13 Designer-Approved Beachside Hotels Across The US

Imagine waking up steps from the sea, where every detail around you curved wood, soft linen, sunlit spaces has been designed to echo the rhythm of the ocean. Across America’s coastlines, a new wave of beachside hotels is redefining luxury through thoughtful, artful design.

From modern retreats perched above California cliffs to breezy escapes along the Atlantic, these properties seamlessly blend natural beauty with curated comfort.

Whether you’re chasing romance, serenity, or a stylish family escape, these designer-approved stays offer more than just a view they deliver an experience that lingers long after the tide rolls out.

1. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Perched dramatically on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this Scottish-inspired castle brings European elegance to California’s rugged coastline. The hotel’s design team drew inspiration from traditional Scottish architecture, creating a property that feels both timeless and perfectly suited to its dramatic setting.

Each room features custom furnishings and locally-sourced artwork that celebrates the region’s natural beauty. The signature restaurant offers farm-to-table dining with ingredients sourced from nearby farms and the hotel’s own herb garden.

Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the championship course that winds along the ocean cliffs, while spa lovers can indulge in treatments inspired by coastal elements like sea salt and kelp.

2. Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley

Though technically inland, this Relais & Châteaux property captures the essence of Mediterranean coastal living with its Provence-inspired design overlooking vineyard valleys. The hotel’s terracotta tiles, wrought-iron details, and sun-drenched terraces create an atmosphere reminiscent of the French Riviera.

Interior designer Claude Dalle worked with local artisans to create spaces that feel both luxurious and authentically Californian. Each suite features private terraces with sweeping valley views, custom furniture, and original artwork by regional artists.

The property’s restaurant has earned a Michelin star for its innovative approach to wine country cuisine, while the spa offers treatments using local grape extracts and essential oils.

3. The Ocean House, Watch Hill

This grand Victorian hotel has been welcoming guests since 1868, recently restored to its original splendor by a team of preservation specialists and interior designers. The yellow clapboard exterior and wraparound porches epitomize classic New England seaside architecture.

Inside, designer Rebecca Bradley created interiors that honor the property’s heritage while incorporating modern luxury amenities. Each room features period-appropriate furnishings mixed with contemporary comfort, including custom millwork and locally-woven textiles.

The hotel’s private beach offers cabanas and water sports, while the award-winning spa provides treatments inspired by seaside traditions. The main dining room serves locally-caught seafood with panoramic ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

4. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

Architect Mickey Muennig created this eco-luxury retreat to blend seamlessly with Big Sur’s dramatic landscape, where ancient redwoods meet the Pacific Ocean. The property’s tree houses and cliff-side pavilions seem to float among the branches and rocks.

Each accommodation features floor-to-ceiling windows, natural wood interiors, and private decks that maximize the connection to nature. The design philosophy emphasizes sustainability, with structures built around existing trees and using locally-sourced materials.

The award-winning spa offers treatments in outdoor pavilions, while the restaurant focuses on organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy guided nature walks, yoga sessions, and stargazing from the property’s observatory.

5. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island

This Forbes Five-Star resort embodies Lowcountry elegance with its plantation-style architecture and sophisticated coastal interiors. The design team drew inspiration from traditional Charleston homes, incorporating wide verandas, shuttered windows, and locally-crafted furnishings.

Interior spaces feature a palette of sea glass blues and sandy beiges, with custom furniture crafted by regional artisans. Each room includes private balconies or patios overlooking either the ocean or the resort’s pristine grounds.

The property boasts a championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio, while the spa offers treatments using indigenous botanicals. The main restaurant showcases Lowcountry cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms and waters, served in an elegant dining room with marsh views.

6. Montage Laguna Beach

Arts and Crafts architecture meets contemporary luxury at this clifftop resort overlooking one of California’s most picturesque coves. The design team studied historic Laguna Beach cottages to create a property that feels like a natural extension of the artistic community.

Each suite features handcrafted furnishings, original artwork by local artists, and private balconies with unobstructed ocean views. The color palette draws from the surrounding landscape, with sage greens, ocean blues, and sunset oranges throughout the interiors.

The property includes multiple dining venues, from casual beachside fare to fine dining with wine pairings. The spa offers treatments inspired by the region’s artistic heritage, while the private beach provides access to tide pools and water activities.

7. The Breakers, Palm Beach

This Italian Renaissance-inspired palace has been a symbol of Palm Beach luxury since 1896, recently renovated by a team of international designers and craftsmen. The property’s twin belltowers and loggia-style architecture create an unmistakably grand presence along the Atlantic shoreline.

