Osborne's Inn

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We had a wonderful time staying at your Inn.  We came to Ocean City for a reunion.  We really enjoyed ourselves.  

Apartment D was just right for the two of us and when my granddaughter stayed for two nights, we still had plenty of room.  The location was great.  We loved being able to walk to church and to Boyar's Market.  We certainly hope to come visit Ocean City soon again.  Thanks for your hospitality.

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Thanks again for a wonderful stay.  Last night at the 'Night in Venice' boat parade, one boat was decorated for Christmas with the theme to the movie, 'It's a wonderful Life...in Ocean City.'  Thanks for making it possible for us to share in that 'wonderful life' again.

Our first year at Osborne's Fairview Inn was an over-nighter due to Providence - that we found parking on a   Saturday night across from  the house.  Since then we moved along to Apartment 'T' with a wonderful balcony.  Last year I could hardly believe we were staying at such a beautiful place with ocean breezes and the sound of the sea at our window and deck.  This year we came back and saw it was still there - still the same - I thought - WOW- it wasn't a dream - it really is here and so are we!  Congratulations!

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June 7, 2013:  My parents were married in OCNJ at St. Augustine's Catholic Church.  Thus, I lived in Ocean City for two years as a child and have been coming back ever since.  Now living in the Baltimore suburbs, my dream is to return some day soon to my roots on a more permanent basis.  My wonderful and beautiful girlfriend, Sherri, is a recent convert and loves the South Jersey shore as much as I do!

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The year was 1974 and I was all of twenty years of age when I drove into Ocean City for the very first time.  I knew nothing of the town; I just wanted to be at the beach and it looked like a good place to try.  I made my way into town coming in via 34th street and drove along what was referred to as the coastal route (which was any street that ran along the beach).  I remember the red and white signs with the seagull on them that read “Follow the Gull!”.  And so I did eventually stopping on the corner of 15th and Wesley hoping to find a place to stay.  What caught my eye was this place called Osborne’s Inn.  It had a nice look to it; like a real beach place; a throwback to how places must have been in years gone by.  I parked my car and made my way over to the front steps of Osborne’s where a woman was sweeping the stairs.  Four little children were sitting on the top step all chattering away.  As I approached the woman stopped her sweeping and I asked if she had a room for me as I was looking to stay about a week.  She apologized, saying she was filled up, but she pointed out another guesthouse just a half a block away I might try.  I found a room there and during my stay, fell in love with Ocean City. That first visit began a series of visits to Ocean City that have continued for the last forty years.  What I didn’t know about that day was that I had actually met Peggy Ann Osborne (the woman sweeping the steps) and she was beginning her forty years of hosting Osborne’s Inn.  As time went by every time I would drive or walk by Osborne’s Inn on the way to the boardwalk, I kept telling myself, “I really have to try that place”.  I said it to myself, I said it to my wife when I was married and eventually I would say it to my family when my two daughters came along.  The years rolled quickly by as Peggy Ann’s family and my family grew and finally in 2010, my daughter and I made reservations for an early summer weekend and stayed at Osborne’s Inn.  The rest for us, as they say, is history.  Every Memorial Day weekend my family and I now return to Osborne’s Inn to build on our Ocean City memories and to be welcomed by Peggy Ann and Frank.  It is one of the most pleasurable places to stay.  It is like returning home; it is vibrant and alive with feeling and for me, my wife and daughters, it gives us a chance to feel what the beach was like long ago.  We are treated like returning family members; always welcome; always cared for.  I am very happy that on that warm July day back in 1974, I came upon Peggy Ann and Osborne’s Inn.  It has become a special place for us and so long as it’s in my power to do so, my family and I will continue to “return home” to Osborne’s Inn.  Thank you Peggy Ann!!

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Our memories of Ocean City go back many years.  We start with the bright happy days during my childhood.  Even now, that ride across the bay - filled with the wonderful ocean breeze and sunlight on water, never fails to fill me wih excitement and anticipation.  That feeling is indescribeable but familiar.  We've had so many happy times here, BUT we have now found our true 'home away from home,' Osborne's Fairview Inn.  What delight, what happiness here at Osborne's.  I have brought my dear Shelley, my daughter, here since she was two years old, practically a babe in arms.  Now she is 22 years old, here with us (and her fiance, Matt) and about to marry and start her own family.  How wonderful to continue the tradition!  How wonderful to see the Osborne kids grow up, marry and produce children of their own.  How wonderful to see our family continue this tradition also! Here in Ocean City! I cannot go on without mentioning my dearest one - Ernie.  He is such a happy part of being here at Osborne's.  I have so much to share.  It would be so easy to fill pages and pages with 20 years worth of happy days spent here at the Osborne's.  All I can say now is, thank you Peggy Ann and Frank for EVERYTHING.

