Ocean City, MD vs. Virginia Beach, VA

[SillyMe]

We think alike. I was so depressed after last trip to WDW, I'm in the process of planning a 3 day getaway to OC too for the beginning of August.

I cannot believe the prices of the hotels, or the fact that most are sold out for our dates! Just cannot bring myself to pay $300/$400 night for a room in a motel, even though it's OF. I'm used to MyrtleBeach where, if you look hard enough, you can secure a room @ a resort for around $100.

I decided upon the Plim Plaza on BW & 2nd street. It's location was described to me as being the building with the flashing red light on it's roof right off US 50. Trip Advisor gave it mostly positive remarks. We were looking for a place to park it & leave it. Seems like it's right in the thick of things...hopefully, not too wild & crazy; although they tell me there's a band that plays every night poolside until 1:00 a.m.

We haven't been to OC in over 14 years, usually stay far north in the 80's/100 block. Have been searching for websites as to activites/restaurants but, haven't found anything. All that I remember is Big Peckers Bar/Grill (yep, we got shirts but,never had the nerve to wear them LOL) & we ate somewhere on the bayside that had a giant steer in front. Would like to eat @ least 1 buffet & a steak place during our trip - any recommendations in area we'll be staying in? The hotel does have a buffet (Paul Revere's for $9.99 but, imagine it's basic, @ best for that price).

Don't want to hijack your thread but, have a few questions...does traffic stack up coming into or out of OC @ any particular time. Basically, I'm trying to avoid a mass rush in or out of town.

Look forward to all suggestions as to dining, activites, etc.

The last 2 times I ate at Paul Revere's it was horrible and the place was dirty. We ate at Phillip's buffet last year and it wasn't that great. Now everyone says the Bonfire is good, so we'll try that this year.

The only place I notice traffice backing up is down toward the boardwalk. People trying to get to the boardwalk and across the bridge. The worst time seems to be around early evening, but I've never seen it that bad.

 

[keishashadow]

The last 2 times I ate at Paul Revere's it was horrible and the place was dirty. We ate at Phillip's buffet last year and it wasn't that great. Now everyone says the Bonfire is good, so we'll try that this year.

The only place I notice traffice backing up is down toward the boardwalk. People trying to get to the boardwalk and across the bridge. The worst time seems to be around early evening, but I've never seen it that bad.

Ewww...thanks, glad I didn't buy the pkg that included lunch & dinner...@ Paul Revere's. We ate @ Phillip's long ago & we're too impressed either.

Where is the Bonfire located?

Know any bars near Plim that aren't too scary?

 

[SillyMe]

Ewww...thanks, glad I didn't buy the pkg that included lunch & dinner...@ Paul Revere's. We ate @ Phillip's long ago & we're too impressed either.

Where is the Bonfire located?

Know any bars near Plim that aren't too scary?

The Bonfire is located at 71st Street. As for bars, I have no idea. I always have my children along, so I haven't even been to the famous Seacrets.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

See, I don't care for the Bonfire at all, but prefer Philips for sure! Never had a bad experience there. The Embers is fairly good as well.

 

[keishashadow]

The Bonfire is located at 71st Street. As for bars, I have no idea. I always have my children along, so I haven't even been to the famous Seacrets.

Agree, I hate when people drag kids to a bar. We used to pick 1 night on vacation & either leave youngest w/older DS (16 & 6 years older) or stick him in a night of daycare. Now that he's 13, we figure he's able to hang out watching a pay-per-view w/the door barricaded, with cell phone in hand, while we're nearby for an hour or so. Friends tell me they send their kids off to the arcade or pool but, that makes me nervous.

DH will probably wonder off in search of a dive bar one evening. Figure we'll just have a frozen drink poolside @ the end of the day while DS swims.

memorymakers - where's the Embers located (is it a steakhouse?)

 

[SillyMe]

Several years ago we ate at the Bayside and got the seafood buffet. They're food was really good! I don't know if they still have the seafood buffet or not, but I'm sure you could search and see if they have a website.

 

[SillyMe]

Agree, I hate when people drag kids to a bar. We used to pick 1 night on vacation & either leave youngest w/older DS (16 & 6 years older) or stick him in a night of daycare. Now that he's 13, we figure he's able to hang out watching a pay-per-view w/the door barricaded, with cell phone in hand, while we're nearby for an hour or so. Friends tell me they send their kids off to the arcade or pool but, that makes me nervous.

DH will probably wonder off in search of a dive bar one evening. Figure we'll just have a frozen drink poolside @ the end of the day while DS swims.

memorymakers - where's the Embers located (is it a steakhouse?)

I went thru a separation in December, so this year I'm going down with a friend. We're both taking our kids along. The hotel we're staying at has a bar in it. My dd is 15, so she'll be able to watch the other kids while we go downstairs to have a drink or two.

 

[keishashadow]

I went thru a separation in December, so this year I'm going down with a friend. We're both taking our kids along. The hotel we're staying at has a bar in it. My dd is 15, so she'll be able to watch the other kids while we go downstairs to have a drink or two.

I've gone down that road too...sometimes I didn't think it would ever end...chin up & enjoy life & your vacation!

Where/what area you staying? We wanted to get a room @ a hotel that came highly recommened on Trip advisor - The Empress (20th st & Balt), very short block to beach, but only room left didn't have a window! I hear the Flamingo hotel-towers are nice, w/indoor pool but, they were booked too.

