Pros

  • Location right on the Ocean City boardwalk and beach
  • Multi-bedroom suites have full kitchens or kitchenettes; some with ocean/boardwalk views
  • Homey restaurant and cafe
  • Lobby displaying memorabilia from the hotel's historic past
  • Heated outdoor pool with food service (open seasonally)
  • Day spa with hair and nail services, waxing, and spa treatments
  • 24-hour modern gym with Zumba and yoga classes
  • Business center with a computer and printer
  • Free outdoor parking, beach passes, and Wi-Fi throughout
  • Two ballrooms and four event spaces
  • Women’s clothing boutique
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Cons

  • Noise issues due to boardwalk crowds and neighboring amusement park
  • Rooms are pricey during peak seasons
  • Some decor and furnishings are dated, such as old tube TVs
  • Some hotel facilities are closed during the off-season
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Bottom Line

The 94-suite Flanders Hotel is a historic, mid-range property located directly on the Ocean City boardwalk planks with easy access to the beach, neighboring amusement park, and all sorts of other fun and food that the area has to offer. The property has a lovely heated outdoor pool with shaded seating (open seasonally), as well as a day spa and fitness center. Breakfast and lunch are served daily at the on-site restaurant, and dinner is available in season. Suites are pleasantly decorated, though some of the furnishings are dated, and range in size from one- to five-bedroom units with separate living rooms and either kitchenettes or full kitchens. Some feature lovely ocean views and larger penthouses are also available with fireplaces and panoramic views. Unfortunately, the beachfront location means suites are pricey and get outside noise, but that's the trade-off guests make to experience this top boardwalk hotel and its lively atmosphere. There are several other comparable properties in the area like the Wild Dunes Inn, Biscayne Suites, or the Beach Club Suites, so travelers should compare rates.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Flanders Hotel

Scene

Landmark Ocean City property with a rich history

When the seaside Flanders Hotel was built in 1922 by New Jersey entrepreneurs, it attracted prominent businessmen and their families. The Spanish Revival-style hotel, designed by local architect Vivian Smith, has welcomed guests like Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, but the basement of the property, also known as the catacombs, has had a seedy history. Comprised of seven or eight rooms, the catacombs served as meeting rooms for crime bosses and also housed two illegal bars during the Prohibition era. (Note the doorway by the elevators that’s marked “Catacombs.”) Today, the nine-floor privately owned condominium hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bygone elegance of the hotel can still be found in its brick and concrete exterior and a green awning entrance. The lobby features antiques, upholstered conservative furniture, two-seat dining tables, a grand piano, vintage dresses, and fun memorabilia, including framed old-fashioned swimsuits. But the low ceilings, old tile floors, and weak lighting have faded some of the hotel's former elegance.

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Location

Located on the Ocean City boardwalk, right by the beach and an amusement park

Located on the bustling Ocean City boardwalk -- with its fresh popcorn, taffy, pizza, entertainment, dining, and shopping -- the hotel is directly beside the Playland's Castaway Cove, a pirate-themed amusement park, and footsteps from Ocean City Beach. The closest bike rental, Surf Buggy Centers, is beside Congo Falls Adventure Golf and Jilly’s Arcade, a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Boardwalk Bounce, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy, Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Family Theatre, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier are all within walking distance. Numerous water-sports shops, fishing charters, and Dolphin cruises are five minutes by car on Bay Avenue. It’s a 25-minute drive to the Cape May County Zoo. The Atlantic City International Airport takes 25 minutes by car. 

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Rooms

Homey suites have full kitchens or kitchenettes, separate living rooms, and some have ocean views

Traditionally decorated suites -- with one, two, three, or five bedrooms -- feature separate living rooms and either full kitchens or kitchenettes. Some of the furnishings and decor are a bit dated, like old tube TVs in some of the units, but overall the spaces are pleasant and homey, and some have lovely views over the boardwalk and beach. One- and two-bedroom suites have kitchenettes with stovetops, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, and utensils, while three- and five-bedroom units have full kitchens with ovens and stoves. Promenade Suites and Penthouses are elegantly appointed with chandeliers, cherry wood details, and high-end bathroom fixtures. All suites have flat-screen TVs, comfortable sofa beds in the living room, daily maid service, and bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Some units also have washers and dryers, fireplaces, private sundeck access, and whirlpool tubs. The largest Five-Bedroom Ocean Front Suite is a duplex that can sleep up to 15 people and has a wet bar and panoramic views. The two-level Skyline Terrace Penthouse has an elevator.

