20 Best Beach & Resorts in the USA

byCassandra Angelie
With more than 12,000 miles of coastline in the mainland US, America is home to some wonderful beach resorts that make for perfect vacation getaways. From luxury properties designed with romance in mind to kid-friendly resorts on family-friendly beaches, there are resorts for all budgets and styles of traveler.

This includes spots like Hawaii's famous Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, which is popular with water sports enthusiasts looking to try their hand at surfing, and Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, a state known for its pretty beaches and hospitality.

From trendy Miami Beach in Florida and Laguna Beach just south of Los Angeles to the natural beauty of Cannon Beach in Oregon, check out our list of the best beach resorts in the USA.

1. The Setai Hotel Miami, Miami Beach, FL

Photo Source: The Setai Hotel Miami

Accommodation: The Setai Hotel Miami

With direct access to the trendiest stretch of Miami Beach, South Beach, The Setai is one Miami's most stunning resorts. The Asian-inspired resort is a top choice for couples thanks to its spacious suites that range in size from studios to a stunning four-bedroom penthouse. All feature high-end perks like hand-crafted Duxiana beds covered in high-end Italian sheets, espresso machines, and rainfall showers.

Amenities here include three swimming pools and access to sun-loungers on a private stretch of beach. There is also free yoga on this beach for hotel guests. Additionally there is a super posh spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center on-site.

For dining, choose from Jaya, which serves Asian fare, and The Ocean Grill, which does an international menu including wood-fired seafood items.

Address: 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida

2. Montage Laguna Beach, CA

Photo Source: Montage Laguna Beach

Accommodation: Montage Laguna Beach

Book one of the beachfront bungalows or villas at the 5-star Montage Laguna Beach. Located on a bluff fronting the sea just 2.5 miles from the downtown Laguna Beach, the craftsman-style resort features elegant rooms and suites done up with gorgeous dark wooden furniture and cool regional artwork. All come with private balconies and ocean views along with swanky marble baths.

Amenities here include three swimming pools, including one that faces the Pacific Ocean and has cabana rentals. There is also a restaurant and grill on-site, plus a relatively large spa and assorted shops, including an art gallery.

Address: 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California

3. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu, HI

Photo Source: The Kahala Hotel & Resort


On the island of Oahu, the Kahala Hotel & Resort is one of the top 5-star properties in the Hawaii, located in Honolulu's opulent Kahala district, which is a favorite destination for visiting royalty, celebrities, and heads of state. The resort sits on a quiet and beautiful beach just 10 minutes removed from downtown Waikiki but feels worlds away.

There are a few different room configurations, including some swanky suites with designer furniture and separate living space. Free surfing and paddleboard lessons are offered to guests, as is a shuttle service to Waikiki. You can also borrow a bike to get around.

For dining, there are five different restaurants on-site. There is also a spa, swimming pool, and gym on the grounds.

Address: 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

4. The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Photo Source: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale


Just across the street from a really pretty stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach, which boasts a fun ocean-front boardwalk, the Ritz-Carlton is one of the best resorts in Fort Lauderdale.

Especially popular with a young crowd and couples, the Ritz has a hip modern style and fun vibe throughout the property.

There is a fantastic spa here, as well as a mid-level rooftop swimming pool with hot tubs. There are also lounge chairs right on the beach and a few dining options. The rooms and suites are spacious and swanky.

Address: 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

5. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, HI

Photo Source: Four Seasons Resort Lanai


On tiny Lanai Island, which is a 45-minute boat ride from Maui, the Four Seasons Resort is a super swanky affair with a great location overlooking Hulopoe Bay. It's one of the best resorts in Hawaii.

The beach in front of the hotel is part of a protected marine preserve and there is great snorkeling just offshore.

The rooms and suites are five-star luxe with beautiful decor and indoor and outdoor bathroom spaces. There are also a number of on-site dining options, including an outpost of Nobu.

Other amenities include two lagoon-style swimming pools with sea views (one is for families, the other is adults-only), a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a kids' club.

Address: 1 Manele Bay Road, Lanai City, Lanai, Hawaii

6. Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica, CA

Photo Source: Shutters on the Beach

Accommodation: Shutters on the Beach

Santa Monica, an oceanside suburb of Los Angeles famed for its pier, is also home to the fabulous luxe beach resort, Shutters on the Beach. Right on the sand, the hotel fronts the Pacific Ocean, and its public areas are done up with modern art pieces by greats like Roy Lichtenstein and David Hockey.

