Open Year Round
Open Year Round
because everyday is a beach day
Or
website: © Sne Avichal
film: © Oct28 Productions
Owned and Operated by Life-Long Locals
weather
Cooler summers. Warmer winters. It's not magic. It's science.
events & promos
Scarborough Inn is the happeningest spot in OCNJ. Cool events. Sick promos. Come for the architecture. Stay for the people!
PROMO CODES
But wait! There's more! You get a bed. You get a breakfast. And now you get these sick discounts! Only one promo per reservation, greedy! If you already have a reservation with us, call us and I'll give you a gift certificate toward a FUTURE stay worth the discount you would've gotten had you booked with the promo code. Talk about magnanimous. The gift certificate is valid until December 31, 2025.
Military Discount
When? All the time.
Promo Code and Link: GOARMYBEATNAVY
What's the Deal? Active and former military servicepersons get 10% off. Must show your military ID at check-in. The other catch is that you must enter the GOARMYBEATNAVY promo code. Sailors and marines, I am very thankful for your service. But I'm still salty over that 14-year Army-Navy drought. Go Army!
Early Booking Discount
When? All the time.
Promo Code and Link: EARLYBOOKING
What's the Deal? The early bird catches the worm. Book nine months in advance and get 15% off! Two-night minimum. This is measured from the time you leave us a deposit, not from the time you call dibs. Bank's rules, not mine.
Weekly Discount
When? All the time.
Promo Code and Link: BETTERTHANVRBO
What's the Deal? Stay six days or more. Get 20% off. That's a day and a half for free! Unlike with house rentals, I don't force you to move in and out on Saturday, or make you provide your own linens, or make you cook your own breakfast, or make you drive to Somers Point to get booze (did I mention we put out free happy hour?), or make you tidy up after yourself throughout the week. Seriously, why are you still on VRBO when you can just move in here?!
reviews
RANKED #1 of 27 HOTELS IN OCEAN CITY
RANKED #1 of 271 HOTELS IN cape may county
RANKED #1 of 533 HOTELS on the entire jersey shore
by TripAdvisor Travelers
There’s a vibe at Scarborough Inn—an atmosphere that’s hard to explain. Call it an intangible. But people feel it the second they come up the porch steps and hear the 1920s music.
Scarborough Inn is my home. My only home.
If you know me, you know I speak plainly.
We’ve been told Ocean City needs to “keep up” with other beach towns. That we should trade in our barrier island porches and kitschy boardwalk for bland mix-and-match mega-builds with broad marketability.
But we didn’t have to reinvent anything to get here.
We got here by remembering names, not credit card numbers.
By dusting off the cobwebs, not bulldozing them.
By embracing our neighborhood, not towering over it.
Ocean City is 146 years old.
Scarborough Inn has been here for 130 of them.
I’ve been on these barrier islands for 50 of those years.
I've been part of Scarborough’s story for 5 of them.
So has Maria.
Monica and Ana: 4. Jackie: 3.
They say a rising tide lifts all boats.
But some of the folks hoping to reinvent Ocean City are still farther down the list.
We’re not chasing trends.
We’re keeping the porch lights on.
Keeping the charm alive.
Keeping a place where your memories and mine can meet in the middle.
We were here before the tide.
We’ll be here after. Keeping Ocean City Ocean City.
“I am the opposite of progress. I am the wall it bashes against, and I will not be the one who breaks.” —John Dutton
photos
360º tour
What Is scarborough Inn?
Scarborough Inn is an adults-only bed & breakfast allowing kids 10+ in summer and all kids off-season.
Nestled in OCNJ's Historic District, we blend nostalgic charm with modern comfort. Known for our hot breakfasts, renovated rooms, laid-back vibe, we host porch parties every six weeks. Open year-round, we offer a peaceful retreat with social gatherings that foster connection and a sense of community.
Is breakfast really included?
Yup. Full hot breakfast.
