Are you planning on taking a trip to the beautiful beachside town of Ocean City? Ocean City is well known for its historical boardwalk, stunning beaches, and amusement parks. Ocean City is a lengthy town located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. It is enjoyed by over 8 million tourists annually.
It’s easy to spend a week getting lost and exploring all the family-owned restaurants, trendy cafes, and beaches your heart desires. If you’re planning on visiting Ocean City, especially in the summer months, it’s best to book your accommodations beforehand. This beachy town has over 10,000 rooms ranging from budget to luxury to fit all traveler’s needs. We’ve sorted through hotels and inns to bring you the Best Hotels In Ocean City, MD!
Check out our top choices for the best hotels in Ocean City MD:
- Best Overall: Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort | Review
- Best Luxury: Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites | Review
- Best Budget: Beach Bum OC | Review
- Best Location: Park Place Hotel | Review
- Best Vibes: Atlantic House Bed and Breakfast | Review
- Best for Families: Francis Scott Key Family Resort | Review
- Best for Couples: Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront | Review
- Best for Business: Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City | Review
- Best for Instagram: Lighthouse Club Hotel | Review
Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort (Best Overall)
Price: $$$
Stars: 3
The Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort is located just north of the Ocean City Expressway, outside of the main downtown area but still well connected to restaurants, stores, and activities. Directly across the road, there are many grocery and clothing stores, as well as a good selection of restaurants. It’s the best place to have a relaxing ocean-side vacation and still have direct access to the excitement that the city has to offer!
This resort has everything you could want for your beachfront vacation, complete with a full spa, Olympic size pool, cafe, open-air restaurant, bar, electric beach cruisers, fitness classes, and more. Have all the comforts of home with you on your beach vacation while staying at the Princess Royale. It’s easy to hop out onto the beach to soak in the sun, take a walk on the boardwalk or drive downtown to enjoy the sights of the city.
There are 300 rooms to choose from, each with its own kitchenette, living space, and balcony. They have a wide variety of rooms for all price ranges from 3-bedroom condos to value rooms, each as impressive as the last. The relaxing atmosphere the hotel creates is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring Ocean City.
Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites (Best Luxury)
Price: $$$$
Stars: 5
Staying at the Hilton is a shoo-in to have the best luxury experience while on vacation, and the Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites is no exception. Situated right on the beach and just outside the downtown core of Ocean City, you cant ask for a better location. This hotel is a quick ten-minute drive to the pier and the activities and restaurants the downtown core has to offer. Just cross the road, and you are at the Jolly Roger Amusement park and a host of unique restaurants.
First, enjoy all the hotel has to offer by stepping out onto your luxurious ocean-view balcony with coffee or breakfast delivered with room service. Get in a workout with all the luxuries of home in their fully equipt fitness center, or take a dip in their indoor or outdoor pool. You can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the two in-house restaurants that are famous for their fresh seafood and high-quality local ingredients. Enjoy the afternoon poolside with a drink from their poolside bar. The hotel has complimentary EV charging and wifi, as well as meeting rooms for your convenience.
Pick your luxury experience from one of their 225 suites and choose from one or two queen bed suites to king bed suites. Each is complete with a kitchen and luxurious bathroom with twin sinks, a whirlpool bathtub, and a rainfall shower. You can choose from a suite with an ocean view or a poolside view. Either way, you’ll get a peaceful night’s rest in style at the Hilton.
Beach Bum OC (Best Budget)
Price: $
Stars: 4
The Beach Bum Ocean City has two convenient locations, one in Ocean City and a Motel location in West Ocean City. The Inn is located just a few steps away from the pier in the heart of downtown OC and is the perfect hotel choice to make the most out of your beach trip (while saving a few bucks). Just a short ten-minute walk will bring you to Jolly Rodger or the best restaurants, bars, and clubs the city has to offer.
