Soaking up sunshine and warm air on the beach doesn’t always require an international journey to some far-flung location.
Sure, my stays in the Maldives were epic and I’ll always return to Mexico’s divine turquoise waters, but we’re so lucky to have such a robust assortment of stunning coastal hotels right here in the United States.
From balmy stays near the Pacific Ocean to the misty, windswept Atlantic, and from tropical Hawaiian islands to the unparalleled southern hospitality in the southeast, these are some of my favorite ocean view stays in the U.S.
In this article
- 1. The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
- 2. The Pendry in Newport, California
- 3. Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick, Maine
- 4. Marram Montauk in Montauk, New York
- 5. Beaufort Hotel in Beaufort, North Carolina
- 6. The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, Hawaii
- 7. Inn at Discovery Coast in Long Beach, Washington
- The Shortcut
1. The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
Step into The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida and you can feel the history emanating from every corner.
Opened by railroad magnate Henry Flagler in the 1890s and rebuilt in 1926, this iconic property has some serious celebrity street cred with past guests including Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, and several U.S. presidents.
Today, it’s still a sprawling oceanfront resort spanning roughly 140 acres, with 534 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and lounges, and a massive indoor-outdoor spa and fitness complex.
Along with oceanview rooms, which have a contemporary-coastal vibe, guests have access to four pools, a private beachfront, and championship golf and tennis courts.
2. The Pendry in Newport, California
The entire California coast offers stunning beach hotels, and one of my favorites is Newport Beach’s The Pendry.
Formerly the Fashion Island Hotel, this 295-room property was renovated and re-opened in 2023 with a distinctly upscale Cali-Americana aesthetic. Think floor to ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and coastal view rooms with breezy balconies that overlook Orange County’s stretch of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Harbor, and Back Bay. You can also opt for a skyline or garden view.
The hotel is also home to glamorous restaurants like SET Steak & Sushi, Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill, and Bar Pendry, and thanks to the private Elwood Club and Spa Pendry, the entire hotel has a sort of luxe social club vibe.
You can charter a private yacht at sunset with a colorful charcuterie spread and champagne, and those in executive suites have full access to the elite Elwood Club as "honorary members" during their stay. (Standard hotel guests can dine at the Elwood Club based on availability.)
3. Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick, Maine
Dramatic rocky coastlines, cinematic New England scenery, delicious lobster rolls, and the picturesque Nubble Lighthouse are all guaranteed during your visit to The Cliff House in Cape Neddick.
This historic, 226-room property dates back to 1872 and is perched atop Bald Head Cliff, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The aesthetic is very East Coast, with a blend of contemporary coastal touches and that classic, charming, old-school character Maine is known for.
Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private terraces, and nautical touches, and staying here comes with access to an indulgent oceanfront spa, cliffside fire pits, walking paths, and both indoor and outdoor pools.
There are also a couple seafood restaurants on property, including The Tiller and Nubbs Lobster Shack.
4. Marram Montauk in Montauk, New York
There’s a reason many flock to Montauk come summer, and you have your pick of some truly incredible stays. One of the prettiest is located right on the beach: Marram Montauk.
Located along the Atlantic Ocean on Old Montauk highway, this 96-room boutique resort hotel gives off cozy-coast vibes with whitewashed walls, pared-back decor, and linen textures. The whole aesthetic is very dreamy, barefoot luxury. That said, it’s much more of a laid-back scene compared to some of the party-hard stays nearby.
Amenities include a beachfront pool, sunrise yoga, surf lessons, beach bonfires, and a top-tier on-site restaurant focused on open-fire cooking. You’re also close to Montauk Point Lighthouse, local seafood shacks, and downtown.
5. Beaufort Hotel in Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort, North Carolina has to be one of my favorite small town stays in the entire world.
It’s home to the gorgeous stretch of blue coastline (aptly named the Crystal Coast), and is a favorite setting in romance novels (Nicholas Sparks has famously drawn inspiration from the area several times). It has a laid back, deliciously slow-going, Southern hospitality feel that you can’t replicate anywhere else.
For incredible water views, the Beaufort Hotel is a 133-room waterfront property nestled into Taylor’s Creek, where guests can watch the sparkling water and wild horses that roam in the area from rocking chairs and private balconies. The aesthetic inside guest rooms is coastal-inspired, with soft blues and crisp whites, woven textures, and oversized windows that overlook the marina.
The hotel also has a resort-style pool, dockside fire pits, complimentary bikes, and the excellent on-site restaurant 34° North.
6. The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, Hawaii
A trip to Waikiki beach provides many-an-option for an ocean view vacay, but few are as iconic as The Royal Hawaiian.
This famously pink property, nicknamed “Pink Palace of the Pacific," has been featured in many movies and TV shows across the decades and remains a central figurepiece in Waikiki.
It’s a massive property with 528 rooms made up of both the original Historic Wing, which dates back to 1927 and showcases Spanish-Moorish architecture and vintage Hawaiian glamour, and the more contemporary Mailani Tower, which was added in April 2015.
Many of the rooms feature expansive Pacific Ocean views and private lanais, and decor ranges from traditional to contemporary, depending on which tower you choose.
A stay here grants you direct access to the beach, an on-site pool, plus privileges at the Sheraton’s more expansive poolscape next door. Also worth the stay: the serene Abhasa Spa, oceanfront dining, and legendary Mai Tais at the Mai Tai Bar set beneath swaying palms.
7. Inn at Discovery Coast in Long Beach, Washington
While planning a west coast getaway, don’t forget that Washington state offers dazzling ocean getaways, too.
Tucked along the wild Pacific coastline on the Long Beach Peninsula, you’ll find the Inn at Discovery Coast. This hotel beckons with its rugged beauty and a moody, intimate feel. It's small (just 12 rooms total), which adds to the quiet, embedded-into-nature ambiance. The rooms are uniquely designed with fireplaces, large soaking tubs, balconies, and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, windswept grasses, and dunes.
The property also has some cool wellness features, including cedar barrel saunas, a heated saline pool, and nearby hiking trails.
The Shortcut
Traveling internationally isn’t required if you want to lap up gorgeous ocean views. There are many located across the U.S.
From rugged Maine cliffs to balmy California sands, these standout U.S. hotels pair picture-perfect ocean views with luxe amenities, restaurants, and postcard-worthy interiors.
Our choices include ultra-intimate boutique stays to sweeping resorts, including one that’s been nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.”