We serve up a full hot breakfast daily, no skimping. Expect dishes like baked French toast or Caprese frittatas, not just toast and coffee. You sit, we bring it to you. And yes, there’s a cereal marshmallow basket because why not?
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel 14 days ahead for full refund.
Stuff happens. Cancel 14 days before check-in for a full refund. Cancel within 1-14 days, and we’ll credit you for a future stay. Call to cancel; no emails or texts. If you bail the day before check-in, you’re getting charged in full. But hey, no cancellation fees.
Do all the rooms have private bathrooms?
Yes! Every Single Room has a private bath.
Every single room and suite has one private bathroom. We’ve got the space of a hotel with the cozy vibes of a BnB. You get your own bathroom—end of story.
If Ocean City is a dry town, does that mean we can't drink?
Yes you can drink.
You can drink at any house or hotel—just not at restaurants. And nope, there aren’t any bars or liquor stores here. But don’t worry, stores in Somers Point deliver twice a day. So, you get the best of both worlds: all the booze you want, and none of the college kids, since they’re busy at the bars in Sea Isle City, Wildwood, and AC.
How old to book a room?
25+ to book, no one under 10 allowed.
And zero members of your party can be less than 10 years old. It's not that I have anything against kids and young adults. It's just that life's too damn short to have to put up with them. If you have any further questions regarding our child policy, please direct them to our on-staff Child Catcher. I do relax my child policy after Labor Day and before Memorial. Give me a call and I'll put you in a room where your gentle little angels won't terrorize my other guests.
Are pets allowed?
Off-season only. dogs yes. cats... tolerated.
I loooooove dogs. Cats are generally evil. However, I don't allow pets during the summer tourist season. Call me before Memorial Day or after Labor Day and we'll check if we can accommodate Sir Drools-A-Lot or Katy Purry in our pet-friendly room off season.
What’s the parking situation?
On-site parking, $15/day in season, free off-season.
We've got on-site and nearby overflow parking—$15/day between Memorial Day and Columbus Day Free in the off-season. It’s optional, but good luck finding it at any other hotel in the historic district. Municipal lots? More expensive and way less convenient. So swing by the front desk, grab your pass, and flaunt it on your rearview like a VIP badge.
What's the deal with beach tags?
They're required during summer. but we provide two for free.
Ocean City, NJ requires all visitors 12 years and older to display a beach tag in order to access the beach. The fee goes toward maintaining the beach and staffing the lifeguard stands. It's a distinctly Jersey thing like pork roll (not to be confused with Taylor ham which isn't a thing). The good news is that guests of Scarborough Inn get two beach tags upon request for the duration of their stay. Please return your beach tags when you checkout or face the innkeeper's wrath and a $35 charge on your credit card per beach tag.
When do you close for the season?
We don't. we're open year round.
I’m a lifelong townie—I grew up here, I live here, and I’m not going anywhere when summer ends. Swing by, see the inn with the fireplace going, shop Asbury Ave’s boutiques, comb quiet beaches for seashells, visit the beach Christmas trees. Come chat with me for hours about life, the universe, and everything. I’ll also have winter ale on tap in the kegerator, which I offer to my guests at my discretion.
Is Scarborough Inn really OCNJ's oldest hotel?
Yes!
Googling oldest hotel in OCNJ will undoubtedly bring up The Flanders. We were built in 1895. They were built in 1923. There are six presidents, two foreign wars, and one pandemic separating our hotels. But the Flanders is a lovely property and we at Scarborough Inn would like to extend to them our sincerest welcome to the neighborhood.
Is Scarborough Inn Haunted?
Yes. by Millicent Corson.
Intrigued?
Do you allow early check-in/late check-out?
Late check-out at 2pm for $100. Early check-in... maybe.
Need more time? No problem—ask the front desk for a late check-out, and we’ll tack on the $100 fee.
Want to check in early? If your room’s ready, we’re happy to let you in. If not, we’ll store your luggage, give you your parking pass, and you can still enjoy the day. Rinse off in our outdoor showers or freshen up in the powder room. Call ahead, and if we can swing it, we will. Just remember, we’ve got to clean up after happy guests before you move in!
