Hilton Garden Inn Brings Better, Brighter Experience to Ocean City, Maryland

May 26, 2023 | Development

Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront has made its debut along the Maryland coastline. The 12-story, 170-room property reopened Friday, May 26, following an extensive renovation that brings an elevated aesthetic — and a new brand identity — to the heart of a city widely acclaimed as the East Coast’s favorite vacation destination.

The new Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront is owned and operated by South Carolina-based OTO Development, which is part of The Johnson Group.

“We’re delighted to bring Hilton Garden Inn’s better, brighter experience to Ocean City,” says Lorrie Miller, general manager, who heads the hotel’s leadership team alongside Lauri Reynolds, director of sales, and Gennady Osipov, director of food and beverage. “It matters where you stay. And staying here means a well-appointed oceanfront room and private balcony, with nothing but sand between you and the water.”

This peaceful setting, though, is anything but secluded. “We’re only one block from Ocean City’s famed boardwalk — just 175 steps and yes, we counted!” Miller says. “So you’re close to all the action and attractions along what The Travel Channel calls one of the best boardwalks in all of America.”

The new Hilton Garden Inn comprises 170 rooms, each with a spacious ensuite balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and all designed with soft furniture and thoughtful conveniences to ensure guests feel right at home. Amenities include an indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, an oceanfront rocking chair porch and 3,000 square feet of meeting/event space with a gracious ballroom. There are two onsite F&B venues, too: Coastline Café & Creamery and Solstice Oceanfront Bar & Grill.

“Coastline is nestled in the hotel lobby for fresh, all-day convenience plus a little sweet fun,” says Osipov, noting a menu with artisanal coffee, breakfast bowls and fresh doughnuts in the morning; grab-and-go sandwiches and salads in the afternoon; and hand-dipped local ice cream, sweet treats and boozy milkshakes in the evening. “Solstice, meanwhile, makes the most of its on-the-water setting to serve up stunning views with spectacular food.”

Solstice features a chef-curated menu centered around market-fresh ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Solstice specializes in coastal-American dishes with an emphasis on local seafood and signature crabcakes,” Osipov says. “Our indoor-outdoor bar offers a long and merry list of handcrafted drinks — everything from signature cocktails and mocktails to the most delightful dessert concoctions. Our beer and wine lists feature favorites from a local vineyard and several local breweries.”  

Locally sourced items include seasonal produce from Baywater Farms, Fifer Orchards and Vessey Orchards; wine from Salted Vines Vineyard; craft beer from Dogfish Head Brewery and Big Oyster Brewery; desserts from Smith Island Baking Co.; and ice cream from Hopkins Dairy Farm. The hotel shop carries a variety of Maryland snacks and beverages along with handcrafted items from popular regional artisans. 

Local flair is likewise incorporated throughout Hilton Garden Inn’s fresh new look. The custom-built reception desk, for example, is highlighted by an overhead art installation by Jeff Auxer of Berlin, Maryland, featuring nearly 200 glass plates that portray a school of fish. An intriguing, abstract ceiling installation resembles the sand dunes of the beach, creating depth and texture while reminding travelers why they’ve come.

“This renovation brings a modern, elevated aesthetic to our property while still paying homage to the iconic Ocean City vibe,” Miller says. “The design exudes a true sense of place via regional artwork and pops of coastal color, texture and style.”

OTO partnered on the Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront project with //3877, designer; First Finish, interior general contractor; Valcourt Building Services, exterior general contractor; and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, structural engineer.

Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Beachfront is located at 2800 Baltimore Ave. in Ocean City, Maryland. The property is in the heart of a destination that attracts more than 8 million visitors every year. A popular drive-market destination for travelers from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City, among others, the town features 10 miles of beach, 2.5 miles of classic boardwalk and 17 golf courses. It’s also home to the annual White Marlin Open fishing tournament.   

Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Beachfront is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 19 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else, and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check in, choose their room and access their room using a Digital Key. 

For more information about Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront or to make reservations, visit HGI.com/OceanCityOceanfront or call +1 410.289.1100. For more information about Solstice, visit SolsticeOceanCity.com. Connect on social @HiltonGardenInnOceanCityMD and @SolsticeOceanCityMD. Read more about Hilton Garden Inn at Stories.Hilton.com.