Pros

  • Beachfront property on a quieter stretch of the boardwalk
  • Suite-style rooms have kitchenette features and balconies with ocean views
  • Fully renovated property with modern, clean furnishings
  • Indoor and outdoor pool; the latter includes a bar
  • Popular pizza parlor
  • Kid-friendly mermaid visits and juggling performances at pool
  • On-site laundry available
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout (spotty in rooms)
  • Parking is free (but limited)
See More Pros

Cons

  • No full restaurant/breakfast options
  • Free parking spots are tight and limited
  • Wi-Fi in rooms can be spotty
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The mid-range Commander Hotel is one of many properties lining the Ocean City Boardwalk, but it scores bonus points for being slightly removed from the crowded end of the beach without compromising fantastic views and easy access to tourist sites. The fully-renovated property’s 109 simple, but modern, suites and cabanas have balconies or porches, and kitchenette facilities like microwaves, refrigerators, and toasters. Wi-Fi throughout can be spotty, there aren’t any breakfast options to speak of, and free parking arrangements are problematic. However, with a pizza parlor attached to the property and an outdoor pool featuring mermaid visits and juggling performances, the hotel remains a decent spot for families. For similar rates, Castle in the Sand Hotel -- also beachfront -- has large rooms, a full restaurant, and kid-friendly activities.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Commander Hotel & Suites

Scene

Beachfront, renovated property with modern but laid-back interiors; popular for family holidays

As a family-owned hotel in business since 1930, the hotel goes back a long way, but renovations completed in 2016 have given it an updated look. The interiors are still simple, but hardwood floors at the entrance, clean white couches in the reception, and hallways lined with new carpeting and freshly-painted cream and blue walls lend the property a more modern aesthetic. Meanwhile, vintage photos of the hotel framed throughout the lobby are a nod to its history. Two buildings comprise the property; one overlooks the pool, and the main structure, facing the ocean, opens to a boardwalk for a classic beachfront atmosphere. Though a rebranding process has aimed to attract a more upscale crowd, the breezy atmosphere both inside and around the hotel makes it a family-friendly option. 

See More Scene

Location

Midway down the boardwalk, slightly removed from larger crowds but under 15 minutes to attractions

Perched on the beachfront, but far enough down the Ocean City Boardwalk to escape the denser crowds, the hotel enjoys a convenient yet relatively quiet location that’s ideal for tourists. There are several casual eateries (including the famous Fractured Prune donut shop) nearby, and a handful of golf courses under 15 minutes away on foot. Trimper’s Rides, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, and Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum are all within ten-minute drives away. The Frontier Town waterpark is 15 minutes away by car. Salisbury Regional Airport is a 40-minute drive away. Philadelphia International Airport and Baltimore-Washington Airport are both about three-hour drives away. 

See More Location

Rooms

Beach-inspired colors and modern furnishings; some direct ocean views

Suites are the standard category of rooms here, and are housed in the hotel’s main beachfront building. Larger Cabanas are located in the rear building. Like the common areas, both Suites and Cabanas are simply but tastefully renovated, with modern laminate flooring, carpet areas with coral motifs, blue and cream walls, white bed linens, and beach photography on the walls. The effect is spacious and airy. 

Guests have the option of Ocean Front Suites, which face the boardwalk, or Ocean View Suites, which are on the side of the building and don't have direct ocean views. All Suites have wraparound terraces or balconies which allow picturesque glimpses of the ocean, but Ocean Front Suites undoubtedly have the best, direct views of the beach. Cabanas, much larger than Suites, have private porches facing the hotel’s outdoor pool.  

Suites are exceptionally well-appointed with separate dining areas, plus kitchenette features like microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, refrigerators, and sinks. All units have air-conditioning, two 42-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi, though some guests do report connectivity issues. Some Suites and all Cabanas have sofa beds. Cabanas also have stoves in their kitchens. 

Wooden floors and white fixtures help the small bathrooms feel slightly larger. All have shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads. Eco-friendly toiletry dispensers and hairdryers are included.

See More Rooms

Features

No restaurant or breakfast; popular outdoor pool; tight parking spots

Features are focused on the outdoors. Breakfast isn't offered, but there is a pizza parlor attached to the hotel on the boardwalk, which is popular with guests.