Can I bring my bike/surfboard/kayak?
yup.
Ocean City is all about that beach life. You can lock up your bike or kayak under our front porch. Bringing your fragile surfboard? Ask me and I'll gently store it alongside my quiver. I can't guarantee I won't paddle out with it for a quick dawn patrol though.
Didn't find what you were looking for?
ask millicent.
She’s our digital innkeeper—equal parts ghost story and know-it-all. Click her cartoon self below to chat about room quirks, house rules, or her possibly made-up death in the hurricane of ’33. She runs on ChatGPT, so you’ll need to log in (or sign up) to reach her. But ignorance is overrated—and she’s more helpful than spooky.
faq
Dear Beloved Friends of Scarborough Inn
To quote Austin Powers: “Allow myself to introduce... myself.”
My name is Sne. That rhymes with day. I’m a South Jersey beach kid. I grew up in Ventnor, a distant one island up the coast from Ocean City.
For 20 years, I’ve been practicing architecture in Manhattan. But I’ve never stopped being a Sixers fan (sorry Knicks; sorry Nets), and I’ve never stopped being a beach kid. When I can’t surf down here, I skateboard the streets up there pretending I’m surfing down here.
In June 2020, I became the most recent of a 125-year-old line of innkeepers of Scarborough Inn.
Q: Why would an architect become an innkeeper?
A: Because we’re control freaks.
Architects are known to design everything from furniture to menus to silverware so they could influence your experience.
But nothing affects how you remember a place more than the people you meet. I’ve been in beautiful places where I was made to feel unwelcome. I’ve been other places where my host’s warmth overshadowed the modest accommodations.
My goal at Scarborough Inn is to make physical changes—small and large—to make your stay more comfortable while keeping you connected to this Victorian Building’s storied past. More importantly, I aim to make Scarborough Inn your home by the sea.
I’ve gotten to know some of you. I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of you.
Have a safe and healthy summer. And when you’re ready to feel sand between your toes again, you know where to find me.
Sincerely,
Sne Avichal | Innkeeper
Meet the innkeeper
Step back to 2020, when I first took the helm at Scarborough Inn during the height of the pandemic. Masks were on, renovations hadn't yet begun, but the cozy vibes and beachside charm were already in full swing. This time capsule shows guests and me navigating those early days with a sense of humor and resilience. A lot has changed since then, but the heart of the inn remains the same. Welcome to the beginning of a new chapter at Scarborough Inn!
films
A picture is worth a thousand words. By that reckoning, these films are worth 86 million words a minute. You'll laugh. You'll cry. It's better than Cats.
720 Ocean Avenue | Ocean City, NJ 08226
info@scarboroughinn.com | (609) 399-1558
location
contact me
You have questions. We have answers. We also have beer in case you don't like the answers.
Q: What is Scarborough Inn?
A: Scarborough Inn is an adults-only bed and breakfast located in the Historic District in Ocean City, NJ. We allow kids in the off-season, but only if they're not the worst.
Q: Is breakfast really included? Like an actual breakfast breakfast.
A: Yup. Full hot breakfast. Sit-down breakfast. You sit in the dining area or out on the porch, we come find you and tell you today's breakfast and we bring it out to you. We're talking baked French toast, Caprese frittatas, and whatever stick-to-your-bones dish we feel like making that day. None of that continental breakfast BS or weekend-only restrictions that COVID has trained you to expect. We're talking the real deal. Also, I keep a basket of cereal marshmallows out for guests because everyone needs those now more than ever.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: I get it. Stuff happens. That's why reservations are fully refundable 14 days prior to check-in. Reservations canceled between 1 and 14 days of check-in will be credited towards a future stay. To cancel a reservation, please call me at (609) 399-1558. Cancellations received after 3 p.m. the day prior to check-in will not be refunded or credited, and will be charged in full. But I do not charge a cancellation fee of any kind. This cancellation policy is by far the most lenient in Ocean City, NJ (or Maryland for that matter) so you're welcome.
