Growing up in New England, a family beach vacation was the way to celebrate the summer. As I made my way down the U.S. East Coast during my adult life, with an almost 10-year stint in the Mid-Atlantic and now residing in Florida, the appeal of a beach vacation remained strong—and the further south I went, the less limited to summertime it became.
If you’re dreaming of an East Coast beach vacation with your family, these are my picks for the best hotels by the coast between Maine and Florida. You’ll find comfortable accommodations just steps from the sand and surf, plus a whole range of other amenities and activities for when you need a break from the beach.
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Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Set along a mile of sandy beach on the Maine coast, Inn by the Sea is the stuff of beach vacation dreams. A private boardwalk leads down to the crescent-shaped beach, where you can take part in an organized beach walk or just enjoy the sand and surf on your own. Grab one of the inn’s bikes to explore the area further, and be sure to end each day of a summertime stay with nightly s’mores around the fire.
The inn’s suites offer plenty of space for families and include kitchens, fireplaces, and furnished outdoor decks. You can bring the family pooch along with you or meet a shelter pup at the inn through a partnership with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. You can also walk and play with the rescue dogs, but be warned: Many wind up getting adopted, so you might leave your beach vacation with an extra-special souvenir.
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Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Brewster, Massachusetts
One thing I love about Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club is its ability to meet any family vacation need. If you want to spend your days frolicking at the beach and lounging by the pool in one of New England’s most charming beach towns, you can do that here. If you’re looking for more activity, this Cape Cod resort offers everything from pickleball and croquet to kayaking and golf.
Accommodations also run the gamut from traditional guest rooms to multi-bedroom units that provide more space to spread out (as well as kitchenettes and washers and dryers). So no matter the size of your family or group, you’re covered. The classic beach vacation vibes are strong here, and they’re only amplified by complimentary activities like oyster bed tours and low-tide mini golf right on the sand. (Read my full review here.)
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Weekapaug Inn
Westerly, Rhode Island
A family vacation at Weekapaug Inn will likely include lots of time on the two-mile stretch of private beach, where The Bathhouse offers everything from towels and umbrellas to paninis and ice-cold Del’s lemonade. There’s also a seasonal heated outdoor pool, kayak and paddleboard rentals for exploring Quonochontaug Salt Pond, and scheduled motorboat outings on the pond.
The Lawn is the place for games or just relaxing in an Adirondack chair, and a summertime activity calendar will keep the whole family busy with naturalist outings, crafts, stargazing, and evening s’mores. Every room and suite has a unique view, layout, and furnishings, but they all offer a comfortable place to relax after long days in the sun. The inn also rolls out the red carpet for the four-legged members of the family.
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Gurney’s Montauk
Montauk, New York
The only luxury year-round resort in the Hamptons situated directly on the beach, everything about Gurney’s Montauk is the stuff of a memorable East Coast getaway. The resort features a 2,000-foot private beach for days spent in the sun and evening beach bonfires during the summer. If the weather isn’t quite cooperating, there’s also a seawater-fed indoor pool with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Indulge in seawater- and marine-based therapies at the recently reimagined Seawater Spa & BathHouse, or take part in a class at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Complimentary loaner bikes are also available for pedaling around the area. The resort’s 158 rooms, suites, and beachfront cottages deliver ocean views and lodging options for families big and small.
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Congress Hall
Cape May, New Jersey
The sunny yellow Congress Hall has been welcoming guests since 1816, so it’s got to be doing something right. This historic hotel sits along Cape May’s oh-so-charming beachfront, offering easy access to the sand where complimentary chairs, towels, and umbrellas await. There’s also a lovely family pool plus a full schedule of family-friendly seasonal programming that includes carnival nights on the lawn.
Rooms and suites are done up in classic all-American style, and bike rentals are available for all ages and skill levels for pedaling around the Victorian-era beach town. If you want a night to yourself sans kids, Congress Hall offers the Blue’s Clubhouse kids club service run by licensed sitters that includes fun activities and dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern for young guests.
