Empress Motel

United States , Ocean City - MD
Ocean City, 1910 Baltimore Ave
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75 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2026

Felipe

This location is in close proximity to the beach — about a 2 minute walk. I was lucky enough to get a balcony and it was a beautiful spot to relax in the sun after a long day. My room was clean and well maintained. I loved the small table which I used to eat there. This location was perfect enough for a weekend escape to Ocean City, Maryland.

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2026

Sarah

Nice hotel

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jun 2026

Stacey

This motel was chosen for location. We needed to be walking distance for show center for the air show. Not ocean front but a very short walk to the boardwalk and beach. The pool was clean.
My personal cons to staying here starts with the room reeking of mildew. So much so that we kept the door open most of the time we were in the room. The ac unit showed the filter needed to be changed. The office is located at the Sahara Motel, the next block over. The ice machine was broken and by the looks of had been for a very long time. The room was clean. But the bathroom shower needed to be wiped down where you put your toiletries in the stall. There was no exhaust fan in the bathroom, so you had to open the window while you showered.
I suggest you avoid June as recent graduates from the tristate area are staying in OC. We were woken up our first night around midnight by a girl screaming at the top of her lungs at some dude in the room next door. This went on for about 20 minutes

4/10

Poor

13 Jun 2026

John

This place is 20 years outdated and poorly maintained.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2026

Leah

We enjoyed our stay, while we do prefer the Sahara we found this hotel to be enjoyable as well.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2026

Mehtar Jahin

Room was okay. The fridge was smelling a little. Overall not a bad stay.
Its really close to the beach.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2026

dennis

it was clean quiet relaxing

Partner

8/10

Excellent

25 May 2026

Naresh

Rooms are good but some smell is coming

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2026

Brennan

Clean room cold air friendly clerk. Parking was on site . Granted it's basically off season yet so I can't speak for peak season but it was good yesterday

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 May 2026

Judith

The hotel staff were pleasant, helpful and attentive. They provided extra blankets and towels as we needed them. The 3-bedroom upstairs apartment was clean and functional, only 1 couch, 1 tv, and seemed to be used for storing extra furniture. There is no heat - which only matters when the weather is unpredictable. The AC units are in the windows, but were not sealed in, could see the outside underneath them. We never used them because it was windy and cold while we were there. Again, no heat and very drafty and cold. Noise level was pretty high being right on the road. It was not unlivable, but it is not something we will do again. Staying in the hotel part would have been a better choice in the cold rainy season.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

17 May 2026

Meghal

This is a very basic property. We stayed the weekend before Memorial Day weekend in the office was closed the entire time. Check-in was done at the Sahara motel next-door (same management?). We found it a bit strange that no staff was seen on the hotel property except the cleaning people in the morning. We were worried about safety although we didn't have any problems. The room was clean. The nights were cool and we could not figure out how to turn up the heat in the room, it only seemed to have an air conditioner, so our room was chilly at night. The blankets and bedspread are thin. Did appreciate having a fridge in the room. The TV channels were not all working. If all you need is a roof over your head with no frills, then this would probably serve the purpose.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 May 2026

Abishak

Parking is tight, I would suggest parking in the back of the building, someone scratched my car and I couldn’t find the person who did it, the front parking lot has no cameras. The staff was nice and friendly though they speak very little English and may open the door on you if u don’t have a do not disturb sign. Air conditioning is iffy room temp fluctuates. They have a pool that was nice and wash off stations after the beach, overall it was good for the price and very close to everything.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 May 2026

Dipesh

good job

8/10

Excellent

27 Apr 2026

Mary

The building is old. With that said, it was newly painted. The bathroom was clean and bright. There is a residual musty smell, but I sprayed with Lysol spray and that helped.
There was no staff in the building itself. The staff at the neighboring sister hotel was very helpful and friendly on arrival. The morning staff at departure was very tired and did not come to check me out until a second tenant arrived for his check out.
The coffee cups available in that lobby did not have caps that fit the cups on the second day I was there. That set up for a mess. The first day, the caps fit and the hot tea was greatly appreciated.
The building is so close to the beach and there was plenty of parking.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2025

