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All About the Extras
Unfortunately, there are no childcare services available at this resort. However, all of the staff members we encountered (including housekeeping) were simply fantastic with kids. Expect staff to smile politely and crack a joke when you arrive at 10 p.m. and your tired toddler is crying and screaming at the top of her lungs. That's the benefit of staying at a resort specifically geared to families -- the staff has seen and dealt with it all, from apocalyptic tantrums in the lobby to lost teddy bears.
The Art of Smart Timing
While most resort's facilities are only open during the summer, the indoor pool and arcade are up and running year round. Off-season (late-fall, winter and early spring) is when you'll find the best deals on nightly rates at Francis Scott Key. But Ocean City does can be a bit of a ghost town during winter.
The period between mid-June and Labor Day is high season, when pretty much everything at the resort is open, and the whole town is bustling with summer vacationers.
Getting There & Around
Being a motel, Francis Scott Key was built for families who drive. The property is located on Route 50 about a mile from the beach. However, keep in mind that you probably won't need to use your car very much during your stay. You'll want to take the shuttle to the beach (parking can be a nightmare in the summer), and with so many activities available on site, there's no need to drive all over town looking for things to do.
The shuttle bus from the resort to the beach is free, and it runs seasonally from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
For Mom & Dad
A well-kept fitness room, which has a TV, can be found in the Florida building near the indoor pool, which is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. (Parents can take turns -- one works out while the other watches the kids in the indoor pool down the hall.) There are also coin-operated laundry machines in the Florida building.
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