Poolside Holiday Inn Ocean City Maryland
One of our favorite places to stay. We have stayed a different times of the year. Certainly the off season is the best – it’s cheaper! It’s right on the boardwalk at 17th street and the distance from the boardwalk to the ocean is not that far. (Versus when you stay at the beginning of the boardwalk near the inlet – its quite a hike to actually reach the ocean from the boardwalk.)
During the summer months, rooms can get pretty pricey (upwards of $450 a night). But during the off-season I’ve gotten them for about $84 a night. The suites are very spacious. You get a large bedroom with choice of King or two Queens (sorry – a double is just too small!), a galley kitchen and then a living area that includes a chair, pull out bed (queen) sofa, another dresser with TV, and a small dining table. Some of the bathrooms have a jacuzzi size tub or 3 head shower. Some bedrooms have the jacuzzi tub.
We’ve ordered room service for breakfast several times. It’s so nice to select what you want for breakfast the night before and put the selected menu outside the hotel door with the time you want breakfast delivered in the morning. We’ve tried several of the breakfast items (my favorite is the pancakes) and they were hearty and enjoyable.
There is both an indoor pool (in the atrium next to the bar/cafe) as well as two outdoor pools. A kiddie pool with water slide on one side and another small pool on the other. In the summer months I highly recommend staking your claim to the outdoor pool area chairs (or table with umbrella and chairs) when they open in the morning (9am I think). Try coming down at 10am or later and chances are you will miss your chance to find multiple chairs grouped together that are available. They also have waitresses that will serve you beverages (adult ones too) as well as light fare from the cafe.
Within walking distance is a Dunkin Donuts (closed in the off-season), CVS, Subway sub shop, and Holy Savior Catholic Church. The boardwalk is fun to watch if you get an oceanfront room. In the morning hours you will see bikers, walkers, and joggers making their way up and down the boardwalk. The hotel is on 17th street, so if you’re looking for some exercise, make your way up to the beginning of the boardwalk. Too tired to walk back? Take the TRAM. I think the ride is $4 each way for adults. (They let my 4 year old ride back for free.)
The off-season is pretty quiet compared to the summer months, but we’ve always enjoyed our stays. Kids love to swim in the indoor pool. A walk on the boardwalk is always nice and there are lots of our favorite restaurants still open. (La Hacienda, Three Brother’s Pizza). In the winter we like to go to the Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park (125th Street & The Bay).
