By USA TODAY
Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort, Pawleys Island, S.C.:
Travelers looking to stretch their dollar and still be a stone’s throw from the sand will be pleased with this sprawling beachfront property. Located on a stretch of sand on the Atlantic Ocean, the relaxed, family-friendly resort is removed from the touristy crowds of Myrtle Beach, yet still within a 30-minute drive of the area’s attractions, should you yearn for more action. But there’s plenty of amenities — including four 18-hole golf courses, several indoor and outdoor pools, bicycles available for rent, a spa, a restaurant and a gym — to fill visitors’ itineraries. Chairs and umbrellas are available for guests to use at the beach, but it’s worth nothing that although some of the buildings are within walking distance of the beach, others are a half-mile away and may demand using the hotel’s free beach shuttle.
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Costa d’Este Beach Resort, Vero Beach, Fla.:
Perhaps the door hangers at Costa d’Este Beach Resort sum up the place best — they read: “Too Fabulous to Be Disturbed.” Owned by singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, this breezy Vero Beach hotel is enough to make every guest feel as fabulous as a superstar themselves. With requisite palm trees, a picturesque strip of beach and polished white and natural wood decor, the property manages to combine a modern Miami atmosphere with a touch of quintessential Florida. Younger friends and couples keen on soaking up the sun also come for the full-service spa, small but attractive outdoor pool, stylish restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine, and elegant rooms, many of which have gorgeous ocean views.
Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Maui, Hawaii:
This beachfront hotel is the embodiment of Hawaiian tradition and the Aloha spirit. Let’s unpack that statement a bit. Located on the beautiful golden sands of Ka’anapali Beach, the hotel offers free daily activities like lei-making, hula, ukulele and language lessons, and Hularobics. The lobby is decorated with artifacts of Hawaiian culture, like ceremonial drums, and the rooms have private lanais (many also have ocean views). Plus, to top it off, there’s a whale-shaped pool as well as two restaurants and a lively tiki bar.
The Confidante, Miami Beach
The Confidante, Miami Beach Folks who vacation in Florida expect to spend some time sunbathing on the beach. Luckily, The Confidante (formerly Thompson Miami Beach) has a beautiful one. It’s equipped with colorful loungers and umbrellas (for a fee) and attendants are available to take your food and drink requests. There are also two pools surrounded by loungers and cabanas, and staff can take dining orders here, too. But that’s not the only place you can satisfy your appetite. An upscale restaurant serves tasty dishes and multiple bars keep the party going. When you need to unwind, the spa offers a variety of treatments and the rooms have a colorful, retro design with high-tech amenities (views vary, though). Overall, it’s a solid pick for couples, friends and families who wish to be secluded from the South Beach scene.
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Nautilus – a Sixty Hotel, South Beach, Fla.:
This upscale beachfront property ticks all the boxes of a chic hot spot, including a stylish restaurant, an attractive pool area with swanky cabanas and luxe padded loungers, and elegant guest rooms with modern comforts. A small fitness center, spa treatments and lobby bar round out the offerings. Given these amenities — and the fact that it’s located directly on the beach, on Collins Avenue — it should come as no surprise that the hotel attracts young, trendy couples, as well as business travelers and a fair amount of bachelorette parties.
South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites, Biloxi, Miss.:
It might be the only hotel in Biloxi that’s situated directly on the sandy beach, but that’s not the only thing that sets this property apart from others in the area. Channeling South Beach in Miami, the hotel’s exterior is dressed up in blue and white with attractive mosaic tiling. There’s also a small outdoor swimming pool and a cafe and bar serving up unpretentious grub like pizza and nachos. Originally built as private condominiums, all 99 guest rooms are suite-style with full kitchens or kitchenettes, making it a solid pick for longer getaways.
Beachfront Manor Hotel, Lincoln City, Ore.:
Built on a hillside that hangs over the sandy shores of Oregon’s Pacific Coast, the Beachfront Manor Hotel is a low-key 30-unit property with an unassuming brown clapboard exterior. The majority of visitors that come through are couples, drawn to the unobstructed ocean views and quiet beach atmosphere. Rose petals and chocolates on the beds keep the romance alive — plus, many of the rooms and suites also come with fireplaces and balconies with water views. Some units also have hot tubs on the decks.
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Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort, Hilton Head, S.C.:
Two pools, three restaurants, two bars, 10 tennis courts, a fitness center and proximity to the beach — all wrapped in an affordable price tag — mean this property offers great value for a waterfront resort. On any given day in the warmer months, you’ll find families swimming, renting and riding bicycles, building sand castles, or hitting the courts. The units have full kitchens, too, which means you can save your cash instead of eating out. Decor varies throughout the property, but overall, it exudes a casual, flip-flops and T-shirt kind of vibe.
