Beach vacations aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some are built around rest and routine, others around adventure, food, family time, or nights that stretch long past sunset. Both the United States and Canada offer an incredible array of beach destinations, giving travelers distinctly different ways to unwind and explore. The following beach resorts reflect that range. From restorative escapes to lively coastal hubs to family-friendly retreats, each offers a distinct way to experience the coast — and a reason to return.
Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-packed water sports, superb local cuisine, buzzy nightlife, or just a well-placed sun-lounger where you can enjoy a book in peace, there’s a beach resort out there for you. Here are some of the best beach resorts in the United States and Canada for every type of traveler.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Luxe Beach Resorts
For travelers who want to answer the ocean’s siren call in style, these resorts are all about opulence by the sea. Think high-touch service, expertly designed spaces, and thoughtful amenities that make every detail of your stay feel utterly seamless.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Classic Gulf Coast luxury meets an easy, barefoot rhythm at this Florida resort set right on the sugary sands of the Naples shoreline. In this paradisiacal setting, days revolve around long afternoons swimming in warm waters that lazily lead into sunset dinners. Multiple dining venues and elevated beach amenities make this the kind of place where you can happily settle in for the week. For a truly indulgent experience, book a Calm Seas massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples, or unwind in the sauna.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
For travelers who love dramatic coastlines, this Northern California retreat in Half Moon Bay delivers with rugged cliffs, crashing surf, and wide-open Pacific views. The blufftop setting connects directly to scenic coastal trails, so mornings can start with a walk above the water before settling into a slower pace back at the resort. It’s a luxury stay that feels rooted in the landscape. Golfers can test their mettle at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, featuring two world-class 18-hole golf courses designed by the legendary Andrew Palmer and Arthur Hills.
Family-Friendly Beach Resorts
Making sure everyone’s needs and wants are met is the key to a fun family vacation. These resorts make beach vacations easier with safe swimming areas, flexible accommodations, and activities that work for both kids and adults.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
This resort sits directly on Hapuna Beach, a wide, sandy shoreline on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island that’s especially easy to navigate with tiny travelers. The beach here is open and spacious, with plenty of room for swimming, boogie boarding, and long beach days. A 6,800-square-foot family-friendly pool is great for splashing around with little ones, while the adults-only infinity pool gives moms and dads a little time to themselves. The overall feel is straightforward in the best way: a classic, comfortable beach resort that makes family travel a breeze.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
With a breathtaking location on 18 acres of pristine oceanfront grounds, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort in Longboat Key, Florida, makes for an indulgent escape for the whole family. The signature St. Regis butlers are always on-hand, whether you and the kids are lounging at the poolside cabanas or on the private Gulf beach. Children will love snorkeling in the 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon filled with marine life or floating down the lazy river. It’s the rare place where kids can stay fully entertained all day while adults soak in the sophisticated atmosphere and elevated service.
Destination-Focused Beach Resorts
For travelers who want the beach to be part of a place, not the whole story, these resorts offer the best of both worlds. Here, travelers will find easy access to local history, traditions, and regional culture beyond the shoreline.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Set on a bluff above the Pacific against a backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains in California, this stunning resort’s design pays homage to Santa Barbara’s Spanish-influenced architecture. It makes for a dreamy base for exploring the region’s rolling vineyards, vibrant cultural scene, and exceptional restaurants. The beach here exudes laid-back West Coast charm, and the sunsets are the stuff vacation memories are made of.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
When the Moana Hotel, as it was then known, opened its doors in 1901, it was the first hotel on the now mythical sands of Waikiki Beach. Fast-forward more than a century, and this grande dame is still a bastion of gracious hospitality in the place where modern-day surf culture was born. Staying here puts you in the center of Honolulu’s infectious, cosmopolitan energy, with buzzy restaurants, nightlife, and art galleries on Kalakaua Avenue. Guests seeking an unbeatable view should opt for a room in the 21-story Tower Wing, while those hoping to take in the hotel’s sense of history should choose the Banyan Wing.
Just steps from the sand, Trailborn Surf and Sound, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy invites you to sail, surf, and soak in the sun. (Photo: Marriott International)
Beach Resorts for Outdoor Adventurers
A beach vacation doesn’t have to mean reclining in a sun lounger all day. These beach resorts are perfect for active travelers, thanks to their abundance of coastal trails, water sports, and wildlife.
