Our 8 Favorite Family Friendly Hotels In Ocean City Maryland

Here are our 8 favorite family friendly hotels in Ocean City Maryland. We put together 8 of our favorite spots where we think you would love it! Here's links to each one so you can check rates and room sizes. I think Ashley and I both agree our new favorite is Holiday Inn. Sorry for all the snow, we filmed this in the dead of winter...but imagine there isn't any snow and it's sunny/warm!
DON'T FORGET!! Check the hotel websites for events. Many of them have a whole calendar full of events.
Aloft: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels...
Carousel Ocean Front: carouselhotel.com/
Castle In The Sand: castleinthesand.com/
DoubleTree By Hilton: www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bwio...
Dunes Manor Hotel: www.dunesmanor.com/
Grand Hotel: grandhoteloceancity.com/
Holiday Inn 17th St: www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels...
Princess Royale: www.princessroyale.com/
Hope you find it helpful and thanks as always for watching!
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Ocean City Fishing Regulations:
www.eregulations.com/maryland...
ocean city maryland, ocean city inlet fishing, saltwater saltwater fishing, offshore fishing, kayak fishing, vlogging, ocean, atlantic ocean, assateague island, magnet fishing, beach combing
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MUSIC:

[@danwilsonjr9081]

First off, I’m still trying to convince my wife to start our own KZbin channel on our roadtrips, but in the mean time I will use your channel for our OC experiences. Normally when we head to OC we normally stay at a condo- just for the amenities(kitchen/washer/dryer/pool etc.)- we normally had our son and a nephew tagging along and it made life easier at condos. When we took short trips (3-4 day) we would look at hotels. We have been to OC 14 times, here are the places we have stayed and a brief review- White Marlin Condo- Somerset St. We have stayed here several times- first being back in 2001 for our honeymoon. It’s a nice bayside location. Pool, off street parking, clean grounds. Only had one issue with a rental, it wasn’t cleaned to my wife’s standards. But one call to the rental office and they had a cleaning crew there within the hour and we were satisfied. If you do stay here, try to avoid White Marlin week. Granted it was entertaining viewing all the boats coming in and out during the tournament, but with the marina right outside the buildings it was very chaotic. A lot of traffic, noise at all hours of the day. Sometime as early as 3am. But we knew what was going on and didn’t let it damper our time. The boardwalk and inlet are a couple blocks away. Sunset Park is right there. Dumers ice cream is across the street. We prefer Building B over Building A, better view of the sunset and the bay. 700 Bayview, Edgewater @ 7th - we rented this condo/townhouse on a Memorial Day weekend. The photos online were a little deceiving. Some of the highlights first. Its on the bay, LITERALLY on the bay . its built over the water, you walk out onto the deck and the bay is right there. Fish right off the deck, watch the boats, sunsets. The unit had amenities, no pool. The downside, parking sucked, I drive a full size pickup and the “spot” for the unit left me hanging out into the driving lane of the street. Had to make due with on street parking, and with it being Memorial Day, if you didn’t get a street parking spot, you were parking down a couple blocks. The living space was small in square footage, but we don’t spend a lot of time sitting inside. The unit could of used some furniture upgrades. I hope the owner has done that since. It wasn’t a place I would go back to, but it wasn’t the worst place. South Beach, 7th & Baltimore- We did a Spring Break trip.. I will tell you-Top notch, way too fancy for us. If I remember, I think it was $800 for the 5 days in April, and if we stayed during peak season it was $4000. Had a lot of room, bedrooms were big. Master suite had large bathroom, own patio, nice views. It is right on the Boardwalk. It has two pools, indoor and outdoor. Secured parking was nice. It would be a place I would stay again, but during non peak season. Emerson Tower, Wicomico St & Phila Ave. Bayside- we went here April of 2021, and the rental was very spacious, huge patio, bedrooms were large. Plenty of bathroom, each of the 3 bedrooms had a full bath. The master bath, had to be one of the largest I ever seen. Only issue we had, the bed in the master bedroom. It was a full size bed and had some miles on it. Very uncomfortable, worn, felt like if you laid down to fast/hard, the bed was going to break. The Frog Bar is in the building. It wasn’t open yet, but Im sure during peak time, it will/is a hopping place. No parking issues, has its own parking area. Its close to the inlet, and walking distance to the Boardwalk. I would stay there again. Carousel, 118th & Coastal HW- we visited during February break, and for some reason the weather in OC was exceptionally warm that time of year. We stayed in the original building, on the