The Best Beach Hotels to Book in Maryland

Become acquainted with the “ocean” part of Ocean City at the Princess Royale, and wave back to the waves from your oceanfront suite. Allow Will’s Beach Service to introduce you to the shoreline – he’ll pull up a beach chair for you to sit for a spell. Rock up early for the sunrise if you want an easier way to break the ice. If you’ve had enough of the beach for one day, the indoor pool, housed within a four-story tropical atrium, makes for a great place to take a quiet dip.

Spend a night at Cambria Hotel and your favorite part of Maryland’s Eastern Shore will be the bayside. The hotel’s sundeck and private poolside cabanas face West Ocean City, no doubt to make the mainland residents jealous of the warm relaxation just out of reach. With the Bayside Boardwalk, Free Fishing Pier, and Downtown Rec Complex on this side of town, you’ll hardly spend time on the ocean side, but it’s only a five-minute walk if you ever want to.

Parents, you might as well end your search for beach hotels in Maryland right here and now. Our best guess is that the Hilton in Ocean City was designed by children, for children. There are three pools, one of which is a children’s pool with waterslides. The suites face the beachfront, no doubt to let the amateur architects watch over their sandcastles from above. The Jolly Roger Amusement Park, famous for its 1952 antique train, is right next door. Might as well call this joint Hil-tons of fun.

The Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club will redefine your idea of island time. Located on Kent Island, across from Annapolis, this resort has a private beach within reach, saving you from a trip to the Eastern Shore. When the tide rolls in, let the relaxation at the spa wash over you instead. There’s a range of ocean-themed treatments to indulge in, from a mother of pearl prenatal massage to a beach club signature facial.

Re-live your college days at this hip hotel, which puts a sophisticated spin on campus style. Located downtown, Graduate Annapolis keeps you close to the water, while still providing the city break you’re used to. Your Belgian shepherd is welcome at this pet-friendly hotel, and four-legged companions will dig the private dog park on-site. Just make sure they pay their respects to Bill the Goat – he’s the top dog around these parts.

Charming Victorian architecture, historic surroundings and a ten-minute drive to the beach are among the Historic Inns of Annapolis’s appealing features. Revolutionary War heroes and members of George Washington’s US Congress once slept in these historic homes. Today, they’re a perfect basecamp for exploring downtown Annapolis and the beach. You’ll love following the Annapolis Harbor around Spa Creek, discovering pocket-size parks where you can launch kayaks into the water.

BYO boat and sail to any beach you desire from the Hyatt Regency in Chesapeake Bay. We bet you won’t leave the 150-slip marina often, though; this sprawling 342-acre (138ha) resort has plenty to keep the wind in your sails. Eighteen holes of golf and a full-service spa will keep you docked without fail. See it all laid out before you from the comfort of a Chesapeake Suite, with views of the Choptank River.

Who needs a beachfront hotel in Maryland when Residence Inn has a poolside tiki bar? Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but this chill Ocean City hotel on the bay is supremely relaxing. Balconies and bay views from the room; seafood and suds in the on-site restaurant. In the winter, the warm and welcoming indoor pool lets you get your float on.

To stay afloat at a beach hotel in Maryland, you’ll want to stay Aloft at Ocean City. Snag a suite with a view of the Isle of Wight Bay for waterfront balcony bliss. Someone’s often strumming an acoustic guitar at the WXYZ Bar if you need to tap your toes, though the beach is close by if said toes also need to be covered in sand. In the moments it takes you to stroll to the shore, you’ll pass more than 200 bars and restaurants.

Trade your dress blues for a bathing suit when you stay at The Westin. Dungarees and Dixie caps may be the norm around this downtown Annapolis hotel, but you’re welcome to stay in your civies during your stay. Severn Beach is a quick 4mi (6km) jaunt to the river, though boaters, anglers, and picnickers who want to do more than just swim should pull off at Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park, just over the Naval Academy Bridge.