Wildwood/Wildwood Crest hotels

[hymen]

We are planning on a short family beach trip to Wildwood Crest the very end of September for two nights. Any recommendations for a hotel? It's for me, my H, and our three kids (6, 3, baby). I would prefer something that is oceanfront/right on beach and possibly a suite. A friend recommended Adventurer's Oceanfront and it's super cheap, but I don't know if it's too cheap.

[LoveTrains]

Hotel icona diamond beach is my recommendation. I grew up in south jersey - going to wildwood - and I definitely recommend this one. It's way at the end of the beach so it's a little quieter but I prefer that.

[BaliHai]

I have family that swear by the Adventurer, but my sister and BIL stayed there several years ago and sustained damage to their car (their hood ended up badly dented, as though someone either body slammed on it, or tossed their luggage over the railing from several floors up and it landed on the car, which they suspect is what actually happened since it was an SUV and pretty tall for someone to jump on), and the owners were really unhelpful about the whole thing, so it left a bad taste in their mouths. Granted, I'm still not clear on what they wanted the owners do...

Anyway, they and my other sister and BIL and their kids all stay at the Port Royal now, as have my parents, and they all consistently have great things to say about it.

[poundcake]

I always enjoyed the Sand Dune. Its across the street from the beach. We also stayed years ago at the Royal Hawaiian.

[LaceyV]

We stay at El Coronado every year. It's right on the beach, the pool is great, the cafe has pretty good food too,

[bc1206]

Friends of ours have always stayed at the Fleur de Lis. It's right off the beach and it is a smaller hotel/motel then some others in the area. They love it and stay every year. www.fleurdelisbeach.com

[kbeard06]

Pan American has always been our favorite. If we can't get in there it's always been the fleur-de-lis or El Coronado. Growing up we stayed at the Shalimar. Haven't stayed there in years but I know they redid it and I've heard it's nice

[tommygirl03]

Aug 16, 2017 7:47:32 GMT -5 LaceyV said:

We stay at El Coronado every year. It's right on the beach, the pool is great, the cafe has pretty good food too,

I second the El Coronado!
Just realize that the pools will be closed for the season at pretty much anyplace. 😢

[OscarQ]

I like El Coronado and stayed there many times. We switched back to the Villa Nova which is right across the street (we go for a family reunion every summer and stayed at the VN for years before kids). It's much cheaper (much more a 50's motel) but it's fine. I just didn't think the El Coronado was worth the money (instead of getting a 2br suite at the EC I get a 1br suite for my family and another studio room for my MIL at the VN).

The balconies at the EC made my H nervous and we couldn't get two suites in close proximity so my kids and my sisters kids were caught a few times roaming the halls trying to get to the other suite (the doors were easy for the kids to open).

Also, you'll be able to access the non-pool facilities at the EC even if you stay at VN. The pool will be closed but the game room will be open.

[redheadbaker]

Is that the same weekend as Irish Weekend?

[honeychai]

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

[honeychai]

Go to Cape May and tent one of the Cottages owned by the Virginia Hotel.

You won't regret it!

Wildwood amusement piers are still close, but you can escape back to the tranquility of Cape May.

[Eagles]

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

This is snobby as shit.

[BaliHai]

Aug 16, 2017 15:35:47 GMT -5 Eagles said:

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

This is snobby as shit.

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind the Icona and dicey comments.

honeychai

[honeychai]

Aug 16, 2017 15:42:53 GMT -5 BaliHai said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:35:47 GMT -5 Eagles said:

This is snobby as shit.

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind the Icona and dicey comments.

honeychai

A lot of the motels are run down and the Icona is renovated with nice ammentities

[JLV]

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

Dicey? I have been going there every summer since birth and never have an issue. People are so damn snobby about Wildwood and I do t get it. It's a shore town geared towards families and young people.


ANYWAY-
In April I stayed at the Gondolier and that was pretty nice. In June I stayed at the Waikiki and my husband and I really liked it there. The rooms were clean.

I just got back from the shore on Saturday and we stayed at the Aztec. It was a smaller room (they do have bigger ones) and not beach front, but very clean. Basically I bounce around hotels in Wildwood Crest lol.

If you don't mind North Wildwood I grew up staying at the Trylon. It's beachfront and very convenient to the boardwalk (like 2 blocks from the beginning) and the walk to the beach isn't bad at all (compared to the Crest where the beach is a bit longer).

[JLV]

Aug 16, 2017 15:45:32 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:42:53 GMT -5 BaliHai said:

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind the Icona and dicey comments.

honeychai

A lot of the motels are run down and the Icona is renovated with nice ammentities

Who the hell is going to Wildwood (or Diamond Beach/Cape May) for 4 star hotels and amenities?