east side of the complex. I do agree there was plenty to keep you entertained. The room we stayed in was ok, nothing to rave about, except watching the sunrise from the balcony every morning. The setting was nice, clean. Some restaurants in the area, but we didn’t like the drive all the way down from 118th to the inlet/boardwalk. If you do stay here, stay in the tower, more modern. Commander, 14th St & Baltimore- my cousin had stayed here with her 2 kids/husband and gave it great review. So we decided to try it out for one night. The next day we were going to the Emerson Tower. This was a last minute decision to go a day early and get a jumpstart on spring vacation. The property is right on the ocean/boardwalk, plenty to see/things to do. Fracture Prune donuts and Grotto Pizza are located on the property. If you never had Fracture Prune, you make it a point to go to one. We had a ocean front room, 2 queen beds, nothing fancy. There was a couple key things that made us not stay here. I am sure that this isn’t a normal issue, it was early into the vacation season and the staff was running thin. My wife likes a clean house, and she expects to have the same when we go on vacation. We ended up not staying and went to the MicroTel for the one day. Would I give the place another shot? Probably. I can’t really judge a place to be bad when we didn’t stay. They were short staffed and trying to keep up . Francis Scott Key, Route 50- we stayed here back in 2004(?) Compared to what it was then, to now, two completely different places. A lot of family activities. You aren’t right in OC, but a short drive down 50 and you’re there. It had a shuttle over to OC if you don’t want to drive. Plenty of restaurants and things to do near by. Washington Inn, Somerset Ave Princess Ann- it’s a bed & breakfast. My wife and I visited Memorial Day weekend 2017. We never stayed at a B&B, and doing some research, we gave it a shot and it was well worth it. Had a restaurant/pub on the first floor. Food was amazing. The room we had was very nice, clean. For being a revolutionary war era building, it was beautiful. We explored the area and came across Deals Island. It’s a very small clamming town. My wife found a small beach area that she found to have an abundance of sea glass. We visit it everytime we go to MD. The only downfall, its like a 45 minute ride to OC. We knew that ahead of time, but we didn’t care. It was a nice place, and would stay there again. As for hotels, we have stayed at the MicroTel, Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn, all on Route 50 in West OC. Out of the 3, we like the MircoTel the most. Just had a good vibe. Not that the other places weren’t great. They are all good. Close to go karts, mini golf, Dumsers, and good restaurants. One hotel that really blew our mind, Cambria. Can’t miss it at night when you come over the 50 bridge. My wife and I stayed there September 2021, and January 2022. It is expensive during the peak times. Make sure to get a room on the bayside. The rooms were clean, well laid out. If you sit out on the balcony, you hear/see Rt 50 traffic. But the sunsets make it better. The Spain is on the top floor. One thing we did notice, when we stayed on the 7th floor, which is below The Spain, we could hear pots and pans being banged around, music, people chattering through the HVAC duct. It didn’t bother us, the restaurant wasn’t open late. The restaurant/bar on the main floor and great food and service. We went every morning for breakfast, and never had a bad meal. Staff was great. It has an indoor/outdoor pool. The outdoor pool is on the bay side, and it appeared they offer an outside bar. It wasn’t open when we were there in September. I would highly recommend the Cambria. Sorry for the novel - but wanted to add our experiences

[@ReelJayB]

Interesting you mentioned Cambria....everyone has been raving about it. Haven't heard a single bad thing about it. From what I've heard, it's not very "kid friendly". And I still say to start a channel. What's the worst that could happen? It's free to start one!

[@danwilsonjr9081]

@@ReelJayB I do agree that the Cambria Hotel isn’t really kid friendly granted as the pool and stuff but besides that that much more

[@cccccccccccc242]

Wow! Thank you for your very informative review! I'm going here next year for the first time and as a "do it way ahead planner", I've been looking for the best places to stay at. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this as this helps someone like me tremendously!

[@jennmccandless-stout5738]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@cccccccccccc242]

This was the best hotel review video I have watched! It was straight to the point but also while giving helpful tips and info. Thanks!

[@ReelJayB]

Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!

[@ReelJayB]

Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!

[@ReelJayB]

Wow thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!

[@bissellvacuums2212]

Thanks very helpful just made a reservation for the holiday inn !!!

[@ReelJayB]

Awesome!!! Have a great time!!