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We've been going to Ocean City, NJ since 1982, before we were married.  We stayed at the 'Osborne's Fairview Inn' and have been there ever since.

Here is our picture back in '87', two years before we had our daughter, Danielle.  We had the best times together as husband and wife on our vacation.  We then became a family, and we often have spent the last week in August down here with the Osborne's.  My birthday is on the 30th and Fran always took me down the shore for my birthday.  We would love to keep that tradition going.

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We all feel fortunate to have 'connected' to such a wonderful loving family.  The Osbornes are gifted in making their guests feel comfy, happy, relaxed and blessed.  Nick says it brings back many happy memories for him of coming to Ocean City and having a great time.  We all always have a wonderful time.  Thank you so much.

My daughter Erin and her husband Tom are continuing the Ocean City tradition, for that I am grateful.

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My family has been coming to Ocean City for my whole lifetime - my earliest memory of OC is coming to OC with my Mom and Grandmom.  I must have been 4 or 5.  The first thing we had to do upon arrival was buy a hat so that we wouldn't get too sunburned.  Most of our trips at that time were day trips.  Sometimes we would take a ride here after my Dad got home from work (in Glenside, PA), and 'do the boardwalk' (AKA walk the boards) for a few hours before heading home.

When my sister, Linda, and I were in Junior High, my Mom began coming down and staying at the Sindia Apts (Dad isn't a beach person).  Mom was brokenhearted when the Sindia was torn down.  During that phase of our relationship with Ocean City, a 'successful' trip to the shore consisted of 1) beach, 2) boardwalk (including morning bike rides and lots of walking!), 3) shopping on Asbury Ave. and 4) visiting our favorite eating establishments: The Chatterbox, Luigi's and Somers Point Diner.

I introduced my Berks-County born husband, Dave, to Ocean City in the mid 1980's.  We have been coming 'down the shore' several times a year since then.  These days we are bringing our boys, David (6) and Michael (3).  They love 'Peggy's House' and Amstel, and we rediscovering OC through their eyes.  Each year they are able to participate a little more.  This year David threw himself into the waves with reckless abandon.

In addition to our old favorites, we've added a few new activities this year - We visited the water park, rode the trolley and discovered the Blue Planet Diner.  We look forward to many more years here.  Thanks Peggy Ann and Frank and all the Osborne's for opening your wonderful home to us!  You do a fantastic job.

Memories from the past:  Watson's Restaurant, Gillian's Fun Deck and catching the Brass Ring on the Carousel, the 'sundial' in front of Ocean Pharmacy, Grilled Cheese on the rickety side of porch of Bob's, Simm's on the Boardwalk, the Sindia Apts., donuts at Brown's, Copper Kettle Fudge, Young's on the Boardwalk, the list goes on.....

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I found the Osborne's Inn, I won't say by accident but, I think by prayer.  I came last year the first time.  I am a widow and I came alone for a week, but Peggy Ann had called me and sent a letter with her happy face she draws and I knew I would not be alone even before I met them.  I knew I was an adopted member of the family.  Peggy Ann would stop in when I came home and ask how and what I did like loving members of a family do when you come home.  This year I called for an overnight and it was the weekend her family came for the older set of twins' First Holy Communion but she said come, I will fit you in.  When I came home from Church, she even invited me to join them, which I didn't but later wished I had.  I love their places.  I have stayed in three different ones.  I have attempted to take a picture of each of Gar's art creations.  I think they are beautiful and wonderful and I enjoy them very very much the whole time I am here.  When I go home I try to share the pictures and explain how great they are.  I think as long as I am able, I will return each year and in between enjoy my happy memories of each year.

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This is my fourth year at your 'home.' Thank you for your hospitaility.  You made me feel so welcome on every visit.  You have a gift for making every guest feel like a V.I.P.  My favorite memory is of my birthday a couple of years ago.  You took me out  to breakfast after Mass and had a 'party' on the porch later that night.  Then, of course, the next day was Ashley's birthday and her family came.  There was another party.  Nothing can replace the human touch in business, education or in any endeavor in life.