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The Cavalier Resort
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Vacation your way at The Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach. Start by choosing from one of three hotel options: the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club (first opened in 1927), the modern Marriott Resort Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the spacious Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort. You’re not far from the sand wherever you choose, and every stay comes with complimentary beach chairs for two and two-hour metal detector rentals the kids will love using for treasure hunting.
If you book at the Historic Cavalier Hotel, you’ll also get access to the seasonal Cavalier Beach Club, which includes a seaside infinity pool and poolside bar and grill. But there are plenty of dining options throughout the entire resort property, including the oh-so-kid-friendly We Scream ice cream shop at the Marriott that’s a perfect pick-me-up after a day by the shore. There’s also a full calendar of daily resort activities that will keep everyone in the family busy.
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The Sanderling Resort
Duck, North Carolina
Situated on 12 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, The Sanderling Resort puts a luxe spin on the all-American beach vacation. After a recent resort-wide refresh, redesigned guest rooms and suites ooze with coastal charm and serve as restful spaces after busy days by the water. Six vacation home rentals offer another lodging option ideal for multigenerational groups.
No matter where you stay you can enjoy all of the amenities at the resort, which include a zero-entry family pool, adults-only pool, fitness center, and spa with coastal-inspired treatments and views of Currituck Sound. Three private beach access points take you down to the shoreline, and you can book kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or surfboard rentals, lessons, and tours right at the resort. Novice surfers, take note: The Sanderling’s sandbar makes it a good spot to learn how to ride the waves. On-site “adventure planners” are also available at the resort to help you plan activities like golf, biking, and tours for spotting Corolla’s wild horses.
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Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
A scenic setting on a South Carolina barrier island about 20 miles from historic Charleston is just one reason why Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the East Coast’s best beach resorts. A range of lodging options makes it easy to find the best fit for your family, whether you’d prefer to stay at The Sanctuary oceanfront hotel and spa, one of the 500 resort villas and private homes available as vacation rentals, or The Cottages at The Ocean Course that are ideal for golfers interested in playing the resort’s five championship courses designed by famed golf course architects.
There’s a lot here to keep the entire family happy, including three pool complexes, bike and paddleboard rentals, a tennis center, and a luxe spa. Kids and teens will love the new Treehouse activity center at Night Heron Park, which features a nature center, eight bowling lanes, old-school arcade, art studio, family-friendly pub, and two golf simulators.
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The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
St. Simons Island, Georgia
Georgia’s Golden Isles rate as one of my favorite vacation spots, and The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort puts you within steps of the sand for spending days by the water on St. Simons. Rooms and suites offer ocean views, while beach villas and guest houses provide more space for the family to spread out.
Beyond the beach, there are five outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a seasonal poolside snack bar, and the island’s only oceanfront restaurant. For a fun family outing, rent an open-air Moke vehicle at the resort and cruise around the island in retro style. Take note: The golf course is temporarily closed as it undergoes a reimagining.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Amelia Island, Florida
With its location on a picturesque Northeast Florida barrier island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island makes it easy to spend hours splashing, sunning, and sandcastle-building at the beach. Three private boardwalks lead guests through a landscape of sand dunes and sea oats down to a quarter mile of shoreline. The coastal setting is so appealing that all of the accommodations at the luxury resort include private balconies for enjoying ocean views.
Daily nature walks and naturalist talks give you the chance to learn about the plant and animal life on the island, and the resort’s Nature Center helps kids further connect with the outdoors through crafts and other activities. Family fun is a big focus here, with programming like a sandcastle concierge, in-room Pirate Tuck-Ins with a costumed storyteller with treats, and even an in-room camping experience for the kiddos that’s anything but roughing it.
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The Breakers Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
Founded in 1896, The Breakers Palm Beach remains a go-to for a luxe beach vacation on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The independent Italian Renaissance-style resort sits on 140 oceanfront acres on the island of Palm Beach, and its Beach Club has four pools, dining options, a private beach area, and stylish poolside bungalows available for daytime rental.
When you need a break from the beach, there are two 18-hole golf courses, 16 racquet courts, an indoor-outdoor spa, an expansive fitness center, and a family entertainment center with games and activities for kids. A full schedule of daily activities also includes everything from crafts sessions and family trivia to dive-in movies.
