Best Beach Hotels in USA

For more than 90 years, this iconic hotel with its vibrant turquoise exterior on Ocean Avenue has been a crossroads of exceptional art, music, design, and gastronomy. Constructed in 1933, it quickly became a favoured haunt of Old Hollywood luminaries such as Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin. The renowned design firm, Fettle, has thoughtfully and innovatively revitalised the building, preserving its original Art Deco elements. Its 84 rooms, adorned in subtle yet elegant coastal hues with distinctive Deco features, offer guests breathtaking views of the ocean. The hotel boasts two exquisite dining establishments that delve into Italy’s opulent culinary traditions: The Georgian Room, an Italian steakhouse combined with a cocktail and piano bar known for its intimate ambience, and The Restaurant at The Georgian, managed by Chef David Almany, a beloved spot for brunch that features beautiful sea views.

Occupying a prime position just moments from Seawall Boulevard and the Gulf of Mexico, Hotel Lucine transforms a classic 1960s roadside motel into a fresh and stylish coastal retreat. The design preserves the property’s original character while infusing it with mid-century details, locally sourced art and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of the hotel lies a sociable U-shaped courtyard with a heated outdoor pool, surrounded by a spacious sundeck dotted with loungers and shaded seating.

The 61 guest rooms are bright and thoughtfully designed, featuring soft pastel palettes, minimalist furniture and clever use of space. Each room includes plush bedding, air-conditioning, curated minibars, work areas, and either a private balcony or direct access to the pool courtyard. Bathrooms feature walk-in showers, premium toiletries and terrazzo finishes.

Facing out onto the Atlantic, The Reach has Key West’s only natural sand private beach – and the ocean is right beside the hotel’s poolside, which features a floating gazebo. Seafood, steaks and chops are specialities at the restaurant, Four Marlins, however, guests also have access to the dining options at its sister property, Casa Marina. Sunday brunch at The Reach is famous, taken indoors or on the patio (both have incredible sweeping views). 150 modern bedrooms feature shell headboards, bathrooms with abstract art, and private balconies. This resort is a short walk to the heart of the action, yet far enough away to feel peaceful.

A coastal theme blends with a Tiki style and contemporary island living at this resort on the edge of the Everglades. The family-friendly poolside has its own waterfall and a mobile food truck serving ‘snacks and sips’, or there’s an adult-only swimming area and guests can make use of the private white sandy beach with a host of watersports. Fishing excursions are popular – take part in the hook-and-cook programme to bring your catch back to the kitchen, where the chefs will prepare it for you. Pets are especially welcome too, the hotel even has its own Director of Pet Relations!

Found on Wilshire Boulevard, this hotel is a short schlep to the beach. The rooftop pool deck (the only one on the Westside) is a feature, along with the Ayurvedic Surya Spa, lush garden terrace and the Balearic outdoor restaurant and bar with its chic cabanas. Earthy tones blend with a Scandi meets mid-century design vibe, that’s accented by creative artworks, murals and indoor palm trees. The Proper Hotel is deeply fashionable, with sushi, oysters, organic juices, biodynamic wines and small-batch mezcals found on the menus. Here you can start the day with a Greek Goddess yoghurt bowl and end it with prime flat iron steak.

For stunning harbour views and close access to the region’s wine lands, book into The Menhaden Hotel. This too is a boutique establishment, with 16 bedrooms, designed to evoke a smart maritime theme displaying various related artefacts. There are lots of drinking and dining options here: a sophisticated ground floor restaurant, a rooftop bar, cafe and a galley snack stop, plus excellent places to eat in the Greenpoint neighbourhood. There’s much to see and do on the doorstep and the hotel offers a free water taxi, bike hire and transfers via its electric vehicle.

Montauk was once populated by creatives, surfers and those who made their living from the water. But it’s becoming increasingly sought after by well-heeled visitors in recent times, with hotels like the Hero Beach Club popping up. The property has a laid back charm though – you won’t find a dedicated restaurant, but you will be provided with complimentary morning bagels and coffee, as well as s’mores roasting on some nights. The design in the 30 bedrooms (most with balconies) is airy and mirrors the natural pastel hues seen in the coastal landscape. Outside, there’s a large heated pool, with plenty of lounging space and movie nights held under the stars.

Holiday in 78-acres of Pacific side resort, at the Ritz-Carlton’s Santa Barbara address. The hotel has two beaches, three infinity-edge pools, a 42,000-sq-ft spa and five places to eat and drink; Angel Oak serves aged and prime steak cuts and has the deepest cellar in the city, ‘O’ Bar + Kitchen features Latin style sharing plates and market specials, while The Bistro (the hotel’s third main restaurant) focusses on sustainable seafood, with a terrace overlooking the adjacent ocean. Rooms come with sea or garden views and upgraded versions have their own patios complete with fires, private luxury poolside cabanas and two bedrooms.

Found in the Montecito area of the city, this is a five-star hotel situated right on the beach — a rarity in Santa Barbara. Guests can arrive in the Rosewood’s chauffeur-driven open-top Rolls Royce — it has a personal touch, as indeed does the entire experience of staying here. The hotel looks more like a lavish New England home than a hotel and the service adds to this vibe. Both adults-only groups and families are catered for, with pools for each. There are outdoor hot tubs, a kids club, beach butlers, ball courts, shuffleboard games, two boutiques (including Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop) and a Sense Spa using local ingredients. Dining options include the popular Malibu Farm.

Lido House, Autograph Collection occupies the site of the former City Hall and is now a beautiful boutique hotel which perfectly encapsulates an authentic beach house experience. It has a Cape Cod meets nautical feel, designed by Los Angeles-based architect Rob Sinclair and a five-storey lighthouse as part of its makeup. Comprising 130 stylish guest rooms, including five unique cottages with private roof terraces with BBQs. Dining takes place at the Mayor’s Table restaurant with its open kitchen, bar and glass-walled wine room, while outdoors guests can enjoy drinks at Topside, the only Newport Beach wine bar with a rooftop, it’s a sophisticated space with celebration-worthy views. Leisure facilities also include an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness centre and a Spa.

The Breakers Palm Beach has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing stay by the sea. The hotel offers bright and modern guestrooms and suites overlooking the ocean, including the Imperial Suite and the Royal Poinciana Suite. There are ten distinct dining venues where guests can savour local and international flavours, including the Seafood Bar and Echo Restaurant with the Dragonfly Lounge. Guests can also opt to dine in the Beach Club Restaurant which sits on the hotel’s private beachfront. There are also four seafront swimming pools, including the infinity-style South Pool, and an indoor-outdoor spa where guests can enjoy a range of wellness facilities and treatments. The hotel is home to a 6,000ftsq Ocean Fitness Centre offering daily classes as well as world-class racketeering facilities including twelve tennis, two pickleball and two padel courts. For golf lovers, there are 36 holes of golf including the championship Rees Jones course at Breakers West. There are also thirteen signature boutiques where guests can shop and browse until their heart’s content.

For a full-on beach (or boating) holiday, choose this 439 room resort on the Coronado Peninsula. It has its very own full-service 80-slip marina offering gondola rides, surf lessons and sunset cruises. And there’s a beach shuttle – although it is just a five-minute walk along a private path from the resort to the sandy shores. This location does mean it’s a little further out from San Diego, but still within a 20-minute taxi ride. Pet and family-friendly, the hotel has a programme of events for kids, a teen lounge, three pools and a global fusion restaurant to keep all palates happy.