Hotel Suggestions

Question

Does Ocean City have a high-rise hotel on the beach that has an ocean view, a fantastic heated pool (indoors and/or outdoors), and that allows guests to bring small dogs? Many thanks!

Answer

Yes — Ocean City, MD *does* have some high-rise / ocean-front (or near-oceanfront) hotels that check several of your boxes: ocean view, good pool(s), and (in many cases) allow small dogs. How well they meet “fantastic heated pool + dog-friendly + ocean view” depends on the hotel, but there *are* some good candidates. Below are several of the better options based on what’s publicly known about their amenities & pet policies. I also flag trade-offs you should check when booking (pool access for pets, pet fees, beach/boardwalk dog rules, etc.).

### 👍 Hotels to consider in Ocean City that match your criteria

• Offers ocean-front / ocean-view rooms, making it easy to see the water from your room.

• Pet-friendly: the hotel allows two pets (up to 80 lbs total) for a pet fee.

• They have pool(s) — many pet-friendly hotel listings cite this as one of the amenities.
• Ocean-front / ocean-view location, which gives you the kind of beach-hotel stay you want.

• Pet-friendly: allows one dog up to 50 lbs (or two with combined 75 lbs) in designated rooms, though with a non-refundable pet/cleaning fee.

• Offers an indoor pool (and likely other amenities like a fitness center), making it a good “heated-pool” option if weather or season is a concern.
• While not necessarily a “tower-high-rise” like some major beachfront resorts, Aloft is regularly listed among pet-friendly hotels in Ocean City that accept dogs.

• Good for pet-owners: they allow at least one pet (and sometimes more) under their policy.

• Because the quality and size may be more modest than some “resort-style” hotels, this might be a simpler, lower-cost option — potentially less about resort pool luxury, more about convenience, comfort, and pet-friendliness.

### ⚠️ What to verify / watch out for when booking

Pet fees & restrictions: Some hotels charge high non-refundable cleaning or pet fees (for example, the Hyatt Place charges a substantial cleaning fee for guests with dogs) — make sure to confirm the fee, weight or breed limits, and number of pets allowed.
Pool / common-area pet restrictions: Even if a hotel allows pets, they often prohibit pets from using the pool areas or public indoor spaces (food areas, pool deck) — this is common.
Beach / boardwalk access: In Ocean City, there are seasonal restrictions on when dogs are allowed on the beach or boardwalk (May 1–Sept 30 they are *not* allowed). If you plan a beach walk or want your dog to enjoy the sand/water, you’ll need to travel in the off-season or outside those restricted months.
Room availability & ocean-view premium: Ocean-front or ocean-view rooms tend to book up fast — especially in popular seasons — so you’ll want to reserve early and ensure the view and pet-policy you need are confirmed. Also check that the “oceanfront” listing is truly “beach-facing” (some may be on the bay side or partially obstructed views).

### 🎯 My recommendation (given what you said you want)

If I were you and I wanted a high-rise or ocean-front feeling, a good heated pool, and the ability to bring a small dog: I’d target either Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront or Hyatt Place Oceanfront first — both check all your main boxes. If those are unavailable or too pricey, Aloft Ocean City is a solid “pet-friendly fallback” (especially if pet-policy and room size matter more than luxury pool/resort features).

Before you book, I’d contact the hotel directly (or via their online booking) to explicitly confirm: (1) that the room you pick allows pets, (2) the pet fee and weight/pet limit, (3) that the pool is heated and open year-round (or during your stay dates), and (4) that you can get a beach- or ocean-view room (not just a bay-side or side-view). That way, you avoid surprises.

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