Ocean City Maryland Hotel Help

[polyfan]

Can someone give some suggestions for nice hotels in Ocean City, Marlyand? It would be be for DH and myself with 2 boys ages 5 and 8. I was reading some reviews on the TripAdvisor, but everytime I think I have a place I may like there are completely opposite reviews. Anyone know about the Dune Motel?

 

[TimeforMe]

Not sure about the Dune, but we've stayed many times at The Castle in the Sand Hotel/Resort. They're not near the boardwalk, which was by choice, and they have different types of accomodations to choose from including full cottages, studios and regular hotel rooms. They're right smack on the beach and have an outdoor barbecue area and wait service while you're on the beach. Lots of activities for the kids, too. Not sure if there'd be any availability at this point or if it's your price range though.

 

[onecoolmama]

My mom is there now. If no one answers you, I will ask her tonight what she thought about it and get back to you.

 

[monkeyboy]

Sorry have only rented Condo's

 

[SRUAlmn]

The Commander is great and if you want to be further down the boardwalk where more of the action is then the Park Place is pretty nice and fairly new Have a great time! PM me if you need any more info !

 

[disney4us2002]

There must be 1000 hotels/motels in OC, lol. What is it you're most interested in? Location? Oceanfront? We tend to stay in the hotel type rather than motel because there are 5 of us and we usually have to upgrade a bit. We have really liked Tideland Caribbean on 5th St and also the Quality on 21st or so was decent and not exorbitantly expensive. Have you tried www.ococean.com? You can search by location or hotel type or with pools, etc.

 

[MagicalMom]

When do you plan on going? Everything books fast during this time of year. You may have to go with whatever is available. A friend of mine just booked a place for 8/6 to 8/9. She found a room with only one double bed, but they told her she could bring sleeping bags for her 2 children. I think it is called the Avalon Inn, I'm not sure how close that is to the boardwalk.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Days Inn Beachfront and Holiday Inn Beachfront are nice!
Stay away from the Ramada Limited!!! It is aweful!

 

[Christine]

I know people who've stayed at The Dunes and said it was nice.

Castle In The Sand is also nice.

If you want something a little cheaper and don't require ocean front, The Barefoot Mailman isn't bad at all. It is "motel" style though. It is run by the same family that runs Castle in the Sand.

My cousin tells me that the Holiday Inn on the Boardwalk is nice. These are all VERY pricey!

If you're interested, my cousin owns a condo there and is fairly flexible this summer about renting for "mini-weeks" or long weekends.

 

[skiwee1]

I go to OC every year. I think we have tried every hotel on the boardwalk. We prefer the hotels on the boards because that is where all the action is. We just came back a few weeks ago from the Holiday Inn and Suites on 17th Street and the boardwalk. It was GREAT! The best hotel we have ever stayed at in OC. They have a waterpark type pool that is fantastic for kids. My 5 y/o DD loved it. We spent hours in the pool every day. There are two outdoor pools, one indoor pool, and a huge hot tub. The rooms are all suites and great for a family. There is a living room with sofa bed and TV. Jaccuzi and rainfall shower in the bathroom, full kitchen, and two queens in the bedroom. Huge balcony. It is very roomy. I think the prices right now are around $350 a night. We got in right before seasons peaked and only paid $250 a night. It would definitely be worth the higher price. We liked this place so much that I have already booked it for a week for next July. High season but worth it. Oh they have bellmen. That might not be important to you but it is to us. My mom and I cannot carry a lot of luggage so the bellmen were wonderful.

 

[polyfan]

Thanks for all the great replies. I thought Castle in the Sand looked nice, but my DH wants something on the boardwalk. the Holiday Inn sounds good also. We are pretty flexible with our dates, so I have found several places available. I just have to stop reading all those TripAdvisor comments. I would trust the opionions here first.

 

[Patio]

My family really enjoys The Dunes Manor. It's an oceanfront on 28th Street, 1 block from the north end of the boardwalk. All the rooms are oceanfront with balconies. They have an indoor/outdoor pool ( handy in rainy weather ) and they have tea and krumpets at 3:00 every afternoon.

We also love the Coconut Malorie on 59th St. on the bay. This is a nice family hotel.

I have also stayed at the Holiday Inn on 67th and oceanfront.