Q: Do all the rooms have private bathrooms?
A: Yes! This is a bed and breakfast, not a prison! We really have the size and privacy of a hotel, but the intimacy and comfort of a BnB.
Q: If Ocean City is a dry town, does that mean we can't drink?
A: You can drink. You can drink at any house or hotel. Just not at restaurants, and there aren't any bars or liquor stores. But stores in nearby Somers Point make deliveries to Ocean City twice a day. So it's the best of both worlds: as much booze as you want but no college kids because they're all at the bars in Sea Isle City, Wildwood, and AC.
Q: How old do you have to be to book a room?
A: At least one person in your party needs to be 25 years or older. And zero members of your party can be less than 10 years old. It's not that I have anything against kids and young adults. It's just that life's too damn short to have to put up with them. If you have any further questions regarding our child policy, please direct them to our on-staff Child Catcher. I do relax my child policy after Labor Day and before Memorial. Give me a call and I'll put you in a room where your gentle little angels won't terrorize my other guests.
Q: Are you pet friendly?
A: I loooooove dogs. Cats are generally evil. However, I don't allow pets during the summer tourist season. Call me before Memorial Day or after Labor Day and we'll check if we can accommodate Sir Drools-A-Lot or Katy Purry in our pet-friendly room off season.
Q: What's the deal with parking?
A: We have on-site parking. It's $15/day between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. It's free during the off season. Make sure to pick up your parking pass from the front desk and display it proudly from your vehicle's rear view mirror.
Q: What's the deal with beach tags?
A: Ocean City, NJ requires all visitors 12 years and older to display a beach tag in order to access the beach. The fee goes toward maintaining the beach and staffing the lifeguard stands. It's a distinctly Jersey thing like pork roll (not to be confused with Taylor ham which isn't a thing). The good news is that guests of Scarborough Inn get two beach tags upon request for the duration of their stay. Please return your beach tags when you checkout or face the innkeeper's wrath and a $35 charge on your credit card per beach tag.
Q: When do you close for the season?
A: We don't. We're open all year round. I grew up here. I live here. I don't have anywhere I need to be when summer's over. Swing by, see the inn with the fireplace on. Shop Asbury Ave's year-round boutiques. Comb the beaches in peace. Build up your collection of non-broken seashells. Place a few by the Christmas trees that pop up on the beaches. Come chat with me for hours on end about life, the universe, and everything. I'll also have winter ale in the kegerator.
Q: Is Scarborough Inn really OCNJ's oldest hotel? Whenever I Google "oldest hotel in OCNJ" the Flanders keeps popping up.
A: What are you? An idiot? We were built in 1895. They were built in 1923. There are six presidents, two foreign wars, and one pandemic separating our hotels. But the Flanders is a lovely property and we at Scarborough Inn would like to extend to them our sincerest welcome to the neighborhood.
faq
music
Music is a big part of the Scarborough Inn experience. Bringing Scarborough roaring into the 1900s. When you hear Glenn Miller blaring from the porch, sometimes it’s from my Gilded Age Bluetooth gramophone. Sometimes it’s from my futuristic pre-war Bakelite radio.
I've compiled a Spotify® playlist of over 1,000 songs and growing of musical escapism. If you feel like the 21st century can sometimes be a drag, just sit back and reminisce about a happier time, like the Great Depression.
I also have a Christmas playlist, for those of you that want to get into the spirit without getting into saccharine department store music overload. I'm looking at you, Mariah! A lot of our staff have backgrounds in retail, so I made this playlist for them as much as I made it for our guests.
I've named the playlists Scarborough Porch and Scarborough Christmas. I saved my energy for the curating, not the naming.
We also have live music from time to time. And all guests are welcome to hop on the piano. If, however, you're not ready for prime time, I'll give you a demonstration in innkeeper passive aggression and a suggestion that you perhaps take up another hobby. All others are invited to play away until quiet hours.
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