Castle In The Sand Hotel Ocean City Maryland MD. Best Hotel Deals & Reviews

Date of Stay: July, 2009

Let me first say that I booked the Castle in the Sand because I loved the location and the restaurant (and the fact that they had wait-service at the pool and beachfront.) We had booked a “Castle Outpost” because of its affordable price and large size to accommodate our group of six. The location offers easy access to the Coastal Highway, the restaurant was great, and the room was exactly what we expected (note: we didn’t expect too much.) However, I will NEVER return to the Castle in the Sand. For one thing, we checked in on Saturday to find a window missing from the door to the upstairs porch, the screens broken on a front window and the front door, and what can only be described as an infestation of ants in the kitchen (no wonder…there’s no windows or screens in various parts of the house.) We called the front desk to request the window be fixed. Also, almost immediately upon check-in, we were harassed by hotel management and housekeeping. Our first afternoon a woman, whom I later found out was a housekeeper, approached us to stress the importance of keeping our “outpost” clean. She went on to tell us that she remembered us from the year before and that we left her a large mess. This is notable because none of us had ever stayed at the Castle in the Sand. Not the year before, nor ever. She went on to tell us that we gave her “a bad vibe.” Excellent way to talk to customers. Taken aback and sensing hostility, I made sure to note that a window and screen were already broken and that I wanted to make sure I wasn’t charged for it. We went on to request an iron (the one in the room was broken) and a hair dryer (there was none even though there was supposed to be) and thankfully they all arrived promptly. The broken window, however, was not fixed until four days and equally as many calls to the front desk later. Later in the week, the same housekeeper returned to “check in” and to take two of our six dining room chairs to “reupholster.” It was nice to know that, now, should all six of us want to eat at the table we couldn’t. The icing on the cake came on the final afternoon of our trip when the hotel manager arrived to “lay down some ground rules.” We were informed that the Castle in the Sand “does not do parties” and that the housekeeper informed the manager that she feared we were planning a party for the final night of the trip. It was also at this time when the manager opted to let me know that he would be charging us $120 extra for having too many people staying in the room. I went on to explain that I was never asked for the total number of guests in the room when I made the reservation and assumed that since the hotel website and brochure note that our room fits six that having six people in it would not be a problem. Evidently I was mistaken and would be charged for the additional guests. After he left the same housekeeper returned to “remind us” that she didn’t have time to clean up after us. I considered reminding her that she is a HOUSEKEEPER so it’s her job but instead bit my lip and told her that there was no mess that would take extra time to clean. I only noted that we ate a lot of junk food and spent a lot of time at the beach so, as a result, there were crumbs and sand that would require vacuuming. She responded by returning an hour later WITH A VACUUM and suggested that I run it through the house. She also made sure to scold us for “breaking the screen” on the downstairs window…yes, the same screen that was broken when we arrived and that I reported to both the front desk and HER a few days earlier. I have never been treated in such a rude and condescending fashion as I was by the staff of the Castle in the Sand. Our group was comprised of mid-twenties professionals not “Senior Week”-ers. We do not complain about less than stellar accommodations, often accepting a few problems (like a broken screen door) in the name of saving money. This is why we opted not to complain about the many problems we encountered with the property including the broken screens, missing window, bugs, dirty lamp shade, broken stove, broken iron, missing hair dryer, dingy carpeting, cable static, or the upstairs toilet that broke near the end of our stay (and we opted to fix ourselves, rather than wait four days to use the bathroom.) Also, admittedly, we spent a lot of time outside during the day and often arrived home after midnight. However, we have visited Ocean City each of the last three years together and never once had a complaint from any other property, let alone been visited multiple times by management or housekeeping because of a “bad vibe.” Our treatment from the Castle in the Sand was offensive, patronizing, and borderline age discrimination. I should note that there were some bright spots. The “Coconuts” outdoor bar was excellent and the guy who they sent to fix the broken window was extremely helpful (granted he didn’t come until four days after we called, but I pin that on the front desk, not him.) However, this does not make up for the treatment we received from the aforementioned members of the staff. We loved Ocean City and will return next summer, just never again to the Castle in the Sand. Others here seem to have enjoyed their stays. Good for them. We’ll opt to stay somewhere else in Ocean City…perhaps a property that doesn’t “give us a bad vibe.”

