With two long coastlines on either side of the country, the United States has more than its fair share of beaches. And there’s a whole host of vacation properties offering not only the opportunity to wake up to the sound of lapping waves, but also activities and amenities that make for memorable vacations. These are some of America’s best and most beautiful beach hotels and resorts. As always, be sure to check COVID-19 travel restrictions and regulations before you travel.
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Montage Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach, California
A luxurious escape perfect for anyone seeking a taste of oceanfront serenity, Montage Laguna Beach sits on an expansive 30-acre property on the southern California coastline. In addition to a prime view of the Pacific, this high-end retreat is home to a spa, three restaurants, multiple pools and a collection of fine art that rivals many small museums. Head to the Lobby Lounge before dinner for cocktails and daily live entertainment.
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Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is one of the most popular destinations on Oregon’s Pacific coast and the town is home to a wide range of seaside accommodations. Stephanie Inn is an elegant boutique hotel that offers beach access and much-coveted views of Haystack Rock. While on site, guests can also enjoy fine dining, a spa, bonfires on the beach and other curated Pacific Northwest experiences.
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The Tides Beach Club, Kennebunkport, Maine
As the only waterfront hotel on Kennebunkport’s Goose Rocks Beach, the quaint Tides Beach Club is the perfect setting for a quintessential Maine shoreside vacation. Intimate and friendly, the hotel features 21 rooms with light and breezy décor and access to the white sand beach. Guests at The Tides can also take in the spa, pool and other amenities at Hidden Pond, another resort located just down the road.
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The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida
One of America’s most iconic beach resorts, The Breakers has been a Palm Beach institution since 1896. The hotel still holds that sense of old-school Palm Beach luxury, but is, of course, fully modernized and has even implemented several eco-friendly initiatives throughout the expansive property. Resort activities (beyond the close proximity to one of America’s best beaches) include multiple pools, a golf course and tennis courts, as well as 10 bars and restaurants.
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Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is one of America’s most legendary summer destinations and this charming spot offers a delightful New England experience. Chatham Bars Inn’s romantic wooden boardwalk leads to a private white sand beach that comes complete with beach cabanas, kids’ activities, and food and beverage service. The Inn also has its own vegetable farm close by, which supplies the hotel’s multiple restaurants.
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Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts, Waimea, Hawaii
This formidable resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island is renowned for its large comfortable suites, residences and quiet, poolside “serenity rooms” that provide guests with a home away from home. This is a full adventure resort, with barefoot dining opportunities, stand-up paddle boarding, historic walking tours, snorkeling and a surf shack. But the main event is the dramatic beauty of the secluded white sand beach.
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Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California
When this San Diego-area hotel opened in 1888, it was heralded for its head-turning Victorian architecture and stunning spot on the Pacific coast. The hotel has since expanded to include cabanas and villas to stay in, as well as the brand-new The Views property. But all of the accommodation options at “The Del” include the opportunity to relax on the pristine beach, engage in watersports and dine at the resort’s various restaurants.
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Hotel Galvez, Galveston, Texas
Texas isn’t exactly known for its beach resorts, but the island city of Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico is a top destination for sunseekers. Hotel Galvez has been one of Galveston’s most sought-after resorts for over 100 years and the grand old building is a sight to behold both inside and out. In addition to taking in the beach, spa and on-site restaurants, guests can explore the city of Galveston which is home to a historic pleasure pier and other attractions.
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Gurney’s Montauk Resort, Montauk, New York
Billed as the only luxury hotel in the Hamptons located right on the beach, the sprawling Gurney’s resort features 158 rooms and cottages for New Yorkers looking for a seaside escape. Visitors can indulge in a classic Montauk lobster bake at one of the spot’s top restaurants, take daily wellness classes and enjoy live entertainment. On top of all of this, the hotel sits on a stretch of private beach reserved exclusively for guests.
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Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Alabama
Alabama can only claim a small slice of the Gulf Coast, but the area around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores boasts unexpectedly beautiful white sand beaches. The area is full of tall hotels with suite-style rooms that can accommodate both large and small groups, including this well-appointed resort right on sandy Orange Beach. In addition to close proximity to the beach, the resort has five dining options, indoor and outdoor pools, and opportunities for watersports and sailing tours.
