Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ocean City Oceanfront

Do not let the vibe when you first arrive scare you away. It is an old hotel on the beach, like all of the old hotels on the beach beside it for the entire stretch of the boardwalk! I walked past the pool and the bar and discovered with dismay that my room was right in the main thoroughfare. I was scared it would be loud. I saw that it was old and was afraid it would be dirty. It was neither! It was quiet as can be both nights, and we all slept very comfortably in our room!! Our room was on the first floor with sliding doors that open out directly onto the boardwalk. We could literally walk out of our room (and climb over a little 2ft wall) and be at the beach. This was extremely convenient, and also beautiful!! The rooms were IMMACULATE. So clean. I love that the floors are hard and not carpet, since it is a beach hotel. I did not see even one insect the entire time, which is unheard of at or below sea level in Maryland, and definitely in a hotel full of families and their food! The staff was the most attentive I've ever experienced at a hotel. Text messages checking up on us, fresh towels with just a text. Our AC stopped working and someone came within 3 minutes and adjusted it and it worked fine. My reason for only 3 stars on the room is that the bathroom was just very old. It looks dirty, though I think it is just in need of updates/refinishing. Also, the phone doesn't work, and the #1 thing is that there is only a deadbolt on the sliding door. No second lock, no bar. Being that open to all who pass by was a little disconcerning to me, though the vibe is very friendly and safe and wholesome. I think HJ should add another lock.

First and foremost, THE VIEW, Absolutely Beautiful! I loved watching the sunrise every morning. Next is the staff, amazingly friendly and go out of their way to make sure ur stay is perfect!! Last, the rooms, CLEAN AND COMFY, just like home! Oh and the few steps away from the beach…..WOWZA! literally couldn’t ask for anything better ! Thank you all for such an amazing stay! We will be back!

This is an older hotel, and it’s clear they’re continually working to update and maintain it. I imagine that’s a constant challenge, but what truly sets this property apart is the staff. Every employee we encountered was friendly, responsive, and genuinely focused on making our stay enjoyable.

One thing that really stood out was how clean everything was. We frequently saw staff cleaning throughout the property—not just guest rooms, but handrails, railings, walkways, and other common areas. Their attention to detail definitely did not go unnoticed.

The pool was a great size, and we loved the open-air layout. We stayed on the third floor, where stepping outside our room overlooked the pool, while the opposite side featured a private balcony with a partial ocean view. The view was exactly what we expected for the room we booked, and we were very happy with it.

Housekeeping visited daily to freshen the room, replace towels, and clean the floors. Every time we returned, the room felt refreshed like we were walking in for the first time.

One of my favorite features was the hotel’s texting service. Shortly after check-in they reached out to make sure everything was going well, and they continued to check in throughout our stay. Having an open text thread with the front desk was so much more convenient than calling from the room phone, and it made requesting anything quick and easy.

Parking was the only minor downside. There were enough spaces, but they were fairly narrow, making things a little tight for larger vehicles. Fortunately, we were able to park on the side street for most of our stay, which actually worked out well since it made unloading beach chairs and boogie boards very convenient.

The food and drinks at the restaurant and bar were on the expensive side, but that’s fairly typical for a beachfront hotel. The convenience of having everything just steps away made it worthwhile when we didn’t feel like going elsewhere.

Overall, we had a wonderful stay. The outstanding hospitality, cleanliness, and thoughtful communication from the staff made a lasting impression. We were able to relax, enjoy our vacation, and focus on having fun—which is exactly what you hope for. We’d definitely consider staying here again.