Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel

The Pros: I had a spectacular view of the ocean.|The cons: Amenities- choices for food and drink were extremely limited, with nothing at all available on Sunday. There is no fitness center, despite advertising on their website that there …

I’m extremely disappointed with how the Berkeley Hotel handled a recent private takeover of the property. A private group rented out the entire hotel, and the **café and restaurant were suddenly closed to the public**, leaving only a tiny notice posted at the main entrance. No meaningful communication, no advance clarity, and no regard for the community or the people who regularly support this establishment. For a historic, central hotel in Asbury Park, this level of disregard is unacceptable. The lack of transparency and professionalism was obvious, and it created unnecessary disruption. I won’t be returning, and I can’t recommend this hotel based on how poorly they handled this situation.

What a phenomenal trip. I was there volunteering on the staff for a symposium and the entire weekend was such a wonderful experience. Decent, moderately priced food inside the hotel itself, the staff were some of the kindest people I've ever met in hospitality, and their event team was completely on their game. There's also a Salon attached to the hotel and accessible through the lobby. I didn't need a cut, but the people working there seemed as polite and friendly as the rest of the crew. The space is good for weddings, conferences, symposiums and any other potentially large gathering. The town itself is freaking beautiful - the beach is a block from the hotel, there's a boardwalk with a playground and old fashioned arcade nearby, a record store, a bowling alley, plenty of entertainment and food options. My only complaint is that one of the lamps in our room (817) didn't have a switch. Like... it fell out or was pulled out. We just unplugged it for the weekend. One of the electrical outlets in the room was a super loose fit for most of our chargers, too. Amenities in the room are an ice bucket and free water bottles, the basic lineup in the bathroom, and cable TV. I do wish they had water bottle refill stations in the hotel common areas and by the ice machines, but the age and infrastructure of the building make sense as to why. The rooms were a bit on the pricier side, though that appears to be a theme throughout the rest of the town. It definitely requires thorough planning to enjoy your trip - the bill can add up quickly if you're not careful. Street parking in the off season was a very reasonable rate. Valet was a bit pricey for my agenda and wallet.