Kimberley

Exactly as advertised and a 2 minute walk to the beach. Would stay again.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2025

sue

Great view from bathroom

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2025

William

Needs updates but nice for the price

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

21 Sep 2025

Katheline

My stay was ok but not great do to the smell of the room. Smelled old and the toilet wasn't so clean. Very outdated motel and the bed was low and uncomfortable.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Sep 2025

James

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2025

Lori

Clean room, but had some mold/mildew on the ceiling area. Cleaning/maintenance staff was kind of loud, yelling to each other. Great boardwalk location; you're a half a block from beach and boardwalk. Clean bathroom. Pool was clean. It's not perfect, but I would stay here again. Great value spot.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2025

Eric

Lady at front desk is super friendly and was able to get us checked in a couple hours early.
Pool was nice and was a straight shot to the beach
Remote for TV did not work and beds were too firm.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Sep 2025

Jessica

It was family friendy ,clean room , staff was great

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2025

Brianna

Kitchen, private balcony, free parking AND super close to the beach. What more could you ask for?

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2025

Mykhailo

Great hotel for a budget price. But there were problems with wifi. Close to the beach, restaurants and entertainment. The room is cozy, has everything for a comfortable stay. Air conditioning works perfectly . Convenient location of the hotel .

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2025

Joanna

We loved our stay!

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2025

Joseph

Nice, clean little place to stay close to the beach. Staff was also very friendly.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Aug 2025

Jamie

Room smelled like mold

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2025

Alexander

Property is very convenient close to the beach i would definitely stay again

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

13 Aug 2025

Taylor

The property is very dated and the room had a smell of mildew. The worst part was that the air conditioner in our room was not circulating. We had the staff come 3 separate times of the course of our 3 day stay to try to fix the issue with failure every time. It left us trying to sleep in a smelly hot room. When the air is cooler outside and it’s 80-90 degrees than it is inside the room- that is a problem.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Aug 2025

Julie

The room smell musty and the couch was scary dirty

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2025

Michael

Great stay . Friendly welcome

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2025

Edward

beds could be more firmer

8/10

Excellent

04 Aug 2025

brittany

Staff was nice it was quiet it could use updating but other than that our stay was good

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

04 Aug 2025

Sarah

It was nice

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2025

Denya

Old, but clean. Worth the

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2025

Theresa

Great place to stay. Extremely convenient. Walking distance to almost everything. I stay here every year.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

26 Jul 2025

Dolores

No staff on site , had to go to the next hotel, staff hung up on me, the phone in the room doesn’t connect to any staff members, no ice at the ice machine. No towels n rags, had to walk next hotel that they owned also every time we needed something, because they had no staff , ppl did whatever they wanted, smoking weed, loud music above us.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jul 2025

Margie

It was a bit noisy with people walking and talking by our window late at night

4/10

Poor

23 Jul 2025

Taylor

Smelled like mold and mildew. It was so strong we almost had to leave but it was too expensive to go somewhere else. We had to buy air fresheners and sprays to make it livable but it was still so bad. The carpets are damp too which I assume is where the mold is. I assume all rooms smell like this. We are usually not very picky about where we stay and we can adjust to some inconveniences but this place crossed the line with cleanliness. If they could update their bedding and furniture and get rid of the smell I would say it’s not bad, but I HIGHLY DO NOT recommend staying here for longer than one night. We got sore throats after 3 nights!! Please look around at other options OR spend the money to stay somewhere nicer. We sure wish we did.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jul 2025

Sally

The main staff persons, Rob? (or Ron!!) and Sara were so kind and helpful. They go out of their way to make you feel welcome and comfortable. All the staff was excellent. I really was impressed with the way things were run. Will be sure to come again. ***** 5 STARS !!

