North of the popular tourist sites, Econolodge Oceanblock attracts families and couples looking for a quiet beach vacation. It's housed in a nondescript building with a strip of grass and simple flower garden in front. Interiors are neutral and basic, but functional. The restaurant is a bright spot in an otherwise generic design scheme; With cheerful, yellow walls and bright artwork -- including colorful lizards scaling the walls -- it is an appealing space for a meal. The pool is a central gathering spot, and at night music from the adjacent Tiki Bar adds to the noise, which some guests find disturbing. 

The hotel is on Coastal Highway, just south of the state border, a block from the beach. The immediate vicinity is mostly hotels, but there are mini-golf and a bank across the highway. A few minutes’ walk south there are several restaurants and a movie theater. A five-minute walk into Delaware will bring guests to the historic Fenwick Island Light House. Most of the entertainment synonymous with the boardwalk requires a car or bus to reach. The nearest bus stop is a three-minute walk from the hotel. Seacrets, a popular nightclub with multiple stages, is a 14-minute drive from the hotel. It is a 21-minute drive to Jolly Roger at the Pier and the traditional boardwalk experience. 

Decor is simple but comfortable in neutral-tone color scheme with pops of blue and green that hint at the beach town setting. Rooms have either a king or two queen beds, a pull-out sofa for an extra guest, and a small dining table, as well as a flat-screen TV, iron, and safe. Balconies look over the city, with the ocean nearby for those who can see it. Modest kitchenettes are stocked with dishes and cookware, and include an oven, small microwave, full-size refrigerator, and a coffeemaker. Bathrooms are basic with a curtained shower/tub combo and a narrow shelf. Free toiletries include soap, shampoo, conditioner, and make-up wipes. Some guests find housekeeping unsatisfactory, with less than thorough cleaning practices and consumables not refilled, while others are happy with the value for their dollar. 

The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and guests find the food enjoyable, though breakfast costs extra. A tiki bar offers drinks and music in the evenings. These are located on the pool deck and are only open seasonally. The outdoor pool is heated, making it great for evening and cool-weather swims. It is small, with a depth of up to five feet, but the non-slip texture of the patio is appreciated and there are plenty of white plastic loungers. The hotel has an outdoor lot with free parking for guests and some spaces under the building in a garage. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building.