My parents rented a house down there from July 24-31 and almost ALL of the hotels had vacancies so finding a place shouldn't be a problem. Have a great time and let me know if i can help with anything else.

 

[snoopy]

Just be aware, the hotels and motels in O.C. are all pretty old and worn. There are some newer hotels, but most have been there forever. As long as you repeat the mantra, "We're not in WDW, Toto" over and over, you'll be o.k.

I personally like to stay bayside at this hotel, Lighthouse Club - its new, clean as a whistle and has the very best sunset views. Pricey, but worth it to me. I wouldn't stay at the boardwalk if someone paid ME to stay there. Different strokes tho, it all depends on what you are looking for.

 

[skiwee1]

Snoopy are you talking about the Lighthouse Club that actually looks like a lighthouse that is next to Fager's Island? I have stayed at that one and it is not new. We have stayed there as long ago as 5 years. They are nice and have two different types of rooms. One is larger then the other and both kinds are suites. There have been a boon to new hotels in OC so there are plenty to choose from but don't think newer is necessarily better. One I would never stay at again is the Commander. We stayed there the second season it opened as a nice new resort and had nothing but problems. Someone had urinated in one of the beds and then refixed it. Well apparently the maids do not change linens between guests or they would have caught it. When I caught it the owner of the hotel gave me a hard time about wanting a new mattress! She wanted to flip it over! I don't think so! It really was the fact that she had no more rooms left and didn't want to run out and get a new mattress. So in the end we left and will never return again. Just because some resorts are newer doesn't mean they still aren't dives.

Snoopy I just looked at the site you provided and that is indeed the place we have stayed at. It isn't new but it is definitely nice. We always get the lightkeeper suite with the fireplace. DH and I go there just about every November for our anniversary and that fireplace comes in handy. Along with the double jacuzzi!

 

[snoopy]

Sorry, I meant to say newish, I guess. Compared to some of those hotels on the boardwalk that have been there for God knows how many years.

I haven't been to OC in a long time for that reason. I just can't see paying that premium price to stay in a dump. But we liked the Lighthouse when we were there.

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by snoopy
Sorry, I meant to say newish, I guess. Compared to some of those hotels on the boardwalk that have been there for God knows how many years.

I haven't been to OC in a long time for that reason. I just can't see paying that premium price to stay in a dump. But we liked the Lighthouse when we were there.

Snoopy,
Several of those really old motels have been knocked down and replaced with some new stuff. Many of them have an art/deco Miami kind of look. Also, OC has had quite a "rebirth" in the last 5 years. It is MUCH nicer and more family oriented than it was from the 70s-90s. I had also gotten to a point where I didn't want to go there anymore but it has changed for the better and I really enjoy it much more now. But, you are so right about the prices. They are outrageous.

 

[snoopy]

Wow, Christine,really? That is great news, that place sure did need some major rennovations.

Can you recommend some of those hotels with the art deco influences? Perhas a trip "down the ocean" is in order by the end of the summer!

 

[Christine]

Well, I'm going there on Aug. 20th. I think the one that has a real modern look on the oustide *might* be the Quality Inn. I just can't remember because I rent condos when I go. I'll pay more attention when I go.

Now don't get too excited, Snoopy. When I said "art/deco" I really meant the exterior! I'm sure inside it is just a Quality Inn/Holiday Inn through and through.

The closest I've seen to a really neat looking place to stay is the Coconut Malorie which is on the bayside. Apparently each room had original artwork in it. Sounds lovely.

I just wonder why OC can get away with prices that rival the Grand Floridian?

 

[snoopy]

I know, those prices are maddening. Its ridiculous. O.C. is a fun place with some great restaurants, but its not THAT great! We do enjoy it though. Last time we went, which was about 6 years ago, we stayed at the Lighthouse and had a wonderful trip. But we went in early September, when things aren't quite as expensive. I just can't justify over $300/night for a hotel in O.C. unless the hotel is going to be pretty spectacular.

I've heard good things about the Coconut Malorie. Might be worth a splurge for a night or two.

 

[polyfan]

I agree with the comments about the prices. I really would rather go to Myrtle Beach - I can get a much better place to stay for less, but it is a 6 hour drive and for this trip we really can't afford the time. It is costing more for OC than it did in July for us at the Poly.