[@spanzek]

Awesome Jay!! Home run with this one!! Music added to the content was perfect. Another feature of the hotel on the bay would be the beautiful relaxing sunsets of Ocean City every evening! I wonder where they get the Mermaids from. Are they bay or Ocean ones! 😁 The holiday inn has a great outdoor pool. I’m surprised you didn’t put the Hilton Ocean front inn. They actually have a swim up bar that has the ball stools in the water. I’ve stayed at both the HI and the Hilton before. Both are top notch! Great video buddy.

[@ReelJayB]

Thanks Scott! That Holiday Inn seems to be a fan favorite! The new Cambria hotel is great too, just didn't seen too "kid" friendly.

[@spanzek]

I stopped by the Cambria last summer and went up to visit the restaurant and bar. Great restaurant and bar, great wine list, but definitely not kid friendly, I agree. Their pool is nice located on the bay. I like the downtown location if this place since I spend most of my time downtown OC for happy hours and drinks, Angler, MR, harbor inn, BC, LL, HW, then over to Sneaky Petes to bust some crabs.

[@donnaplumridge9769]

I remember a lot of the hotels, especially Carousel and Castle In Sand. My cousin and great aunt used to stay in the Castle In The Sand, up until my great aunt passed away. My cousin still visits it each year for a memorial. My family used to rent apartments on 27th street, then later years on 60th street. A few occasions I remember staying at a motel called French Quarter, I believe on 27th street, and Santa Maria, forget the street it was on, but used to have nice breakfasts! When my parents rented the apartment around 60th street, it was on bayside.

[@jeffreymacintyre2711]

My family went to the Carousel in the 70s and early 80s. I got my first kiss on the beach behind the Carousel at age 15 😂

[@ReelJayB]

🤣🤣 that's hilarious.

[@johngreenleaf6956]

Took our kid to Carousel a few years back and he loved it. Green Turtle pretty much right across the street was nice, too.

[@ReelJayB]

Green Turtle is awesome!!!

[@josephpannulla1942]

Hey love the content. Thank you. Have you thought about doing restaurant lists. ie. best breakfasts in town?

[@ReelJayB]

Thanks for watching!! My wife and I were thinking of other videos, breakfast spots is a good idea! I think our next one is going to be best family friendly restaurants. I'll try to do a breakfast one after that. What's your favorite place?

[@josephpannulla1942]

@@ReelJayB we only have a limited experience because we bought a place in town just over a year ago. I think for family friendly breakfast I would say Happy Jacks and Layton’s does a good job. If for a little nice breakfast then I go Barn 34.

[@melvinganoe1175]

We have stayed at the carousel it is very nice.and it’s fairly handicapped accessible

[@55chevytruck]

My favorite is Quality INN on 54 street.

[@pittsburghliving412]

Years ago, I stayed at the Aloft in Philly. We lost a game controller (and at that time…) they had extra ones for any gaming system to borrow during your stay. If anyone has an update on this chime in. 👍

[@paularmstrong3608]

We always stayed at the flamingo hotel and loved it then it was sold a few years back and it went down hill I think and we stopped staying there, Then I met a guy with a condo on 5 street and we've stayed at his place the last few years. thanks for the videos Jay

[@ReelJayB]

5th Street is an awesome location!

[@maryloufarnsworth8461]

Thanks for the tour of the Dunes. Thinking about trying that out with a couple of friends. We have been staying at the Spinnaker in September after Labor Day. Your other hotels give us some other places to stay.

[@ReelJayB]

Fair warning: Dunes recently sold and split the properties in 2. The large hotel that I reviewed will become a Hilton Garden so I don't think they are going to keep it the same.

[@maryloufarnsworth8461]

@@ReelJayB Thanks for the advice. The other hotels looked so nice that I want to check them out. Happy New Year!😃😃

[@kevinkiss3340]

@@ReelJayB Any new Hotels opened in 2023 worth Wild?

[@ReelJayB]

@@kevinkiss3340 nothing really worth noting. The new Hilton Garden/old Dunes Manor is officially open, but I heard it's pretty pricey.

[@biffjohnson2076]

Staying at Castle in the Sand this coming week. Looking forward to that, and taking my boys out on the Judith M for a 4 hr ocean fishing trip. Debating bringing my own rod, but I'm no expert haha. Great video! Edit: forgot to add - my wife and I got married in OCMD at Princess Bayside, in a hurricane. Maybe it was a TS by then. Ruined the wedding, but we're still together all these years later. The ONLY thing I remember about 33rd St is the SAND BAR karaoke place. What a GREAT night!

