An entertaining Jersey Shore getaway in a former Salvation Army: An eclectic stay at The Asbury Hotel
As a born and raised Jersey Girl, I have a long history with Asbury Park.
I’ve visited the beach town made famous by Bruce Springsteen since I was a child intent on taking a spin on the indoor carousel (now defunct). I came back as a teen for the rock scene at the still-kicking Stone Pony. And I've been returning as an adult to check out the reenergized boardwalk, which has been transformed into a vibrant destination with indie boutiques and trendy restaurants, creating a cool strand along the Atlantic Ocean shore.
One thing I've never done, though, is spend the night — I've always hit the sand then headed back at the end of the day. Why pay to stay when I could drive home in an hour?
Then I caught sight of the stylish offerings at The Asbury Hotel, just two blocks off the sand. With a pool, rooftop bar, multiple entertainment spaces and a price tag that wouldn't break the bank, I was finally persuaded that it was indeed time to sleep by the beach.
Quick take
The Asbury Hotel is more than just a simple place to stay. It’s an entertainment venue and hipster hangout housed in a sprawling, red brick building that started life as a Salvation Army outpost in the 1950s. If those original tenants could see it now, they would be amazed.
The lobby stretches across the entire footprint of the first floor and feels like a cool communal workspace combined with a bar and lounge — think a WeWork with cocktails and beach vibes. Up on the roof, there's the open-air Salvation bar with 360-degree views stretching to the ocean and around the neighborhood. On a terrace a few floors down, there’s an alfresco movie theater, The Baronet, that shows throwback crowd favorites — like Mamma Mia and Dr. Strangelove — Thursday through Sunday evenings during the summer.
Back downstairs, push past the lobby to find the Soundbooth bar and live music venue, an open and airy space stocked with classic vinyl that's brighter and more inviting than any other local music spot I've visited. Out back there's a sceney pool with, yes, another bar. Oh, and behind the pool is Asbury Lanes, a sister property that bills itself as a bar/bowling alley/concert space/retro diner.
In other words: If you're bored here, you need to get your pulse checked.
Related: Finding luxury at the Jersey Shore: My stay at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel
Getting there
Asbury Park is easily accessible from New York City Penn's Station via New Jersey Transit's Coastal Line rail service for just $16.25 each way, or $32.50 round trip. The trip takes between 90 minutes and two hours depending on train schedules. You'll arrive at Asbury Park's train station, which is about a 15-minute walk or five-minute ride from the hotel.
The airport closest to the funky beach town is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) which is about a 55-minute drive. New York City's LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are about a 90-minute trip without traffic, but could take more than two hours during busy times.
I drove from another beach town (Atlantic City, about a 90-minute drive) and paid $45 plus tax for valet parking per night.
Booking details
The 110 guest rooms at The Asbury come in a variety of sizes including standard queen, king and double rooms plus a number of suites -- with a few truly unique options, including a "quad" with two sets of bunk beds and the "octo" comprising four sets of bunk beds and plenty of hangout space for a grownup group sleepover.
Rates start at a low $180 for offseason November mid-week evenings (when truthfully, it would be a little cold to spend much time here) to around $600 on a prime summer Saturday night for a king room and $800 a night for a multi-person bunk room.
The Asbury Hotel is part of IHG's Mr. & Mrs. Smith hotel partnership and you can use IHG points to book a Mr. & Mrs. Smith stay. Points stays, when there's availability, start at around 40,000 per night for either a queen or a quad room. Paid stays booked through the Mr. and Mrs. Smith portal include a bottle of wine and two free drink tokens redeemable at one of three locations on the property.
However, you cannot book The Asbury Hotel directly through IHG if you don't want to utilize the Mr. & Mrs. Smith partnership. Since doing that would cost more and really only would include alcohol, and I was traveling with my underaged teen, I chose to book directly through the hotel and paid $445 plus tax for a Tuesday night stay in mid-July, the cheapest offering I could find during the peak summer season.
My total came to $588 after taxes and the resort fee. The $29 "amenities" fee covered the usual hotel amenities such as "free" Wi-Fi and pool towels, but happily also included two coupons for a beverage and a breakfast sandwich at The Counter, which I was told could be used on any drink and food combo during my stay. The breakfast sandwich and hot beverage combo for two is easily a $29 value since coffee drinks clock in at around $5 and many sandwiches are $10.
