Inspiration Hotels Best Hotels in Ocean City, Maryland Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites is our top choice for a trip to Ocean City By Ligaya Malones Ligaya Malones Freelance Writer / Editor / Blogger Twitter Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 01/01/23 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A trip to Maryland’s Eastern Shore often evokes nostalgic memories of all-day beach and pool days and boardwalk fun. And if you’re planning a vacation to resort town Ocean City, you’ll find a plethora of great accommodations for your trip. While many of the destination’s hotels remain from years past, a handful of newer properties have also been added to the mix. Whether you’re traveling with your family or are in search of an adults-only getaway, we’ve rounded up our top hotels and resorts in Ocean City for 2022. Best Hotels in Ocean City, Maryland of 2023 Best Overall: Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites Best Bang for Your Buck: Castle in the Sand Hotel Best for Families: Francis Scott Key Family Resort Best for Adults Only: The Edge Hotel at Fager’s Island Best Boutique Hotel: Aloft Ocean City Best Boutique, Runner-up: Cambria Hotel Ocean City - Bayfront Best for Unique Amenities: Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos Best Hotels in Ocean City, Maryland View All Best Hotels in Ocean City, Maryland Our Top Picks Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites Castle in the Sand Hotel Francis Scott Key Family Resort The Edge Hotel at Fager’s Island Aloft Ocean City Cambria Hotel Ocean City - Bayfront Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos See More (4) Final Verdict Compare Ocean City, Maryland Hotels Methodology Best Overall : Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites TripAdvisor See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It As one of the top-rated hotels in Ocean City, this beachfront Hilton property features spacious suites with plenty of convenient amenities. Notable Amenities Electric vehicle charging, fitness center, Crabtree & Evelyn bath products, digital key option Pros Suites include fully-equipped galley kitchens Three indoor and outdoor pools, including an adults-only pool with swim-up bar Cons Parking can be an issue, even with its dedicated garage Guests note property could use a refresh Checking into Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites offers a comfortable basecamp from which to relax or explore. Awash in coastal tones, each oceanfront suite includes a whirlpool bathtub, double sinks, Crabtree & Evelyn bath products, a full kitchen (including a dishwasher), and a private balcony with gorgeous ocean views. The onsite restaurant, 32 Palm, serves Caribbean- and Yucatecan-inspired dishes every day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as Sunday brunch, and the 32 Palm Lounge serves drinks and small plates daily. If you’d rather stay in, you can order from the hotel’s room service menu. Other onsite features include a fitness center, complimentary parking, and both kid-friendly and adults-only pools. Best Bang for Your Buck : Castle in the Sand Hotel Skye Sherman See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It With its live entertainment, outdoor recreation, kid-friendly activities, and lively beach bar and restaurant, you’ll be close to all the action at Castle in the Sand. Notable Amenities Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool with diving board, volleyball courts, free parking, onsite ATM, laundry facilities Pros Lively bar and restaurant on the beach Lifeguard-attended swimming pool Live entertainment (depending on season) Cons Noise can be an issue Outdated appliances and décor Though direct beach access is conveniently available at this oceanfront resort, Castle in the Sand’s pool area is a huge draw. The resort’s Olympic-sized outdoor pool is reportedly one of the largest in Ocean City, featuring a diving board and poolside food and beverage service. Families and newbie swimmers will appreciate the certified lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., too. All rooms at the resort either have city, bay, or ocean views, and they include amenities like flat-screen LCD TVs, DVD players, and kitchens equipped with refrigerators and coffee makers. Head to popular open-air Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill for rum punch cocktails and two-for-one drink specials, and nosh on crab cakes, grilled fish, and burgers. From May through October, guests can also enjoy live musical entertainment at Coconuts. The family-friendly resort also offers an array of free kids' activities, from arts and crafts to family movie nights. Best for Families : Francis Scott Key Family Resort TripAdvisor See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It An array of activities and features for both adults and kids will keep the fun going all day long. Notable Amenities Free miniature golf course on weekends, sand volleyball, basketball courts, movie theater Pros Multiple kid-friendly water features, from pools to splash pads Complimentary shuttle (equipped with handicap lift) to boardwalk area Cons Some previous guests wished rooms were larger Francis Scott Key Family Resort boasts numerous onsite amenities, including pools, playgrounds, a complimentary miniature golf course, and a splash pad. The property is set back from the beach about a mile off Route 50, and rooms are named after states along the Eastern seaboard (Ohio and Florida, for example). The rooms feature full kitchens that include a microwave, oven, and full-size refrigerator. Additionally, the resort’s vacation homes are available for weeklong rentals. Guests can enjoy dishes like pizza, chicken tenders, and burgers at onsite restaurant Shipwreck Cove Bar & Grille, as well as ice cream, frozen drinks, and cocktails at the Surf Shack Pool Bar. Families venturing outside of the expansive resort will find an outlet shopping mall, restaurants, and beaches nearby. Best for Adults Only : The Edge Hotel at Fager’s Island TripAdvisor See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It An adults-only Ocean City getaway is possible at this intimate, individually designed and furnished boutique hotel on Fager’s Island. Notable Amenities Complimentary breakfast from in-room fridge, onsite restaurant, outdoor pool with waterfront views Pros Individually designed and furnished suites