Adventurer Oceanfront Inn

It’s not surprising that in a family-friendly town like Wildwood Crest, the scene at Adventurer Oceanfront Inn would be, well, family-friendly. To say that there are a lot of kids at this place would be an understatement. Sometimes it seems as though children under the age of 12 are the only occupants of this hotel, especially if you’re anywhere near the pool. Otherwise, the place remains fairly quiet, as Wildwood Crest is a dry town. The lobby at the Adventurer is larger and more welcoming than most others in the area. The bright room if filled with local fliers, guidebooks, and menus, but also has coffee table books filled with old pictures and historical facts about Wildwood.

Adventurer Oceanfront Inn is located on Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest, a dry, family-friendly town that borders Wildwood. The area is quiet, but also bustling with families; and the hotel’s boardwalk-front address means there’s a constant stream of joggers, bikers, and beach-goers passing the building. While Morey’s Pier and the Wildwood water parks are not quite within walking distance, they are about a three- to five-minute drive from the hotel. The Wildwoods Convention Center is about a seven to 10-minute walk.   

There are a multitude of room types at the Adventurer. And at the risk of sounding cliche, it seems as though there is a room option for all kinds of families. During our visit we saw five different units, each with a unique floor plan. There are oceanfront apartments, pool-view studios, penthouses with multiple bedrooms, and family-friendly suites with connecting bedrooms, several bathrooms, and full kitchens. However, despite their many layouts, rooms at the Adventurer are dated, with dark, drab decor. The dark blue carpeting, bedding, and drapery combined with maroon furniture and bedskirts do nothing to brighten the rooms’ already dark interior spaces. Fluorescent over-bed lighting and wall-mounted TVs give bedrooms an unwanted hospital vibe. Efficiency units are equipped with kitchenettes, which have full-size refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, and two electric burners. All rooms have balconies, which overlook the pool, beach, or surrounding streets. Bathrooms, while not as dated as rooms themselves, are certainly nothing to write home about. Most have standard three-piece sets, including one sink, toilet, and a shower-tub combo with some of the most stylish baby pink shower curtains we’ve ever seen (we’re kidding).     

The small, south-facing pool at the Adventurer is often packed with children and their families. The multitudes make the already tiny pool feel claustrophobic, but somehow everyone seems to stake out their own spot somewhere in the rectangularly shaped mayhem. For those who’d like to escape the masses, there is a second floor sundeck that overlooks both the pool and the ocean. The sundeck is equipped with lounge chairs and a wicker sofa set with aqua cushions. Adventurer Pancake House, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but sees its largest crowd at breakfast time. Open to guests and non-guests alike, the Pancake House is a popular spot for pancakes, eggs, and endless cups of coffee. Its diner-like ambience, with green cushioned booths and a breakfast bar, makes it a less appealing spot for other meals. At the front of the building, the small fitness center is equipped with a few cardio machines, a weight machine, and some free weights -- but the space is cramped and has an odd layout. There’s free parking -- though the lot is small and spaces are tight -- as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guests also have access to coin operated laundry facilities. Unlike many hotels in the area, Adventurer has a well equipped meeting/event space. Known as the convention room, the mid-size space is ideal for small functions and meetings, and has multiple round tables, a projector and screen, and a small bar area.