We had to make an unexpected trip to Berlin, MD, due to a family emergency and the closest hotel to the hospital was the Comfort Suites. Now, I've been a member of the "Choice Rewards" program for many years so I am familiar with this chain. However, I had not stayed in a Comfort Suites. We were pleasantly surprised.
The property is well-maintained. Outside, in addition to the pool area (closed now), there is a picnic area with a grill and tables, playground, horseshoe area and basketball net. We took a nice stroll around a small pond. Inside, there is a game room and exercise room.
Our suite was very nice. It was a bit smaller than we've had at other "suites" hotels, but it was quite sufficient for our needs. Everything was in good condition. The bed was comfortable but the pillows were terrible. We will bring our own if we need to stay here again. Good shower however I felt like I couldn't rinse the soap off; later I realized that it was not the soap but the fact that this area has very soft water that makes you feel like you aren't rinsed off. Wifi is available but very slow. Microwave and small refrigerator are available as is a coffeemaker. There is not an actual kitchen area (no sink, stove, etc.) as we've had in other suites.
Breakfast is included in your room rate. Our breakfast choices on Sunday were outstanding. Scrambled "eggs" (not real eggs) and bacon (perfectly prepared) in addition to the continental offerings. Coffee was hot and abundant. Good selection of pastries. Monday was a different story. According to the gal at the desk, the guy that was supposed to do breakfast didn't show up and she was doing the best she could. "Eggs" were flat rounds meant for a English muffin. Bite-size sausage accompanied the eggs. Both ran out quickly. She was doing the best she could. We hoped for better on Tuesday but the meat offering this day (along with the same flat egg rounds) was a mystery. Sized for an English muffin, they were pink and tasted like Spam. Seriously, Comfort Suites, Spam? Just very disappointing.
The only employees we encountered were those at the front desk who were all warm and friendly and the man who did breakfast on Sunday, who was very present and efficient. (I think it was the same person on Tuesday but he was not as visible, we only saw him come out from the pantry area to replace the coffee.)
Locally there are a number of restaurants and shopping areas. To my husband's delight, there was only one building separating us from Dumsers Dairyland, so we did take a few walks there so he could get his favorite ice cream. From this location, you can be in Ocean City in minutes, so for a family that wants a beach vacation but doesn't want to be right in the thick of things, this is a good place to stay.
We would stay here again if the need arises. I did expect the room rate to be a bit lower (we paid $69.99 a night) since this location is a few miles from the ocean in West Ocean City, and it is the "off" season. We were charged the same rate for all three nights, regardless of whether it was a weekend or not.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
