What a hotel! I highly recommend it. I have been visiting Ocean Grove one weekend per year for several years, but never stayed at Hotel Albatross because it was closed for renovations and, before that, was in bad shape according to my friend who lives on the same street. But Wow! It now has a fantastic combination of charm and "new." It's so nice to be in a space that looks like you're the first person to stay there. The sink, shower, bed, mini-desk, flooring, even the dimmer switches -- everything is brand new. And they definitely brought in a high-end designer; this was clearly not a DIY effort, even though the person who checked us in implied that it was a family-owned business (he said he oversaw the renovations). And we were treated like family, including complimentary freshly-brewed coffee on our way out the door right after we checked out. I read an earlier one-star review for this place, and it was given by someone who never even stayed at the Albatross! They were upset because their baby fell ill, they canceled, and the hotel told them it would take a few days for the credit card refund to show up. That is typical (I wait seven days for my Amazon refunds to be processed), but somehow that guest expected the Albatross to control the bank that issued the credit card! Another reviewer gave it four stars instead of five because they said there was inadequate parking. There's free street parking and this is the case for every hotel in Ocean Grove. There were tons of open spots. We parked directly in front of the hotel. Obviously at the height of summer there might be fewer spots (we were there in March). There's an outdoor seating area where a few good-natured women from Philly were enjoying a conversation. They seemed happy. And as I was walking down the hallway to my room (310) later that evening, I could hear them continuing their lively conversation. But once I was in my room, it was quiet and peaceful. read more

Hotel Albatross - lobby - Hotels Near Me - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

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Yelp seems to have a few old reviews which pre-date Hotel Albatross' renovation. I would ignore these. The new ratings are pretty much universally 5 stars. We visit Ocean Grove every March and stay a night or two. We have tried Ocean View, Ocean Plaza, the Majestic, and one place that had no staff. All were acceptable but dated. This year was our first time at Hotel Albatross, which we had previously avoided because of online reviews. But after an 18-month renovation, everything is new and tastefully done. We stayed in a top-floor room with two double beds. The mattresses were firm and comfortable, so I didn't wake up with a sore back. Our room also had a small but useful desk and mini-fridge. The valve to turn on the shower and control the temperature and water flow was on the opposite side of the shower head, so you can turn on the water without getting wet. It heated up fast anyway, but that was a nice feature. There was a rain-style shower head as well as a hand-held that you can fix in place and slide up and down. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Bottled water in our mini-fridge was free. Text messages provided useful information, such as the Wi-Fi code. There is no breakfast buffet, like some other Ocean Grove hotels have, but the nicer accommodations more than made up for that. There are tables on the first floor to sit down and have coffee (and pastries, which are available for purchase). As we checked out, we were offered coffee, which we gladly accepted. We will be back at Hotel Albatross next year. read more

We did not stay here but we did order Lattes from the coffee bar and they were delicious. $4.50 each. Gorgeous and just renovated - right near the beach. Beautiful hotel! read more

Had an amazing stay at the Albatross with childhood friends this past weekend... everything from the service to the overall atmosphere was exceptional! The lobby and rooms were beautifully designed and decorated, and so comfortable! From freshly brewed coffee on the porch in the mornings to bike rides on the boardwalk and just steps from the beach, it was exactly the kind of reset we didn't even realize we needed. Truly a standout experience... can't wait to go back! read more

Truly A+++/10-star! Beautiful hotel, close to shore, walk to Asbury Park! Staff is EXCEPTIONAL in their service and everything they do for you. We cannot say enough wonderful things about this property, its staff, our accommodations and our stay here. Mike and his colleague helping us check in were SO wonderful with information and history about the hotel. LOOOOOVE this place and will be back! read more

I found out later they'd done a massive renovation on what I thought was an already well-kept older hotel. They showcase the history of its past throughout the property. They hit every mark, with welcoming, helpful and friendly staff, a clean and open lobby, a coffee bar (something any human should appreciate) and the rooms are comfy, stylish and well-appointed. The only downside is the limited parking, but that cannot be helped with the layout of the buildings along the park, toward the shore. If you wish a nice beach vacation on the Jersey Shore, I readily, highly recommend the Albatross. read more

Beautiful newly renovated hotel in a great shore town. Staff is helpful and pleasant to deal with. read more

Extremely friendly staff. We live across the street and went in for coffee. The person helping us was just lovely and the coffee/ pastries were great! So awesome to have this place live up to its potential after all these years read more

