The 7 Best Ocean City, Maryland Hotels of 2021

Best Budget: Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City

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One of the town’s top-rated budget picks, Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City has a bayside location that puts you within five minutes’ walk of the beach. This hotel is all about value for money and guests particularly enjoy the free hot breakfast. What better way to start your vacation than with eggs, bacon, and waffles on the house? All 113 rooms and suites have private balconies, some of which overlook the water. A microwave, fridge, and coffeemaker allow for basic self-catering, saving you money on dining out.

In season, Kunu’s Tiki bar serves drinks, salads, and sandwiches. Alternatively, you can stock up on snacks at the hotel convenience store all year round. There are also plenty of wallet-friendly restaurants within a few minutes’ walk. Kids particularly love the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, while the fitness center is great for keeping your beach body in shape. Complimentary extras such as Wi-Fi, parking and 24-hour tea and coffee in the lobby add to the hotel’s overall value.

Best Boutique: Lighthouse Club Hotel and Inn at Fager’s Island

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A boutique offering with just 23 suites, the Lighthouse Club Hotel is situated on peaceful Isle of Wight Bay. It’s the perfect solution for those in search of a tranquil haven away from the bustle of the main boardwalk and is loved for its eccentric, octagonal shape and lighthouse-style tower. Each suite is individually designed with features ranging from fireplaces to four-poster beds. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be spoiled by a Jacuzzi tub, imported Italian linens, and a large balcony overlooking the bay.

Life at the Lighthouse Club Hotel revolves around the magnificent Clubroom. Antique furnishings and a working fireplace complement stunning floor-to-ceiling bay views, while the doors open out onto a wraparound porch. Come for gourmet cookies every day at 5 p.m. or for sundowners from the honor bar. The hotel also has a massage room and a small gym. It is connected to the swimming pool at sister hotel The Edge and fine-dining restaurant Fager’s Island by a series of wetland bridges.

Best for Families: Francis Scott Key Family Resort

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Located on the mainland, Francis Scott Key Family Resort is a seven-minute drive from Trimper’s Rides and the start of the boardwalk across the Route 50 bridge. This means it’s quieter and less congested in summer, while a shuttle service keeps the beach accessible from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Families will find plenty to do back at base. Highlights include Shipwreck Cove (an outdoor pool with a full-sized pirate ship and a dinghy-themed hot tub) and the heated Caribbean Key Indoor Pool.

There are memories to be made on the nine-hole mini golf course, on the volleyball and basketball courts and in the kids’ playground. During holidays and school vacations, your children can also take part in organized activities. After working up an appetite, choose from one of three themed restaurants or head to one of two bars for a drink. The largest family rooms can accommodate six people and have full kitchens. By self-catering, you can keep your vacation costs to a minimum.

Plan your getaway to Ocean City, Maryland with our travel and visitors guide.

Best for Romance: Dunes Manor Hotel, Court & Suites

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Dunes Manor is located in between Splash Mountain Water Park and the beachfront, making it a great choice for fun-loving couples. Rooms are divided between three buildings: the stylish Dunes Manor Hotel, the retro-chic Dunes Court and the boardwalk-facing Dune Suites. For the most romantic stay, choose one of the teal, blue and white-themed rooms in the main hotel. Ask for a King-size bed and benefit from luxury Geneva Guild bath products and a private balcony with uninterrupted sea views.

Days at Dunes Manor are spent lounging by the heated indoor/outdoor pool, reconnecting in the hot tub or admiring oceanfront panoramas from the verandah. Afternoon tea is served from 3 to 4 p.m. and in the evening, the lobby echoes with live piano music. Treat your loved one to fresh Maryland seafood at refined restaurant The Victorian Room or opt for al fresco dining at Barefoot Beach Bar, the hotel’s seaside bar and grill. The Zippy Lewis Lounge serves craft beer and cocktails.

Best Nightlife: Castle in the Sand Hotel

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Castle in the Sand Hotel is located on the beachfront, in between the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk and top nightlife spots like Seacrets Jamaica USA. It’s also a party destination in its own right, thanks to Coconuts Beach Bar. With its al fresco dining terrace, signature cocktail menu and 2-for-1 drink specials during Happy Hour, this is the place for fun in the sun during the summer months. The bar offers live entertainment throughout the season and hosts local musicians for Sunday Funday shows.

You don’t have to leave the beach to order your next beverage, however, as bikini-clad waitresses deliver drinks directly to your sunbathing spot. Other hotel highlights include The Beach House Restaurant (your go-to for tasty buffet breakfasts) and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. There are 13 different room types to choose from, ranging from Standard Rooms and suites to vacation condos and cottages. Some have kitchen facilities while common amenities include individually controlled air-conditioner and an LCD TV. 

Check out other options with our guide to Ocean City, Maryland hotels.

Best Business: Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront

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Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront is an easy 12-minute walk from Roland E. Powell Convention Center. As the only AAA 4-Diamond Hotel in town, it’s the obvious choice for business guests in search of a little luxury. It has everything you need for a productive stay, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a business center and meeting space for up to 100 guests. Each of the hotel’s 225 suites comes with a fully equipped kitchen, a separate living area, and a large balcony.

Don’t feel like cooking for yourself? Impress potential clients with Western Caribbean fine dining at 32Palm or opt for light fare at Rumbas Lounge (open until late). The third restaurant, Mañana Mode, is a seasonal bar and grill complete with a swim-up pool bar. Stay in shape in between meetings at the fitness center or indoor lap pool. If your family decides to join you, your kids will love the children’s pool with its water slide and lazy river while the beach is mere steps away.

Best B&B: Atlantic House Bed & Breakfast

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Set one block back from the boardwalk, Atlantic House Bed & Breakfast is slightly quieter than the oceanfront hotels while still being seconds from the beach. The house is a beautiful 1920s Victorian home complete with clapboard walls, gable roofs, and dormers. The family innkeepers are friendly and knowledgeable about the local area, and all 12 rooms are individually decorated. While one may have sloped ceilings and a window seat, another may have floral wallpaper, garden access, and a private swing seat.

All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi, cable TV, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are private, but some are located across the hall rather than in the room itself. Breakfast is a highlight at Atlantic House. It’s served in the light-filled sunroom and consists of a homestyle buffet with hot items, fresh fruits and pastries, and make-your-own waffles. After a day spent at the beach, while away languid afternoons on the pretty front porch. It has a birdhouse and rocking chairs and is perfect for people-watching.

Take a look at some of the best places to visit in Maryland.