The 186 rooms and 12 suites feel like staying in a private beach cottage. All but a few come with sea-facing balconies and the white wooden shutters opening onto the beach that the hotel is named for. They also have a distinct romantic vibe, with four-poster beds, custom linens, and whirlpool tubs in bathrooms.

There are three different restaurants. Other amenities include a spa, a swimming pool with sun-loungers and cabana rentals, and a gym. Guests can also sign up for private yoga classes or surf lessons for an extra fee.

Address: 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, California

7. Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Dorado, Puerto Rico

Photo Source: Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve


One of just a handful of Ritz-Carlton Reserves in the world, Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico sits on 50 acres, including a beautiful stretch of private beach, which were originally owned by business tycoon and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. He set up a nature preserve and hotel on the former pineapple and coconut plantation in 1958. In 2012, it opened as the Ritz-Carlton's first reserve property in the Americas.

This 5-star resort saw a complete renovation after hurricane damage in 2017, which closed it for a year. It offers a range of rooms and suites, and even the entry-level rooms are massive, at close to 1,000 square feet. All have contemporary design, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and large picture-windows with fantastic views. Butler service is also included.

Some rooms also have private infinity plunge pools. Upgrade to a villa or residence for access to a private chef (extra fee) and a personal golf cart.

The Dorado caters to families and couples alike. If you are traveling with children, there is a kids' club. Other amenities include a large gym, two swimming pools, direct beach access with sun-loungers and daybeds, and a spa. All kinds of activities can also be arranged. For dining, choose from four restaurants.

Address: 100 Dorado Beach Drive, Dorado, Puerto Rico

8. The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, SC

Photo Source: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort


South Carolina is known for its beaches and golf resorts, and at the 5-star Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, you'll get the best of both.

The oceanfront resort on Kiawah Island south of Charleston is located on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach. It also features five championship golf courses.

The rooms and suites are spacious and decorated in South Carolina Lowcountry decor. The destination resort also features a number of dining choices, a luxe spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers available.

Address: 1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

9. Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC

Photo Source: Wild Dunes Resort

Accommodation: Wild Dunes Resort

Just across the Intracoastal Waterway (linked by a bridge) from Charleston, Isle of Palms is a beautiful barrier island known for its six miles of white sandy beaches fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you'll find the Wild Dunes Resort, which features two hotels, as well as beach house and condo rentals (the largest has seven bedrooms). As such, the resort does a great job of catering to everyone from couples to multi-generational families.

The Village at Wild Dunes Hotel is one of the properties. It is family friendly and has large, modern suites.

The Boardwalk Inn is the other on-site hotel. It has an adult-only swimming pool.

There are a number of restaurant choices on the grounds, as well as a spa and two 18-hole golf courses.

Address: 200 Grand Pavilion Blvd, Isle of Palms, South Carolina

10. Sanderling Resort, Duck, North Carolina

Photo Source: Sanderling Resort

Accommodation: Sanderling Resort

On a long, beautiful stretch of beach in the Outer Banks, the 4-star Sanderling Resort is one of the top beach resorts in the North Carolina. Occupying the land between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound on both sides of Highway 12, about 10 minutes outside the town of Duck, it caters to families and couples alike.

There are a variety of rooms, suites, and vacation home rentals to choose from. All rooms are clean and comfortable, and feature wooden balconies with rope hammock chairs. Book one of the higher floors for the best ocean views, as rooms on the lower levels tend to look straight onto the towering dunes.

There are sun-loungers and umbrellas set up on the beach for guests, and the hotel offers surfing lessons and water sports equipment rentals. If you'd rather swim in the pool, there are three. One is reserved for adults only. Another is located indoors.

There is also a spa with a range of treatments, a few hot tubs, fire pits, a fitness center, and live music some nights. For meals, there are three restaurants on-site. One is located in a former lifeguard station and has a beach vibe.

