Impressive Beach Hotels on Florida's East Coast
Published: April 07, 2023
Written byAAA Travel Editor, Katie Broome
Published: April 07, 2023
A few notes: All resorts on this list have an oceanfront location on Florida’s Atlantic coast and have earned the approval of AAA’s team of professional inspectors, who visit thousands of hotels each year to find the best options for AAA members. Additionally, many of these AAA Diamond properties have received AAA’s Inspected Clean designation, which recognizes hotels that have passed for condition as well as cleanliness and ATP testing.
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Good for: A couples weekend.
Nestled on the north end of Amelia Island, the Nantucket-style Elizabeth Pointe Lodge offers a romantic bed-and-breakfast experience that is perfect for couples. Grab a rocking chair on the wraparound porch to soak up the ocean views, or head down to the sand with a beach chair and umbrella (both are included with your reservation). The convenient location of this beachfront property provides easy access to Fort Clinch State Park and downtown Fernandina Beach (just 2 miles away).
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Good for: A luxury family vacation.
With two championship golf courses, 23 tennis courts, two swimming pools (one with an infinity edge), a fishing lake, numerous restaurants and 3.5 miles of private beach, the Omni Amelia Island Resort offers plenty of facilities and activities to keep guests entertained. The oceanfront resort welcomes pets, too, with a pet-friendly shopping village on site. Try something new with a surfing lesson, golf clinic or horseback riding on the beach at nearby Kelly Seahorse Ranch.
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Good for: An indulgent escape.
Leave the real world behind and escape to the Southern elegance of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Both the resort and its restaurant Salt have earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond designation every year since 2012. Rooms and suites feature ocean views — the property fronts 1.5 miles of pristine beach — and the resort fee includes access to bicycles, beach umbrellas and boogie boards, a fitness class and golf and tennis practice facilities. Another popular way to escape at The Ritz is the spa’s “Heaven in a Hammock” treatment, a massage that incorporates a hammock to simulate the rocking motion of the tide.
Atlantic Beach, Florida
Good for: A romantic retreat.
Just north of Jacksonville Beach, One Ocean Resort & Spa is a beach retreat ideal for special occasions and romantic getaways. Guests receive pampering with plush robes and refreshments in guest rooms and luxury treatments at the spa. Azurea, the fine dining restaurant at One Ocean, dazzles with artfully presented dishes and a AAA Four Diamond designation. Another perk for travelers: Both the beachfront and resort are pet-friendly, and the hotel even has a special room service menu just for pets.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Good for: A week-long family vacation.
Family vacations are a breeze at The Resort On Cocoa Beach, which also earned the AAA Inspector’s Best Of Family-Friendly distinction since 2020. Guest rooms are spacious at this resort — all include two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony — as well as fully equipped with kitchens, full-size refrigerators and in-room laundry machines. A short boardwalk leads down to the beach on the ocean-side, but many activities take place around the resort-style swimming pool complete with a waterfall, volleyball net, splash pad, outdoor bar and live entertainment.
Bonus tip: Cocoa Beach is a great place to watch rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Good for: A Caribbean-style escape.
With lush, tropical grounds, multiple dining facilities and a lagoon-style swimming pool, Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club has the feel of a Caribbean beach retreat without the all-inclusive price tag. Complimentary beach chairs are provided for use on the large expanse of private beach (said to be one of the largest in the county), while the grounds offer facilities for tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, basketball, ping pong, beach volleyball and oversize chess.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Good for: A modern stay near shops and nightlifeIf your idea of a dream beach vacation involves pedicures, fitness classes and a daily Starbucks run, consider Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The contemporary resort boasts modern rooms with all the necessary creature comforts, plus a private beach and a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls, cabanas and poolside drink service. For an additional fee, guests can rent jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards and snorkels.
Jensen Beach, Florida
Good for: An Instagram-worthy staycation.
Nestled on a barrier island on Florida’s Treasure Coast, Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa provides everything you need for some quality R & R. Tasteful nautical décor gives the resort a boutique-like feel — and an eye-pleasing backdrop for Instagram-worthy vacation memories. With two outdoor pools, a spa, fitness classes, a beach bar and multiple dining facilities, guests won’t have much reason to leave the property during a stay.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Good for: A weekend getaway in a casual beach townWith a prime oceanfront location on bustling Flagler Avenue, SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Smyrna Beach offers a beachfront vacation in a contemporary hotel. Rooms at the all-suites property come with mini fridges, microwaves and sofa beds, as well as access to a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning. While on-site amenities are limited to just an oceanfront pool and a fitness center, plenty of beach shops and restaurants are just a short walk away along Flagler Avenue.
Palm Beach, Florida
Good for: A luxurious splurge.
Earning the prestigious AAA Five Diamond designation, The Breakers, Palm Beach promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience amid lavish surroundings. Attention to detail is paramount here, from the luxurious linens and furnishings in guest rooms to the hand-painted cathedral ceilings of the lobby. The circa 1896 resort has had its fair share of famous guests, too, with U.S. presidents and members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Astor families among the who’s who. Modern-day guests have access to the spa, four oceanfront pools, two golf courses, tennis courts and 10 restaurants.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Good for: A luxury family vacation.
Families in search of a luxury vacation spot with plenty of room to roam will find it at the exclusive Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Situated on 300 acres of manicured, oceanfront grounds, the AAA Five Diamond-designated resort boasts a pristine beach (with walk-out access from many ground floor rooms), two 18-hole golf courses, four swimming pools, a waterslide, a croquet lawn, clay tennis courts, 10 dining facilities, a multi-story fitness center and seasonal children’s activities. Guests of the Inn can also take a shuttle to The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, a sister property just down the street that has additional dining and recreational activities.
Riviera Beach, Florida
Good for: An upscale family-friendly vacation.
South Florida’s Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is an all-suites property that makes long stays comfortable with full-size kitchens, large living spaces and in-room washers and dryers. Families will love the private beach area and two outdoor swimming pools — one geared toward adults with an infinity edge and the other lagoon-style with waterfalls, a waterslide and a shallow-entry area for little ones. A kids’ club provides supervised activities during the day and on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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