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

20 Jul 2025

Francena

Horrible no elevator Ice machine was broke maid cleaned our room once in 7 days will never stay there again.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2025

David

Great price for a motel by the beach. Friendly staff, and they went above and beyond to get us a bottom floor room due to my elderly mother.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Jun 2025

Mark

Convenient to boardwalk and beach. Room was clean with excellent room service. Beyond that the clientele was partying all day and night (it was senior week). No attempt by staff to moderate.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2025

Adam

Like that the living room and bedroom was separate. Couldn’t get the volume to work on the living room tv.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2025

John

The hotel is an excellent affordable option. Room is clean and has all the essentials. Bathroom and bed are clean.
Lobby is in building next door - the check in and out process was extremely efficient and fast, they are highly organized so this was very easy. Free parking + WiFi.
Area in a quieter part of OC yet a quick walk to the busier parts of OC. Beach a block away. I would highly recommend this hotel as a great option in OC!

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

02 Jun 2025

Shoshana B

Wonderful place

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2025

Natalie

loved the 10 second walk to the boardwalk

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2025

Dawn

Awesome room and staff. Already booked for next year's vacay

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2025

Mckenzie

Absolutely amazing service and great spot right by the beach.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 May 2025

Louann

Advice

There was a problem with my room the staff was very quick solve the problem by moving me and my family everything seemd to be good in our next room but bathrooms are very small and bit of advice get rid of the green carpet The room would not smell musty and the stains on the carpet need to go Even though the room was clean, it didn't look good with the stained carpet. You would do yourself such Better service with Another
Type of flooring

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

18 Oct 2024

Sandra

The room could have been a little more stocked with toilet paper and wash cloths. Cleaning staff was nice.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Oct 2024

Sandra

Great location for what I wanted

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2024

Natalie

It's an older motel, but was extremely clean and the staff was great. We didn't even ask that our towels be replaced but they were able to straighten up our room and replace linens while we were out. Really great service

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Sep 2024

diane Marie

Changed hands and staff in front office was inefficient, and maid service was effected by that. We have stayed there for years, and loved it, but because of the changes, will consider other options.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

16 Sep 2024

Jessica

I had the apartment and we saw lots of roaches at night some very large. We couldn’t find the xfinity remote so we had to watch the channel from previous guests. The cabinets in the kitchen needed to be cleaned. Both doors front and back are very heavy and slam shut. I think my hand is broken. These things can be fixed so I would stay here again. If this is fixed.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

09 Sep 2024

lynn

what I didnt like is that when we arrived at the hotel to check in. we had to walk to next hotel to check in and get the keys to our room. We were not informed before hand that we had to do this. we have been going to Empress for about 30 years. there was new staff . It was hard to communiate with the staff do language barriers (maid service)

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2024

Isabella

Great stay by the beach

2/10

Poor

01 Sep 2024

Adam

Pros: Staff at the desk was very friendly and was able to get us checked in before check in time. Parking was very easy. Easy beach access.

Cons: Everything related to the room. The floor was carpeted but had a very moist/damp feeling. Did not want to walk in the room without shoes on as parts of the carpet or just dirt would come off on my feet. Sheets had stains on them. Couch was heavily stained.
In the bathroom the shower curtain was growing mold and so was the ceiling and corners of the wall.
Appliances were rusting generally.
Whenever the AC turned on you could hear a lot of sitting condensate start to stir up, was a bit worried about legionnaires' disease personally.
Walking from the room to the parking lot it was impossible to not get a strong weed smell. Not much the hotel staff can do to control that one but be aware your experience may be the same.
Door and door frame were visable askew from each other. Major gaps meant you heard the outside all night, same with the sliding door.
Overall on vacation you dont normally want to spend a lot of time in the room, but this motivated me to maximize being anywhere else.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Aug 2024

Isabelle

Our stay here was pretty nice. It's steps from the beach and a reasonable walk to lots of shops and restaurants. The beds were a little low and the air conditioner didn't keep the room as cool as we would've liked but it was serviceable. The lights outside were quite bright, so the room didn't get particularly dark at night. The pool was a nice amenity as well, very well maintained. Staff was very friendly and helpful whenever we needed something. We'd stay here again!