My husband and I went to Ocean Grove to spend the day and decided to spend the night. I asked the locals about a place to stay and a hotel clerk from a fully booked hotel suggested the Hotel Albatross. I am a disabled traveler with a motorized wheelchair. And most OC Victorian Hotels are not ADA, even though there are a few. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out the Hotel Albatross had an elevator and several ADA rooms! So we checked out the hotel and it was perfect. A newly renovated boutique hotel in a wonderful Victorian building. The staff was so accommodating, Bill met us at the door and led us to a back entrance with an elevator. The lobby was very inviting and beautiful decorated in Victorian chic and so nice and cool coming from the heat outside. We stayed in a lovely room with a front balcony. The room was spacious and very easy to maneuver with my chair. Unfortunately the balcony was not accessible because of landmark restrictions but it really wasn't a big deal. The bathroom had a wheel in shower with a seat and excellent water pressure. I was able to access the sink because of the height adjustment and the toilet was fine as well. My concern was a rug around the bed , the wheels of the chair kept getting caught in it. I mentioned it to the staff the next morning and Dominick said he would mention it to management. After checking in, we went for dinner but forgot our key and Bill graciously brought it to the restaurant for us. We only stayed the one night but will definitely be back. read more

The Albatross Hotel is back and it's filled with all the character that is Ocean Grove. Right on Ocean Pathway and steps to Main Avenue, this beautiful old hotel is filled with charm and beautiful craftsmanship from the tin ceilings in the lobby to the beautiful oak center staircase. The hotel is rustic and filled with the patina that is quintessential Ocean Grove. If you're looking for a great value and some Victorian charm this is the place. read more

Hotel Albatross - Albatross lobby. - Hotels Near Me - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

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Terrible place with no compassion for a family in medical crisis. We had to unexpectedly cancel our booking due to our baby being hospitalized. We gave them a heads up that we may have to cancel, and let them know we were totally ok with their policy of being charged for the first night of our week long stay. They then charged us for the entire stay and the first night on top of that, and then told us we would have to wait several days for the refund (minus the first night) to go through. Now we're stuck 3,000 miles from home with a sick child until that refund is processed-- they repeatedly said there's nothing they can do/refunds aren't instantaneous on the credit card end, but as someone who has had to do this with many hotels using the same card, I've NEVER had my money held in limbo like this by any other hotel. Now I understand why they have such poor online reviews! read more

Amazing location, great rooms, clean and comfy beds, friendly staff. We were pleasantly surprised to find our room had it's own 1/2 bath! 5-star banana bread and coffee in the morning (among other pastries). I would recommend this place. read more

Hotel Albatross - View from the 2nd floor balcony of the day before and then the day-of the annual Flea Market, June 2023. - Hotels Near Me - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

PRO: Staff CON: As much as I've appreciated the friendly service and demeanor of the staff, hence the two stars, the condition, cleanliness and overall price cannot be overlooked. The fact is that I overpaid $173 for a private room in a hostel with broken down shared facilities. There was a piece of chewed gum on the side of the bed cover, which I only noticed after it stuck to my shirt. Expect dirty walls, stairs (no elevator), and older almost broken furniture. The "bed & breakfast" label is definitely a stretch. The free breakfast included a lineup of opened cereal boxes, toasted bagels, chobani yogurt, and beverages. TAKEAWAYS: Ultimately, this is the most I've paid for a hostel, and I've definitely stayed in cleaner, up-to-date ones for much, much cheaper. Proximity to beach is accurate, 1.5 blocks. Note: beach is $9 per person. I would definitely feel better, considering how pleasant the staff was, if I had paid $50 for one night. read more

3.5, rounded up for top notch and super friendly service. First, it is important to align expectations before booking with Albatross. If you are expecting an experience where you won't see or interact with any other guest, that may be a difficult order at Albatross. They offer private rooms with shared bath and common areas. It is less than a block from the beach and offered a great deal for those staying the weekend of the NJ Marathon. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted and toured around by your host. Judging from our interactions, I'd guess he is the owner. He is friendly and willing to offer suggestions, advice, and support to meet the needs of your stay. He even worked with us to ensure we could shower after finishing the marathon well after check-out times. Overall, while the Albatross might not look like much, its a pretty cool place and I'd return for a future shore visit. read more

Hotel Albatross - Hotels Near Me - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

From the outside, this place looked so shady it was scary. However, it was quite the contrary. It's a really old building - built just after the Civil War, but it's safe and and ghost-free! The owner is really really nice. It was the best lodging services I have ever had. He was very hospitable and helpful in every way. He was an absolute delight. The building is 3 floors and the rooms are pretty small, but cozy. You had the choice of a single, queen, double, or private. For the private, I'm not sure what the bed size is, but you have your own private bathroom. For the others, it's a shared bathroom. There's a mens' bathroom, womens' and a powder room. There's a communal kitchen and two refrigerators on the ground floor and a large dining area. The owner supplies us with a light breakfast (bagels, donuts, coffee) which is really nice. We got a queen. The room is small, had a drawer and a sink with soap and shampoo. The room is clean, decently lit and the bed is comfortable. Cons: the internet is pretty poor and the only TV is downstairs. That was probably a good thing because it foreced me to chill out rather than do work. And when you by the shore (only a minute walk), how much TV would you actually be watching? read more

