(OCEAN CITY, Md.) - Thirty years ago, people told 74-year-old Thelma Conner she couldn't possibly launch and run a hotel, but she did it anyway. Today, that hotel known as the Dunes Manor Hotel and Suites remains a huge success.
According to hotel staff, Thelma moved to Ocean City in 1940 to work with her husband, Milton, at his family's Hasting's Miramar Hotel. The couple eventually bought the Dunes Motel on 27th Street and shared a dream of opening a full-service hotel on an inherited vacant lot. It wasn't until eight years after Milton's death when Thelma finally brought their idea to life and launched the 11-story, Victorian-style hotel on 28th Street.
"A lot of people did not realize when she opened the hotel that she was [74 years old]," said Bill Mariner, president of Genesar which owns the hotels. "So, a lot of people wanted to know why she was doing it at her age."
But those who knew Thelma knew she wouldn't let something like age get in her way.
"She really wanted to be a success, and she was a success," said Mariner. "A lot of people do not know this, but Thelma Conner also had four degrees, and for a woman of that time, basically she was very well-respected in that regard."
Thelma, who was also Ocean City's first woman councilperson, earned the nickname of Ocean City's "First Lady" from residents and politicians in the community. But not only was Thelma extremely hard-working and intelligent, folks say she also had a fun sense of humor.
"With so many naysayers calling her decision foolish, her sly sense of humor was on display when she decided to officially open the hotel on April Fool's Day," said James Garcia, hotel general manager.
Thelma eventually passed away in 1999. Although she's no longer with us, her legacy lives on. Today, the Dunes Manor Hotel ranks second in TripAdvisor's customer reviews out of 103 Ocean City hotels.
"We've recently reached our one millionth customer, which was a huge achievement for the hotel," said Garcia.
Aside from the hotel's old world charm and beachfront location, Garcia says the hotel's success also stems largely from Thelma's commitment to family and tradition. For example, Garcia says Thelma introduced "afternoon tea and crumpets" as a daily 3 p.m. tradition as a way for hotel guests, staff and locals to gather and mingle.
"When you walk into the lobby, you feel like you're arriving at your home, not necessarily a hotel," explained Garcia. "[Thelma] felt that enjoying a cup of tea every day was part of that warmth, of that gathering."
Needless to say, Thelma was not only passionate about her business, she was just as passionate about her community, if not more.
"To Thelma, it wasn't just about her hotel, her suites building, and the court, it was about the city itself and putting Ocean City, Maryland, on the map and making it a destination for families to return every year," said Joanne Cunningham, director of sales and marketing. "[Thelma] did her part here, and she was very involved in the city to make sure that the entire city benefited from her vision and her hard work."
"Thelma's achievements at the Dunes Manor were remarkable," said Garcia. "Not only was she a savvy businesswoman who understood the needs of her customers and detected a profitable opportunity in the marketplace, she also launched a successful 'startup' when her peers were well into retirement. The fact that the Dunes Manor has survived and thrived for 30 years is proof that she had a great idea, and that she was a visionary entrepreneur who was way ahead of her time."
For more information about the hotel and other seasonal happenings/traditions, visit www.dunesmanor.com.