Related: From Sri Lanka to the Arctic: 35 amazing Mr & Mrs Smith hotels to book through IHG Rewards
Standout features
- Every time I set foot in the hotel's always-hopping first floor, I found something else to make me want to stay and play, including The Counter, where the matcha lattes were better than almost anywhere else I've tried them, and the free pinball machine in the game area and the deep vinyl collection at Soundbooth kept me occupied for an hour.
- A pool at the Jersey Shore is really a treat, and this one, with a bar for cocktails, a "beer bus" and plenty of lounge chairs and shaded seating, almost made me forget there was a beach nearby.
- I've been to Asbury Park dozens of times, but the view from the rooftop bar was the first time I've seen the city splayed out at my feet. The breezes and the views — especially of Asbury Park's Art Deco Convention Hall with the Atlantic just beyond — would get me to come back again.
Drawbacks
- Even though the hotel is two blocks from the beach, it doesn’t offer any beach supplies to rent or borrow, so if you didn't pack your own chair or umbrella, you're out of luck.
- There’s no free coffee. I get it, not every hotel room has to have a coffee maker, but if that's the case an urn of coffee in the lobby goes a long way toward pleasing travelers. A $5 cup of morning Joe, on the other hand, forces me to get up on the wrong side of the bed.
- Don't count on seeing a movie or a music show at one of the hotels' venues if you book early in the week. Monday and Tuesday are slow days here with no programming of this type scheduled — a lesson I learned the hard way with my early-in-the-week stay. Arrive closer to the weekend to have full access to all the hotel's entertainment.
The vibe
If you'd rather have the party come to you than go out to find the action, the Asbury Hotel is going to be your perfect getaway.
Even though I checked in on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, there was a flower arranging workshop taking place at several communal tables adjacent to The Counter, the hotel's all-day grab-and-go snack and coffee bar (the check-in desk adjoins The Counter). In another section of the downstairs space, the game room area was so spacious that it had bleacher-style seating, all the better for spectating a billiards match that was taking place when I arrived.
Across the lobby, guests played board games and relaxed in a sunken, living room-style space filled with couches in bright pops of sea blue with woven lamps hanging overhead and a wall of Panama hats that made for a perfect Instagram background, as evident by the aspiring influencers taking photos.
During the week, the laid-back clientele at the pool ranged from a young couple with a baby to what seemed to be a mid-week bachelorette party enjoying mid-morning cocktails. As the day progressed, an artsy crowd slowly filled the public spaces, picking up drinks at the Counter and Soundspace, posing for lots (and lots) of photos and getting more animated as the sun set.
The room
Once you leave the leisurely pursuits of the first floor, and before you get to the rooftop spaces, things are a lot less interesting. Traversing the long, dark hallways on the way to my double room was the first time I could sense a bit of the Salvation Army past here. Rooms are spartan with an Ikea-warehouse meets bare-bones beach aesthetic. But they’re spacious enough and feel bright and clean.
I really liked the black and white photos of the Jersey Shore circa the 1950s, around the time the building was erected, but it felt like someone gave up on the design after completing 80% of the room. There were no touches of color, save one turquoise desk chair. While there were outlets and USB lightning ports at the bedside, there was not a single accessible outlet near the desk, the only other piece of furniture in the room.
On the other hand, the rooms were surprisingly soundproof, and the white, subway-tiled bathroom had plenty of elbow room as well as Malin + Goetz products.
The message the room gives you is clear: The hotel is designed for you to enjoy the public spaces and spend less time in your accommodation.
Food and drink
If you want a cocktail, you've come to the right place. There's no sit-down restaurant in the hotel, but you can choose from an array of classic or creative drinks from the same menu in the lobby's Soundbooth bar, at rooftop Salvation, or by the pool. I sampled an Asbury No. 1 ($14), a sweet mix of Milagro tequila, fresh watermelon juice, lime, and simple syrup at Salvation that was the perfect pink accompaniment to the sunset views. To be honest, the early-in-the-week, early-sunset drink didn't really showcase Salvation at its best, since it was pretty quiet when I was there. But the ocean breeze, views and comfy couches still made it a pleasant experience. Note that Salvation has a strict 21+ policy — even on sleepy Tuesdays — so I couldn't bring my teen upstairs with me.