Interior spaces feature hand-painted ceilings, imported marble, and custom furnishings that reflect the property’s storied history. Each room includes period-appropriate details mixed with modern amenities, from gilded mirrors to state-of-the-art technology.

The resort offers multiple dining venues, including a beachfront restaurant and an elegant main dining room with crystal chandeliers. Guests can enjoy championship golf, a luxury spa, and direct access to a pristine stretch of private beach.

8. Alila Marea Beach Resort, Encinitas

Contemporary minimalism meets coastal California cool at this newly-opened resort designed by acclaimed architect David Rockwell. The property’s clean lines and natural materials create a sophisticated retreat that celebrates the beauty of the Pacific coastline.

Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows, custom furnishings in neutral tones, and private balconies with ocean or garden views. The design emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, with sliding glass walls that open to connect interior spaces with the coastal environment.

The resort includes a rooftop pool with panoramic ocean views, a full-service spa offering treatments with locally-sourced ingredients, and multiple dining venues featuring farm-to-table cuisine. Guests can access the beach directly from the property for surfing, swimming, and beachcombing.

9. The Nantucket Hotel

Classic New England charm defines this recently renovated boutique property in the heart of Nantucket’s historic district. The design team preserved the building’s 19th-century architecture while creating interiors that feel fresh and contemporary.

Each room features custom millwork, locally-woven textiles, and a color palette inspired by the island’s natural beauty. The furnishings blend antique pieces with modern comfort, creating spaces that honor Nantucket’s maritime heritage while providing luxury amenities.

The hotel’s restaurant focuses on locally-caught seafood and produce from island farms, served in a dining room with original wide-plank floors and ship’s beam ceilings. Guests can borrow bicycles to explore the island or relax in the garden courtyard with its climbing roses and boxwood hedges.

10. Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg

Virginia’s horse country provides the backdrop for this equestrian-inspired resort designed by renowned hospitality designer Darren Henault. The property’s Georgian-style architecture and rolling countryside setting create an atmosphere of refined Southern elegance.

Interior spaces feature rich fabrics, custom furniture, and artwork celebrating the region’s equestrian heritage. Each room includes luxury amenities and views of either the Blue Ridge Mountains or the resort’s manicured grounds and stables.

The resort offers horseback riding lessons, a championship golf course, and a world-class spa with treatments inspired by local botanicals. The main restaurant showcases Virginia’s culinary traditions with ingredients sourced from regional farms and the resort’s own gardens and apiaries.

11. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

This oceanfront resort captures the essence of Florida’s Golden Age with its Mediterranean Revival architecture and lush tropical landscaping. The design team created a property that feels like a grand private estate, with courtyards, fountains, and gardens throughout the grounds.

Each room features custom furnishings inspired by the property’s coastal setting, with a palette of ocean blues and sandy neutrals. Private balconies offer views of either the Atlantic Ocean or the resort’s championship golf course designed by Pete Dye.

The resort includes multiple dining venues, from casual beachside fare to elegant fine dining with wine cellars. The spa offers treatments using marine-inspired ingredients, while guests can enjoy direct beach access, tennis, and water sports on the pristine Atlantic shoreline.

12. Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica

This Cape Cod-inspired hotel brings East Coast charm to the Santa Monica shoreline, with its white clapboard exterior and blue shutters creating an instantly recognizable beachfront presence. The design team created interiors that feel like an elegant beach house rather than a traditional hotel.

Each room features custom furniture, original artwork, and a color palette of whites and blues that reflects the coastal setting. Many rooms include private balconies with direct ocean views, while suites offer separate living areas with fireplaces and wet bars.

The hotel’s restaurant serves California cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and local produce, while the bar offers craft cocktails with ocean views. Guests can access the beach directly from the hotel for swimming, surfing, or simply enjoying the famous Santa Monica sunset.

13. The Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain

Desert luxury meets spa serenity at this Forbes Five-Star resort nestled in the foothills of Camelback Mountain. The design team created a property that celebrates the Sonoran Desert’s natural beauty while providing world-class amenities and service.

Each casita features private patios, fireplaces, and custom furnishings that reflect the desert landscape’s colors and textures. The architecture incorporates traditional Southwestern elements like exposed beams, stone fireplaces, and hand-painted tiles.

The award-winning spa offers treatments using indigenous desert botanicals, while the restaurants showcase innovative Southwestern cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms. Guests can enjoy hiking trails, tennis, and multiple pools, all with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscape.