Harris House by the Beach — Hotel in Ocean City

This is in response to the owner’s update. No way wound we want you to accommodate us in the future or any of our family and friends who were horrified at the situation. People who read the reviews can make their own opinions about what occurred and the aftermath. We were two 60 year old women who wanted a quick getaway and I’ve NEVER left a negative review on any hotels website, but felt that this situation def warranted it. It is true that although the staff wasn’t warm and friendly, the rooms and pool were clean. However, what transpired was a mess as well as how the owner/manager, handled the situation. If it happened to us, it could happen to you!

This is in response from the owner to my review. First of all, his response is riddled with lies, hoping to salvage his reputation. It is true that my friend and I removed 3/4 of our belongings to our car before going down to the beach for a few hours. There was a canvas bag with toiletries, food and water in the refrigerator. We went down to the beach and came back up to finish packing to check out. The staff members were clearly eating our food and admitted to that. A box of crackers was wide open as was a pkg of donuts. When we went down to the office to return our key cards and beach tags the manager/owner was apologetic and OFFERED to make it up to us on our next stay, which I replied No thanks. I doubt there will be another stay. I was extremely calm and spoke in a calm and low manner. I’ve always been described as a quiet church mouse. He was helping another couple check in and my friend was trying to get me to leave bc she was double parked out front and people were trying to get by. Parking was very tight. We hadn’t returned our keys or badges at that point bc check out was 11. The staff members did return to our room twice while we were packing up the last of our things, very apologetic. NEVER ONCE did I ever ask for a discount, credit back or anything. I told him we had a long ride home and left a note with my name and phone number which he said he would call. He even came out to the car window as we were leaving to make sure to tell us he would call. I NEVER raised my voice, caused a scene or anything else he is stating as supposed fact. I just said what occurred was very unsettling, I could have been in the shower etc. We didn’t come back for “forgotten food” as he states. We had personal belongings there, my phone charger and we paid until 11. They KNEW we didn’t check out bc we hadn’t returned our keys/badges. We were going to leave a great review and he even asked me how the rest of our stay was, and I said it was good! Unfortunately, his excuse of the two kids being trainees and would be spoken to, as well as making a point to bring up at a future staff meeting, didn’t make up for the fact that we felt very violated. Do not believe what he is saying. I coujd easily dispute with my credit card etc. but haven’t. We were in NO way trying to get any money back. However, we will not be returning. He could have handled this so much differently, but he didn’t. The only thing I said to a couple was to please be careful there aren’t any staff members in your room before checkout, and I guess that pissed him off. I’m glad to set the record straight

Terrible and very unsafe. My friend and I were at the beach to come back to find two staff members in our room and eating our food! Manager or owner did nothing but blame us and said Icaused a scene in the lobby with other patrons. We paid until check out, had stuff in our room and he made up saying that I caused a scene in lobby! I was very calm and did NOTHING like that. Imagine if I was in the shower only to come out to find two staff members who ibwas tons they were trainees? The manager was horrible to my friend instead of trying to fix it. Just unacceptable. Do...

The room was standard, but nice! 2 queen beds, crisp sheets, and comfortable pillows! Room had a decent size mini refrigerator and microwave and functioning AC. Bathroom is small (toilet and shower/tub combo), but it's functional! The sink is outside of the bathroom which is always helpful! TV has Direct TV channels. Noise level was decent; I only heard one construction truck during the day and one speeding car at night. Curtains have a top gap which allows minimal light to come into the room, but it was dark enough to speep with no issues. Room had 2 chairs and a small round table inside and 2 chairs and small table between them right outside on the balcony; balconies are not private since this is a motel (not a complaint; pointing out this truth to those who may want to know).

The beach, boardwalk (public restrooms, restaurants, shops, arcade/mini golf), and bike rentals are all within the same block if not just a few steps away!

I felt safe with the "do not disturb" magnet to place on the outside door, the extra lock inside, and the security cameras however, my two beach towels did get stolen. It could have been the employees or it could have been a fellow guest or maybe someone on the street who maybe daringly was able to get up to the top floor, but it is what it is. I did not report because when I noticed they were missing, I thought I had already threw them in my trunk to leave, but they were not in my trunk. Just be smarter than I was (I know better) and secure ALL items. I saw everyone doing it, so I figured it was fine, but I guess I was the (not so) lucky one!

We were able to access the boardwalk and beach within a 3 minute walk from our room. Also, we went for a breakfast at some diner and it was an 8 minute walk. It's a very convenient location!

Food and drinks are available on the boardwalk or in town close by; only tea and coffee served in the hotel lobby (I don't think there was any in the room, but I may be remembering wrong). Like mentioned above, there is a refrigerator and microwave for convenience.

Staff was very friendly upon check in and out; also very quick and efficient.

Beach tags and parking for one car are included with the stay. Also, there is a shower in the parking lot for the pool (also on site), which is very convenient! No elevator (or lift?)/2 stories.

Our rooms were clean enough to make me feel comfortable to stay! They weren't spotless, but I was still pleased (especially with past personal experiences).

My only complaint is that it's a non smoking property yet I saw someone light a cigarette and could smell other things from my room. I never made the complaint because my goal isn't to get anyone in trouble; I'm just making this comment so that others know it's still a possibility to come across it (which can be a big deal if you're sensitive to it).

Some of my comments were repeating what their website already has, but I saw in other reviews before I booked, people complaining about things that were already laid out on their website.

I'd stay again because having two kids, this was a good, appropriate, and convenient place to stay! I will just keep my towels...

I would give everything 5/5, but you decide from my review.

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful if you had any questions, wants or needs/concerns (I personally had no concerns). I think some of the cleaning crew is probably here on work visas since there seemed to be a little bit of a language barrier, but super sweet and very good at taking care of the rooms. I am sure many people wonder if they actually get new clean sheets when they check into their hotel/motel rooms- caught a quick glimpse of a checkout room being cleaned and alllllll of the old stuff was off in the corner while new sheets were being put on- big sigh of relief right there =) We had a standard Queen room when we stayed last week and it looked exactly like it did in the picture, that being said the pictures would make a lot more sense if they were in order (likely a sales professional taking and separating them). The motel pictures themselves are more of the street view of the hotel- the pool is in a somewhat “L” shaped area in the middle of what I would consider to be the hotel’s parking lot- the “L” shape being the hotel itself. Parking is very tight so I wouldn’t recommend a big truck or larger SUV you’ll probably get your door dinged. There needs to be a few updates, Amazon and I’m sure many other companies sell outlets that have multiple plug in spaces as well as the desired charging stations as well (I have one, jut need to take the original faceplate off and plug it in, replace the old screw with the one that came with it and I’ll be good to go). I keep the little alarm clocks just, my mother is old school and liked that it was there- apparently there is a port in them to connect and charge your smart devices (I haven’t scoured your website but let people know it’s there, add it to the WiFi cards in the rooms or key card envelopes). The lights are fine, I would just add some sort of on/off switch for the newer generation who are very much not going to know how to use traditional lamp items anymore. It would have been nice if the walkway/balcony area was wider, but I wouldn’t get rid of the chairs and little table stands. It is in a great location right off the boardwalk, I personally would prefer not to have been on the boardwalk, but to each their own- my kiddo and mother picked out where and when we were doing vacation this year =) I would say they...