11 Best Luxury Hotels in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City in Maryland is most known for its fun party scene, the iconic boardwalk, and lots of seaside fun. Even then, there are quieter pockets to be found too, which culture vultures and laidback lovers will adore. A party culture that rivals the Jersey Shore and classic seaside resorts define Ocean City, making it a popular beach getaway for all kinds of travelers. Perhaps the luxurious side of Ocean City is most popular, especially with those looking for laidback opulence on their seaside vacation. The best options for a 4 or 5 star luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland range from luxurious seaside resorts to upscale bed and breakfasts with picturesque bay views.

Whether you’re looking to vacation with the family or are looking to cozy up with your partner, Ocean City has all kinds of options for you. Add to that the famed boardwalk, the pristine beach, and great restaurants, and it’s no wonder that this place is a trip! To that end, here are the 11 best luxury hotels in Ocean City Maryland.

Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel & Resort

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Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel & Resort is one unique luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland. Why exactly is evident the minute you step into the central atrium, which is four stories high. The tropical atrium is filled with verdant foliage, seating, and the property’s Olympic-sized indoor pool. Add to that the huge wall of windows with views of the ocean, and it’s easy to see why this luxurious 4 star hotel in Ocean City Maryland is popular with families and young couples. In fact, there’s even a play area just off of this indoor pool, making it perfect for families. At the back of the property sits an outdoor bar, right before hitting the beach. Add to that a fitness center and an award-winning spa, and there’s no doubt that this is an excellent property.

Rooms and suites are all modern and spacious, with stunning views of the sea. However, we’d suggest getting out, ringing up a few cocktails, and then grabbing one of the electric bikes and exploring the region on your own.

Francis Scott Key Family Resort

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Can we just take a moment and say just how spectacular the Francis Scott Key Family Resort is? The luxury hotel in Ocean City MD lies a short drive from the start of the boardwalk across the Route 50 bridge. A shuttle service to the beach means that it’s very accessible between Memorial and Labor Day. Families will find lots to do here, hence the name. Some of the highlights include Shipwreck Cove, which is a massive outdoor pool with a dinghy-themed hot tub, a heated Caribbean Key indoor pool, and a full-sized pirate ship. Phew!

There’s also a 9-hole mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, a kids’ playground, and organized activities too. After working up an appetite after all this, head to one of the two bars for a drink (here’s looking at you, parents) or one of the three themed restaurants for a meal. Finally, hum your way into a star-spangled family suite that sleeps up to six people and even has a full kitchen for whipping up meals on the fly.

Atlantic House Bed and Breakfast

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Are you looking for a romantic luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland? Then the Atlantic House Bed and Breakfast is perfect for you lovebirds. The 5 star hotel in Ocean City Maryland lies a block from the boardwalk, so the immediate surroundings are quiet and more tranquil. Tucked in a stunning 1920s Victorian home, the B&B retains all original elements such as dormers, gabled roofs, and clapboard walls. Choose from 12 individually designed and decorated rooms. While one has a private swing seat and garden access, another has a window seat and sloped ceilings. Moreover, they all come with private bathrooms, cable TVs, plush beds, and free Wi-Fi. Begin your day with a cup of coffee on the sun-kissed front porch. It’s a great place to watch the world go by even on a languid afternoon, especially with the rocking chairs and the birdhouse.

That said, breakfast is a highlight here and is served in the light-filled sunroom. Furthermore, the homestyle buffet has all sorts of cold and hot items, including pastries, fresh fruits, and even make-your-own waffles. Oh, and they’ll even give you a chair and a towel to head to the beach that’s one block away.

Bay Club Resort

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Brace for impact, for the young ones are going to go wildly crazy for the Bay Club Resort. All they’ll do at this 5 star luxury hotel in Ocean City MD is drop their bags, make you drop yours, and drag you outside for fun. The suites are massive, with living rooms and kitchens with patios right outside. So, untimely meals can be whipped up and relished at any time. Aside from the digs and the beach and boardwalk access, the resort has a fabulous indoor pool where you can swim to your heart’s content when the seas are rough. Towards evening, settle on the outdoor furniture or around the fire pit and roast hot dogs and s’mores under a starry sky, with the waves crashing in the distance.

Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront

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Working travelers looking for a luxury 4 star hotel in Ocean City Maryland will love the convenience and the location of the Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront. Not only is it within easy walking distance of the convention center, but also it’s the only AAA 4-diamond hotel in the town. What’s more, it has everything you need for a productive working stay, including meeting space, a business center, and complimentary Wi-Fi. However, it also boasts one of the most impressive and luxurious stays in town. Every suite features a full kitchen, separate living and sleeping areas, and a large balcony overlooking the ocean.

The rest of the hotel is equally indulgent and impressive. Impress clients with drinks at Rumbas Lounge or fine dining on the Western Caribbean fare at 32Pal. There’s even a third restaurant, Mañana Mode, which is for play. It not only has a seasonal bar and grill but even has a swim-up pool bar! A fitness center, an indoor lap pool for adults, and a kids pool with a lazy river and a water slide complete the place.

Castle in the Sand Hotel

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Yet another 5 star luxury hotel in Ocean City MD is the beachfront Castle in the Sand Hotel on the Maryland coast. The hotel is perfect for party animals who want to revel in luxury in Ocean City. That’s because the hotel is a party destination in its own right, thanks to the fabulous Coconuts Beach Bar. Not only does it have 2-for-1 drinks specials and a signature cocktail menu, but it even has an alfresco dining terrace, making it “the” place for fun in the sun during summer. What’s more, the bar puts on fantastic live entertainment throughout the season and even hosts local musicians for “Sunday Funday” shows. So, you can choose a great spot next to the pool for sunbathing, and waitresses will deliver a litany of cocktails right to your perch.

Other highlights at the hotel include The Beach House Restaurant, which is the perfect place to head to for the tastiest buffet breakfasts in the city. Add to that the Olympic-sized swimming pool, and you’ll understand why this hotel is so popular. Furthermore, there are 13 different types of rooms to choose from, ranging from standard rooms and suites to even cottages and vacation condos! The best bit? While some have kitchens, they all have LCD TVs and the plushest beds ever.

Dunes Manor Hotel & Dunes Suites

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Are you in Ocean City for a romantic staycation? Then the only romantic 5 star luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland to stay at is Dunes Manor Hotel & Dunes Suites. Tucked between the beachfront and the sprawling Splash Mountain Water Park, the hotel is a great choice for fun-loving young couples. Rooms and suites are divided between the boardwalk-facing Dune Suites, the retro-chic Dunes Court, and the stylish Dunes Manor Hotel. For the most romantic time, go for one of the King-size white, blue, or teal-themed rooms in the main hotel. Not only do they have lavish bathrooms with swish Geneva Guild bath products, but also a private patio with unobstructed sea views.

Spend your days at the hotel swimming in and lounging by the heated indoor/outdoor pool. After that, reconnect with your partner in the hot tub or enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the verandah with sea views. Do indulge in afternoon tea accompanied by the sweet tunes of live piano music. Wind up the day, beginning with cocktails at the lounge and then an intimate dinner alfresco at the Barefoot Beach Bar.

DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront

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DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront is yet another luxury 4 star hotel in Ocean City Maryland. The hotel is perfect for travelers who want to indulge in a luxurious vacation by the seaside without having to lift a finger. A 10-minute stroll from the boardwalk also brings you to some of Ocean City’s best entertainment, dining, and sightseeing options. Rooms and suites might be traditionally decked out, but they’re some of the most modern and largest in Ocean City. Also, you’ll find all creature comforts, including a 55-inch flatscreen HDTV and a full kitchen. What’s more, every room has a seating area and a balcony, with the best having sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you do manage to get out of the room (and back from the beach), grab a table at the Marlin Moon Restaurant. Dig into steaks and pair it with an excellent wine under the actual moon and stars. Don’t feel like getting out of the room? Why not order room service directly to your oceanfront balcony?

