14 Best Beach Resorts in the USA

With direct access to the trendiest stretch of Miami Beach, South Beach, The Setai is a stunning property. The Asian-inspired resort is a top choice for couples thanks to its spacious suites that range in size from studios to a stunning four-bedroom penthouse. All feature high-end perks like hand-crafted Duxiana beds covered in high-end Italian sheets, espresso machines, and rainfall showers.

Amenities here include three swimming pools and access to sun-loungers on a private stretch of beach. There is also free yoga on this beach for hotel guests. Additionally there is a super posh spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center on-site.

For dining, choose from Jaya, which serves Asian fare, and The Ocean Grill, which does an international menu including wood-fired seafood items.

Address: 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida

Accommodation: The Setai, Miami Beach

Just across the Intracoastal Waterway (linked by a bridge) from Charleston, Isle of Palms is a beautiful barrier island known for its six miles of white sandy beaches fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you'll find the Wild Dunes Resort, which features two hotels, as well as beach house and condo rentals (the largest has seven bedrooms). As such, the resort does a great job of catering to everyone from couples to multi-generational families.

The Village at Wild Dunes Hotel is one of the properties. It is family friendly and has large, modern suites.

The Boardwalk Inn is the other on-site hotel. It has an adult-only swimming pool.

There are a number of restaurant choices on the grounds, as well as a spa and two 18-hole golf courses.

Address: 200 Grand Pavilion Blvd, Isle of Palms, South Carolina

Accommodation: Wild Dunes Resort

Book one of the beachfront bungalows or villas at the 5-star Montage Laguna Beach. Located on a bluff fronting the sea just 2.5 miles from the attractions of downtown Laguna Beach, the craftsman-style resort features elegant rooms and suites done up with gorgeous dark wooden furniture and cool regional artwork. All come with private balconies and ocean views along with swanky marble baths.

Amenities here include three swimming pools, including one that faces the Pacific Ocean and has cabana rentals. There is also a restaurant and grill on-site, plus a relatively large spa and assorted shops, including an art gallery.

Address: 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California

Accommodation: Montage Laguna Beach

On the island of Oahu in Hawaii, the Kahala Hotel & Resort is one of the top 5-star properties in the state, located in Honolulu's opulent Kahala district, which is a favorite destination for visiting royalty, celebrities, and heads of state. The resort sits on a quiet and beautiful beach just 10 minutes removed from downtown Waikiki but feels worlds away.

There are a few different room configurations, including some swanky suites with designer furniture and separate living space. Free surfing and paddleboard lessons are offered to guests, as is a shuttle service to Waikiki. You can also borrow a bike to get around.

For dining, there are five different restaurants on-site. There is also a spa, swimming pool, and gym on the grounds.

Address: 5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Accommodation: The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Just across the street from a really pretty stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach, which boasts a fun ocean-front boardwalk, the Ritz-Carlton is another top US beach resort to check out for a vacation.

Especially popular with a young crowd and couples, the Ritz has a hip modern style and fun vibe throughout the property.

There is a fantastic spa here, as well as a mid-level rooftop swimming pool with hot tubs. There are also lounge chairs right on the beach and a few dining options. The rooms and suites are spacious and swanky.

Address: 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

Santa Monica, an oceanside suburb of Los Angeles famed for its pier, is also home to the fabulous luxe beach resort, Shutters on the Beach. Right on the sand, the hotel fronts the Pacific Ocean, and its public areas are done up with modern art pieces by greats like Roy Lichtenstein and David Hockey.

The 186 rooms and 12 suites feel like staying in a private beach cottage. All but a few come with sea-facing balconies and the white wooden shutters opening onto the beach that the hotel is named for. They also have a distinct romantic vibe, with four-poster beds, custom linens, and whirlpool tubs in bathrooms.

There are three different restaurants. Other amenities include a spa, a swimming pool with sun-loungers and cabana rentals, and a gym. Guests can also sign up for private yoga classes or surf lessons for an extra fee.

Address: 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, California

Accommodation: Shutters on the Beach

Set within the 6,150-acre Gulf State Park, this Hilton resort is on a white sandy beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The Lodge at Gulf State Park is also dedicated to sustainable tourism and keeping the protected ecosystem surrounding it pristine.

There are a mix of rooms and suites in various configurations, and if you're traveling with the kids, there are even some suites with bunk beds.

Families will also appreciate kids' menus in the on-site restaurants and family packages. Other amenities include an infinity pool with gulf views and a gym.

