Going to the Jersey Shore doesn’t have to look like an episode of MTV’s Jersey Shore. Or it can, depending on what vibe you’re going for (no judgment). You can relax — or party — in Asbury Park and its surrounding areas, which are abundant with boutique hotels and bed and breakfast accommodations that are appropriate for whatever plans you may have for DTS. From beachside retreats to funky, always-happening lodging, read on for a guide to the best hotel options available in the Asbury Park area of the Jersey Shore.
Asbury Park
The Asbury Hotel | 210 Fifth Avenue
Asbury Park’s hip and eclectic boutique hotel option, The Asbury Hotel, is a must-see. Depending on the day, guests might catch a movie or a band playing on the Baronet rooftop or a Full Moon Party happening out at the pool. The Asbury Hotel has a rooftop bar, bowling alley, photo gallery, diner, and live music space. For guests staying during the off-season, the outdoor pool turns into a hot spring with the water temperature reaching a cozy 95 degrees.
Asbury Ocean Club | 1101 Ocean Avenue N
Asbury Park’s chic and elite Asbury Ocean Club stands tall along the coastline, overlooking the beach and boardwalk. The five-star hotel has celebrity-level accommodations, gorgeous rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private bar and restaurant, as well as an ocean-view garden and terrace. The hotel also has free bikes for guests, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and a full fitness center. The Asbury Ocean Club is not open to the public, so only residents or guests of the hotel have access to amenities such as the pool, bar, and restaurant.
Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel | 1401 Ocean Avenue
The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel is just steps away from the boardwalk and Convention Hall, which is a prime location for beaching or show-hopping from The Wonder Bar to The Stone Pony. The brick-block, Victorian-style hotel has panoramic ocean views that cannot be beaten. In the mid-1980s, musician Johnny Cash was part owner of the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. The suite he once occupied while staying in Asbury Park at the hotel is now appropriately titled the “Johnny Cash Suite” and is available for those looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.
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The Empress Hotel | 101 Asbury Avenue
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The Empress Hotel has breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Wesley Lake, and, if you’re lucky, the Stone Pony Summer Stage. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool with a tiki bar, restaurant, game room, and Paradise nightclub and bar. The iconic neon-lighted Empress Hotel sign is a quintessential part of the Asbury Park skyline.
The St. Laurent: Heirloom, Guest Rooms, + Social Club | 408 7th Avenue
The St. Laurent is a quaint, adults-only hotel nestled right in the middle of town. The St. Laurent’s pool is open to the public daily from 10AM to 6PM, and guest passes are available for those not staying at the hotel. The hotel’s dining experience, Heirloom, is open six days a week for lunch and dinner. Daytime dining is full service with an à la carte menu while the evening option is a three-course prix fixe. Animals are not permitted on the property, with the exception of fully-trained service dogs.
Bradley Beach
The James Bradley | 204 3rd Avenue
The James Bradley in Bradley Beach is within arms reach of the bars and nightlife of Asbury Park and Belmar, but far enough away to feel some of the shore’s tranquility. The 17-room boutique hotel just opened in August 2022, so everything is super new and fresh. The artful, minimalist decor throughout the hotel spaces is incredibly aesthetically pleasing. Some of the hotel’s amenities include beach passes, a continental breakfast, in-room massages, aromatherapy, and reflexology, as well as more wellness and spa options.
Long Branch
Bungalow Hotel | 50 Laird Street
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The Bungalow Hotel, known as the “art-centric boutique hotel,” can be found on the outskirts of the Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ. It prides itself on uniquely designed oversized rooms and suites that come equipped with a fireplace and kitchenette. The lobby features a foosball table, pool table, a cocktail bar called Bungalounge, and an art gallery. Guests of The Bungalow Hotel can use all of the amenities at the Wave Resort, its sister property, such as the gym, children’s playroom, heated pool, and oceanfront lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Ocean Place | 1 Ocean Boulevard
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The ultimate relaxation vacation spot at the Jersey Shore: Ocean Place Resort and Spa. Hit the beach, book a deep tissue massage, go for a dip in the pool, get a facial — it’s all right here. Amenities include an ocean-view restaurant and lounge, two bars and a snack shop, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and tennis courts. On a clear day, guests can see New York City from the oceanside rooms.
Wave Resort | 110 Ocean Avenue North
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Located in the heart of Pier Village, the Wave Resort appropriately describes itself as an “elevated boutique hotel experience.” Each room features a terrace with breathtaking views of either the Atlantic Ocean or the eclectic Pier Village shops. Plus, guests are welcome to enjoy the public beach, just steps outside of the hotel, at no additional cost.
See More: Must-Visit Hotels in the Catskill Mountains
Ocean Grove
Laingdon Hotel | 8 Ocean Avenue North
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For those looking for a quaint, bed-and-breakfast-style stay, head to Ocean Grove, NJ. The Laingdon Hotel is an elegant, Victorian-era building overlooking the ocean. The hotel offers rooms with terraces that feature unobstructed beach views as well as access to two spacious common porches on the first and second floors. Some rooms even have fireplaces. Amenities include a complimentary continental breakfast, free wifi, a microwave, ice machine, snacks, and bottled water.
Shawmont Hotel | 17 Ocean Avenue North
Located right across the street from the Ocean Grove beach and boardwalk is the Shawmont Hotel. The Shawmont is within walking distance of all of the shops on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove as well as Asbury Park’s downtown. We can’t get enough of the bright and airy decor and local art featured in the lobby. The charming Shawmont is a perfect location for a girls’ getaway weekend.