[hymen]

Aug 16, 2017 11:09:04 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Is that the same weekend as Irish Weekend?

What's Irish weekend?

We wiill be getting there Wednesday night (27th) and checking out Friday the 29th.

[hymen]

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

A close friend recommended Wildwood Crest as family friendly and affordable. She goes to the Cape May area often and I value her opinion.

[JLV]

Aug 16, 2017 15:55:50 GMT -5 hymen said:

Aug 16, 2017 11:09:04 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Is that the same weekend as Irish Weekend?

What's Irish weekend?

We wiill be getting there Wednesday night (27th) and checking out Friday the 29th.

It's a drunk fest of mostly obnoxious people. You are missing it, thankfully.

Be warned the boardwalk isn't going to be open until the 29th (from 6 PM to 10 PM) when you are there. If you cared about that.

[honeychai]

Aug 16, 2017 15:58:17 GMT -5 JLV said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:55:50 GMT -5 hymen said:

What's Irish weekend?

We wiill be getting there Wednesday night (27th) and checking out Friday the 29th.

It's a drunk fest of mostly obnoxious people. You are missing it, thankfully.

Be warned the boardwalk isn't going to be open until the 29th (from 6 PM to 10 PM) when you are there. If you cared about that.

During the day Irishfest is pretty family-friendly.

[BaliHai]

Aug 16, 2017 15:45:32 GMT -5 honeychai said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:42:53 GMT -5 BaliHai said:

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind the Icona and dicey comments.

honeychai

A lot of the motels are run down and the Icona is renovated with nice ammentities

Not sure how that makes Wildwood "dicey" or the Icona the only acceptable option in WC, but OK.

[nikki25]

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

Oh, for fuck sakes. Are going to do this battle again? lol.

[honeychai]

Aug 16, 2017 15:57:45 GMT -5 hymen said:

Aug 16, 2017 14:30:05 GMT -5 honeychai said:

The Icona is basically the only acceptable choice.

There are gorgeous amazing options in Cape May (one town over) and north (Avalon, Stone Harbor).

Wildwood is dicey.

And if that is Irish Weekend-- Godspeed. Hahah people are out of control.

A close friend recommended Wildwood Crest as family friendly and affordable. She goes to the Cape May area often and I value her opinion.

The Crest is nice bc the beaches are smaller.
In wildwood proper the beaches seem like they're a mile long, so lugging the kids and all the beach crap is no fun.

[honeychai]

Aug 16, 2017 16:01:57 GMT -5 BaliHai said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:45:32 GMT -5 honeychai said:

A lot of the motels are run down and the Icona is renovated with nice ammentities

Not sure how that makes Wildwood "dicey" or the Icona the only acceptable option in WC, but OK.

I was being hyperbolic, but the Icona would be my first choice.

My dicey comment referenced the crime rate, which when compared to other south jersey shore towns, is off the charts.

[BaliHai]

Anecdotes, hymen, but FWIW I have gone down the shore literally every summer since I was a fetus (and for 10 days at a clip until I was 21) and have never run into an issue in Wildwood crime-wise. I would not let that deter you if you decide not to stay in the Crest.

[hymen]

Aug 16, 2017 15:58:17 GMT -5 JLV said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:55:50 GMT -5 hymen said:

What's Irish weekend?

We wiill be getting there Wednesday night (27th) and checking out Friday the 29th.

It's a drunk fest of mostly obnoxious people. You are missing it, thankfully.

Be warned the boardwalk isn't going to be open until the 29th (from 6 PM to 10 PM) when you are there. If you cared about that.

Is it only opened on weekends then? I would like to do the boardwalk but it's not make or break.

Our plan is beach day Thursday, Cape May Zoo Friday on our way home. Low key.

[Eagles]

Aug 16, 2017 16:18:55 GMT -5 hymen said:

Aug 16, 2017 15:58:17 GMT -5 JLV said:

It's a drunk fest of mostly obnoxious people. You are missing it, thankfully.

Be warned the boardwalk isn't going to be open until the 29th (from 6 PM to 10 PM) when you are there. If you cared about that.

Is it only opened on weekends then? I would like to do the boardwalk but it's not make or break.

Our plan is beach day Thursday, Cape May Zoo Friday on our way home. Low key.

The zoo is great!

[W.T.Faulkner]

Irish weekend is awesome. I make my H go to the bagpipe competition.

[Eagles]

One Irish weekend, I ended up at a craft market in the Crest with my souvenir plastic pint glass full of beer from 2nd Street Annie's. That was an exceptionally weird year.

I'm too old for that shit now.