The Forum OCNJ — Hotel in Ocean City

The Forum was a great choice! I looked at several places to stay in OCNJ and decided on The Forum. My biggest reason were the positive reviews for cleanliness and the reviews were very accurate! The morning of our stay I received a text to verify that I was over 25 and some other details (by the way this checked another box on my list, because I didn't want to stay where there were a bunch of kids partying). Digitally signed the document and when we arrived the only thing I had to do was head to the office to show ID. Check-in is not until 4 but, I was told that the room should be ready no later than 3 and they confirmed my cell number and told me I would receive a text that the room was ready and the door unlock code. At 2:50 I received a text that the room was ready. Some reviewers of other locations said the pics on the website did not reflect the room they were getting but, the room I received matched perfectly! I took pics as soon as I was inside so the room looks like the pics minus the bag on the bed. The room was clean and there were plenty of towels. The pool was great! It was very clean and there was more than enough lounge chairs and umbrellas. If you have kids they have a gentleman at the pool each day we were there making balloons for the kids and one day he was making sand art for/with them. The Forum is about 1.5 blocks from the boardwalk so all I had to do is park and I could walk to the boardwalk or the shops on Asbury. Even though this is a kid friendly place you could not hear the kids outside or above you for that matter. The beds were comfortable, the water was hot and had very good water pressure with a great walking shower. The rooms were modern. There was a big screen TV in the room and although I didn't need wifi the signal was strong anywhere around the property. As far as parking goes it can be a little tight but, they have an overflow lot which we used that was right across the street from the hotel and it was safe and secure. Some other places I looked at had you parking your car 3 blocks away or, charged you $15.00 to $25.00 a day to park. We had a great time and overall experience at The Fourm and this stay made me decide to stay here and not look around elsewhere. Sure, there are cheaper spots in OCNJ but, for the cleanliness, peace and quite along with being able to walk just about anywhere made paying a little more definitely worth it! I forgot to mention that as part of your fee you get beach tags to use while you are a guest at The Forum which was great! Thank you to all of the staff from the owners to the housekeeping staff and support personal for a...

Update 2025 I left a critical review of our recent stay at The Forum, and shortly after, Jay from the Forum personally called me to apologize and make things right. I want to recognize and appreciate that. After all these years staying here, he’s the first person who has truly seemed to care. That alone gives me hope that maybe The Forum can return to the kind of excellent customer service it was once known for under the old ownership.

That said, our stay last year was disappointing, and there are still some issues that can’t be overlooked that I would like to express. (Take these as you will, and hopefully under Jays management these will be resolved in the following years):

Housekeeping: The worst we’ve experienced in decades of visits. We even had to rewash laundry ourselves.

Floors: The switch from carpet to hard flooring makes sand and dirt stand out more, which isn’t great for a beach vacation.

Check-in & communication: Confusing check in policies, and the phone system is terrible with no easy way to reach the front desk.

Amenities: The game room is gone, replaced by a luxury suite. This not only takes away a family feature but also blocks easy access to the lobby and elevator. Some upstairs rooms now have no elevator access at all. The sliding glass doors have supposedly been fixed, but in practice they’re still heavy and difficult for kids to operate safely.

Pool area: There aren’t enough tables and chairs for grandparents or others who want to sit comfortably by the pool without getting in the water.

Location: The once-perfect spot has lost much of its appeal. Several nearby restaurants and shops are gone, and the Wonderland amusement park closed this year. What used to be a prime location is now one of the weaker ones in town.

Price: Rates keep going up while overall quality goes down. Other nearby hotels not owned by the same group are offering more competitive value.

We’ve been coming to The Forum for over 40 years, and the nostalgia is still strong for our family. But for it to truly shine again, the property needs more than just memories ... it needs consistent care. Jay reaching out is a good start, and I hope it’s a sign of better...

This place sets in a great location. Very close to the Boardwalk and all it’s main attractions there. In the other direction just blocks away are a bunch of cute little shops and places to eat along asbury street. I’m not the skinny mini, nor the most health conscious. Also not entirely out of shape. Point is I was able to walk both direction and all just minutes away. Never tried the oc-cafe across the street, and melt was closing when I wanted to try them. There’s also a cute little ice cream shop right across the street. That I visited everyday (hey yolo) banana split was my favorite (11.95 and it’s no joke) normal eaters will have to split it lmao. Pool looked clean and pool area kept clean. Never used the pool, mainly it was pretty active and when it wasn’t it was closed. Not sure the pool hours staff was confused and got a different answer every time I asked. Was told it closed at 8:00 sign at pool says 6:00. When I asked I was told I could swim anytime. Asked another staff member who said someone at front desk should be able to help me 🤷‍♂️. Pool area was clean and pool did look clean. Although in the morning there was always a duck enjoying the pool and bathing. Staff member was out cleaning pool with net and pool area daily. Rooms aren’t the cleanest but cleaned daily. Not sure about the suits was never offered one by the staff working the desk. I definitely would done the suit instead of a motel style room. Unfortunately we were driving by when we decided to stay there. So had I known suits available I’d gotten one. Lord knows it felt like I paid for one. Stayed Friday and checked out Sunday morning around $535.00. Rooms were free of bugs and no bedbugs either. Parking here just plain out sucks. You can be blocked in and never be able to get out. Guest are to leave a key at desk if they park behind someone. never happens and staff can’t find the owner because they were out sightseeing walking around who knows where. You want to be the one behind someone. I was never blocked in but I surly seen it and it’s not good. Over all I’d go back because of the location and it wasn’t terribly bad. I’ve had better but...