	Date of Stay: July, 2009
We were so pleased with the Castle in the Sand we are not unpacked yet and are already planning our next trip there.Great daily entertainment,activities for the kids,pool hours til 8 at night,servers come to the beach with awesome drinks and great food. 2 for 1 happy hour i could go on and on try it you won't be disappointed

	Date of Stay: July, 2009
The hotel was great, loved it. I would stay there again when i go back to ocean city. I forgot my wallet in the room after i checked out the maids found and returned it to the office. Everything was still in there, even all my money nothing was missing. And the view was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

	Date of Stay: July, 2009
Perfect weekend getaway with or without kids. The beach bar is great after getting off of the beach. The staff was excellent as well. Rooms are a little blah but we were rarely in them anyway. We go here every year and have the best time. Its only about a mile away from the boardwalk. There is still alot of places near the hotel.

	Date of Stay: June, 2009
Over all, it was nice. The breakfast buffet left a bit to be desired, the food was not fresh. The rooms could have been cleaner as well. That being said, we would stay there again!

Date of Stay: June, 2009

We booked this hotel last minute for a quick 2 night trip for my son's second birthday. The reviews seemed pretty good and the price of $79 per night was just what I was looking for. When we arrived at the hotel there was nothing but teenagers and college students. You have to pay a $5 deposit for keys, which I thought was strange. The hallways were very old and smelly. I was almost scared to see what the room would look like. When we first went into the room it didn't seem too bad, just old and outdated and had a slight stale smell. Once we started to settle in we ralized how gross it was. The floor turned my kids feet black in less than 2 minutes of walking around. Their feet were coated in dirt, even under their toe nails. As soon as I walked in the bathroom I smelled urine. There was caked up old urine around the base of the toilet and under the rim of the toilet (which you could see once you were in the shower) was completely black with caked up fieces. Absolutely disgusting! The room we had was an efficeny with a kitchenette and the dishes all had old crusty food on them and we're put away in the cabinets like that. There seemed to be some type of mold or mildew on the ceiling around the edges of the walls. Most of this stuff I didn't notice until the next day since we arrived around midnight and went straight to sleep the first night. Well during the first night my daughter got sick so I had to get up and turn the light on. Once I did I saw a bug crawling across her pillow. I didn't think anything of it since the building was old, I figured there was going to be some bugs. The second night (we should have never stayed) my daughter got sick again so I had to get up and turn the light on again. I looked over at my husband's bed and there was a bug crawling up his blanket. He got up and looked and they were all over the bed! They were bed bugs! I was so disgusted I have never in my life stayed somewhere with bed bugs. Needless to say we got right up, got dressed

	Date of Stay: May, 2009
very clean very acvcomidating

	Date of Stay: May, 2009
Was on vacation during busy time of the year. Staff and hotel was very nice and made sure we had a pleasent stay.

	Date of Stay: September, 2008
clean rooms ,frendly customer service associates

	Date of Stay: September, 2007
It was very clean, great food, drinks and entertainment but it needs updated. The rooms were very out of date. Stains on the carpets and windows were cloudy.

	Date of Stay: September, 2007
The hotel was quite clean. Things were a bit outdated...from the 80's. Hotel is right on the beach. The pool is excellent w/ a great diving board. I would stay here again.

Date of Stay: August, 2007

The Castle in the Sand was a very comfortable hotel. It was too bad that we could not get an ocean view room but in general we enjoyed our stay in the hotel. The access to the pool and the control for the people that gets in the pool was definitely a plus. The use of a card to get in to the parking lot was something to mention about it. It gives you the sensation that you are in a secure place. I definitively recommended to anyone going to Ocean City and I will probably come back to the same place but I will make mi reservations ahead of time.

