Karen A.
Yelp
I still have a hard time believing there is a hotel as nice as the Lighthouse in Ocean City. You will not want to stay anywhere else in Ocean City.
The Lighthouse sits on the bay, so it's far enough from the main roads to pick up any of the noises. It's peaceful even during peak season. The staff is abnormally friendly for OC. When someone opened and held the door for us when we were checking in for the first time I thought I was going mental. This is, after all, Ocean City! I They offered us sangria while we waited to complete the check-in process (the last time I was offered a cocktail while checking into a hotel was in St. Lucia). Someone helped us with our bags and showed us to our room, and then offered to give us a tour of the hotel. On the main level there is a social room, which offers an "honor bar" (unattended, pay for what you take) that serves beer and wine. Fresh baked cookies are served every afternoon and make the entire hotel smell scrumptious. There is a wraparound patio on the main floor with rocking chairs that overlook the bay. If you don't have a bay side room you can still enjoy the view! If you leave the hotel there are bridges that take you directly to Fagers bar & restaurant. If they are charging cover at the bar, show them your room key and they will waive the cover fee!
And then there were the rooms... let me begin by saying that I have yet to find a bed as comfortable as the ones at the Lighthouse. I've stayed in both the partial bay room on the lower level and the full bay view on the upper level. Both had Jacuzzis in the rooms, one had a fireplace. All have balconies, some are private. Turndown service is provided at night (the chocolates they leave on your pillow? Godiva. YES.) They also bring you muffins, fresh fruit and orange juice for the following morning's breakfast. Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate is available in the room with a small coffee pot. They even leave a newspaper outside your door in the morning.
Now for a confession: I own an apartment about a block away from Fagers Island. I still choose to stay at the Lighthouse, even if my apartment's not being rented out. The Lighthouse is like a close by mini-vacation, but it doesn't feel like Ocean City. You won't want to stay anywhere else in OC, I promise.