Holiday Inn Ocean City by IHG

We asked for an ADA room with a walk-in shower, but got a room with a tub shower instead. Still, the room was spacious and clean, and we enjoyed our stay. The “pinesol” smell in the lobby was almost unbearable. It was also noticeable in the bar when we went in for drinks and a bite to eat, though not as strong.

The ice machine on the 8th floor is worth avoiding, especially if you have health concerns. The hallway felt hotter than a sauna as soon as we stepped off the elevator. We also heard a large dog in the room above us whining and scratching at the glass door all night. The website says only service animals are allowed, and that definitely didn’t seem like a service animal to me. True service animals don’t behave that way. The air in our room blew only heat. We set it to 68 before bed, then woke in the middle of the night to a room at 78, like a sauna. We opened the balcony door to cool it down and went back to sleep. At checkout, I also reported a visibly dirty towel hanging in the bathroom and a toilet that wouldn’t flush properly and ran all night. I asked for a discount and was offered $10. That felt insulting. They said it was because I hadn’t given them a chance to fix it, but it was 3am, we had to be up early, and we were exhausted. We chose a temporary fix so we could get back to sleep. My husband is HVAC certified and checked it himself. There wasn’t anything we hadn’t already tried that staff could’ve fixed quickly. The solution would’ve been changing rooms. As I was leaving, I said I’d contact hotels.com and leave a review. The manager snapped back “have a nice day” in a rude, condescending tone. I’d advise against staying here. They weren’t willing to make it right when we had a substantial issue.

The views were amazing, the beds comfortable, and the staff incredibly polite. We had a handicap room where the drain didn’t work too well, but otherwise it was perfect. The hotel is under renovation, and I ran into management working with their crews on Thanksgiving. They aren’t wasting any time during the off-season.

The reception staff were friendly and professional when we arrived, and the pool area was inviting and well maintained. Our bright, newly renovated room was tastefully furnished and practical, which made it feel like home. The hotel is beautifully located by the sea, with wonderful beach views from certain rooms. A great choice for a lovely Maryland vacation.