The Crusader Oceanfront Family Resort in Wildwood Crest

We were very disappointed with our stay. The rooms are old, extremely outdated, and nowhere near what you’d expect for the price. The towels were tiny, the towels and bed linens had stains, the beds were very hard, and the pillows were uncomfortable. The room was so small that the air conditioner was mounted directly above the bed, blowing cold air onto whoever slept there. I ended up sleeping under it just to keep the cold air away from my wife and child, and my brother had to do the exact same thing in the room next to ours with his family.

The bathroom sink was clogged, and even after maintenance came, nothing was fixed. The bathroom was so tiny that there was barely enough room to dry yourself after a shower. The only place to hang a towel was behind the bathroom door, so every time you opened the door it hit the towel. The door itself was so old that it dragged across the tile floor and squeaked every time it opened or closed.

The beach is also much farther than it appears. You have to walk a long wooden boardwalk and then a long distance across the sand before reaching the water, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with young children or have mobility issues.

The hotel’s only real highlight is the pool. It’s not very large, but it’s well designed, with separate areas for toddlers, older kids, and adults. The 11-foot-deep section is great for diving and having fun.

There is also an excellent restaurant located in the same building, but it’s independently operated and not part of the hotel. We had breakfast and lunch there several times, and the food was delicious and reasonably priced.

Unfortunately, none of that makes up for the condition of the rooms. For around $370 per night, I expected much more. I’ve stayed in $60 roadside motels with cleaner and far more comfortable rooms. That’s why I’m giving this hotel 1 star.