all come with bay front views Massage room Cons Returning guests noticed some amenities like complimentary muffins and turn down service have been eliminated As a sister property to Lighthouse Club Hotel & Inn, The Edge at Fager’s Island comprises 12 uniquely furnished, adults-only suites with waterfront views. Guests can choose from a variety of themed suites, including safari, contemporary, and South Beach themes. A few suites even offer jacuzzi tubs, positioned with a stunning view of the bay. An outdoor pool with sun loungers and a fine dining restaurant flank three sides of the water. The Edge tends to draw travelers seeking a retreat-like setting, as well as couples celebrating milestones like anniversaries and engagements. Nearby, guests can walk to Bad Monkey Bar, other restaurants, and a miniature golf course in less than twenty minutes. Best Boutique Hotel : Aloft Ocean City Ocean City, Maryland. See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Contemporary design, a lively pool area, and direct access to bayside activities are perfect for travelers seeking updated comforts. Notable Amenities Games, coin-operated laundry onsite, Bliss Spa-branded shower products Pros Hip, contemporary décor Pet-friendly Cons Guest room doors don’t have stoppers, and previous guests noted annoyance at the sound of doors slamming Lack of parking spaces Opened in 2019, Aloft Ocean City is one of the newer hotels in the area. The property brings a contemporary and teched-out vibe to its rooms and shared spaces, with sleek modern fixtures and pops of colorful furniture and accouterments set against neutral tones. Waterfront rooms feature 9-foot-high ceilings and Wight Bay views from private balconies, as well as a Bluetooth-connected retro-looking speaker. In the bathroom, you’ll find a waterfall shower fixture and Bliss Spa-branded products. The indoor and outdoor pool area (complete with pool bar) hosts day parties with live DJs, and on some weekends guests can catch the resident Mermaid for a photo opp. A small, private beach located next to the outdoor pool and bar connects guests directly to water-based recreational activities, like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Best Boutique, Runner-up : Cambria Hotel Ocean City - Bayfront Ocean City, Maryland See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Those willing to give up a direct beachfront locale are rewarded with stylish, modern rooms, multiple pools, a rooftop bar, and more. Notable Amenities Rooftop bar, heated indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool Pros Stylish property features newer, updated amenities Convenient location between boardwalk and the Inlet Cons Occasional longer elevator wait times Some guests found it difficult to adjust to using their key card as the on-and-off switch for in-room lighting What Cambria Hotel Ocean City - Bayfront lacks in beachfront location it makes up for in bayfront views, stylish and modern amenities, and an ideal location between the boardwalk and the Inlet, which is considered a hub of entertainment and activity. Opened in 2020, the 137-guest room hotel features spa-like bathrooms and in-room fridges and microwaves, and some rooms also boast views of Wight Bay. The onsite fitness center also has waterfront views, and the outdoor area includes fire pits. Other amenities include a business center and an indoor and outdoor pool with poolside cabanas and a bar. There’s a rooftop restaurant and wine bar serving tapas and charcuterie boards, as well as grab-and-go bites and beverages at Marisol’s Market & Cafe, which includes a specialty coffee bar. Best for Unique Amenities : Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos Booking.com See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Boasting the only indoor ice skating rink among all the Ocean City hotels, this longstanding property offers a host of free activities for kids and teens. Notable Amenities Fitness center, sauna, indoor and outdoor pools, game room, seasonal Camp Carousel evening kids’ club Pros Plenty of complementary kid-friendly activities Weekly live music schedule during summer season Cons Obvious wear and tear in rooms and shared spaces Travelers looking for a more tranquil stay should look elsewhere Amenities abound within this family-friendly hotel and condominiums located in north Ocean City. However, perhaps the most unique feature of the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos is its indoor ice skating rink, which also hosts free ice skating shows from June to September. While the rooms may be more outdated than newer hotels in the area, the property offers an array of kid-friendly activities, like movie nights on the beach, an outdoor pirate ship jungle gym, and indoor, outdoor, and kiddie pools. As for the adults, multiple dining outlets, a cocktail lounge, and live music offer plenty of entertainment options. Final Verdict Travelers to Ocean City, Maryland, will be hard pressed not to find suitable accommodations, whether heading to the shore with family, a group of friends, or with a significant other. While some hotel and resort options could use a facelift, many travelers will appreciate the historic establishments along with the newly-built properties in a city that’s been marketing itself as a vacation destination since the late 1800s. Overall, Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites is our top choice for hotels in the area, thanks to its spacious rooms, range of amenities, and high ratings from customers. Compare Ocean City, Maryland Hotels Property Resort Fee Room Rates Free Wifi Best Overall: Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites No $$$ Yes Best Bang for Your Buck: Castle in the Sand Hotel No $$ Yes Best for Families: Francis Scott Key Family Resort No $$ Yes Best Adults Only: The Edge Hotel at Fager’s Island No $$$$ Yes Best Boutique: Aloft Ocean City $22/night $$$ Yes Best Boutique, Runner-up: Cambria Hotel Ocean City $$$ Yes Best Unique Amenities: Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos No $$$ Yes Best for History: Dunes Manor No $$$ Yes Methodology We reviewed hotels and resorts primarily along Ocean City’s boardwalk and bayside area and evaluated each based on guest reviews, amenities, and guest service. Special consideration was given to special features, such as adults-only suites or a rooftop wine bar. 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