We are looking for the most luxurious hotel in Ocean City, Maryland with things for young children and active adults...

We are palnning a trip to Ocean City in August. We have never been there but have narrowed our search to the Princess Royale Hotel. This hotel boasts a private beach in a quieter section of the area with many amenities and large rooms for our family of 5. We have vacationed in Cape Cod for the last 3 years and are looking for a change that is a great family spot with beautiful beaches. Most of the resprt type hotels only get a 3 star rating. A Hilton is proposed for next year.

Dear gogbgo-
There is no such thing as a PRIVATE beach in Ocean City, and as far as that goes, no private beach on any ocean, in the United States. All ocean beaches in the US are public, they belong to all of us.

There's nothing in OC like Cape Cod. I spent many summers on the Cape and can honestly say the OC is very different. As far as hotels in OC you will only find 3 star hotels and believe me when I say that calling these OC hotesl as 3 star hotels is really a stretch. If you really still want to visit OC than you may want to try the Carousel hotel. This hotel is geared to famlies and has an indoor ice rink. My kids really enjoyed the rink. Its also on the beach, but you won't find any of quite beaches you may be used to on the Cape.

Thank you all so far for your timely responses. Still unsure and would welcome any thoughts on a resort with a terrific beach --yet not Cape Cod. I must find a destination that would also appeal to teenagers please!!

Ocean City DOES appeal to teens and actually has a lot for the whole family to do. There's amusement parks on the boardwalk and another up around 30th street. You can rent bikes to ride the boardwalk or you can charter an ocean fishing or bay fishing expedition. Another thought is to go to Seacrets on the bay side and sit around and listen to the band, drink margharitas, while sitting in inner tubes.

If you would prefer you can go a bit further north to Bethany, Dewey, or Rehoboth Beaches where you'd pretty much rent homes or condos.

Ocean City is not like Cape Cod (except that they're both beach one colder than the other) but it's a good family beach that has a lot of activities at it. We've gone there for years.

Many families rent a condo for a week or more while at the beach. But for hotels you might try the Sheraton up around 110th, one of 2 Holiday Inns; a couple Comfort Inns, or try The Dunes - they keep the place pretty nice and it's on the beach.
Enjoy

Stay with the Princess Royale - great hotel, location,nice rooms, beautiful strech of beach. You can take the bus or drive to the boardwalk which is chock full of activities. Enjoy