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The Wauwinet, Nantucket, Massachusetts
The charm and beauty of Nantucket Island is best experienced at a classic New England waterfront hotel like The Wauwinet. The spacious rooms in calming shades of white and pale blue get guests in the mood for a serene getaway. There are plenty of ways to while away the day here – a walk on the private beaches, a cycle using complimentary bikes or watersports in summer. For a true treat, visitors can rent out Anchorage House, a quaint Nantucket guesthouse managed by The Wauwinet.
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The Westin, Jekyll Island, Georgia
With 187 guest rooms and 13 suites, The Westin sits on a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. Channeling both beach vibes and Southern charm, the hotel looks directly onto a white sand beach, with glorious waterfront views. The hotel’s Reserve Steak House serves up local seafood as well as premium beef. Guests can also enjoy food and drink by the picturesque pool, which also offers ocean views.
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The Sanctuary, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Part golf resort, part spa and part oceanside respite, this refined beachside resort on Kiawah Island exudes Southern hospitality and style in a grand mansion-like setting. The gorgeous outdoor pool, which overlooks the beach, is a resort highlight, plus there’s an indoor pool for guests who need a dip away from the sun. The island property also features a world-class spa for next-level relaxation.
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Madison Beach Hotel, Madison, Connecticut
Overlooking Long Island South, this Connecticut beach resort is an ideal summertime retreat. Just a few minutes from downtown Madison, the hotel is right on the beach, with chairs, towels and umbrellas available for resort guests. Visitors can also take full advantage of the serene Sounds of the Sea Spa, fine dining at The Wharf restaurant and outdoor casual fare at The Porch.
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Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Kihei, Hawaii
The Wailea neighborhood in Maui is one of the most coveted vacation spots in all of Hawaii and its Four Seasons resort is one of the most luxurious of the area’s high-end hotels. Although Wailea Beach and the resort-provided beach cabanas, loungers and umbrellas are the star here, the hotel also offers a spectacular serenity pool area, a spa, water activities, a games room, nightly hula performances and an outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant.
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Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Florida
Mandarin Oriental is known for its top-quality hotels and the chain’s Miami property is particularly impressive. Located on the man-made island of Brickell Key, the hotel is almost completely surrounded by water, offering unbelievable views from almost every angle. The hotel experience is enhanced with stylish rooms and suites, a day spa, an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, fantastic restaurants and easy access to the city.
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Ocean House, Westerly, Rhode Island
Having first opened in 1868, Ocean House is old, but it was completely rebuilt and refurbished in 2004 to create a resort that combines historic East Coast charm with modern convenience and amenities. The accommodation choices range from tastefully-decorated standard rooms to unique, luxury suites and homey beach cottages. Outside of their rooms, visitors can lounge in a beach cabana, take a spin in a yacht, indulge in a spa treatment or just enjoy the crisp Rhode Island sea air.
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The Cloister, Sea Island, Georgia
Sea Island is a privately-owned island off the coast of Georgia and home to The Cloister, one of the state’s most renowned beach hotels. The private island setting creates a sense of seclusion and privacy, with 50 acres of natural beauty to explore. The hotel itself is also large with plenty of accommodation options, as well as a collection of fine restaurants, an ice cream shop, pools, bowling and activities specifically for children and teens.
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Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas, California
This resort just north of San Diego is all about living that classic southern California beach lifestyle. The hotel overlooks South Ponto State Beach, which is a public beach, but Alila Marea’s “beach ambassadors” will get guests set up with lounge chairs, umbrellas and everything else they need. Surf lessons are also available, or just enjoy the modern pool area.
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WaterColor Inn and Resort, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Located on the Florida panhandle between a coastal dune lake and the Gulf of Mexico, this pretty family-friendly hotel feels tucked away from the rest of the world. With only 60 guest rooms, it’s a rather intimate property, offering a quiet retreat. The long stretches of white sand are what makes the resort magical, but guests can also mix things up with a trip to the spa or a paddle in a canoe or kayak.
