We just came back from there and, though it was basic, we really enjoyed it. Cheap, too!

 

[Conway733]

Love Park Place Hotel...and don't know if you have kids, but the Francis Scott Key Motel is nice, and budget friendly. Only issue is it isn't directly on the beach or boards, and would be a short drive (across a bridge)...but they have lots of ammenties for families, and are away from the hustle and bustle. If you google both of them, I'm sure you'll find their websites.