Friends just back back from the Carousel, they had a 3 bedroom condo...I could go to WDW for 2 weeks for what they spent on accommodations. IMO, OC really commands a hefty price tag...must be a high cost of living or else it's full of Washington big shots.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

The Embers is a seafood buffet, but I think they have steak as well. Check out www.embers.com.

And we are most likely staying at the Carousel. Running about $200 a night, for street view. But they sit right on the beach and have great access to it. I have stayed there before, so I am fine with it. We have a time share right across the street from there as well, so I know the northern end very well.

 

[keishashadow]

The Embers is a seafood buffet, but I think they have steak as well. Check out www.embers.com.

And we are most likely staying at the Carousel. Running about $200 a night, for street view. But they sit right on the beach and have great access to it. I have stayed there before, so I am fine with it. We have a time share right across the street from there as well, so I know the northern end very well.

Thanks for the site. We had an offer last year from the Carousel that offered street view room for end of june for $85/night! if we booked by March 15th. We decided to spend the trip @ Williamsburg instead...wish we had gone to OC instead after the lousy Motel6 we stayed at... Not sure if that's an ongoing offer or not. I called Carousel for our trip early Aug. & the rate was over $350/night! I think having an ice rink in the hotel is a great touch.

 

[Christine]

http://www.barefootmailman.com/

In case any of you are still looking for rooms, I stayed here when my cousin got married (didn't need a condo or kitchen). It is NOT ocean front but is in an area of O.C. that I like (not a lot of tall buildings) and is close to the boardwalk. It is a very short walk to the beach. I thought it was very clean and comfortable at the time that I stayed there and does not command the higher prices of the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn, etc.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Barefoot Mailman actually is the same as many oceanfront places. I am surprised by that. It is $205 a night, where Carousel is $213 and Princess Royale is $219

 

[keishashadow]

Think we stayed @ Barefoot Mailman before when we went down w/o res. one year, rooms were very spacious & clean w/nice bay view, surprised @ nightly rate though.

Found another group of hotels, assume they're all owned by same principal, Tides/Exec/Beachmark - all around $120 night but, they do not refund 1st nights' deposit...even w/72 hours & cancellation fee...ridiculous IMO.

Also pretty good review for Ocean Voyager @ 3201 Baltimore Ave. Spoke to mgr. she stressed the rooms were clean but, basic/buget/no frills...@ least she was honest.

 

[SillyMe]

Think we stayed @ Barefoot Mailman before when we went down w/o res. one year, rooms were very spacious & clean w/nice bay view, surprised @ nightly rate though.

Found another group of hotels, assume they're all owned by same principal, Tides/Exec/Beachmark - all around $120 night but, they do not refund 1st nights' deposit...even w/72 hours & cancellation fee...ridiculous IMO.

Also pretty good review for Ocean Voyager @ 3201 Baltimore Ave. Spoke to mgr. she stressed the rooms were clean but, basic/buget/no frills...@ least she was honest.

I sent you a PM.

We stayed at the Bonita Beach last year. It's only a few years old, so it's in good shape. It's not oceanfront, but is oceanblock, so it's only 1/2 block to the beach. We had a side view of the ocean from our balcony. The owners/staff were not friendly, but all in all it wasn't a bad stay for the price. No restaurants or any amenities other than a fitness room and indoor pool. It's a decent place to stay if you don't need all the extras.

OC is definitely expensive. I cut costs in any way possible when we go down there, because I'd rather spend my money on a Disney vacation. The beach is just our annual quick getaway.

 

[keishashadow]

My DS & his buddies are on their way back today, hope they drive safe. They didn't have a problem finding a place to rent to them despite their young age (19 & 20's). They stayed @ a place called the Inn...he said he could see the ferris wheel from his window. They paid less than $600 for 3 nights over the 4th of July weekend - IMO not too bad.

I feel exactly the same. Only way I got DH to agree was because I came in way under budget for WDW trip a few weeks ago works for me!

 

[Christine]

Barefoot Mailman actually is the same as many oceanfront places. I am surprised by that. It is $205 a night, where Carousel is $213 and Princess Royale is $219

Yeah, but it is closer to the boardwalk area (my personal favorite area) and I think that drives up the price. I used to stay in the "high rise" area for years and have recently come back down to the older part of Ocean City and I enjoy it so much more.

 

[SillyMe]

This will be the first year I'm staying on the boardwalk. I just don't know if I'll like it or not. I prefer to stay from about 70th St on back. It's more quiet and the beaches don't seem to be as full. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind after next week.

 

[Christine]

This will be the first year I'm staying on the boardwalk. I just don't know if I'll like it or not. I prefer to stay from about 70th St on back. It's more quiet and the beaches don't seem to be as full. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind after next week.

For a few years, I stayed in an oceanfront townhouse. I think it was on 36th street (maybe 42nd??). The complex is called Ocean Colony and they are old, 3-story townhouses. That started my "love affair" with staying in the older part. Of course, it wasn't on the boardwalk, but close enough to make getting there easy.

I found the beaches less crowded in that area because you don't have the big hotels (ergo, more people) all competing for that little strip of beach. We used to stay at Highpoint South and I could hardly move on that beach.