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Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa, Pacific City, Oregon
Pacific City is located on a stretch of the Oregon coast known for its unadulterated sea views and phenomenal sand dunes. Like Oregon itself, Headlands is built for guests who appreciate the finer things, but with a laid-back, rustic vibe. The lodge serves as an excellent base for hiking, paddling and beach walking, with great food options, spa services and comfy rooms awaiting weary adventurers at the end of a busy day.
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Sanderling Resort, Duck, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks area isn’t about glossy luxury or beachside glamor – this part of the East Coast is renowned for its natural beauty and relaxed coastal feel. Sanderling offers an idyllic Outer Banks experience, with three pools and a spa for those who want pampering and wild horse tours, dune hang-gliding, biplane tours, wakeboarding and other outdoor adventures for guests who want to make the most of North Carolina.
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The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island
One of Newport’s most elegant properties, The Chanler is a stately New England mansion that promises superior hospitality and comfort. It sits on the city’s famed Cliff Walk, a National Recreational Trail which offers dramatic ocean views. The grandeur of the building itself is The Chanler’s top selling point and guests would be excused if they wanted nothing more than to lounge in their rooms while taking in the view.
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Asbury Ocean Club, Asbury Park, New Jersey
A cool and modern oasis on the Jersey Shore, Asbury Ocean Club is just a little over an hour away from New York City, but it feels like it could be worlds away. The resort has chic rooms, gorgeous pools and beach proximity that one would expect from this kind of resort. But there are also homespun touches like The Drawing Room, a common space where guests can kick back and listen to music or wind down with a drink.
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Kodiak Island Resort, Larsen Bay, Alaska
The beaches in Alaska don’t promise the same golden sand as one would find in the southern part of the US, but this luxury fishing lodge offers a level of escape that visitors to Florida or California would be hard-pressed to find. Located on an island in the Gulf of Alaska, the lodge gives a taste of the wild Alaskan coast, but guests don’t exactly rough it thanks to cozy guest rooms and great service.
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The Royal Hawaiian, Honolulu, Hawaii
While Hawaii has its share of ultra-modern resorts, there’s something magical about the nostalgic charm of this Waikiki resort. Known as the Pink Palace, The Royal Hawaiian has been a top vacation destination for almost 100 years for good reason. The lavishly-decorated rooms, postcard-worthy pools and weekly luau dinners make it a jewel of Hawaii’s most legendary beach.
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Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The sugar-sand beaches on Hilton Head Island are some of the best in the country and this expansive family-friendly resort provides a great base from which to enjoy them. The resort and surrounding area is jam-packed with things to do, with a golf course, spa, nearby museums, bike rentals and plenty of kayaking, paddle boarding and other sports activities available.
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Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, California
Montecito is a resort-laden community in Santa Barbara County, just up the coast from Los Angeles. This elegant resort offers personalized service that aims to give guests everything they need for an effortless stay, without coming off as stuffy or pretentious. The spa, pools, excellent dining and fitness center are certainly perks, but the beach beats them all, with year-round activities available and a beach butler service for those who want to lounge in front of the waves.
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Anchorage by the Sea, Ogunquit, Maine
“Ogunquit” is an Abenaki word for “beautiful place by the sea,” and the setting of this family-run waterfront resort certainly lives up to the name. Homey and inviting, the hotel has a variety of different rooms, plus indoor and outdoor pools, oceanfront fire pits and chairs to lounge on while admiring the ocean. There’s also on-site dining at Surf Point and cocktail lounge 360, which offers a stellar view from every seat.
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Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida
The Florida Keys are as tropical as it gets on the continental US and this gorgeous private island spa and resort feels like it could be in the Caribbean. The resort is accessible by sea plane or boat and guests are welcomed with a shoreside reception. Once on the island, visitors can spend their days lounging on white sand beaches under the palms, relaxing in bungalow suites, unwinding in the spa and just drinking in the surroundings.