Aloft Ocean City

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Are you traveling to Ocean City with your pet? Aloft Ocean City is not just a great luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland, but it’s also amongst Ocean City’s Top Pet-Friendly Hotels. Aside from the fact that it admits your four-legged friends, there are other things amazing about this slick and contemporary-cool hotel. For one, you’ll love its monochrome, Scandi-chic interiors, which is a welcome departure from other O5 star hotels in Ocean City Maryland. It’s all so chic that you’ll half-expect to catch city views from the balcony; only you’ll be met with the soothing scenes of the sparkling blue of the Atlantic instead.

What’s more, the hotel has all the mod-cons of a city pad, complete with a heated splash pool and a fitness center. When the sun sets, head to the Re:Mix Lounge, followed by drinks and live acoustic music at the bay-view WXYZ bar. Rooms and suites are swathes of white and sexy black, with vibrant hues adding to the playful vibe.

Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City

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Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City is one amazing luxury hotel in Ocean City MD. When staying at this hotel, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads – quite literally. The hotel is perched on an elevated stretch of land where the ocean road meets the shoreline. So, if you want to stay by the sea, then this is the best place to do so. Not only do you have access to Ocean Beach to the north, but there’s also the Ocean City Boardwalk to the south. Rooms and suites are some of the best in the area, with sliding doors opening onto sea-facing patios. Even bathrooms are swish and come with deeps-soaking bathtubs perfect for a laidback vacation. The rest of the hotel is equally impressive, especially the outdoor pool with the poolside tiki bar and comfy sun loungers waiting for you to perch down.

Courtyard Ocean City Oceanfront

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There’s no doubt that the Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront is the topmost luxury hotel in Ocean City Maryland. If you have one eye on the roulette wheel during your Ocean City vacation, then this is where you should be staying. All rooms and suites at this Marriott property feature iPod docking stations, LCD satellite TVs, and even coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves. However, the best ones with balconies facing the ocean, so if you’re here for a splurge-worthy vacation, get the king suites. Besides free Wi-Fi everywhere, the hotel also has a fitness center and a gorgeous indoor swimming pool. Finally, the lovely restaurant with sea views is the perfect place to dig into delicious Ocean City breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Recommended Restaurants/Bar in Ocean City

• Barn 34: Located right by the seaside, this is the quintessential place to hang out in Ocean City. Items such as Crabby Eggs and Captain Crunch French toast are what make Barn 34 such a standout option for brunch, no matter the day. But, that’s not all. It also serves a mean Bloody Mary, spiced with Old Bay and topped with shrimp. Ah, Ocean City.
• The Bayside Skillet: Vibrant parasols in every color imaginable, lots of potted plants, and the sun and the sea are what make the Bayside Skillet so popular. Known as “the omelet and crepe place,” this popular savory breakfast joint boasts gorgeous bayside views and serves Orange Crushes as early as 9 a.m. during the weekends. That’s totally our kind of place.

Recommended Things To Do in Ocean City

• Ocean City Sunset Cruise: This amazing Ocean City sunset cruise is the perfect way to wind up a day in the city. This wonderful cruise takes you around the bay so you can soak in and take pictures of the gorgeous sunset. What’s more, you might even get to see whales in the bay!

Where To Stay in Ocean City

Located just three hours from both Washington DC as well as Philadelphia, Ocean City is one of the most exciting of all places in Maryland. The East Coast city is a major beach resort destination, especially when it comes to luxury vacations. So, where should one stay in the city? To begin with, there’s West Ocean City, which lies in the southwestern section of Ocean City. This diverse neighborhood overlooks Sinepuxent Bay and is a short 10-minute bike ride or a walk across the Route 50 bridge. It’s particularly famous for seafood restaurants, marinas, and fishing charters. Secondly, there’s North Ocean City, which is home to some of the loveliest parks in the state and has lots of restaurants as well.

If you want some peace and quiet from the constant excitement of downtown, Ocean Pines is the perfect place for you. Surrounded by stunning wooded areas, this waterfront neighborhood is a nature-lovers dream. At the same time, it’s close enough to downtown as well. Finally, the charming Cape Isle of Wight lies just northwest of West Ocean City. Sitting along the Cape Isle of Wight Bay, it features gorgeous waterfront properties as well as crabbing and fishing grounds for anglers on vacation.