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2024

Linsay

This hotel is so close to the boardwalk! We got there around 6pm and had to walk next door to check in which was a little ghetto especially since we had all of our bags. It was what I expected for the price point

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Aug 2024

Jose

All is good

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

11 Aug 2024

Meng

Not good

6/10

Pleasant

07 Aug 2024

KRISTEN

Wasn’t too bad for the price, but the room smelled like a musty basement. Definitely weds updated carpeting or flooring, and could use a bigger tv. Beds were ok, but pillows were small. A little inconvenient we had to walk next door to check in sand out, otherwise not too bad. Very close to the beach, easy parking, fairly quiet.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

05 Aug 2024

Elizabeth

Bathroom was extremely clean. But the room had a musty almost moldy smell and the carpet felt moist, so I refused to walk around without at least flip flops or socks on my feet which was annoying.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2024

Kari

Really good value! I stayed for the weekend with my husband and it was well matched for our needs. Could use some updates (bedding, outlets, lighting), but it was very clean, a short walk to the boardwalk/beach, and checkin and checkout was a breeze.

Business_and_leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

29 Jul 2024

Diane

After staying here for more than 10 years every summer, we were shocked and disappointed to see how the service has gone down. We arrived on Friday and never got fresh towels for the entire weekend even after asking. No one ever made the beds. Once the trash was emptied. We had to ask for more toilet paper . When we arrived, there was a sign on the office door stating that we had to check in at the hotel next door. The Empress used to be a clean frills motel near the beach. I’m sorry to say that I will never stay there again!

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

29 Jul 2024

Kelley

Not worth the money,avoid this place

Had to check in at a hotel down the road. We got a room on the 3rd floor, no elevator. First impression as soon as we opened the door we were hit with a damp ,musty smell. Toilet kept running and wouldn't fill back up,and when taking a shower,the tub would not drain properly.

Partner

4/10

Poor

24 Jul 2024

Stephen

The property was outdated but not bad. The room was clean but had an overwhelming bad smell. The pool was small but was clean and inviting. The front desk is located in the next door building which is strange but they have hot coffee and friendly helpful staff. The ice machine is not free and requires quarters.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2024

Anna

Nice little motel. Close to the beach and very clean.

8/10

Excellent

21 Jul 2024

Mandy

No regrets

Staff was friendly and tentative. The rooms were clean and smelled fresh. To our surprise there was a mini stove with two burners and even had some kitchen supplies to use like a toaster coffee pot ice trays etc. the pool was clean. The couch bed could use some updating because that wasn’t the most comfortable but it worked. One of our ac units was stuck on 61° so we would just turn it on at night. The free coffee was good and it’s literally so close to the beach. I would stay here again 😊

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jul 2024

Patti

For the price, I guess I shouldn't complain, but there were a few big issues.
1) The lock on the door to the balcony was broken. It would lock only after you played with it for about five minutes, trying each angle to make it lock. I know the chances of someone climbing the balcony and breaking in were miniscule, but we were a pair of single women travelling alone and were a bit creeped out by it.
2) The room was so bright at night you could almost read by it. The curtains on the main window didn't go all the way down and let light through at the bottom and there was only a tiny blind on the balcony door window. Being on the corner of the building, we had high intensity lights glowing at us from both sides. They need to replace the window coverings.
3) The Empress lobby was closed the entire time we were there and we had to go down to the Sahara lobby whenever we needed something, which was often, because housekeeping was hit or miss. We had to ask for towels & toilet paper every day and some days, all they did was drop it off and not even empty our garbage cans.
The location was excellent, though, and the staff that we did engage with were very pleasant.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2024

Angelo

Easy to check in friendly staff

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

14 Jul 2024

Victoria

Close to everything we needed.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

09 Jul 2024

KATHLEEN

The place is old and in need of upgrades but it worked for what we needed for a short notice weekend holiday. Only one ice machine was operational and it was not located in the building we were in but easy to find. The dresser drawers and carpet are very musty smelling, definitely need to replace those or get dehumidifiers in the rooms. Parking was plentiful, staff prompt with room service and location was easy access to boardwalk. Typical beach motel with basic amenities, works for short stays.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2024

Anton

Great location

Location was fantastic. Roomier than expected. No other positives.

Friends_and_family Family