Monterey Beach Resort, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
For travelers who like their beach vacations a little wilder, this Central Coast resort in Monterey, California, puts you close to the dunes, wide beaches, and outdoor beauty of Monterey Bay. Start your day off with a sauna and cold plunge at the resort before setting off in pursuit of wildlife and natural splendor. For an impossibly scenic mini road trip, take a drive down the winding bends of Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) or go hiking in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park or Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Trailborn Surf and Sound, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy
Ideal for travelers seeking a laid‑back resort vibe with easy access to the beach and the outdoors, Trailborn Surf and Sound, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy is just right. Set along a scenic stretch of Wrightsville Beach — known as the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina — the property offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with plenty to explore. Learn to ride the waves with on-site surf lessons, or try out paddleboarding, kiteboarding, harbor cruises, or fishing. After working up an appetite in the ocean, dig into coastal Italian dishes at La Duna Paradiso or sip poolside cocktails as you unwind by the water.
Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort
Marathon, Florida, makes for an ideal jumping-off point to explore the Florida Keys, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in North America. Start your day off with a morning meditation session or rejuvenating yoga class at Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort. Then embark on a chartered fishing expedition in pursuit of mahi-mahi, tuna, and snapper. Guests can also explore the natural wonders of the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary aboard a sailboat.
Beach Resorts with Pulse-Pounding Nightlife
For some travelers, a day at the beach is just the beginning. These coastal resorts really come to life after dark, thanks to their proximity to swanky cocktail bars, popping dance floors, and sophisticated eateries.
W South Beach
With an unbeatable location in the beating heart of Miami Beach, Florida, W South Beach is a go-to for travelers who want their days on the sand to flow into vibrant evenings. During the day, the hotel’s scene orbits around its glam outdoor pool deck and private cabanas overlooking the ocean. In the evening, the jet-set gather for dinner at the iconic Mr Chow or to catch the live bands in the Living Room Bar. Beyond the resort, Miami Beach’s near endless bars, clubs, galleries, and restaurants are all an easy stroll away.
Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection
For travelers who want to embrace San Diego’s energy before retreating to their comparatively serene accommodations, Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection is a perfect pick. Set on a scenic stretch of Imperial Beach, this resort embraces California coastal vibes with ocean-inspired decor and is just a short walk from the historic wooden pier. Start your evening off with craft cocktails at Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar. Then let the night take you where it will.
Wellness-Focused Beach Resorts
For slowing down and spending time outdoors with intention, these resorts emphasize calmer settings, restorative amenities, and beach access that supports rest, movement, and time unplugged.
Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui
For travelers looking to live on Aloha time, Wailea is ideal for leaning into Maui’s relaxed pace of life. The setting encourages unstructured days, with plenty of time for long, meditative walks on the beach. For a truly rejuvenating treat, book a Lomi Lomi massage at the Mandara Spa, or better yet, rise at dawn for the Awaken in Wailea experience, which includes a massage and soothing soundwave therapy session right by the water’s edge.
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
Situated directly on the pine-fringed shores of Lake Rosseau in Minett, Ontario, this Canadian resort offers a true lakeside beach experience in the summer. For guests of the on-site HydroSpa Muskoka, the heated outdoor pool means you can unwind in the water all year-round.
Beach Resorts for Food-Lovers
For travelers who live to eat, these destinations are as much about their vibrant restaurant scenes as they are about the shoreline. If you’re craving locally caught seafood a stone’s-throw from the waves, check out these resorts.
Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection
Located right on Pismo Beach in California, this resort takes advantage of the region’s locally grown produce, just-caught seafood, and wines. Travelers don’t even need to leave the premises for exceptional drinks and dishes. Pequin Coastal Cocina is all about coastal California cuisine, which guests can savor overlooking the Pacific. Guests can also enjoy an alfresco sundowner at the Star Bar or take part in one of the regular wine tastings.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
When it comes to pristine Gulf seafood in Florida, it’s hard to beat Sarasota. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is ideal for travelers looking to spend their days on a white sand beach and their evenings out on the town. A complimentary shuttle whisks guests right into the heart of the local restaurant scene. Meanwhile, at the resort itself, Jack Dusty serves just-caught fish with an ocean view, while Rufa serves sophisticated shared plates by a fire pit.
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