[@ReelJayB]

Your going to have a blast on the Judith M! Hopefully they can put you guys on some mahi mahi. The water temps are warm enough for them. Use their rods, they are set up for the style fishing they are doing and the best part it...it's not yours so you don't have to worry about the care of it. Sand Bar karaoke...never been but heard some stories!!!!

[@biffjohnson2076]

@@ReelJayB They can put us on Mahi on a 4hr trip? The Sand Bar is awesome, even if you don't sing karaoke. My wife is great, but I mostly just watched. Did take a crack at "Toxicity" from System Of A Down though LOLOL

[@ReelJayB]

@@biffjohnson2076 Toxicity? Really? HAHA that's a hard song!!!! A 4hr trip should give you plenty of time to find some mahi, hopefully they know a few spots and go for it! My buddy and I caught some not long ago only about 20 miles out on his boat. Let me know what you catch and good luck!

[@biffjohnson2076]

@@ReelJayB Will do! I would love to catch a Mahi. I'm usually good for blues. Caught a striper once in Indian River Inlet. And LOTS of sea robins and skates fishing for flounder out of Wildwood, NJ.

[@franklingates2226]

Park Place is the best

[@JohnNJ]

Jay, Any recommendations for trailer boaters? We usually stay in West Ocean City at the Francis Scott Key ( close to th public ramp)

[@ReelJayB]

The west ocean boat ramp is the busiest ramp in OC. Summer time is insane over there!!! I would suggest 64th st, which is public and a quick boat ride to the inlet. Another favorite is the Assateague ramp. You can drift your way to the inlet to flounder fish or cruise the couple miles to the inlet. Or, of course, fish the assateague Bridge if your into fishing.

[@JimD410]

The Dunes is absolutely awesome I haven't been to OC in 5 years but this was the hotel my family and I would spend a week at every summer and the years later my wife and I with our kids. We went when my wife and I were in our early 20s on Valentines day and a unexpected snow storm hit it was our last night and the people at the desk told us to stay a extra night for free so we didn't drive in the snow I drew a big heart in the snow and wrote my wife and my name in it then told her look off balcony to surprise her it was fun a hour after I did that other young men were drawing big hearts in the snow next to mine and I was thinking some girl probably said aww look what he did for her and all these guys were probably like great because of this guy now I gotta go out in snow and draw a big heart lol. But great memories at the dunes.

[@ReelJayB]

Hahaha you know those other guys did it because you did!! 🤣 Dunes is a great hotel. They just sold it over the winter, but it sounds like it's going to stay the same.

[@JimD410]

@@ReelJayB I hope so I have great family memories there.

[@jenjen8086]

How is the weather in September? Are the outside pools still open? Is the traffic bad coming into OC from Baltimore airport?

[@ReelJayB]

Weather in September is still hot, it's hotter here than inland, the ocean plays a big part in keeping the air warmer. I'm not sure about the outside pools, so stay open while others close. Generally they keep the pools open memorial day to labor day, but some stay open later. Traffic wise, it's not nearly as bad as summer traffic. You have have a short delay going over the bay bridge but otherwise it should be fine. Have a fun trip!

[@jenjen8086]

@@ReelJayB Thank you for all the information:)

[@paullee3996]

All nice hotels best location hotel for me is oceanic and then Atlantic but not alot for kids but oceanic has all the rides next to it

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

Hey Jay & your wife Thanks for the video. Glad I found y'all again on KZbin this is Joe the guy that volunteers weekends at Walter Reed. Just Friday was able to renew my base badge for Naval Support Activity Bethesda and hospital badge for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Hoping to be in Ocean City Maryland third weekend in October at SeaTime condo buildings are 135th & 136th streets Ocean Block / View Do you all know if Nick's House of Ribs is still a good place to eat at?

[@ReelJayB]

Hey Joe! Hope all is well! Bases have certainly changed over the years, I renewed mine and the process can be long! I hear good things about Nick's, although I haven't been there. My father in law still likes going there. Have a great trip down here, October is a great time.

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

@@ReelJayB I grew up with Laura Idoni Nick Idoni's House of Ribs was her uncle's restaurant after he passed I heard it sold yet kept the Nick's part of the name was hoping the recipes and food quality it still good as it was before 👍 Oh yeah being my 16th year volunteering the badge renewal process always has a hiccup somewhere in the process 😂

[@ReelJayB]

@@JR_SupportOurHeroes let me know what you think of Nick's if you go, would love to hear about your experience.

