Favorite hotel on the beach - Atlantic Ocean

[tulabelle]

We are looking to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a couple of nights after Disney in January or early February 2016. It will be the 4 of us, Dh and I along with kids who will be 9 and 7. What is your favorite hotel, resort, etc that is directly on the ocean?

 

[JaxDad]

In January/February you should probably go as far south as you are willing to travel. There are some very nice beach resorts throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties. My only relatively recent experience was at Marriott Ocean Pointe near West Palm Beach. It is very family-friendly. You can check TripAdvisor for recent reviews. Hopefully others will provide more recommendations for you.

 

[GoBears 1980]

The Breakers in Palm Beach, Boca Beach Club in Boca Raton and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Flamingo Inn on Daytona Beach. Small, quaint, and one of the few properties that actually has large palms on the grounds. Its not a big, fancy hotel as its only 2 stories but its absolutely beautiful and my go-to place.

 

[tulabelle]

Thank you for the recommendations! Beautiful hotels but out of our price range unfortunately! I should have been more specific in our price range. What is your favorite Atlantic side beach hotel for under 300 a night?

Would like to be ocean front on a non driving beach

 

[JaxDad]

The Atlantic coast of Florida is over 500 miles long. In January/February it could vary from potentially freezing up at Amelia Island to downright balmy down at South Beach. That also means off-season rates north of say Vero Beach to on-season rates in the south.

It may help to determine what you want to do. Do you want to swim in the ocean? If so, you need to consider going as far south as you care to drive. If you just want to be at the beach, you can have a shorter drive and save some money on the hotel. You might consider Cocoa Beach and visit Cape Canaveral, Ron Jons, etc. There is a nice Residence Inn in Cocoa plus other nice options.

 

[tulabelle]

Kids and I have never been to the ocean, so we are wanting to see the ocean and spend some time exploring and relaxing after Disney. DD is hoping to find some shells. If there are activities at the hotel for kids or places nearby, that would be a bonus. We are okay not swimming in the ocean if it is too cold but hoping it will be warm enough to sit at the beach and put our feet in a bit. We are okay driving a couple of hours if it would be a "better" option.

 

[JaxDad]

You might also consider the Gulf coast. The water is warmer and there are much better shells (no real waves to crush them). I have not spent much time there, but if you searched the threads and/or started a new one asking about Gulf hotels, you would likely receive some good recommendations.

 

[tulabelle]

Thank you for your advice again!

I was originally thinking the Gulf for those exact reasons, and still am considering it depend on what we find on the Atlantic side, but DH and DS are really wanting the Atlantic side to see more waves and the "real" ocean. DD and I could go either way.

 

[JaxDad]

Have you looked at the Disney Resort in Vero Beach? I've never been there but have seen favorable comments here. I'm also not sure of the rates, but I recall a poster recently saying they got a deal there, maybe through eBay?

 

[tulabelle]

Just briefly, will check it out again. Thanks again for your input!

 

[GoBears 1980]

I was originally thinking the Gulf for those exact reasons, and still am considering it depend on what we find on the Atlantic side, but DH and DS are really wanting the Atlantic side to see more waves and the "real" ocean. DD and I could go either way.

There are no waves in FL.... the Great Lakes get bigger ship wakes and wind waves....

I'd focus on the Gulf Coast for better water conditions and some good bargains in hotels.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Flamingo Inn on Daytona Beach. Small, quaint, and one of the few properties that actually has large palms on the grounds. Its not a big, fancy hotel as its only 2 stories but its absolutely beautiful and my go-to place.

Thank you for the recommendations! Beautiful hotels but out of our price range unfortunately! I should have been more specific in our price range. What is your favorite Atlantic side beach hotel for under 300 a night?

Would like to be ocean front on a non driving beach

The Flamingo Inn is no where near 300 a night.
http://www.daytonamotel.com/

Its less than 100 a night, under 70 for low seasons.

 

[tulabelle]

The Flamingo Inn is no where near 300 a night.
http://www.daytonamotel.com/

Its less than 100 a night, under 70 for low seasons.

I saw that, thanks. I just am not sure about a beach where you can drive on. I think I would rather a non driving beach. Thank you for the recommendation though!

 

[laughinplace199]

There are no waves in FL.... the Great Lakes get bigger ship wakes and wind waves....

I'd focus on the Gulf Coast for better water conditions and some good bargains in hotels.

We had huge waves at Vero Beach a couple of years ago.

 

[tulabelle]

We had huge waves at Vero Beach a couple of years ago.

I am happy to hear this DH really wants to go to the Atlantic side, so we are sticking with that since he is putting up with Disney for the first part of the trip.

 

[GoBears 1980]

We had huge waves at Vero Beach a couple of years ago.

I think "huge" has a different definition in CA than FL.

Vero Beach

California

 

[Ksquared]

The Tradewinds Island Grand resort in St. Pete's beach is a great family resort. Not sure of the rates but I think you get stay under 300 a night. I think it's less than 2 hour drive from Disney. I've stayed there mid-January and we were able to swim, sit on the beach etc. They have a giant slide for the kids right on the beach and other activities. Cinnamon Beach, Palm Coast, FL is one of my favorite Atlantic Beach destinations. Not sure of Jan/Feb weather, but beautiful, private beach.