Best coastal hotels to visit in the US

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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