OC's best-with a price to match
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 10/20/07
I stayed at the Hilton Suites Ocean City for three nights in season at a rate of $479/night. After coming to Ocean City for 10-20 years, and always staying at the Dunes Manor, I decided it was time for a change. Boy, was I glad I did.
Okay. The price is pretty outrageous. I have found the average Ocean City hotel to be $230/night in season, and the Hilton's double the cost. As crazy as I may sound, It's actually worth it.
My room on the 12th floor had a living area with sofa, 3 lamps, a chair, coffee table, and a flat panel telivision. The dining area of the room had a pretty knicked up table and four chairs.
The kitchenette was nice, but like most others, I didn't use it. It isn't a vacation if you're going to cook!
Bathroom was nice, like a spa, and had double granite sinks, a toilet that wouldn't flush (a call to the hotel engineer fixed that) and a spa corner tub with rain shower head. The tub is hard to get into for older folks (65+ I'd say) because it's about 3 1/2 feet deep.
The beds aren't all they're hyped up to be. Sheets are good, but popped out at night. Mattresses are not "luxury pillowtop," but rather a cheap mattress with mattress pad on. My bed at home is better. Four pillows on each bed. No round blue pillow in front as shown on website. Second LCD flat panel tv in bedroom. Balcony with table and four chairs. No palm tree as shown on website.
Turndown service was nice-cleaned the room again (twice in the day), left pillow chocolates (REALLY GOOD) and mood lighting and music.
The elevators have a tremendous wait. 15 minutes for the elevator to come down and as you go up, there's a stop on every floor. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and finally at the penthouse level, 12. Same thing when coming down.
My 12-year-old enjoyed the outdoor pools, as did his friends. Outdoor kids pool had 2 waterslides, fountains, rapid whirpool, and around 200 chairs (all of which were clamed after 9:00 AM - reserve yours before breakfast by putting you're towel on it-no one touches it). Moroccian music is played poolside daily, and is a nice touch.
From the pool deck, there's a staircase with around 60-70 steps to get to the beach. Count 'em. Not practical when carrying beach chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, cooler, sandtoys, etc.
Bellhops efficient, but do not take your "stuff" to the beach for you. Darn...
A woman (employed by Hilton) was at the elevator in the lobby and valet dropoff area ready to push the buttons, whenever needed. Nice touch at a hotel of this class.
Restaurant was good. Enjoyed meals (2 dinners and breakfasts). Early bird 5PM - 6PM.
It's not a ritz, but will cost you equally to one, but well worth it.