Port-O-Call Hotel

The Port-O-Call is an older property, and its hard to imagine that anything about its pink exterior has changed since it was built in 1966. The 10-story building had a renovation in 2012, though, giving the interiors a colorful retro-chic update, though older details such as ceiling tiles in common areas and popcorn ceilings in rooms hint at the property's true age. The lobby has a beachy color palette and vibe, with a hint of nightclub. Neon lights wash over colored glass panels next to serene paintings of boats and coastal landscapes. A lounge area has tan and pink pleather chairs paired with sleek white tables on a sand and sun-bleached blue carpet under a drop-ceiling fitted with black rattan-style fans. Outside, the Ocean City Boardwalk runs right alongside the pool's sundeck.

The hotel is on a large lot that sits right on the boardwalk in a quieter area surrounded by small beach houses and condos. It's about a five-minute walk to the bustling center of the boardwalk, which smells of fresh popcorn and taffy. Entertainment options like the Boardwalk Bounce, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy, Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Family Theater, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier are all within walking distance. Playland's Castaway Cove, a pirate-themed amusement park, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Numerous water-sports shops, fishing charters, and Dolphin cruises are about a five-minute drive on Bay Avenue. It’s a 25-minute drive to the Cape May County Zoo. Expect a 30-minute drive to the Atlantic City International Airport.

The Port-O-Call Hotel has 98 rooms in a dizzying number of categories, but for the most part the differences come down to bay versus ocean views, and two different styles of decor -- both dated. Most rooms have an aging traditional style, with thick, heavy-wood furniture, patterned carpets, and yellow-green walls. Upgraded rooms have a sandy brown and pea-green palette with more contemporary budget furniture, and large black-and-white prints of beach-goers adorning the walls. All have small furnished balconies, along with sitting areas with tables and chairs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers. Many rooms have wet bars, and some add larger sitting areas with sofa beds. Bathrooms combine seashell-print wallpaper with '90s granite tiles and shower/tub combos. There's also a large Penthouse Suite that occupies the entire 10th floor, along with a private two-story beach house. Both have full kitchens, living rooms with fireplaces, and sleep up to eight guests.  

Port-O-Call's position right on the boardwalk and the beach are its main selling points, but its heated outdoor pool and sundeck are also a draw (though they're only open seasonally). Blue Garden Wellness, located on the sixth floor, provides in-house massages, and there's a fitness center with several flat-screen TVs, in addition to cardio bikes, treadmills, and a weight training machine. A seasonal restaurant (called Adelene) has a dining room with a coastal-inspired decor and ocean views, along with an outdoor terrace. It serves breakfast (not included) and standard American fare like burgers and pasta, along with regional specialties like crab cakes. Event facilities consist of 2,400 square feet of flexible space for meetings or wedding receptions for up to 100 guests. The hotel also has a wedding planner and on-site catering staff. Free beach passes are included, along with Wi-Fi.