The best coastal hotels to visit during your next seaside getaway
The moment the audience saw Diane Keaton’s dreamy house in the iconic film “Something’s Gotta Give,” a timeless aesthetic was born. The neutral tones, that light-and-airy kitchen and, of course, the enviable beachfront location made this space practically the third star of the film after Keaton and Jack Nicholson.
Flash-forward 20 years, and the coastal design dream — led by the film’s director Nancy Meyers, who amassed a following for the luxe-meets-comfortable home vibes in her other movies like “The Parent Trap” and “The Holiday” — inspires the masses.
These days, millennials and Gen Zers are vying for the life of the coastal grandmother: abundant white linens, clean lines and midcentury modern furniture that seamlessly blend together to yield a balance of sophistication and coziness.
If a full home remodel isn’t in the budget, don’t despair. We found the best coastal hotels that give those Meyers-esque vibes. At these properties, you can live out your bougie seaside dreams — and maybe even gather design inspiration for your next home renovation.
West Coast
Shore House at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton — San Diego
Opened in 2022, Shore House at The Del is the slightly smaller neighbor of the iconic 1880s Victorian beachfront oasis that is Hotel del Coronado.
The lobby’s beautiful open-concept design flows seamlessly from one room to the next, but the crowning jewel is the Shore House Bistro, which matches the aforementioned Nancy Meyers vibe with its neutral tones, ocean-facing views and nautical artwork.
Rates at Shore House at The Del start at $633 or 236,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Related: The best hotels in San Diego
Hotel Oceana, LXR Hotels & Resorts — Santa Monica, California
Located just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica Beach, a walk through the double doors of Hotel Oceana feels like a breath of fresh air.
We love the natural color palette, as well as the courtyard hotel pool where you can sink into a comfy, modern beach chair big enough for the whole family. The highlight of the hotel, though, is the four-poster beds with balcony swings overlooking the Pacific Ocean. What’s not to love?
Room rates at Hotel Oceana start at $761 or 105,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
The Heritage House Resort & Spa — Little River, California
Check in to the Heritage House in Northern California for a coastal hotel that’s not directly on the beach but offers cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean and quick access to hiking trails.
Located near several state parks and Mendocino National Forest, this 37-acre property perfectly blends rustic luxury with midcentury modern.
Sitting with your morning coffee in an Adirondack chair overlooking the rugged Pacific Coast cliffs is the best way to start your day. It also helps that there are at least 10 award-winning wineries no more than a 45-minute drive from the property.
Rates at The Heritage House Resort & Spa start at $234 per night.
Hotel Theodore — Seattle
If open-concept coastal living with a dash of 1920s art deco design is your vibe, you’ll find it at Hotel Theodore.
Soft distressed leather couches and black iron fixtures become even more welcoming when the natural light pours in from the lobby skylight. Rooms feature vintage touches with dark natural colors and bright white accents.
Rates at Hotel Theodore start at $276 per night.
The Lodge at St. Edward Park — Kenmore, Washington
Head to this Pacific Northwest property in Kenmore, Washington, if the coastal hotel of your dreams is a property that’s tucked among the trees, just beyond the water — in this case, it's in the lush 326-acre St. Edward State Park.
The Lodge at St. Edward Park features 84 rooms and suites that epitomize high-end coastal design but with a darker ambience compared to the bright whites and blues of traditional beachfront properties.
Rates at The Lodge at St. Edward Park start at $299 per night.
East Coast
Hotel Viking — Newport, Rhode Island
Sleep like an Astor or a Vanderbilt at the Hotel Viking, a Newport, Rhode Island, hotel that dates back to 1926.
On Newport’s famed Bellevue Avenue amid mansions from the Gilded Age, the Hotel Viking features accommodations from cozy guest rooms to a two-bedroom suite. Rooms feature clawfoot tubs, a fireplace and Egyptian linens fit for the poshest of coastal grandmas.
Notable guests over the years include jazz great Ella Fitzgerald and President John F. Kennedy.
Rates at Hotel Viking start at $257 per night.
Cliff House - Ogunquit, Maine
Summer camp gets a very chic upgrade at this luxury, family-friendly resort on the water in Ogunquit, Maine.
Cliff House feels coastal in every sense of the word, from the stunning cliffside location to the light, airy guest rooms with chic pops of color and the restaurants' seafood-centric menus.
Rates at Cliff House start at $489 per night.
Blue — Inn on the Beach — Newbury, Massachusetts
Some of us coastal grandmothers (or coastal grandmothers in spirit) like to frequent the beach in the dead of winter. There’s something magical about the quiet, and — maybe it’s just us — something luxurious about sipping a glass of red wine by the fire with nothing but a good book and a jaw-dropping view.
This sweet property features everything from charming cottages (one is even dog-friendly) to delightful guest rooms and sprawling suites with ocean views in the main building across the street. As the name might suggest, the color palette here sticks to pops of blue amid seaside white.
Of course, we adore this property in the warmer season, too!
Rates at Blue — Inn on the Beach start at $389 per night.
Chatham Bars Inn — Chatham, Massachusetts
Sometimes, one simply wants to feel glamorous, and there’s no better place to achieve that than at Chatham Bars Inn, a luxury property tucked along Cape Cod's Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
The rooms are pricey — usually in the high three digits to around $1,000 per night during peak season (with potential spikes to around $2,000) — but the service and ambience are legendary.
The spa features an adults-only pool, a Japanese Zen garden for outdoor treatments in cabanas, and other amenities like a sauna and steam room. For a more wellness-minded stay, guests can even book spa suites with private saunas and steam showers.
Other accommodations include ocean-view suites, guest rooms and cottages facing the Atlantic or lush gardens. Even in the offseason, a personal favorite is grabbing New England fare at the Veranda restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean — the lobster roll just tastes all the better with a view.
Rates at Chatham Bars Inn start at $480 per night.
Hotel Bethany Beach — Bethany Beach, Delaware
Not everyone wants to splurge on a super-luxe hotel when it comes to a coastal getaway, and they don’t have to.
The coastal feel of guest rooms at Hotel Bethany Beach is relaxing, and a family suite that includes two queen-size beds and two twin beds makes this a great option for a family beach getaway. Other homey offerings include free breakfast, complimentary afternoon refreshments, and fresh cookies and cocktails upon arrival.
There’s even a seasonal beach concierge for those who book directly with the hotel reservation system — a reminder that chic, coastal living doesn’t have to mean an exorbitant cost.
Rates at Hotel Bethany Beach start at $153 per night.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.