The Inn offers a complimentary breakfast to start your day before you head out to explore! The small indoor heated pool would be so relaxing after a day of sightseeing, and there is wifi, a mini fridge, and a microwave in each room for your convenience. Their friendly and helpful staff are always willing to give you the best recommendations!
The rooms are basic but well-lit and elegantly decorated with comfortable beds and an ensuite bathroom. Overall the Beach Bum Inn is a clean, welcoming, and friendly budget accommodation if you’re looking to save some money for other activities in Ocean City.
Park Place Hotel (Best Location)
Price: $$
Stars: 5
Park your car and leave the rest at the Park Place Hotel. This hotel has the best location in Ocean City. Just steps away from the most exciting activities in the downtown core, water sports, bike rentals, and hundreds of shopping options, there’s no shortage of things to do when you stay at Park Place. You’ll feel like you just won a game of Monopoly when you pull up a beach chair right next to your hotel to enjoy the sun and sand. There’s no driving required when you’re staying in the heart of the city. All the best restaurants and bars are just steps away from the lobby.
Come back to this clean and well-maintained hotel to relax in one (or both) of their outdoor pools, sun deck, or on your personal balcony. The clean and welcoming rooms are inviting and will remind you of all the comforts of home. Each room has a kitchenette and ensuite washroom. There is wifi, parking, and a coin-operated laundry for guests to use as well.
They have plenty of room options, from a basic double room with two beds to their deluxe king and queen bedrooms or the bay view suite. Each room has the option of a bay or ocean view.
The Park Place Hotel is the best hotel in Ocean City if you want to feel the heat of the city and be in the center of it all!
Atlantic House Bed and Breakfast (Best Vibes)
Price: $$$
Stars: 5
The renovated, quaint 1920s Victorian Beach House is the perfect vibe for your next vacation. Located just steps away from downtown Ocean City and popular bars and restaurants, you can enjoy the history, culture, beach, and modern amenities of this unique location.
Set the scene and step back in time as you wander through the halls of this home and find some original Victorian elements like the dormer gables and frieze boards. Originally built in 1927, this Victorian home has been turned into a beautiful bed and breakfast featuring eight rooms (all with their own private bathrooms). Each of their 8 rooms are clean and bright with unique decorations and themes. Before you head out in the morning, enjoy a buffet breakfast in the stunning south-facing sun room, and be sure to grab a complimentary beach towel and chair before heading to the beach!
At Atlantic House, you get your own set of keys for the main door and your room, and you are free to come and go at any time of day or night. This bed and breakfast is not suited for young children but welcomes children ten years and older. If you are looking for a unique historic stay in Ocean City with vibes to match, you can’t go wrong choosing this B&B!
Francis Scott Key Family Resort (Best for Families)
Price: $
Stars: 3
Want to keep the kids happy and entertained on your trip to Ocean City? Look no further than the Francis Scott Key Family Resort. This family-owned resort, built in 1953, has been updated and converted into a family-friendly resort for kids of all ages to enjoy! Located just outside Downtown OC in West Ocean City, close to family-friendly restaurants, grocery stores, and outlet shopping. It is a close seven-minute drive to the heart of Ocean City, the boardwalk, beach, and pier.
Kids will go crazy for the Caribbean/Pirate-themed “Shipwreck Cove,” which is the main attraction at the resort. This outdoor pool features a dinghy-themed hot tub for adults and older children, as well as a large pool surrounded by tables and chairs. Head to the top of the pirate ship for a birds-eye view!
The Caribbean Key indoor pool transports you to a Caribbean Island with a temperature of a steady 82°F (27°C) and a retractable roof to allow the sun and breeze to flow through the pool area. Their slides ranging from 6 inches (15cm) to 4 ft (121cm), are great for younger, older children and kids at heart! There is a poolside concession, bar & drink menu daily for guests’ convenience.
The resort also offers a sprayground (currently under construction), complimentary mini putt, movie theatre, arcade, playground, volleyball, and basketball court. For the adults, there is a beautiful picnic pavilion, fitness center, and wifi.
The rooms are clean, comfortable, and designed to accommodate between 4-6 guests, perfect for larger families! The rooms are fully equipt with coffee makers, TV, DVD players, and room safes. They have larger rooms to accommodate different families’ needs, with full kitchens, vacation homes, ranch-style rooms, and lodges.
This resort is sure to make your family vacation to Ocean City a memorable one! If the activities in the resort is not enough, you can always try mini golf in Ocean City Md as it is fun for both kids and adults.
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront (Best for Couples)
Price: $$
Stars: 4
Planning a romantic beachside vacation for two in Ocean City? The Grand Hotel is the perfect place to stay to get some time to yourselves! Located just outside of the downtown core, right on the beach, is this stunning hotel with over 251 rooms to choose from. The famous Ocean City boardwalk and other attractions are just steps from the hotel.
This hotel has both an indoor and outdoor pool for swimming or relaxing. Try a couple’s workout in their fitness center, followed by a rejuvenating sauna. Enjoy a romantic dinner in one of their 5 onsite restaurants, serving a variety of cuisine, including brunch and oven-baked pizzas.
They have plenty of room options to choose from, with both king and queen beds as well as jet tubs and an ocean city or partial view. Each room has a balcony, kitchenette, and bathroom that is fully equipt with everything you could need. The staff at the reception are always available to help with questions and concerns or to give recommendations in the city. The Grand Hotel ensures your next vacation will be a peaceful and romantic experience.
Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City (Best for Business)
Price: $$
Stars: 3
Business by the beach? Sometimes work follows you wherever you go, so you’ll need a hotel that’s accommodating. Whether it’s meetings or the digital nomad life Hampton Inn & Suites has everything you need to get a productive day’s work done before you hit the beach. This hotel is located just outside the downtown core and away from the busy bars and restaurants but close enough that you can get downtown in less than 10 minutes.
The Hampton Inn has a reliably steady wifi connection that is free for guests to use, making it perfect for business meetings or getting some work done remotely. They also have a business center for guests to use. Guests can enjoy the 24/hour fitness center, outdoor and indoor pool, and the pool bar outside business hours. The hotel is a few steps away from the beach and boardwalk, as well as many water sports rentals.
There are a ton of rooms to choose from guest rooms to suites that are clean and comfortable, up to Hampton Inn & Suites standards. Each room includes an HDTV, sofa bed, coffeemaker, wifi, and a work desk. This hotel is perfect for relaxing and getting some work done while away!
Lighthouse Club Hotel (Best for Instagram)
Price: $$$
Stars: 3
Planning on coming to Ocean City for the vibes and views? You’ll want to stay in an instagrammable hotel like the Lighthouse club. As you walk through this charming hotel, you’ll catch many photo opportunities for the gram. The classy old-school decor will make the perfect backdrop!
The Lighthouse Club Hotel is located in a quieter bay-facing neighborhood about a 12-minute drive from the downtown core. The peaceful atmosphere is an excellent place to catch a sunset and relax on your trip! This boutique hotel offers many amenities, such as a beautiful bay-facing pool, with chairs for lounging and relaxing, a jacuzzi tub, a bay-view club room, a small gym, a massage room, and a continental breakfast.
There are 23 rooms to choose from, each with a modern and clean decor with wood accents and plants that make them unique to this hotel! Get the best night’s sleep on the imported Italian bed linens and feather bed toppers. Each room comes with a balcony, kitchenette, and full bathroom with imported towels, robes, and toiletries. Suites are also available with a cozy living space, fireplace, and jetted tub. Snap the perfect photos outside the hotel, in the club room, at the bar, on the spiral staircase, or in the jacuzzi tub! Your stay at the Lighthouse Club Hotel is known for its attention to detail and quality service, ensuring the best holiday!