Date of Stay: August, 2007

We very happy with the accomodations at Castle in the Sands. The beds were very comfortable and the bath well stocked with plenty of towels, a needed ammenity when traveling with two teenage boys. There was lots of room in the kitchen area for storage and we were supplied with all the plates, cooking utensils etc. that we needed. They even supplied a wine bottle opener. The outside bar, Coconuts, had great live music almost all day long, a nice light menu for lunch and even offerred service on the beach! I would not recommend the first floor oceanfront rooms if you are interested in a view of the ocean, because all you can see is the back side of the dunes.

Date of Stay: August, 2007

What a wonderful surprise. There really is no need to leave the hotel area. The beach was steps away. We absolutely had a wonderful time. The staff was friendly, helpful, courteous, professional and one could actually sense they enjoyed working there, which says a lot for the management. The first thing I noticed when we went to check in was a member of the staff wiping off the top of the cigarette stand outside checkin. One thing was for sure, if you say a member of the staff, they were working; most likely cleaning up; straightening up; even clipping leaves from the plants at the patio at Coconuts. The fact we cold get pool and beach-side sealed the deal for us. We will be back year after year!

	Date of Stay: July, 2007
We had a great time at this Hotel we were very pleased after driving 9 and half hours the check in time was very quick and very nice staff. The room was very clean and the view was beautiful from the room. I will defitnatly go back Ocean city was so nice and so much fun.The have drying racks in the rooms for wet towels and such. I have nothing bad to say We will defitnatly go back!!

Date of Stay: July, 2007

The Castle in the Sand has a friendly beach atmosphere with good service for your dollar. The dining options are terrific and its highpoint. Unfortunately, we arrived in Room 405 to blood stained sheets. The staff replaced them immediately the following day but the second set of sheets also had stained pillow covers. This is one of the oldest hotels on the beach and is very charming with a resort atmosphere, however, it is imperative that, to maintain its fine style of presentation, it MUST upgrade its bedding and linen closets. The pillows were close to sleeping on the matress and many were old and stained. Outside of that its location is special, the staff kept this old charm clean and were courteous and quick to please. Spruce it up a bit as the rewards will keep me coming back. The Beach House restaurant has a wonderful buffet (no frills) but inexpenisve and good. Breakfast is fantastic! Coconut bar terrific for lunch and drinks with friends and family.

Date of Stay: June, 2007

Castle in the Sand has a great location (on the ocean; walking distance to convention center), rooms are nice, and the staff was very friendly and helpful (except one employee who couldn't speak English), but it was quite noisy and crowded while I was there and one of the beds in my room did not have a top sheet (which they rectified when I notified them). Although there was a sign saying no drinks at the pool, some men were loud & drinking beer. I'll look for something quieter next time.

	Date of Stay: June, 2007
Great family hotel. Moderately priced, has most amenities that people would want at the beach: a huge outdoor pool, an outdoor restaurant, volleyball, and right on the beach. For the price it was pretty cool. My son had a blast. It's not far from the boardwalk.

	Date of Stay: June, 2007
Overall, the hotel was very clean, and staff was very friendly. We just didn't realize that bay side meant tucked in among another hotel and also facing the highway. Other than that, the room was plenty spacious enough, and the kitchenette was very well equipped!

	Date of Stay: May, 2007
This Hotel is probably 50 years old but has been updated and is as nice as better hotel that are much newer. the amenities are numerous, including restaurant, tiki bar with live afternoon music, & drink service while on the private beach. The staff was very courteous & friendly. rooms large & spotless. Wewould definitely stay here again.

Check-in:	Check-out:	Rooms:	Guests:

See 9 Photos	User Rating 4.0 out of 5 See 21 reviews Castle In The Sand Hotel Ocean City [] 3701 Atlantic Avenue Ocean City, Maryland, United States
Description:
Amenities:

Home \| Browse Hotels By Location \| Affiliate Program \| Write a Hotel Review \| Hoteliers \| About Us \| Contact Us
© 2010. Privacy \| Terms of Use

Castle In The Sand Hotel Ocean City

Rating out of 5