Oceanic Inn

It's a typical old beach motel, and the stay felt about right for what we paid. The room was clean, the air conditioner worked well, and we slept well. It was close to the action but tucked away enough to stay quiet at night. The bathroom walls were a little thin, though the bedroom itself was nice and peaceful. The owners and management were friendly and accommodating, which counts for a lot with me. They even offered to keep our bikes in the office overnight.

The Oceanic Inn is just one block from the ocean, and that location is hard to beat. I plan to return. It's a retro-style hotel, but I felt safe and comfortable, and parking came with the room with spaces always available. Housekeeping came daily with fresh, fluffy towels, and management dealt with any issues right away. The room, towels, and linens were clean. The new air conditioner worked well despite the 90-degree heat and humidity outside. The shower had plenty of hot water with a strong, steady stream, and the cable TV was excellent.

The bathroom needs some work, with loose tiles and an old sink, shower, and toilet, and the room itself could use a touchup. Still, the bed was fine and there was a modern flat-screen TV, microwave, charging outlet, and refrigerator. We got a free upgrade from a Queen to a King, and the customer service was great. The beach is close by. Good overall, and I'd stay again if I'm back in Asbury Park.

Being close to the beach and boardwalk was the one good thing. The property badly needs upkeep and the cleaning was poor. Our non-smoking room smelled like an ashtray. They charged over $200, taking advantage of Asbury's growing popularity, even though the room wasn't worth more than $80. I wouldn't recommend staying unless you can get it for under $100.