We made a last minute stop over in Ocean Grove and having never been here before we didn't know what to expect in general. Further, this hotel had a great web site designer--on line the place jsut looks beautiful. Also, the cost of the rooms would also indicate athat it was a bit more upscale. While aware that we would have to share a bath, and that we had only a double bed in the room--we somehow expected more. First of all no parking at all, we were placed on the top floor (no elevator), the room was TINY, and the ath was shared with many rooms! So in the beginning we were a bit put off and felt we had made a mistake.

A bit taken aback, we are seasoned travelers and very positive. So we went with the flow. The desk clerk was friendly and she had a nice kid lug our bags up the four flights of stairs. The location was fantastic--less than a block from the beach--and a nice big porch with rocking chairs. They sale beach passes for only $4 (they cost $7 at the beach)! We were given bottled water to take to the beach--no charge. There were stacks of beach towels at the door, and extra beach chairs if you desired. The room as noted was tiny, but it was very clean. The bed was comfortable. The overall decor was outdated, but in this funky sort of "back in time" way. . .all in all it was very comfortable. Coffee at breakfast was good, and there was a decent selection of breads, pastries, and fruit. We took it to the front porch and ate--so it was really nice. The houses here are very colorful and the streets are quaint and lovely.

In reality, rooms in this area are simply very expensive, and I dont' think anyone provides parking. It is what it is--an old beachside resort area with somewhat dated inns/B and Bs. Not sure I would go back to the Albatross--but for their niceness, authentic experience, and cleanliness--I have to rate it above 3 stars (average). Since you can't give 3 and a half stars, I erred on the positive side. Because overall I had a good time here.

I stayed here not knowing a thing about it. I was playing a gig nearby and this is where the promoters put us. At first, I wasn't excited about staying here considering how it was described to me. The words "shared bathroom and shower" didn't sit well with me.

When I got there, I was less enthused about having to carry heavy luggage up the stairs for lack of an elevator, non-air-conditioned lobby and a tiny room with a tiny bed...and no bathroom. Our room did have a window unit air-conditioner that blew very cold, but not all the rooms had air-conditioning. There was a certain "The Shining" element to the hotel, but it may have just been the old-schoolness plus the fact that we checked in at night.

But after staying there for the night, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the overall experience at the Albatross. We slept comfortably, the bathroom/shower thing was not that big of a deal and was surprisingly clean. They have wireless internet and a large flat-screen tv in the lobby. The service was super friendly and accommodating and the breakfast was simple but great!

Now knowing what kind of experience to expect from the Albatross Hotel, my wife and I are definitely planning on making a trip back there for a longer stay! It's a cool looking place in a beautiful and exciting area. If you're looking for the Hilton Garden Inn, then look elsewhere, but don't have in your mind America's Best Value as any sort of a close association. Very close to the beach and close to shopping and great food. And you must go to Nagle's and get the hot pastrami with swiss cheese on rye.

I really like staying at the Albatross. I've been vacationing there for the last four years, and will continue to do so, as long as they don't make any drastic changes.
This hotel is not a good fit for everyone. This huge place has a lot of charm, but it is old. Most visitors have to climb at least one flight of stairs to reach their room. Some rooms (at least the rooms I've stayed in) don't have televisions. There are also shared bathrooms and showers. They are clean, and well stocked. I didn't mind them at all. They were similar in style to some of the B&B's I've frequented in Europe. But the Albatross is not to be confused with a typical modern American hotel.
Staying at this hotel is like staying at a home away from home. Bill and Marcy are by far the most accommodating hoteliers I've ever dealt with. Time after time, they have gone the extra mile to ensure that I, my family, and friends have had an enjoyable stay. This winter my wife and I stayed at a couple of upscale hotels. They had all the modern conveniences, comfortable rooms, and nice locations. But the service was so impersonal as to be forgettable.
That's never an issue at the Albatross. Visitors, guests, and strangers seem to connect there. Maybe it's the proximity to the Great Auditorium that brings people of shared interests together. Maybe the peaceful and spiritual town of Ocean Grove has something to do with it. I don't know. But, whatever the Albatross lacks in modern amenities, it more than makes up for in customer service and old fashioned charm. It's a comfortable place and a very cozy one too.

Bill & Marcy Reilly, owners of the Albatross Hotel, Ocean Grove, NJ, graciously opened their B&B along with others across America to honor the Vets with a free night stay at their charmingly renovated inn in a richly historic and architectural treasure of a small seacoast town. They offered a very comfortable stay and even organized and mounted a comedy show for the vets and their spouses. It is a family oriented inn which I highly recommend.
Bill Sattan