Waterfront destinations are increasingly popular for travelers seeking relaxing summer escapes, romantic retreats, family vacations or adventurous getaways.
And in honor of World Oceans Day on June 8, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list of hotels with postcard-like water views.
Checkout these great destinations for your next waterfront vacation.
Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Set within the landmark Water Tower Place, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers stunning water views of Chicago’s Gold Coast from anywhere on the property. The hotel features 400 sophisticated rooms, suites and luxury accommodations, including Lake View Rooms, where guests can gaze out at Lake Michigan and Navy Pier from their beds. Guests can also soak up lakeside views from the 12th-floor Rooftop at Torali, a chic, casual lounge for handcrafted cocktails, Italian-inspired bites and shared plates.
Florida Panhandle
Hotel Effie Sandestin
The shimmering Gulf of Mexico and its glistening white sand draw in huge crowds, but the exclusive Hotel Effie allows guests to relax with ample beachfront space. As guests unwind to the sound of crashing waves in luxury beach chairs, they can request light bites and cocktails from the hotel’s beach concierge. Beach games and water sports are also available for hotel guests to enjoy.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, located on the Emerald Coast between Santa Rosa Beach and Destin, is known for its powdery sand comprising small white quartz particles. The resort features more than 7 miles of beaches, making it a haven for ocean views. Guests can enjoy balconies with panoramic views, relaxing pools and incredible sunrises from this beautiful slice of paradise.
The Pensacola Beach Resort
Located on Florida’s coveted Emerald Coast, the bayfront Pensacola Beach Resort offers exclusive views of pristine beaches along the Gulf Coast. The hotel features 161 guest rooms, including 24 Corner King Executive Rooms with wrap-around balconies offering panoramic vistas from sunrise to sunset. Guests can also soak up the views at the hotel’s beach bar, The Salty Rose, which serves fresh bites and drinks, beach games and live music on the sand.
South Florida
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property on Ocean Drive in South Beach. A true testament to oceanfront vacationing, guests can stroll out of the lobby into South Beach’s oceanic oasis. The property has two pools, including a showstopping, glass-bottom rooftop pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Guests can bask in the coastal spirit in rooms that embrace the ocean breeze and picturesque views.
The Elser Hotel and Residences
Located close to world-class entertainment, arts and dining, The Elser Hotel is an all-new 49-story, 646-room hotel offering extensive views of the Miami skyline. The hotel is equipped with well-appointed amenities, including a two-story state-of-the-art fitness center and residential-style guest rooms. Bask in the bay views on the 19,000-square-foot sun deck, which boasts a 132-foot-long pool, a 16-foot LED screen, an expansive event lawn and sweeping views from every vantage point.
Nautilus by Arlo
With the Atlantic Ocean just steps away, Nautilus by Arlo guests will adore the bamboo-lined path that takes them straight onto South Beach. Guests can relax on the hotel’s complimentary lounge chairs with beach umbrellas and enjoy Nautilus Cabana Club food and drinks delivered right to the sand.
The Gabriel Miami
The Gabriel Miami is a 129-key lifestyle hotel in Downtown Miami offering spacious rooms and suites, all with striking views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. Soak up the sun at the hotel’s serene resort-style pool with cabanas or the infinity lap pool and admire the exquisite views of the Intracoastal, Miami Beach, PortMiami and Biscayne Bay. The Gabriel is the ultimate venue for relaxation in the city’s cultural epicenter and one of the best destinations to watch a Miami sunrise.
Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Just steps from the beach, Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a new boutique hotel channeling an elevated and vibrant atmosphere with art deco flair. The resort is located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, featuring a blissful rooftop lounge and pool that overlooks the glistening Intracoastal Waterway for the perfect bird’s-eye view of the city’s boating life.
Florida Keys
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is ideally located on the Key West Historic Seaport, just steps from lively Duval Street and Mallory Square. Recently named the “#1 Resort in the Florida Keys” by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, this modern waterfront resort features a selection of suites with serene harbor views. Guests can sit out on their balconies and bask in the Key West breeze while enjoying a good book and the calming ambiance of the seaport.