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Features

Casual dining and a cafe, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, day spa and salon, plus event space, a boutique, and a business center

The hotel’s heated pool is open seasonally and is surrounded by a cement deck that offers lounge chairs and shaded patio furniture. A 24-hour gym features modern cardio equipment, weights, two mounted tube TVs, towels, and a water cooler. Free Zumba and yoga classes are also offered. Emily’s Ocean Room serves breakfast and lunch daily as well as dinner seasonally in a homey dining room or on the poolside patio. There’s also a cafe, the Coffee Express. The Divine Images Salon and Day Spa provides hair and nail services, as well as waxing and spa treatments. The hotel also has a variety of meeting rooms and event spaces suitable for weddings, meetings, and other functions, including two classic 1920s-style ballrooms. Ocean City is a dry town, but event hosts can arrange for liquor delivery. A business center provides a PC computer and a printer. There's also a small boutique that sells women's clothing, jewelry and kids’ accessories.

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Oyster Hotel Review

The Flanders Hotel

Scene

Landmark Ocean City property with a rich history

When the seaside Flanders Hotel was built in 1922 by New Jersey entrepreneurs, it attracted prominent businessmen and their families. The Spanish Revival-style hotel, designed by local architect Vivian Smith, has welcomed guests like Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, but the basement of the property, also known as the catacombs, has had a seedy history. Comprised of seven or eight rooms, the catacombs served as meeting rooms for crime bosses and also housed two illegal bars during the Prohibition era. (Note the doorway by the elevators that’s marked “Catacombs.”) Today, the nine-floor privately owned condominium hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bygone elegance of the hotel can still be found in its brick and concrete exterior and a green awning entrance. The lobby features antiques, upholstered conservative furniture, two-seat dining tables, a grand piano, vintage dresses, and fun memorabilia, including framed old-fashioned swimsuits. But the low ceilings, old tile floors, and weak lighting have faded some of the hotel's former elegance.

See More Scene

Location

Located on the Ocean City boardwalk, right by the beach and an amusement park

Located on the bustling Ocean City boardwalk -- with its fresh popcorn, taffy, pizza, entertainment, dining, and shopping -- the hotel is directly beside the Playland's Castaway Cove, a pirate-themed amusement park, and footsteps from Ocean City Beach. The closest bike rental, Surf Buggy Centers, is beside Congo Falls Adventure Golf and Jilly’s Arcade, a three-minute walk from the hotel. The Boardwalk Bounce, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy, Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Family Theatre, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier are all within walking distance. Numerous water-sports shops, fishing charters, and Dolphin cruises are five minutes by car on Bay Avenue. It’s a 25-minute drive to the Cape May County Zoo. The Atlantic City International Airport takes 25 minutes by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Homey suites have full kitchens or kitchenettes, separate living rooms, and some have ocean views

Traditionally decorated suites -- with one, two, three, or five bedrooms -- feature separate living rooms and either full kitchens or kitchenettes. Some of the furnishings and decor are a bit dated, like old tube TVs in some of the units, but overall the spaces are pleasant and homey, and some have lovely views over the boardwalk and beach. One- and two-bedroom suites have kitchenettes with stovetops, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, and utensils, while three- and five-bedroom units have full kitchens with ovens and stoves. Promenade Suites and Penthouses are elegantly appointed with chandeliers, cherry wood details, and high-end bathroom fixtures. All suites have flat-screen TVs, comfortable sofa beds in the living room, daily maid service, and bathrooms with shower/tub combos. Some units also have washers and dryers, fireplaces, private sundeck access, and whirlpool tubs. The largest Five-Bedroom Ocean Front Suite is a duplex that can sleep up to 15 people and has a wet bar and panoramic views. The two-level Skyline Terrace Penthouse has an elevator.

See More Rooms

Features

Casual dining and a cafe, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, day spa and salon, plus event space, a boutique, and a business center

The hotel’s heated pool is open seasonally and is surrounded by a cement deck that offers lounge chairs and shaded patio furniture. A 24-hour gym features modern cardio equipment, weights, two mounted tube TVs, towels, and a water cooler. Free Zumba and yoga classes are also offered. Emily’s Ocean Room serves breakfast and lunch daily as well as dinner seasonally in a homey dining room or on the poolside patio. There’s also a cafe, the Coffee Express. The Divine Images Salon and Day Spa provides hair and nail services, as well as waxing and spa treatments. The hotel also has a variety of meeting rooms and event spaces suitable for weddings, meetings, and other functions, including two classic 1920s-style ballrooms. Ocean City is a dry town, but event hosts can arrange for liquor delivery. A business center provides a PC computer and a printer. There's also a small boutique that sells women's clothing, jewelry and kids’ accessories.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.