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

@@ReelJayB will do I just spoke with the manager on the phone & he let me know they are still open year round plus the restaurant closes at 10pm off season yet they still have the full menu at the bar and the recipes have not changed he even remembers when the restaurant was called Nick Idoni's House of Ribs 👍😎👍

[@Wazz.productions]

About princess royale, you should tip the bellhops at least 15$ they are working super hard in the dying heat of the summer and they are payed too less for what their job involves

[@ReelJayB]

If their service is good, absolutely tip! Thanks for watching.

[@dianecaplan5407]

What happened to all of the water in the pool is it filthy or is it too much in there.

[@ReelJayB]

Which pool? Most drain their pools over the winter and refill them in the spring.

[@jimastley7879]

We stay at the Holiday Inn on 17th street .. How is the pile of snow looking ? Time for an update .

[@ReelJayB]

The Holiday Inn seems to be the fan favorite....I can see why! Here's the snow pile update for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4qmoqRngtmjd7M

[@DJSmoothie]

No Hilton Oceanfront Suites? If you are new to OC and or planning a trip and dont want to deal with all the hassles that may come with hotels, just stay at the Hilton and enjoy your vacation. The 'poor man's version' would be The Princess on the Bayside!

[@ReelJayB]

Is oceanfront suites the new name of Dunes Manor? Dunes sold, but wasn't sure of the new name. Most Bayside places are a little cheaper.

[@DJSmoothie]

@@ReelJayB No idea of Dune's new name but Hilton Oceanfront Suites is what I think the Hilton goes by. Plz do a special "AIRBNB" episode!

[@darlenelipuma7769]

The Dunes Manor was recently sold, so don't be looking to book here till later on. They'll be another Hilton property, a Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City.

[@ReelJayB]

The big hotel is going to be a Hilton. The smaller dunes property was sold to the Harrison group.

[@darlenelipuma7769]

@@ReelJayB That is correct. With a Hilton on 32nd St., I don't understand them putting another one on 29th, even though they're different "brand". I'm waiting for them to open or build one of their ultra luxury hotels. Honestly, a lot of people have been priced out of coming to Ocean City for more than a few nights, if at all. The Dunes Manor sale made me sad. That was a beautiful hotel.

[@ReelJayB]

@@darlenelipuma7769 Dunes was a great hotel, loved the character of it too! Prices for OC hotels are high, and sadly will continue to rise if more people continue to book a vacation. The hotels are pretty much filled to capacity at already high prices. We are seeing a lot more people rent their homes in our neighborhood in Ocean Pines where the cost is much less.

[@darlenelipuma7769]

@@ReelJayB We quit staying in hotels for vacation years ago and only rent condos for the week. It's much more cost efficient. My opinion of the filled hotels this year is that it's most likely a result of Covid and people not feeling quite safe to vacation for the last two years. This was the breakthrough year for travel, no masks, more back to normal. Will it continue? Possibly for another year. But this economy is killing families and any hopes of getting away for a week. Now the money has to go for food and rent and gas. Winter is going to be HARD for a lot of us paying fuel bills to stay warm in the northeast. But time will tell, and that's just my opinion. I think the rise in crime in OC is going to become a real issue soon too. Every year, there's more and more serious crime, rather than just petty stuff. At least they got rid of those nuts in their banana suits at the end of September and all the trouble they caused everyone. Thanks for all your great videos. You're always on top of everything going on in OC.

[@lennomenno]

Unfortunately for most of these hotels you need to take out a second mortgage just for a week's stay.

[@ReelJayB]

That is true.....but they all stay booked consistently.

[@captndeko]

How did you forget the seawatch on 115 th st far superior than the carousel

[@ReelJayB]

I'll have to check it out! Didn't see it listed anywhere for kid friendly activities. Thanks for letting me know!!

[@captndeko]

Has indoor outdoor pool and little water sprinkler park and movie theater way more I’m underselling it

[@naeemyassin6099]

Prices

[@ReelJayB]

I couldn't put prices for a few reasons...they offer seasonal rates, OC tax may go up, price increases, etc. Best to check with the hotel directly.

[@bignuts850]

Ocean city Is not Like it used to be Turning more ghetto

[@JJskiddy]

Thanks but wish you could of included how clean and ratings of guest rooms....so hard to find clean decent rooms for midprice...

[@ReelJayB]

That would be hard to review because we've never stayed there before. I think we are going to do a hotel series, we were thinking of somehow trying to get into a room to show the rooms.

[@JJskiddy]

@@ReelJayB ok thanks thought u stayed as u said was favorites....looking now for april/may....