Carousel Hotel

Honest Review – Carousel Hotel, Ocean City MD

The location of the Carousel Hotel is a definite highlight — it’s right on the beach, across the street from a Food Lion (perfect for affordable snacks and drinks), and within walking distance to OC Nails, which offered excellent and reasonably priced service for a manicure and pedicure. The food at the on-site restaurant was good, and the room included a larger-than-average refrigerator and microwave. The shower had great water pressure and temperature, and the bath products were nice quality. We also appreciated having a balcony with two chairs and a partial beach view.

Unfortunately, the room itself was very dated and in need of updates. Furnishings and the TV were old, the outlets were loose (causing devices to slip out and not charge), and the beds were squeaky and springy. Towels were coarse, and there were no options for softer bedding or down pillows.

The air conditioning unit was extremely loud — it sounded like a plane taking off and made sleeping difficult, especially with one bed positioned right next to it. The bathroom was small, with visible wear and damage. The towel rack was installed directly above the toilet, so the provided towels kept falling in, which was frustrating and unsanitary.

Cleanliness and service were also disappointing. We found candy on the floor when we arrived, and it was difficult to reach the front desk by phone — no one answered multiple times. There was no in-room safe, and an advertised amenity (two complimentary beach chairs per room) was never available. We were told to reserve them at the outdoor pool station, but no one was ever there.

While the location, restaurant, and a few room features were positives, the noise, room condition, and lack of service made the stay less comfortable than expected. This hotel has great potential if updates and better guest service are prioritized.

Great location, friendly staff, and the room was just as it showed in the pictures. We had the direct ocean view room and the sunrise was amazing! 3 restaurants - each having different food. Bamboo Lounge had a nice happy hour inside. Additionally there's a snack stand next to the ice rink.

I would say this place is more for kids with the indoor arcade, ice skating rink, and events but its not just for kids.

We loved our stay and would go there again.

We enjoy staying at the Carousel. We rent a private condo so I cannot comment on the rooms, but everything else throughout our stay was nice. Everyone that we talked to/encountered were friendly and were not rude. We rent a room that is higher up so we do have a beautiful ocean view. The outdoor pool bar and restaurant are nice. They are pricey but what else can you expect? If you leave and go elsewhere, you pay just as much. It's great to have the option to eat downstairs if you prefer. The hotel has fun things for children to do. We will continue to come back based on our own personal experience.