Honorable Mentions
Carousel Oceanfront Hotel & Condos
Price: $$
Stars: 4
This hotel is the furthest outside of downtown Ocean city but makes the list for unique features! This hotel features a full-size skating rink onsite! Guests can come and rent skates before heading to the beach for a swim! It is close to grocery stores, the beach, and restaurants and bars without being in the center of all the business and noise, making it a relaxing option for families or older couples.
The hotel boasts a fitness center, outdoor and indoor pool, hot tub, and onsite restaurants and bars for the adults. Kids will love the kiddie pool, pirate ship jungle gym, bounce house, games room, and full-size skating rink. The whole family will enjoy the various events that the hotel hosts, like movies on the beach, ice shows, mermaid appearances, family photo events, mobile zoos, and family beach Olympics.
They have plenty of room options, from a basic queen bed to condos, with atrium or ocean views! Their rooms are modern and clean, with light and airy decor perfect for a beach vacation. Each of the rooms has a balcony, kitchenette, and bathroom that’s fully equipt. Staying at The Carousel Oceanfront Hotel will make your vacation in Ocean City a memorable one.
Aloft Ocean City
Price: $$$
Stars: 3
Aloft Ocean City is a modern hotel you would expect to see in a posh area of NYC or LA right on the beach! The bright and hip decor attracts travelers from all over.
Located close to downtown, this hotel is in the prime location for some peace and quiet but is close enough that you won’t miss out on the nightlife in Ocean City. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, and it is just a few steps from the beach.
The hotel features meeting rooms and conference centers, an onsite restaurant and bar, an indoor and outdoor pool, an outdoor bar, a fitness center, and an outdoor fireplace.
Aloft Ocean City offers 120 modern and classy rooms to choose from, ranging from single queen beds to king beds. Each room features colorful modern decor and a light and airy vibe. The rooms are clean and comfortable, featuring rainfall showerheads and Bliss Spa toiletries. Aloft is the perfect stay for a classy girl’s weekend or upscale getaway in Ocean City!
Kasa Marigot Ocean City Beach
Price: $$
Stars: 3
Sleep right next to the beach at the Kasa Marigot OC! This beachside hotel is right on a quiet section on the 10-mile stretch of sandy beach in Ocean City. Located 15 minutes from downtown Ocean City you are sure to have a relaxing and peaceful stay!
The Kasa Marigot offers a business center, cafe, onsite parking, free wifi, an outdoor pool, and a gym for their guests to use. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with a kitchenette, private washroom, and balcony. The 1,2, or 3-bedroom suites can accommodate up to 8 people, making it perfect for larger families. Steps from the beach, it’s a lovely place to stay if you want to truly soak in the beach atmosphere!
Monte Carlo Boardwalk
Price: $$
Stars: 2
Part of a series of three Monte Carlo hotels, the Monte Carlo Boardwalk is just steps from the famous Ocean City boardwalk and the beach!
This hotel offers a rooftop pool deck where you can catch some of the best sunsets in the city! Grab a drink from the rooftop pool bar or relax in the hot tub after an evening of exploring Ocean City! They have free parking and wifi for guests, as well as coin laundry.
They have plenty of comfortable and bright rooms for guests that are great to relax in after a day of exploring. The decor is bright and modern, with a lighter beachy feeling. Each room has a TV with cable, a private balcony, a fully equipt kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Guests can choose from a variety of rooms with an ocean view or city view, as well as king or double beds. The largest room can accommodate up to 6 guests, which is great for larger families or groups wanting to stay together!
You can’t go wrong choosing the Monte Carlo Boardwalk for your next stay in Ocean City.
Summary
Ocean City is jam-packed with activities and sights to see, including the famous boardwalk water sports and amusement parks. The 10-mile stretch of white sandy beach and crystal clear waters is enough to attract couples, families, business, and solo travelers alike! Whether you want a modern hotel chain, a family-run B&B, or a family-friendly resort, Ocean City has it all! Just remember to book your hotel room at the best time to find a good deal.