There is a small indoor pool on-site, but the outdoor pool is much more popular. It closes early in the evenings, but plenty of seating, a pool bar, juggling performances, and occasional visits from “mermaids” make it a favorite spot for both adults and kids. Guests also have direct access to the beach, which isn’t private, but is much less crowded than other areas farther down the boardwalk. 

Other amenities include a laundry room with one washer/dryer unit and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Each room is allotted one free parking spot in the adjacent lot, but it’s a small space and slots get taken up fast. VIP parking is available for fees at additional lots, which can be located several blocks away. 

See More Features

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 5 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 6 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 92

Notice: Undefined offset: 4 in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined index: pass_through_args in /nas/content/live/stagingstmllc/wp-content/plugins/smartertravel-shared/includes/ads/includes/api.php on line 158

Oyster Hotel Review

Commander Hotel & Suites

Scene

Beachfront, renovated property with modern but laid-back interiors; popular for family holidays

As a family-owned hotel in business since 1930, the hotel goes back a long way, but renovations completed in 2016 have given it an updated look. The interiors are still simple, but hardwood floors at the entrance, clean white couches in the reception, and hallways lined with new carpeting and freshly-painted cream and blue walls lend the property a more modern aesthetic. Meanwhile, vintage photos of the hotel framed throughout the lobby are a nod to its history. Two buildings comprise the property; one overlooks the pool, and the main structure, facing the ocean, opens to a boardwalk for a classic beachfront atmosphere. Though a rebranding process has aimed to attract a more upscale crowd, the breezy atmosphere both inside and around the hotel makes it a family-friendly option. 

See More Scene

Location

Midway down the boardwalk, slightly removed from larger crowds but under 15 minutes to attractions

Perched on the beachfront, but far enough down the Ocean City Boardwalk to escape the denser crowds, the hotel enjoys a convenient yet relatively quiet location that’s ideal for tourists. There are several casual eateries (including the famous Fractured Prune donut shop) nearby, and a handful of golf courses under 15 minutes away on foot. Trimper’s Rides, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, and Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum are all within ten-minute drives away. The Frontier Town waterpark is 15 minutes away by car. Salisbury Regional Airport is a 40-minute drive away. Philadelphia International Airport and Baltimore-Washington Airport are both about three-hour drives away. 

See More Location

Rooms

Beach-inspired colors and modern furnishings; some direct ocean views

Suites are the standard category of rooms here, and are housed in the hotel’s main beachfront building. Larger Cabanas are located in the rear building. Like the common areas, both Suites and Cabanas are simply but tastefully renovated, with modern laminate flooring, carpet areas with coral motifs, blue and cream walls, white bed linens, and beach photography on the walls. The effect is spacious and airy. 

Guests have the option of Ocean Front Suites, which face the boardwalk, or Ocean View Suites, which are on the side of the building and don't have direct ocean views. All Suites have wraparound terraces or balconies which allow picturesque glimpses of the ocean, but Ocean Front Suites undoubtedly have the best, direct views of the beach. Cabanas, much larger than Suites, have private porches facing the hotel’s outdoor pool.  

Suites are exceptionally well-appointed with separate dining areas, plus kitchenette features like microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, refrigerators, and sinks. All units have air-conditioning, two 42-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi, though some guests do report connectivity issues. Some Suites and all Cabanas have sofa beds. Cabanas also have stoves in their kitchens. 

Wooden floors and white fixtures help the small bathrooms feel slightly larger. All have shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads. Eco-friendly toiletry dispensers and hairdryers are included.

See More Rooms

Features

No restaurant or breakfast; popular outdoor pool; tight parking spots

Features are focused on the outdoors. Breakfast isn't offered, but there is a pizza parlor attached to the hotel on the boardwalk, which is popular with guests.

There is a small indoor pool on-site, but the outdoor pool is much more popular. It closes early in the evenings, but plenty of seating, a pool bar, juggling performances, and occasional visits from “mermaids” make it a favorite spot for both adults and kids. Guests also have direct access to the beach, which isn’t private, but is much less crowded than other areas farther down the boardwalk. 

Other amenities include a laundry room with one washer/dryer unit and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Each room is allotted one free parking spot in the adjacent lot, but it’s a small space and slots get taken up fast. VIP parking is available for fees at additional lots, which can be located several blocks away. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • 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.