Just returned from a week at the Holiday Inn Express in Ocean City and I would definitely recommend this hotel! We have been going to Ocean City for many years and I have to say this was the cleanest hotel we have stayed in. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the free breakfast is wonderful! Our room faced the bay and we had a wonderful view--loved the park which is right behind the hotel and gives you a nice place to walk in the morning. It is a short walk to the beach and close to many stores and restaurants. The only thing I missed was a balcony. I do like to sit outside and be able to open up the room for fresh air. Other than that it is a great place--very family oriented.

We stayed here one night prior to a camping trip at Assateauge Island. It was a great choice.

We got a suite (only because it was the only room left). Very roomy for a family of four.

Room was clean, as was the whole hotel. Service was excellent. Two pools (indoor and outside) leave plenty of room for everyone.

Continental breakfast was typical HI Express...which is good. The food is kept well stocked, and there is no waiting...just grab and go. Those darn cinnamon buns are addicting!

As noted below, an added bonus is that this hotel sits right next to a bayside park. The park is huge, with a dock extending into the bay. The night we stayed there was a free concert in the park. It is also nice that this hotel is away from the maddening crowd...

I just overnighted in Ocean City after camping for several days on Assateague Island National Seashore about 20 minutes away. I drove up and down the main strip (Coastal Hwy) before settling on this newer hotel. Ocean City is mostly comprised of many older hotels and this one just stood out. I checked into the "basic" room for $159 plus taxes (this is after all peak summer season) and was duly impressed. The room was spacious and featured an oversized bathroom, a decent-sized refrigerator and a microwave oven. I stayed on the top and fifth floor in room 519 which overlooks a wonderful family oriented park that is captured in the photo provided by another trip advisor. If you can, ask for a room on the 4th or topmost 5th floor that overlooks the back of the hotel (I think these are all the odd-numbered rooms along the hallway) and you won't be disappointed.

I can't say enough that this is an especially nice, bright, airy and above all safe hotel. Many, many restaurants are within walking distance and I noticed that lots of families would bring back cuisine and dine alfresco poolside among the many shaded tables ringing the pool. There are actually two pools. One is indoor and the other is a particularly nice and larger outdoor pool that commands a view of the awesome bayside park just a stone's throw away. The park features a large playground, a meandering lagoon promenade, a recreation center with ball fields, and a nice pier that stretches far into the bay.

As for vacationing in Ocean City this was my first trip back in over a decade. And as mentioned in other reviews this hotel is situated in upper OC along the 126th block. If you're wondering about the acclaimed seaside boardwalk, that attraction extends from the ocean inlet up to the 27th block. So you are little ways away but as are many hotels much further up the beach. An all-day bus pass is only $2 and you can ride up and down the beach as many times as you want. This is a very popular means to get around as the buses run like 3-10 minutes apart if not back-to-back. Many of the most popular restaurants, bars, jet-ski rentals are all scattered up and down the beach and not just located next to the boardwalk. A quick thumb-through of the OC visitor's guide (available among other places, at the Subway sub shop in front of the hotel) will point out just how and where to get to these nearby destinations.

If you're undecided about staying ocean-front or across the street as is the Holiday Inn Express, this is really a no-brainer. Ocean City is divided into blocks with streetlights and accompanying crosswalks on just about every block it seems. There is a crosswalk conveniently just in front of this hotel. The street speed limit is low and the OC law enforcement religiously police visitors/ traffic for not obeying the crosswalks. Many bayside homeowners, condo-owners and raft-toting vacationers are all constantly shuffling back and forth to the beach which is a convenient block away. Also there is a nearby grocery store and pharmacy just a few blocks south of 126th street. Enjoy your stay and I hope this review will prove worthwhile for those planning a seashore escape.

It was our 1st time in OC and although it was off-season and we only had 2 good days of beach weather, we still enjoyed our stay!

The room and bathroom were clean and comfortable. I do agree about the pillows being flat and too small for queen size bed. But overall, the bed was comfortable and room clean. The staff were very friendly and nice, and although we never needed anything, they always greeted and acknowledged us! Also a plus was the free continental breakfast. Better than most places that offer it.

The only point I would like to make is the location. It is off 127th St and on the bayside. You have to cross the Coastal Hwy (4 lanes) to get to the beach. With beach gear and 2 little kids, it wasn't as convenient. Instead we just took our car. And since parking wasn't an issue, it wasn't a problem. But the boardwalk starts around 28th St. with food, shops, restrooms,etc starting around 18th St. or less. Again, we just took our car and parked near there. But again, parking is probably a problem during peak seaon in which case you would park at the Inlet parking on 1st St.
Next time I would probably get a hotel near the boardwalk, closer to the 28th St. since I read noise is an issue closer to food, shops, etc.

One last thing, on the internet's several hotel sites, the price quoted was $95/night. When I called to see what the rate was, they quoted me $99/night but said they would match the internet price.

Overall, it is a good value for the money!