Stay Savvy: Madison Resort (Wildwood Crest, NJ)

Influencers, take note... Madison Resort is a haven for Instagram-worthy photos and TikTok-friendly shoots. Upon arrival, a valet will greet you and park your car for free. Before entering the hotel lobby, you'll find charming rocking chairs, a cute pink bench, and a beautifully decorated retro pink phone booth.

The lobby is as bright and lovely as the staff, and boasts the retro-chic vibe that sets the stage for the rest of the property’s aesthetic.

At check-in, you’ll collect your room key, as well as silicone bracelets that allow you access to the resort’s pools and designated section on the beach.

We booked a poolside suite in the Ocean Tower of the property. A great choice for a family with little kids, our first-floor space included a living room setup with a sofa bed, a separate room with a queen-sized bed and a lot of desk space, two TVs (one in each room), a small refrigerator, a microwave, and an adorable pink Keurig (with K cups, sugar, and creamer provided). The room also had plates, utensils, paper towels, even dish soap. The brand new appliances had a retro design, which complements the space and celebrates a special era of Wildwood. Our family of four so appreciated the attention to detail, aesthetics, and convenience.

Outside our room, we found large hammocks, modern patio furniture with cushions and tabletop fire pits, and access to one of two pools at the property

At the pool, you’ll find large towels, plenty of loungers, and a handful of cabanas available to rent for $75 for roughly four hours. There’s also a modest hot tub enough to fit a large family, a couple of Instagram-worthy pool floats, and a very shallow wading pool perfect for toddlers.

And if you’re as obsessed with poolside eating as I am, there is a snack truck where you can buy chips, treats, and drinks (including non-alcoholic beer and mocktails). If you want booze, you can bring your own. No one said anything about the High Noons guests were drinking. A poolside DJ will spin house music and other dance-y tunes to create a fun atmosphere.

We visited in June before the property’s restaurant opened, but come July, the staff told us there will be food service at the pool

Walk right onto the sand steps from the property. The hotel provides beach umbrellas and loungers at no additional cost. But get there early to snag your spot and avoid having to wait for the super-nice beach attendant to set you up.

While the resort does not offer food service right on the beach, vendors do walk around with ice cream and iced coffee. We suggest you snag a big cup of the cold brew sweetened with the vendor’s signature banana syrup. (Yes, banana syrup!) It was a delicious revelation!

The Ocean Tower wing of the resort was recently transformed in 2024. You can choose from 9 different room types with either queen or king beds, but over 100 studios and suites are available with sweeping ocean views in this tower alone. Some even come with balconies!

On the other side of the resort, you’ll find the Royal Tower, which has its own pool and updated rooms. Efficiency suites at the Royal Tower include a kitchenette with a stovetop, full-size refrigerator, and microwave. If you’re planning to make your food, this option is the way to go.

As far as prices go, rates for the Ocean Tower start at $179 per night while Royal Tower start at $159 per night. Of course, rates depend on booking dates. We stayed mid-June just as schools in the surrounding area had ended and paid $309 per night for our Ocean Tower suite.

A big playground and free splash pad was located right outside Madison Resort. The vast outdoor play space is perfect for kids ages two to 12. A bike rental is also right across the street where you can borrow single-person bikes, tandems, even four-wheeled bicycle carts.

Some might say Wildwood Crest is a food dessert. You will have to drive 8 to 15 minutes to either Wildwood proper or Cape May to find a culinary experience for a nice dinner. However, a short walk can bring you to a perfectly fine cafe to get egg sandwiches and pancakes.

We had dinner at Urie's Waterfront Restaurant in Wildwood (a 9-minute drive) and loved the seafood and steak we ordered. Their cocktails were also topnotch (and might we say, made pretty strong).

A 6-minute drive brought us to Morey’s Piers where the kids played in the arcade for hours, went on several rides, and ate at PigDog Beach & Bar which overlooks the water on one side and a waterpark underneath. The coconut shrimp and pretzel bites hit the spot, and the servers couldn’t be nicer.

All in all, our family had a great 3-night stay. We appreciated the serenity Wildwood Crest provided outside of the hustle and bustle of the Wildwood boardwalk. And, Madison Resort was the perfect place to stay with our young family. Looking around at the other motels and hotels in the area, it was obvious that we landed at the most updated property. Think: serene yet chic. We had zero regrets booking, and can't wait to come back.

What we loved most: The good vibes at the pool, the clean and pretty guest rooms plus the thoughtful details to boot, proximity to the beach and splash pad, and the lovely, upbeat staff.

What we didn’t like: There’s no bar serving fruity cocktails that make adults feel like they’re truly on vacation.

Who should stay here: Families with children under the age of 12, couples who are not looking to party hard, and social media influencers who want topnotch photography.

To book your Madison Resort stay, visit MadisonResortWildwoodCrest.com or call (609)884-4063.