Courtyard by Marriott Ocean City Oceanfront

This is a nice enough hotel, with a fantastic location right on the boardwalk, however it is a bit dated and does not live up to the Marriott Courtyard brand.

The front desk service was ok - but not remarkable in any way. Neither pleasant or rude, just another day,

The restaurant / bar was very nice. Not a fancy dinner restaurant, but I nice quiet place with good food choices. The service was exceptional and the bartender and waitress were both very friendly.

The hotel itself has a funky vibe to it. Somewhat strange layout but otherwise acceptable. Parking is tight, and they charge extra for it, but it is very convenient.

To look at the hotel from the outside, it is somewhat reminiscent of the old boardwalk heydays. I'm guess the original building dates back to the 70's or 80's with no real updates since.

Time for a refresh inside and out and this would be a 5 star property

Location on 15th street puts it in the midpoint of the boardwalk. Hotel includes an indoor pool which is great in inclement weather. Hotel employees are attentive to detail and are knowledgeable.

Location: Hotel is on the boardwalk so access to the beach is very easy. We were within walking distance to many eateries (iconic Thrasher, Fractured Prune, Dumsters, Fishers, Italian pizza and near new places such as the bakery Bae-tee). Hotel does sell a few food and necessities in a corner in the lobby in case you forgot some beach essentials.

And when the weather turned gusty and rainy, the hotel's indoor pool was much appreciated, although I wish the conversation pit was warmer and closer to a hot tub. The hotel also offered a generous area on property to lay out, veg and tan in the sun when it was sunny but too windy to sit on the beach. I liked that guests get access (and a way to clean off sand) to a side entrance so we don't have to track in sand etc. through the lobby or our rooms. Also I liked how one can choose to use a more direct elevator to the parking lot that bypasses the lobby to cut down on time after check-in.

Room accomodations were clean, tidy and while the mattresses need to be turned (to avoid dipping on one side), they were comfortable with numerous pillows. Internet access was easy and there were no problems with wifi during our stay. Included liquid soap and shampoo in the shower was fine. I like the included safety bars too.

As I said, special praise goes to the hotel employees I encountered during our stay. All were professional, courteous and accommodating. As Terry checked us in, I overhead Tasha help an older couple understand important dining and pool hours. She could have just handed the info sheet but Tasha take time to also verbally give the info without the couple even asking for the extra help.

Later on, I was grateful for the employees' accommodating attitude when there was a reservation mix-up due to an error on our part. I received a call from Tasha only to realize we had made a mistake. It was resolved quickly and efficiently.

Lastly, a small but significant 'save' by Jay has me making this review. We bought Thrasher fries and small soft shell crab sandwiches from the boardwalk to eat back in our room. Somehow we could not find or forgot to grab ketchup packets. On a whim, I go down to the lobby to ask where I could get ketchup packets. I assumed Jay at front desk would direct me to the hotel restaurant to buy some, or tell me to walk to the restaurant and ask for some there.

Instead, he asks me to wait, walks into a room and returns with, not a few packets, but with a generous handful of them. In my opinion, when a sibling wants ketchup over malt vinegar on fries, and I was coming back without any condiment, Jay saved the day!

I have a few complaints. The pool deck was pretty slippery even if one used flip flops and it might be more enjoyable if the jets on the conversation pit was a bit stronger or the water a bit warmer. Still the temperature and weak jets might be because the pool does not offer a lifeguard so it's just a quibble. Hotel soap dissolves very easily and two hand soap bars should be standard.

No complimentary breakfast but there is a hotel restaurant and our room had a keurig and a microwave. Each morning hot water, coffee capsules tea bags and cocoa are set out for guests in the lobby. I can't recall how long it is available but it was out until late morning. A nice Keurig carafe with coffee capsules was included in our room.

I did not use the lobby much but it is well laid out. The lobby bathrooms had huge stalls, very clean and the stall doors gave a lot of privacy. The couches and chairs were comfortable. The view was just to the pool and the lounging area (but there is a private (just for hotel guests) access lounging balcony outside where one can contemplate the beach and ocean on the first floor, complete with lounge chairs).

Our room was huge, super clean, with a comfy big bed. It's literally a perfect location right off the boardwalk. Pool a bit on the smaller side, but with the beach right there, we weren't disappointed. The Captains table restaurant was great for breakfast and the waiting staff were friendly. Would stay again.