Golden Rail Motel — Hotel in North Wildwood

This USED to be our go to place. Past tense. The only positive thing now is that it's close to the beginning of the boardwalk. WE MISS ROCCO AND HIS WIFE!!!!!! THEY WERE LIKE FAMILY. My family and I came to the Golden Rail for 15 years and hadn't been in about 2 years. We moved to Florida last year and decided to come back for some nostalgia while my son is on his break from college. When I called to book I learned that the hotel had been sold and the new owners owned Montego bay. Spoke to a lovely woman named Kathy who assured me that I was going to absolutely love the changes the hotel underwent with new ownership. My husband and son and I took the 17 hour drive from orlando, arriving this past saturday. We were exhausted, scruffy and just wanted to rest. After checking in we noticed that they had made some positive changes with new rails on the outside of the hotel. Nice. But that's where it ended. We get into our room to discover that it's close to 90 degrees in it. There are two AC units but NOTHING in the living room. It was stifling. We then noticed bugs crawling all over the floors, dirty, ripped, stained linens and moldy, ripped up sheets on the beds. The sofa was filthy and ripped. They made an attempt at refurbishing by laying new floors down which only made it easier to see the bugs. The 'new' furniture was falling apart. There was NOTHING hanging on the walls other than old nails and screws sticking out and the place looked like a prison cell. The beds were too nasty to lay on, the sofa too nasty to sit on and the living room was at least 90 degrees. The window was bolted shut so no way to cool off the living room. Here's the thing. You pay very good (over $250 a night) money to stay in a motel. I don't expect luxury, but put one little effort in. Put a new blanket on the bed. Put clean sheets on. If you notice a cigarette burn on a blanket, throw it out. Have respect and courtesy for your guests. We had to fight for a refund, as the owners daughter made us chase her to three different places. The dude at the desk sent us to Montego Bay to talk to Kaci about a refund. Walk over there, and the man at the desk says she's over at the Golden Rail. Go back to GR, told nope not here. Then sent to the bar the owners apparently bought instead of buying new blankets. She's not there either. Ridiculous. We had to stand in front of the desk dude, who RELUCTANTLY issues us a refund. Why didn't ya do that in the first place?? They were nice enough to put us up at Montego Bay for one night which was beautiful but we couldn't stay any longer. Luckily we were able to find a clean place for the rest of the week

I was absolutely heartbroken that the Golden Rail went downhill. Y'all are gonna run it into the ground, sadly. Clean, new blankets and fresh clean sheets would do wonders and aren't that expensive....

We have been coming here for the last 8yrs for our family vacation and never had an issue, but there are new owners. It's always been an outdated no frills place BUT it was always clean up until now. These new owners take no pride in the place. Last year they told us they were upgrading the place but other then a few rooms that didn't happen. The railings have all the paint chipping and a few rods are rotted out most just taped and spray painted but the one outside our room was exposed with all the rotting on the ground. Entering our room it didn't even look to be cleaned. Particles on the floor and sand still on the dining chairs. Ceiling fan had to also be dusted as there was so much dust i couldn't turn it on. That's not even the worse .... the beds!!! Omg!! Our one comforter had burn marks from smoking all over it. Pull that down and the bed linens were stained!!! The one pillow even had a blood stain on the actual pillow. I had to get all new linens and pillows. Thank goodness I also bring my own stuff to put over what they say were fresh sheets. Didn't stop there ... the towel were also stained ... granted only used them for my feet to get our shower but they don't know that. I had to return towels every time because of stains and they were not burnt from the dryer as the excuse the owner provided. Overall despite my complaints it continued throughout the trip. I even had to have the ac unit cleaned as the clean filter light was on and clearly never been dusted. Maids only came if u told them u wanted something done ... thats was never the case in the past. Also only seen pool cleaned 1x my whole visit and barely a decent job. TERRIBLE. In talking with others that have stayed there for the last several years they also experienced the same issues. Something needs to change. Doesn't look like we will be returning and my kids are sad ... its all they know at the shore. Shame on...

I used to stay here every year in my childhood. I had not been back in a pretty long time and I found myself worried it wouldn't be all I remembered, that maybe it had changed owners and they'd let in fall into disrepair. I don't want to age myself too much here, but it was a reasonable concern with the time that had passed! However, when we got to the property and I saw the fresh paint and well kept grounds, I knew I had worried for nothing. Of course it's all updated but they kept the 'Golden Rail' charm it's always had.

Yes, it is a new owner since my youth but they're just as wonderful as the family I remember. Its not only the grounds, including the gorgeous pool & refreshing sun deck, or the feeling of welcome, either. The interior of the rooms is more than enough for a small family to be comfortable. Though we stayed in the 2 bedroom one, it was mostly just because we were able to this time so we stretched out a bit. However, even the smaller rooms offer plenty of space for a small family or group of friends. Particularly for a destination at which you likely only unwind at the room for short periods and to sleep anyway as there's SO MUCH TO DO!

Also, the price is great considering the quality of the stay & amazing location (1st block off the boardwalk). Furthermore, it's a great family place. From visiting this beach to living at another one, I know that some places will attract a rowdier crowd. This place is well managed and will surely offer you relaxation and comfort for the whole family.

I may as well sum this up as I could go on about the great details of my stay for a bit and none of it concerning nor negative and the only thing I can think to give a heads up about is that there is only one parking spot per room...this is not even a detractor as its common, but...