Ocean City hotels

Cambria Hotel Ocean City – Bayfront is one of the best hotels in Ocean City for first-time visitors. A stay at this resort-style property is enough to fill your vacation with memories, even if you never leave the hotel.

For me, there’s nothing quite like cozying up beside the fire pits on the outdoor patio or taking a dip in the indoor swimming pool. I’ll be the first person to lounge in the cabanas by the outdoor pool and order a cocktail from the tiki bar the moment warm weather arrives.

As hard as it might be to leave, you won’t regret stepping off the property. I’m always up for taking a stroll along the Ocean City Fishing Pier and stopping off for a few hours of fun at Jolly Roger at the Pier.

Holiday Inn & Suites Ocean City has a prime location between the Ocean City Visitor Center and the Ocean City Pier.

When you’re not strolling the Boardwalk, indulge in everything this all-suite hotel has to offer, including three separate pool areas. Dive into fantastic local seafood at the Coral Reef Restaurant (I can never resist a basket of fresh crab bites) or grab something quick at the Deep End Poolside Bar & Grill (and remember that kids eat free at this family-friendly hotel).

You won’t tire of the ocean views, and the kiddos will forever appreciate the complimentary children's activities. Holiday Inn & Suites’ location on the Boardwalk makes it a great option for families of all sizes.

Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites is one of the most unique hotels in Ocean City in terms of exterior design. Bucking the “box” trend, this hotel’s northern end cascades in a series of steps, not unlike the gently sloping stretch of sand it sits on.

Budding mini architects can replicate the building’s design in their own sandcastles or ride the waterslides in the kid-friendly swimming pool (if you’re anything like me, you’ll be zipping down alongside them).

A multi-generational group isn’t necessary to enjoy a stay at this fine property in Ocean City’s centre, but I think parents and grandparents will love it here too. From poolside rooms to oceanfront corner suites with jetted tubs, Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites is one of the best hotels in Ocean City for visitors of all ages.

I’m a huge Monopoly fan, so I love that the Park Place Hotel is right next to the Boardwalk. The moment you pass “go” (aka the Park Place Hotel), roam around and discover all the cool perks of this property that are included in your resort fee. These range from self-parking and bicycle rentals to pool parties and mermaid shows.

I really like the simplicity of the hotel’s efficiency suites; they come with comforts and conveniences like kitchenettes and sleeper sofas while staying budget-friendly, so you can splurge on charter boat fishing, parasailing and shopping instead.

Park Place Hotel is one of the best hotels in Ocean City for a semi-low-key stay on the Boardwalk, for a price that’s far less than many of the luxury hotels on the same beachfront.

Aloft Ocean City will redefine your concept of waterfront bliss. Facing the Isle of Wight Bay, I recommend booking a room with a private balcony, as they offer the most fantastic sunset views.

Aloft may be one of the best hotels in Ocean City on the bay side, but don’t think for a moment that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a beach vacation here. These vibrant, spacious rooms are only a four-minute walk from the Atlantic shoreline; even closer if you rent a golf cart.

Aloft really comes into its own during the summer season. Expect long days filled with drinks at the poolside tiki bar and even longer nights spent grooving to live music. When winter’s chill rolls in, you’ll find me and my kids sharing laughs in the game room, making warm memories on the coldest winter days.

The Grand Hotel is one of the best hotels in Ocean City for enjoying the serenity of the shoreline. Not only can you snag an oceanfront room, you can also turn your back to the Atlantic and choose a bay view room instead.

You’ve got other “tough” choices to make during your stay, like whether you’ll dive into the indoor or outdoor pool, if you’ll warm your muscles in the fitness centre or the sauna, or which of the five on-site restaurants you’ll try first. I recommend Epic Bar and Grille for the crab cake sandwiches.

One choice that cannot be disputed: booking a King or Queen Room with a jetted tub. Each has either a city or oceanfront view, but I have a feeling the only thing you’ll see is the back of your eyelids as you soak in unspoiled relaxation.

The King Charles Hotel is a great place to hold court on your Maryland vacation. This boutique hotel in Ocean City has only 21 rooms, and fewer guests mean you’ll catch plenty of uninterrupted sleep. Should you sleep through your alarm in your cozy queen-sized room, complimentary coffee and tea in the hotel lobby will perk you up.

Located just a block from the ocean, this is one of the best hotels in Ocean City for solo travellers and couples who want to stay close to the beach, but without the hustle and bustle of the beachfront.

Whether you’re thumbing through a novel on one of the front porch’s wicker chairs or munching on homemade cookies and brownies during the evening hospitality hour (they’re both delicious, by the way), The King Charles Hotel is one of the finest spots for a quaint, quiet vacation.

Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort is one of the top-rated hotels in Ocean City and the largest oceanfront resort in the state of Maryland. The four-storey tropical atrium is breath-taking, as are the massages at the award-winning spa and the Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool.

Just setting foot in the lobby delivers the “wow” factor, thanks to the locally-made artwork adorning the new Princess Gallery. Join other guests for morning beach yoga, let the kids roll a few quarters in the arcade and think of the rentable electric beach cruiser bicycles as your own personal chariots whisking you down the shoreline.

Anyone visiting for the Art Dot Show Tour will agree that Hyatt Place is one of the best hotels to stay in Ocean City, as you can see the annual plane show from your suite’s balcony. However, that doesn’t mean the ocean views aren’t just as spectacular for the other 51 weekends of the year.

Hyatt Place is easily one of the best hotels in Ocean City for all-season vacations. The outdoor pool is open seasonally, but when you’ve traded your swimsuit for a sweater, you’ll be just as relaxed at The Placery, Hyatt Place’s lobby bar.

No matter what time of year it is, I never get tired of gazing at the Ocean City sky from the high-floor king-sized rooms– I’d highly recommend asking for one of these at check-in.

If staying at a “HoJo” motel gives you warm nostalgia from the road trips of your youth, like it does for me, then you’re in for a treat at the Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham.

With free parking for guests – for any vehicle, including motorcycles, motorhomes and everything in between – this spot welcomes travellers of every petrol grade, making it a good option for long-distance drivers. Laid-back and informal compared to some of the more fancy hotels in Ocean City, this Howard Johnson property has a heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub for rainy-day fun.

But when the sun is shining, I recommend driving just three kilometres away to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park and Splash Mountain Water Park, two of Ocean City’s most exciting attractions.