Still thirsty? There's also a retrofitted turquoise VW bus at the pool that serves craft brews on tap.
For a different kind of buzz, the all-day lobby spot, The Counter, has baristas to brew up caffeinated concoctions. Since I run mostly on caffeine, I sampled a regular drip coffee, a cappuccino, a cold brew and a matcha latte during my 24-hour stay and all were excellent. This is also where guests can pick up grab-and-go snacks, including muffins and pastries ($4), premade sandwiches (I had a turkey option, $10, that was as unremarkable as you'd expect from a refrigerated wrap) and hot breakfast sandwiches (from $7 for a bacon, egg and cheese to $10 for the "morning after" with shaved sirloin, fried egg, Monterey jack and peppers).
For breakfast the morning of my stay, I headed out past the pool to the free-standing Asbury Lanes, a sister property to the hotel, which has a kitschy diner attached. The diner serves breakfast and then lunch items, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I ordered a healthy-sounding avocado toast ($16) that managed to incorporate stacked layers of bacon and eggs — so maybe not so healthy, but definitely hearty.
Amenities and service
If you're here in the summer months, the pool's the thing that really sets The Asbury Hotel apart. Most Jersey Shore hotel pools are an aside; a "here it is if you need it, but you'll probably go the beach anyway" kind of situation. Not here. The pool area, accessed from the back of the first-floor lobby and encompassing the entire "backyard" of the hotel, is a social hub and a centerpiece, with rows of bright yellow lounge chairs for daytime sunning, well-shaded seating areas (some with swings, too), cocktail service and a party soundtrack playing in the background. I had a hard time dragging myself away to go explore the beach.
On the negative side, I found check-in to be slow and the front desk to be inconsistent. The person who checked me in didn't mention any special offers or amenities beyond what my resort fee breakfast vouchers covered. The next morning, however, when I asked for directions to breakfast, the new person on duty offered me 25% off coupons for the diner and also told me about a free car service for downtown restaurants.
Out and about
Although it's tempting to spend the day and evening at The Asbury Hotel, you'll want to get out and explore Asbury Park since there's lots going on in this vibrant beach town — including a well-maintained stretch of sand for some waterside tanning and relaxing.
I've always spent time eating and shopping on the boardwalk, but this trip I finally made it downtown (about a 15-minute walk from the hotel) to check out the offerings on the main thoroughfare, Cookman Avenue. Even on a Tuesday night, restaurants were full and patrons were spilling out onto the sidewalk, giving the whole stretch a more urban downtown feel than a beach vibe. I grabbed an outdoor table at Homesick, a restaurant that focuses on local produce and seafood, and ordered an heirloom tomato and cornbread appetizer that brought all the tastes of summer to my plate — a true chef's kiss dish.
The popular Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, a local brewery and beer hall adjacent to Asbury Park Distilling, was closed during my visit, but Asbury Brewery was full all night.
Back on the beach, I was able to see the boardwalk lit up from end to end, including the Asbury Park Casino — where I once rode the carousel — which now hosts rotating art exhibits; Madam Marie’s, a fortune-telling booth made famous in The Boss' song, "4th of July, Asbury Park;" on down to the 1930s Asbury Park Convention Hall now filled with only-here shops and snack stands.
Back on the boards, check out the Silverball Museum, a collection of antique pinball machines and arcade games with unlimited play for a set price of $10 a person for 30 minutes, $15 for an hour or $20 for all day.
Checking out
The Asbury Hotel made my first overnight in Asbury Park a memorable experience. I loved being able to sit at a true resort pool while enjoying cocktail service and ocean breezes, which made my local, one-night stay feel like a real vacation. Exploring downtown in the evening and returning to a lively hotel lobby scene was another top perk. I'm already planning a return stay but will come later during the week so I can enjoy an outdoor movie at the Baronet and live music at the Soundbooth.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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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
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- 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.