Madison Resorts: A New Era for Wildwood Crest’s Iconic Shoreline
If you’re a fan of the Wildwood Video Archive, you know how passionate we are about preserving the iconic mid-century motels that define the Wildwoods. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to ensure that these historic landmarks, like the Oceanview Motel, remain a vital part of our community rather than being replaced by condos.
During the condo boom, the Wildwoods lost many of the motels that helped coin the island as “The Doo-Wop Capital of the World.” However, the era of tearing down these motels is now fading, and a new kind of market has emerged.
Madison Resorts A New Era for Wildwood Crest’s Iconic Shoreline
Visitors to the Wildwoods want to stay in places that resemble the Doo-Wop era, but with modern amenities. This trend, known as Mid-Century Modern, is now becoming popular on the island.
In recent years, we’ve seen this aesthetic blossom with new hotels and motels like The Vibes, The Waves, The Cabana Hotel, and Madison Resorts. Even existing motels, like the Daytona Inn and Suites and the Blue Palms, have revitalized their properties with this stylish blend of past and present.
Perhaps no one has embraced this transformation more than Dan Alicea at Madison Resorts. Located at 7201 Ocean Avenue, just steps from Wildwood Crest Beach, Madison Resorts isn’t just another hotel—it’s a top-tier vacation destination for families, couples, and anyone seeking a getaway with nostalgic flair.
Just five years ago, this property, then known as the Oceanview Motel, was at risk of being demolished to make way for condos. Losing the historic lobby, a standout example of the Doo-Wop era, would have been a significant blow.
The lobby, with its futuristic design and a roof that mimicked a jet plane taking off, was a testament to the 1960s fascination with space travel. Alicea purchased the Oceanview Motel in 2022 with a bold vision: to restore the motel and elevate it into a premier mid-century resort—Madison Resorts.
He understood the importance of preserving the Doo-Wop heritage while integrating modern amenities that today’s travelers expect. What began as a straightforward renovation became more challenging when it was discovered that the original motel lobby was structurally unsound.
Rust had eaten through the I-beams, causing parts of the roof to collapse. True to his word, Alicea rebuilt the lobby from the ground up, only modifying parts of the “blast-off” roof to accommodate larger vehicles, preserving the motel’s legacy while offering a refreshed experience.
Alicea went a step further by purchasing another motel, the Royal Hawaiian Motel, down the street, adding it under the Madison Resorts name. This past summer, Madison Resorts had their grand opening, and since day one, they have been packed, showing just how much people crave the Doo-Wop look with modern comforts.
From the start, I always wanted to experience the Madison effect, and so we did. This past week, my wife and I booked an ocean-view room to film our experience, which you can watch at the bottom of this article.
Staying there, you immediately sense that this resort was designed with a nod to the past but with an eye toward the future. The exterior perfectly embodies the timeless Doo-Wop architecture that the Wildwoods are known for, with its angular lines and retro color palette.
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However, it’s much more than just a nostalgic tribute. Once inside, Madison Resorts takes comfort to a new level, offering beautifully modernized rooms with the latest amenities, including smart TVs, plush bedding, and stylish décor that hints at the 1950s and 60s without feeling kitschy.
What’s especially neat is that they found modern appliances designed to look vintage, but they’re brand new. The refrigerator, microwave, and alarm clock are perfect examples.
Whether you’re relaxing in a beach-view room or enjoying a suite, the attention to detail here is impressive. One of the highlights is the pool area, designed to feel like an oasis, complete with cabanas, lounges, and the Madison Rose snack shack.
The poolside atmosphere feels like something out of a mid-century postcard but with a modern flair. Plus, it’s family-friendly, making it the ideal spot for everyone to unwind after a day on the beach.
Let’s also mention that the pool is heated. This was a great feature during our stay, as the fall winds can be chilly down here.
Madison Resorts is open year-round, so having a heated pool is a much-needed touch. Dining is another standout at Madison Resorts, with an on-site restaurant named “Vinyl.”
While we didn’t eat there during our stay, folks with us raved about the breakfast. And let’s not forget the location.
Madison Resorts is just steps from the beach, making it easy to catch the sunrise or take a quick dip in the ocean. There are also amenities worth mentioning.
Whether you stay in Madison Resort’s Ocean Tower or Royal Tower, you have access to the amenities in both. You can use both gyms and both pools and easily go back and forth between the two.
No matter which one you choose, the rooms come with chairs and umbrellas for the beach, towels for the pool, and perhaps most importantly, access to a shuttle that can take you to Cape May or anywhere on the island. This is one of those places where you can park your car and not need to drive for your entire stay.
Enough of the details! Watch the video below to get the full Madison Resorts experience, and please do subscribe as we try to hit 100,000 subscribers—we’re only 2,150 away! And yes, we did sure to dress up in appropriate 1950s/60s style to check out Madison Resorts.
NOTE – It really does mean a ton to me to be able to visit this property. I had worked many many hours into trying to prevent another ugly condo from happening here so while I have no financial aspect in this motel, I am very proud of myself that we were able to make sure she will be here for future generations to come.