Case Study: Castle in the Sand Hotel

The Story

The Castle in the Sand Hotel has been an iconic Ocean City, MD destination for generations. Owned and operated by the Showell family, the hotel is known for its stunning oceanfront location, close to all the action, its variety of accommodations, and its family-friendly atmosphere. 

Guests return year after year for the stand-out amenities including the Olympic-sized pool, free summer kids' activities, and, of course, the legendary Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill—home to the only beachfront food and drink service in OCMD and a wildly popular 2-for-1 happy hour.

Despite its rich history and strong reputation, Castle in the Sand’s previous website served its time and no longer reflected how the hotel had evolved. It needed a refresh—one that balanced modern functionality with the timeless charm that keeps families coming back. That’s where D3 stepped in.

Our Journey

D3 has had the privilege of working with the Castle in the Sand Hotel, one of Ocean City, MD’s most beloved beachfront destinations, for many years. Our collaboration has grown alongside the hotel’s legacy and footprint, ensuring a marketing presence that remains as impressive as its oceanfront views. From a complete website redesign to dynamic photo and video shoots, strategic social media campaigns, and high-quality content all around, we’ve remained committed to helping them shine!

Website Redesign 

We developed a fresh, visually captivating website that kept the classic charm, but more effectively showcases the hotel’s unique accommodations, on-site amenities, and the vibrant experience guests can expect. A complete overhaul was done of the site pages and content to determine the best user-friendly layout, as a concise, yet informative hub for the hotel.

Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill Website

For the first time, Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill has its own website! We decided it was time to embrace the outdoor restaurant’s brand, highlighting its fun, laid-back atmosphere full of your favorite drinks and local live music. 

Dynamic Photo & Video Shoots

Capturing the essence of the Castle in the Sand properties through high-quality visuals has been a key part of our approach. Stunning imagery and engaging video content tell the story of the hotel’s unique offerings for visitors.

Social Media Strategy

Through targeted and carefully thought-out campaigns, strategic engagement, and high-quality content, we’ve helped Castle in the Sand significantly increase its social media reach and engagement from years past. Follow Castle in the Sand and Coconuts Beach Bar on Facebook and Instagram to see for yourself!

Showcasing the full scope of what Castle in the Sand Hotel offers—from its expansive property to its unmatched guest experience—was no small task, but we took on the challenge and delivered results that speak for themselves.