I'm giving this place 2 stars just because of its proximity to the beach. It's dirty. Our room hadn't been vacuumed in the last year. We knew there'd be a shared bathroom/shower situation so that wasn't too bothersome. The worst part was the owner who constantly made up new rules for us every time we ran in to him (which was often). The beds were like sleeping on a concrete trampoline, the rooms were musty, and they made it clear we weren't really welcome to sit on the porches unless we were whispering. There is absolutely no showering allowed after 10 pm which is crazy bc we were at a concert that didn't get done til 11 pm. The owner seemed as if we were an inconvenience to him even though we never asked them for a thing. Just bad all around. All in all it was a learning experience and we will never stay there again. I also found it rude and presumptuous that the owner asked us to give him a good review on trip advisor. Unreal. Also important to note that ocean grove is a dry town. The city itself is great for families or older people but not really great for people that want to enjoy the night life of Asbury Park. read more

We had an absolutely horrible experience at this hotel. We arrived at the hotel hoping for a relaxing weekend at the shore. As we entered the hotel, we were met with a horrid smell, and a dark and gloomy lobby. We immediately started regretting our decision when we were given the tour of a kitchen that looked as though it hadn't been cleaned in ages, and the refrigerator contained expired contents. We began to think it was odd that we did not see one other guest anywhere on the premises. We have visited the shore before, and most bed and breakfast hotels are overflowing with guests. We were then led down an extremely narrow and gloomy hallway into a room with no shower. We were told there was a communal shower down the hall. All that we had in the room was a bathroom with a toilet (and the door didn't close). There was no tv, or any sort of luxury in this room. The towels were hard and the floor was dusty. After seeing the condition of the room, we immediately started calling other hotels and frantically starting looking for somewhere else to stay. We all agreed that we would rather drive the two hours back home than spend the night in this hotel. We left, but didn't want to be rude so we told the owner that we had an emergency back home. We also spoke with the owner about refunding us for one night, since we had originally paid for two. We thought that was more than fair given that we weren't going to be staying in the hotel at all. The owner refused to refund any portion of our money. We spoke with Booking.com, who agreed with us that we shouldn't have to fully pay for a hotel we never stayed in. They called the owner on our behalf. The owner refused to refund any portion of the money. This must certainly be because they had no one willing to stay in their hotel that they needed to hold onto whatever they could get. Do not stay here. Find yourself a clean hotel with reasonable expectations for a room, such as a shower. read more

Under new ownership.. very nice people. Upgrades are happening every day! Nice clean room. Hotel has great porches and balconies. Great location to the beach. read more

Proximity to the beach is the only thing this "hotel" has going for it. The website says the owners lovingly restored the place but it reads a lot more like your grandma's house than anything remotely modern. I've seen other reviews that say the owners/employees seem bothered by their guests and I couldn't agree more. The tone was anything but welcoming. At one point during the stay I was told that I'm not allowed to have food in my room and had to eat outside or in the dining room which closes at 10:00pm and is not as well air conditioned as my room would have been. Also the "Showers" that are communal on each floor consist of 1 tiny stall per floor. You'd think there would be more than one or at least more space considering the potential number of guests but I guess cramming as many rooms as possible in was more important than guests being comfortable. And showering after 10:00 pm is forbidden which was particularly amusing this weekend since they had advertised their vacancies to a weekend long event in Asbury Park that had many events that didn't start until 10:00pm or later. High speed internet is advertised on their site but I saw no evidence of such. Maybe it was a single computer buried somewhere similar to how their TV/DVD access was a single TV in the living room. All in all I'd advise staying elsewhere even if you might have to pay a little bit more. Having a nicer hotel that doesn't treat you like you are an unwelcome guest in their home will be worth a few extra bucks. read more

Came Saturday to Monday for Labor Day weekend and from the beginning Bill was incredibly helpful. Pretty busy weekend everywhere which is expected but he treated everyone amazing. Helped accommodate our room as well as gave us a quick tour of the common areas before showing us to our rooms. Very comfortable and quaint. Loved the location. Exactly what was needed for a nice, long, relaxing weekend by the beach. Also provided discounted beach passes which was a major plus. I will definitely recommend and visit again when I'm in town. Thank you for a great weekend. read more

Hotel Albatross - Hotels Near Me - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

The worst customer service ever, dirty and creepy. Red flags from my initial confirmation phone call. The owner made me feel "dumb" for not knowing what kind of room I booked. He actually said "how do you not know what kind of room you booked?" I couldn't see because I was on my smart phone. Same man was so rude and smug on our arrival. Didn't even smile or say welcome. Instead he gave me hard time for not booking a double bed. It was just me and my two young children. One sleeps in a pack play which I brought with me. I traveled a long way by myself with my kids and parked pretty far from the hotel. Very exhausted and disheartened upon arrival. Needless to say, I turned away and took my business elsewhere in town that was cleaner and better amenities and best of all no attitude! The hospitality business? Not at the Albatross. read more

