
If you’ve been to The Wildwoods over the summer, chances are you’ve seen – or even stayed at – the Oceanview Motel or the Royal Hawaiian property. The two popular hotels have merged into Madison Resort Wildwood Crest, and The Wildwoods is celebrating the opening in style.
This new project took two years to complete – and a whopping $52 million(!) – but now boasts one giant resort with 200 guest rooms, three restaurants (not yet open), two pools (including a children’s pool), a cabana, poolside seating for 100+, two hot tubs, two fitness centers, five conference rooms with state-of-the-art audio and video technology, two rooftop event spaces, pet-friendly accommodations, and an area for beachfront weddings. More amenities include towels, chairs and umbrellas for guests while hanging at the beach; along with swinging hammocks and lots of outdoor dining.
This makes it Cape May County’s, and probably the Jersey Shore’s, largest beach resort.
The renovations kept the doo-wop style architecture the Oceanview Motel was famous for, which is key because 2024 is the 60th anniversary of the property – and, at the time, it was the largest motel ever built in The Wildwoods. But there’s also still a modern-day feel to the property.
A few years back there was talk about demolition. Instead, members of the Doo-Wop Preservation League, Wildwood Historical Society and the Greater Wildwood Hotel and Motel Association lobbied to keep the property intact to retain its famous architecture, and in August 2022, Madison Resorts stepped in to save it.
This past December the company bought The Royal Hawaiian – which previously was the Admiral East – and turned it into The Royal Tower. You’ll still get that old school Wildwood feel, like when you see the Crosley record player or mid-century TV playing classic beach movies in the lobby.
The project was extra special to Madison Resorts founder Dan Alicea because his wife Stephanie was born and raised in Wildwood Crest. The company also operates Montreal Beach Resort and Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille in Cape May.

With so much to do at the resort, and in The Wildwoods in general, you probably won’t be in your room for too long – but if you want to relax and revel in the scenery, almost all rooms in both buildings have a view of the ocean. Every room has a refrigerator, coffee maker and flatscreen TV, along with a couch, a bistro table and outdoor seating. The Ocean Tower has the modern doo-wop style, while the Royal Tower lets you bring your pups.
Opening weekend is May 16-19 and the resort is gearing up for Memorial Day weekend The Barefoot Country Music Festival is not far behind, and Madison Resort will offer free country music every day from June 20 to 23 and, they promise surprise guest artists will pop up.
More festivities coming up include Let’s Go Girls Weekend (June 7-9), Father’s Day BBQ (June 16), Taylor Swift Tribute Event and Fireworks (July 4) and a luau (August 17). Starting in July, expect to see a band, acoustic performer or singer perform daily.
Madison Resorts is currently offering a 15 percent discount using code MADISON. For MDW, if you book at least three nights between May 23 and 28, you’ll be comped for the May 27 hotel stay: use code MDW24. From now until September 26, the Rise and Shine package includes breakfast for two each day of your stay – use code RISE24 for The Ocean Tower and SHINE24 for The Royal Tower.
Madison Resort Wildwood Crest is located at 7201 Ocean Ave. in Wildwood Crest.
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