Address: 21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, Alabama

Accommodation: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hote

The 4-star Henderson Resort is as luxe as they come in Destin. It is set right across the street from a gorgeous white-sand beach and the Gulf of Mexico's warm, blue-green water.

The rooms and suites are done up in modern chic style and feature a number of different layouts. Views are either of the ocean, garden, or pool area, and all rooms have furnished balconies.

Amenities include a swimming pool, lazy river, ice-cream parlor, spa, and five restaurants. It is a great choice for families. And if your children are of the four- and not two-legged variety, The Henderson is also dog friendly for an extra fee.

Address: 200 Henderson Resort Way, Florida

Accommodation: The Henderson - A Salamander Beach & Spa Resort

On tiny Lanai Island, which is a 45-minute boat ride from Maui, the Four Seasons Resort is a super swanky affair with a great location overlooking Hulopoe Bay. The beach in front of the hotel is actually part of a protected marine preserve and there is great snorkeling just offshore.

The rooms and suites are five-star luxe with beautiful decor and indoor and outdoor bathroom spaces. There are also a number of on-site dining options, including an outpost of Nobu.

Other amenities include two lagoon-style swimming pools with sea views (one is for families, the other is adults-only), a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a kids' club.

Address: 1 Manele Bay Road, Lanai City, Lanai, Hawaii

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Lanai

This is one of the top properties on Galveston Island and is just across the street from the beach. The resort has a very luxe, Texas-style, hacienda vibe, with grand public spaces featuring wood-beamed accents and extra high ceilings with curved archways and columns. The beautiful beach in front of the hotel stretches on for miles and the sights of downtown Galveston are just a short drive away.

The rooms here are plush, with a beach ambience and very comfy beds. The vibe is more couple focused than families, and pets are allowed for an extra fee.

The resort's swimming pool is stellar, with vine-covered columns surrounding it and a whirlpool at one end. The spa is also excellent and has more outdoor Jacuzzis. There is also a popular restaurant here.

Address: 2024 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Galveston Island, Texas

Accommodation: Hotel Galvez & Spa A Wyndham Grand Hotel

On South Carolina's Hilton Head Island, the Inn & Club at Harbour Town is an excellent luxe beach resort. It is part of the larger Sea Pines Resort, and if you stay, you'll have access to all the resort amenities, including its beach club via a complimentary shuttle bus.

There are a number of different floor plans to choose from, including many that cater to families. The two-bedroom suites come with kitchenettes and pullout sofas in the living room. Regardless of room or suite size, the decor is swanky Lowcountry throughout, and there are wonderful soaking tubs in the bathrooms.

On-site amenities include a restaurant, gym, and swimming pool, and there is a golf course and clubhouse on the resort grounds.

Address: 7 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Accommodation: Inn & Club at Harbour Town - Sea Pines Resort

In a great beachfront location on Georgia's Jekyll Island, The Westin is a four-star property adjacent to the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The development it is part of also includes shops and restaurants, so you have plenty of dining choices nearby.

The rooms are spacious, and many feature ocean views along with comfy beds and quality linens. They also come with mini-fridges, although they lack microwaves. There is 24-hour room service available and a concierge to assist with restaurant reservations or activity suggestions.

On-site amenities include a large outdoor swimming pool, multiple restaurants, and a coffee shop.

Address: 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, Georgia

Accommodation: The Westin Jekyll Island

In the trendy and posh Florida beach town of Naples, famous for its luxury shopping, top restaurants, and beautiful white-sand beaches backed by the turquoise hues of the Gulf of Mexico, La Playa Beach & Golf Resort is set right on the sand.

The luxury property has a laid-back, beachy vibe and contemporary styling throughout. Rooms and suites are bright and airy with comfy beds and all the mod cons. In the suites, there is also original art and Jacuzzi bathtubs.

Property amenities include a lovely free-form swimming pool surrounded by swaying coconut palms, a very zen spa, a gym, and an 18-hole golf course. You'll also find a beachfront restaurant next to a fire pit that is great for chilly nights. If you're traveling with the kids, there is a kids' club.

Address: 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, Florida

Accommodation: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, A Nobel House Resort

South Carolina is known for its beaches and golf resorts, and at the 5-star Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, you'll get the best of both.

The oceanfront resort on Kiawah Island south of Charleston is located on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach. It also features five championship golf courses.

The rooms and suites are spacious and decorated in South Carolina Lowcountry decor. The destination resort also features a number of dining choices, a luxe spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers available.

Address: 1 Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Accommodation: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort