Never Been to Ocean City, MD: Where's the Best Place to Stay?

[Sanfran327]

I'd like to be able to head up to OC a few tims this sumer in lieu of my regular OBX beach week. What are the best hotels? Are hotels the best option for Ocean City? I'd like to be oceanfront or right on the boardwalk. Also, I'd love to be able to bring the dogs. I saw a few pet-friendly hotels here and there in a quick search, but I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Also, what's the best beach among OC, Bethany, and Rehobeth? I'm a big OBX fan because I like having a house with a pool and hot tub for a week while still being close to the ocean. I'm actually not a huge fan of the beach persay, but I like being poolside with a beer and working the grill. I've heard that Ocean City isn't really that type of beach for the most part, but I still want to visit for a weekend and see what it's all about.

Thanks!

[Pedro Cerrano]

I'd like to be able to head up to OC a few tims this sumer in lieu of my regular OBX beach week. What are the best hotels? Are hotels the best option for Ocean City? I'd like to be oceanfront or right on the boardwalk. Also, I'd love to be able to bring the dogs. I saw a few pet-friendly hotels here and there in a quick search, but I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Also, what's the best beach among OC, Bethany, and Rehobeth? I'm a big OBX fan because I like having a house with a pool and hot tub for a week while still being close to the ocean. I'm actually not a huge fan of the beach persay, but I like being poolside with a beer and working the grill. I've heard that Ocean City isn't really that type of beach for the most part, but I still want to visit for a weekend and see what it's all about.

Thanks!

Interesting.

If you don't like the party-type atmosphere of a beach town then stay away from OC. Also, your best bet is renting a place from a private owner rather than staying at a hotel (most are REALLY grimey). If you do end up going to Ocean City, and you want to be near the boardwalk, stay towards the southern part of the city. The northern high rises border the ocean but there is no real boardwalk to speak of.

I prefer Bethany Beach. It's a dry town, meaning they have no bars (drink all you want at your house!) and it's quieter and they have more "beach houses" for rent than, say, Ocean City, which would lend itself more towards your goal of having a grill and a beer in hand on a patio -- just rent a house that has a private pool and you're golden.

Don't know a ton about Rehobeth except that there is a pretty sizable gay population that lives/vacations there.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

Never Been to Ocean City, MD: Where's the Best Place to Stay?

Answer: Home

[Sanfran327]

Interesting.

If you don't like the party-type atmosphere of a beach town then stay away from OC. Also, your best bet is renting a place from a private owner rather than staying at a hotel (most are REALLY grimey). If you do end up going to Ocean City, and you want to be near the boardwalk, stay towards the southern part of the city. The northern high rises border the ocean but there is no real boardwalk to speak of.

I prefer Bethany Beach. It's a dry town, meaning they have no bars (drink all you want at your house!) and it's quieter and they have more "beach houses" for rent than, say, Ocean City, which would lend itself more towards your goal of having a grill and a beer in hand on a patio -- just rent a house that has a private pool and you're golden.

Don't know a ton about Rehobeth except that there is a pretty sizable gay population that lives/vacations there.

Sounds like OBX north. My fiance said the same thing (re: virtually your entire post) because she knows what I am looking for in a beach trip. I bet we spent 6 total hours at the beach in the last two years of OBX beach week vacations. I like to crack my first "mexican beer" (total sucker for Corona, XX, Modello, Landshark, Longboard, Carib, etc) poolside at around 10am then slide into beachy mixed drinks and shooters around dusk. It's getting harder to keep going until 3am these days, but drinking for 15 hours is taxing.

[ShaneDawg85]

I've only driven through Rehobeth and Bethany on my way out of OC, so I can't give you much in the way of info. there, other than from my vantage point they looked a lot more tranquil and relaxed than Ocean City. If you're looking for more excitement and liveliness, OC would probably be your best bet. As for where to stay I'm not much help there either, but I'd probably say go with Pedro on this one and find a place to rent out. Honestly you could probably find someone looking to rent out a house for cheaper than you would a hotel that time of the year, especially in this market. Last time I was in OC I stayed at the Princess Royale for a conference, and needless to say I would only tepidly recommend it, if that, and I'm inclined to think a lot of hotels in OC will have the same issues.

[ScottieBaseball]

We have family with condos in Ocean Pines (headed there tomorrow for a long weekend) and on 133rd St., bay side. I love being in both places.

I also concur regarding the hotels...most of them suck. Any place reputable is going to overcharge, and any place that seems reasonably priced will probably end with you and the missus fumigating your luggage. Look for private owners renting out their condos for a week.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I think Dewey Beach is pretty dog-friendly, so you may want to check that out. Unfortunately, it's also the place where the 20-something crowd stays, so that could be a problem if you don't want a party atmosphere. In Rehoboth, I don't think dogs are allowed on the boardwalk or beach from May-September. Not sure about dogs in OC or Bethany.

EDIT: Here are some dog rules at various Delaware beaches:

DELAWARE BEACH RULES FOR DOGS
STATE PARKS: Dogs are not allowed on beaches marked for swimming or surfing. They are allowed in areas designated for surf fishing vehicles, but must be leashed. Owners must clean up after their pets.
LEWES: Dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of the year except May 1-Sept. 30. During that time, dogs are allowed before 8am, or after 6:30pm. They must be on a leash, and owners must pick up after them.
REHOBOTH BEACH: Dogs are not allowed at any time on the boardwalk or the beach from May 1 to Sept. 30. Off season, dogs are allowed but must be leashed and owners must clean up after them.
DEWEY BEACH: Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round, but there are limitations during the summer - roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day. Dogs then cannot be on the beach from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dogs do not have to be leashed, but owners are required to clean up after their pets.
BETHANY BEACH: Dogs are banned from the boardwalk and beach from May 15 to Sept. 30. At other times, dogs must be on a leash and owners must clean up after them.
SOUTH BETHANY: Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 15 to Oct. 15. At other times, dogs must be leashed and owners must clean up after them.
FENWICK ISLAND: Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 1 to Sept. 30. At other times, dogs must be leashed and owners must clean up after them.

http://www.rehoboth.com/community/re...beach-faq.html

[ScottieBaseball]

Good info, Nigel!

I keep waiting for John Domen to chime in on this one...he lived in that area for a long spell.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Also, since you said you liked boardwalks, Bethany Beach has a pretty solid boardwalk themselves. It's not "glitzy" like the one in Ocean City (no carneval rides, for instance) but it has a subdued charm about it that's very catching.

Bethany is the way to go IMO.

[McLovin]

If you're used to OBX, Ocean City and the like will shock you in terms of what you get for your money. Hotel Wise, you have your nice $450 a night places like the Hilton and Holiday Inn Suites - and a bunch of $200-$300 places. Some are bad, some are OK, none are worth the cost. Don't get me wrong, I love OC; it's just very expensive for what you get.

My favorite hotel is the Atlantic; I believe it's the oldest hotel down there. The problem though is that it's at the end (loudest/drunkest part) of the boardwalk.

[Great8]

If you're used to OBX, Ocean City and the like will shock you in terms of what you get for your money. Hotel Wise, you have your nice $450 a night places like the Hilton and Holiday Inn Suites - and a bunch of $200-$300 places. Some are bad, some are OK, none are worth the cost. Don't get me wrong, I love OC; it's just very expensive for what you get.

My favorite hotel is the Atlantic; I believe it's the oldest hotel down there. The problem though is that it's at the end (loudest/drunkest part) of the boardwalk.

Yep, that Hilton is VERY nice, but it's probably over $400 a night, as McLovin said. I stayed there for a conference once, and I didn't have to pay for it. Otherwise, I agree with everyone else - sounds like you're looking for a place like Rehoboth or Bethany Beach. Check out Sea Colony for Bethany Beach - they rent town houses bay side; there are condos ocean side. My family and I used to stay in Rehoboth every summer when I was a kid. There are a bunch of houses that sit a few blocks or so away from the beach, like around Silver Lake. It's been probably 25 years since we did that (!), but I'm sure there are a bunch of houses for rent in Rehoboth. FWIW, it's a "gay-friendly" town for sure, but I don't think you'd know that unless someone told you. Doesn't bother me in the slightest, anyway! Rehoboth is just really nice - nice boardwalk but not cheesy, some great restaurants and shops, and a nice low-key bar scene.

Good luck!

[scOtt]

I'd like to be able to head up to OC a few tims this sumer in lieu of my regular OBX beach week. What are the best hotels? Are hotels the best option for Ocean City? I'd like to be oceanfront or right on the boardwalk. Also, I'd love to be able to bring the dogs. I saw a few pet-friendly hotels here and there in a quick search, but I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Also, what's the best beach among OC, Bethany, and Rehobeth? I'm a big OBX fan because I like having a house with a pool and hot tub for a week while still being close to the ocean. I'm actually not a huge fan of the beach persay, but I like being poolside with a beer and working the grill. I've heard that Ocean City isn't really that type of beach for the most part, but I still want to visit for a weekend and see what it's all about.

Thanks!

There's some very great golf very close to OC if you're interested.

[ScottieBaseball]

There's some very great golf very close to OC if you're interested.

I'm either playing Rum Pointe, Ocean Resorts, or Ocean Pines on Saturday.

[scOtt]

I'm either playing Rum Pointe, Ocean Resorts, or Ocean Pines on Saturday.

I don't know if it's even called the same nowadays... Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club is the one I was thinking of. Great old course that is 36 holes (last I heard). I've also played the Gary Player designed course and another much tougher layout. And a lovely 6 hour round at that last "puppy mill" of a course...

[cindyluvsbrady]

Stay at the Hilton!!!!!.It is REALLY nice!!!!!!!!!!!