When I called to make a reservation, the owner Bill was friendly and accommodating. Right before we arrived he had called to offer to help bring in our luggage. Once we got there, he saw I had two small children and upgraded our room without an extra charge! His son also pointed us in the direction of Days, a wonderful little ice cream shop where we ended up going 3 times before we left. The location is perfect, a block from the beach and boardwalk. Wonderful quick getaway with my children and they loved it as well! read more

The word albatross is sometimes used metaphorically to mean a psychological burden that feels like a curse. This definition says it all. Filthy, doors don't lock, common area shower off the track and wide opened. The owner was always in our face in an aggressive manner,very uncomfortable and even a little creepy. Felt like a boarding house not hotel and for $150.- per night a huge ripoff. Spent as little time as possible there. I would NOT ever recommend this place and am renaming it Chateau Weird!! read more

I have stayed here for several long weekends and I really enjoy the place. It's one of Ocean Groves many gems! Planning on going back in July. I can't wait. read more

Hotels.com where I booked hotel wouldn't let me leave a review, so I'll leave it here. My husband and I stayed 2 nights. We were lucky enough to get a place last minute and it was nice to park our car for the weekend and walk to beach and dinner in town. Unless you don't care at all about how old a place is, then Albatross Hotel is for you! The pics on yelp do not reflect what it looks like now. The manager was very nice. He called our very small room a suite. Very laughable. Because of covid, breakfast was not served, so he gave us a free beach pass. That was nice. They had a coffee station that was available. They also had a community refrigerator for anyone's use. He said a few times that they wanted to keep the place colonial, as if to make excuse for things how old the place is (even though it's victorian). The was no room service as advertised, the wall paper is old and splitting, dresser top has cracked paint, part of toilet tank broken off, carpet is old (I wouldn't walk in bare feet). There was a little tp on the roll and no replacement. My husband said the plastic cup in the br was dirty and not wrapped in plastic. When he went to get cups, they gave him styrofoam coffee cups. It took about 3-5 min for sink and shower water to get hot! A/c was very old and very loud. If it wasn't for the ceiling fan it wouldn't get cool at all. The door to our room was ill fit and our neighbor's door top had a wide gap. On the 1st night back to room we wanted to relax with internet. The wifi would not connect. When I called front desk, the said it must be down and would reboot, but we never got it that night. Fortunately, I tried in the morning and it was up. The bed was decent enough, but after the last night, my husband's side of the bed sheets came off to reveal no mattress pad and an old blood stain!!! I would never stay her again and I don't recommend this place and we definitely over paid! Lastly, I think the exceptional 10 rating on Hotels.com are fake because I don't think a place can go from exceptional to poor in 1 year! read more

Another lovely stay at the Albatross .. steps to the beach and to the Great Auditorium ... Solo female traveler ... felt very safe. I shared the bathroom in the hall ... It was immaculate. Breakfast is included and there was a lot to choose from ... Yogurt ... Muffins .... Fruit. My favorite part is the second floor balcony that overlooks the ocean. You can spend the afternoon here with a good book if you would rather not go down to the beach. Not a fancy place ... A nice place .. Thank you to all the staff. read more

This year was the fourth time I have stayed at this hotel in eight years while attending a family reunion in Asbury. With a beautiful porch with rocking chair's, it is only minutes to the ocean or around the corner from the quaint historic main street of Ocean Grove. A nice continental breakfast is put out each morning. The owner and the concierge Dennis, are both friendly and try to attend to your needs. I can describe the hotel as charming and a nice throwback to the past. read more

I had a perfectly delightful time from the moment I arrived and proprietor, Bill Riley, carried my bags up the front green painted steps, making me feel so welcome. I feel that I got a lot for my money, a modest but clean and lovely, Victorian decorated single room with bath and shower close by. Wanting a few days of peace and quiet at the beach, that's exactly what was offered. Lovely porches with rockers - for reading and watching the lazy day and drinking coffee. Continental breakfasts. Another terrific feature is the baggage room where you can keep your stuff before you are ready to leave. Though checkout is 11 a.m -- having that amenity makes it possible to stretch out your last day as long as possible.. I can't say enough about it - it was idyllic and the staff is so accommodating. read more

The Albatross is a great place to stay. Very family oriented. The owner, Bill, is a great host. He will tell you places to eat and visit. He has the inside track because he himself has visited these places. I have returned to the Albatross whenever I stay in N.J. I recommend it to anyone who will be staying in the area. It is 1 block from the beach and boardwalk. read more