Address: 1461 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina

11. The Westin Jekyll Island, GA

Photo Source: The Westin Jekyll Island

Accommodation: The Westin Jekyll Island

In a great beachfront location on Georgia's Jekyll Island, The Westin is a four-star property adjacent to the Jekyll Island Convention Center and one of the best resorts in Georgia. The development it is part of also includes shops and restaurants, so you have plenty of dining choices nearby.

The rooms are spacious, and many feature ocean views along with comfy beds and quality linens. They also come with mini-fridges, although they lack microwaves. There is 24-hour room service available and a concierge to assist with restaurant reservations or activity suggestions.

On-site amenities include a large outdoor swimming pool, multiple restaurants, and a coffee shop.

Address: 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, Georgia

12. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Naples, FL

Photo Source: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort


In the trendy and posh Florida beach town of Naples, famous for its luxury shopping, top restaurants, and beautiful white-sand beaches backed by the turquoise hues of the Gulf of Mexico, La Playa Beach & Golf Resort is set right on the sand.

The luxury property has a laid-back, beachy vibe and contemporary styling throughout. Rooms and suites are bright and airy with comfy beds and all the mod cons. In the suites, there is also original art and Jacuzzi bathtubs.

Property amenities include a lovely free-form swimming pool surrounded by swaying coconut palms, a very zen spa, a gym, and an 18-hole golf course. You'll also find a beachfront restaurant next to a fire pit that is great for chilly nights. If you're traveling with the kids, there is a kids' club.

Address: 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, Florida

13. The Henderson Beach Resort, Destin, FL

Photo Source: The Henderson Beach Resort


The 4-star Henderson Resort is as luxe as they come in Destin. It is set right across the street from a gorgeous white-sand beach and the Gulf of Mexico's warm, blue-green water.

The rooms and suites are done up in modern chic style and feature a number of different layouts. Views are either of the ocean, garden, or pool area, and all rooms have furnished balconies.

Amenities include a swimming pool, lazy river, ice-cream parlor, spa, and five restaurants. It is a great choice for families. And if your children are of the four- and not two-legged variety, The Henderson is also dog friendly for an extra fee.

Address: 200 Henderson Resort Way, Florida

14. Inn & Club at Harbour Town - Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC

Photo Source: Inn & Club at Harbour Town - Sea Pines Resort


On South Carolina's Hilton Head Island, the Inn & Club at Harbour Town is an excellent luxe beach resort. It is part of the larger Sea Pines Resort, and if you stay, you'll have access to all the resort amenities, including its beach club via a complimentary shuttle bus.

There are a number of different floor plans to choose from, including many that cater to families. The two-bedroom suites come with kitchenettes and pullout sofas in the living room. Regardless of room or suite size, the decor is swanky Lowcountry throughout, and there are wonderful soaking tubs in the bathrooms.

On-site amenities include a restaurant, gym, and swimming pool, and there is a golf course and clubhouse on the resort grounds.

Address: 7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

15. Grand Galvez

Photo Source: Grand Galvez

Accommodation: Grand Galvez

This is one of the top properties on Galveston Island and is just across the street from the beach.

The resort has a very luxe, Texas-style, hacienda vibe, with grand public spaces featuring wood-beamed accents and extra high ceilings with curved archways and columns. The beautiful beach in front of the hotel stretches on for miles and the sights of downtown Galveston are just a short drive away.

The rooms here are plush, with a beach ambience and very comfy beds. The vibe is more couple focused than families, and pets are allowed for an extra fee.

The resort's swimming pool is stellar, with vine-covered columns surrounding it and a whirlpool at one end. The spa is also excellent and has more outdoor Jacuzzis. There is also a popular restaurant here.

Address: 2024 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Galveston Island, Texas

16. Salishan Coastal Lodge, Gleneden Beach, Oregon

Photo Source: Salishan Coastal Lodge

Accommodation: Salishan Coastal Lodge

A popular wedding and honeymoon destination, Salishan Coastal Lodge is a stylish resort next to beautiful Gleneden Beach on Oregon's Pacific coast.

This wood-and-stone lodge has lovely design throughout, including walls hung with modern art. The rooms and suites come in a number of shapes and sizes, but all are airy and tranquil with lots of windows to let in natural light. The best suites have stunning ocean views.

Set on 250 prime coastal acres, there is plenty to keep guests busy during a stay. If you enjoy golf, the 18-hole signature course faces the sea and offers packages for guests.

