Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront

Now in my 70s, I’ve been coming to OC staying in hotels and condos for vacations as a teen , then with children and grandchildren and never had a problem As a professional, I always stayed in Hilton hotels for perception of comfort and quality during travel all over the US. Regrettably we rented Room 301. My wife smelled pot smoke as soon as we entered the room, and strongly on the balcony where we hoped to enjoy the prized ocean view. I complained to the front desk, and they dispatched someone to “walk the floors”. It stopped briefly, and in a few hours started again this time strongly in the room. My wife was sitting on the sofa bed watching tv when she felt a bite. I said no, no bed bugs in a Hilton based on my experiences. Wrong. She was about to shower when what appeared to be a bedbug scurried across the bathroom counter. We nabbed it with tissue and put in a plastic bag. I took it to the desk clerk, she confirmed that’s what it was. That’s it, I said. We’re leaving, at 11pm first night and a 4 hour drive back to PA. When we got home, we disposed of our luggage and took other precautions. The clerk refunded our 2nd night only. Unenforceable Pot smoking by other hotel guests and uninvited bedbugs probably in the sofa bed or bathroom wall ruined our stay, and perception of Hilton hotels.

We enjoy staying at the Hilton Garden Inn and have always appreciated the accommodations and service. However, the property is advertised as a non-smoking hotel, and unfortunately, that has not been our experience. On four separate occasions during our stay we had to report ashes and cigarette butts discarded in the trash by the elevator, which caused the entire lobby to smell strongly of smoke. In addition, when guests smoke on their balconies, it makes it difficult to keep our own door open without the smoke drifting in, and it is nearly impossible to tell who is responsible.

We truly value this hotel, but we hope management can take stronger steps to enforce its non-smoking policy so that all guests can enjoy a comfortable, smoke-free stay.

Very impressive accommodations. Rooms were very well maintained. 2 negatives, $10 a day to park your car in the hotel lot! And no continental breakfast. As a Hilton Honors guest I saw no benefits. But, overall, if your looking to stay at a more upscale hotel this would be a good choice.