The spa here specializes in treatments using organic botanicals. It also features indoor and outdoor hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms, as well as views of Siletz Bay from its recovery room.

Grab a bite to eat at one of the three on-site dining experiences, including The Bay House. This restaurant has been in operation for more than 40 years, with most of those at a location three miles away in Lincoln City. It moved to the lodge in 2020 and offers a locally sourced fine dining experience.

Address: 7760 US 101, Gleneden Beach, Oregon

17. Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico

Photo Source: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel


Located right on beautiful Isla Verde Beach on 15 acres of lovely lush grounds facing the sea, the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is a historic legacy resort built in the 1950s. It once hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, who would put on live shows at this top beach resort.

The 4-star property is only 15 minutes from Old San Juan and only five minutes from the airport, making it even more convenient for today's visitors. It still puts on live music performances.

The vibe is a mixture of Puerto Rican island style and old-fashioned elegance. The rooms and suites underwent a recent renovation and have comfy beds and contemporary decor. If you are traveling with the kids, the Fairmont is family friendly and there are interconnected rooms available. Many of the rooms and suites here also come with gorgeous ocean views.

There is much to do on the property should you not feel like leaving the grounds. There are more than half a dozen restaurants on-site, offering a wide variety of dining options. There is also direct beach access, with sun loungers and umbrellas reserved for guests. If you'd rather not get sandy, lie out by one of the four swimming pools, which have a mix of chairs and luxe cabanas that can be reserved (for an extra fee). There is also a full-service spa and a well-equipped fitness center.

Address: 6063 Isla Verde Avenue, Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico

18. Congress Hall, Cape May, New Jersey

Photo Source: Congress Hall

Accommodation: Congress Hall

Over the course of its 200-year history, Congress Hall has been referred to as everything from the "Summer White House" to "America's First Seaside Resort." This historic property sits right on the beachfront in Cape May and is also within the town's historic district.

This storied resort, which has hosted world leaders, celebrities, and other A-listers over the centuries, underwent extensive renovations before its re-opening in 2021. Today, it retains its American heritage style décor throughout, but with modern upgrades.

Many of its rooms and suites have gorgeous ocean views from furnished balconies. Regardless of views, each room is done-up in blue and white hues and features hand-dyed, high-quality linens draped over comfy beds. A popular wedding venue, Congress Hall also has a bridal suite available.

Amenities here include direct access to the beach, where guests can use the sun loungers and umbrellas. There is also a swimming pool with more cushioned chairs. The house restaurant cooks up fresh and tasty fare, the fitness center offers yoga and other classes, and the spa has a full range of treatments. If you are traveling with the family, there are also activities for children.

Address: 200 Congress Place, Cape May, New Jersey

19. Pearl South Padre Resort, South Padre Island, Texas

Photo Source: Pearl South Padre Resort

Accommodation: Pearl South Padre Resort

If your looking for the perfect beach resort on South Padre Island in Texas then check out the Pearl South Padre Resort. One of the island's best 4-star hotels it is located on its southern tip right on the beach.

The grounds are beautiful with a palm-lined brick driveway greeting you upon arrival and then lushly landscaped grounds beyond. There is direct beach access for guests from the large lagoon-style swimming pool. It also has a swim-up section for beverages, a grill restaurant and a hot tub on its sun-lounger lined deck.

Other amenities include a kids' pool with a waterslide, a fitness center and a beachside restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. The spa has a full range of pampering treatments and offers couples' massages for romantic getaways.

The rooms and suites come in a number of configurations. All are modern and comfortable. Many have furnished balconies and many have ocean views. The interconnected room options are popular with families. If your family is four-legged, two dogs under 25 pounds are welcomed with an extra fee.

Address: 310 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas

20. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel, Gulf Shores, AL

Photo Source: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel


Set within the 6,150-acre Gulf State Park, this Hilton resort is on a white sandy beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The Lodge at Gulf State Park is also dedicated to sustainable tourism and keeping the protected ecosystem surrounding it pristine.

There are a mix of rooms and suites in various configurations, and if you're traveling with the kids, there are even some suites with bunk beds.

Families will also appreciate kids' menus in the on-site restaurants and family packages. Other amenities include an infinity pool with gulf views and a gym.

Tags

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post
Share to other apps
Copy Post link

Contact Form