Are Beach Front Room Prices Worth It?
 

What is everyone's opinion>

yes - if you are going to spend a lot of time in the hotel/ resort

no - if you are going to be out and about sight-seeing a lot and not in the room very much

There's no right or wrong response to this question. To those who can afford it ocean front rooms are "worth it". To those who are on a budget it's an unnecessary expense. If you think about it you spend very little time actually looking at the view. During the day you are usually: a) in the bathroom, b) are "out and about" or c) are in the room with the drapes drawn because you are engaged in extra-curricular activities. At night it's usually too dark to see anything or you are asleep. As I said, if you can afford the price than that's fine. If you are on a budget you can still enjoy all a resort or hotel has to offer in a non-beach front room.

Tricky question. If there is a balcony with chairs where you plan to sit and enjoy the view, then yes. But a regular room with a window facing the ocean? Who's going to stand at the window looking at the view? Then I say no.

And I agree that if a room faces directly out to sea, what is there to view at night? Even with a full moon, there's not much to "see".

Only if:

1)Paying for it won't force you to scrimp on dining or other activities,

2)you will spend a lot of time in the room - such as at an isolated resort where you might have room service meals on the lanai, and

3)you are really on the beach and will be able to hear the waves crashing.

It's worth it if you think it is.
When we travel to a place on the ocean, we'll pay for that setting because we love the sight of the ocean. Somewhere else, where we're going for the history/museums, etc., we might opt for an inexpensive B&B.

It depends. If the rate is not double and the other rooms overlook the parking lot or dumpster, yes.

But, if the price is double and we could stay twice as long...

Typically, once you're up and dress, you can enjoy the view from breakfast in the dining room or on the terrace, and cocktails before you retire.

It's definitely worth it! Ocean front: It's not just looking @ the ocean...it's the sound of the surf crashing into shore that does it for me. I always stay oceanfront. And, I love every penny of it.

My thinking, I love an ocean front room but I think it is only worth it if there is a terrace where one can sit out and enjoy morning coffee, a cocktail or wine or just a pleasant afternoon with a good book. The sound of the waves, the moon over the ocean etc. is precious. But only if that is something you can afford and it will not take away from good restaurants that you want to go to or other activities that you want to do or the amount of time that you will be able to stay at the hotel/resort.

I don't know how anyone could advise you whether or not the price is worth it as we don't know your budget, your likes and dislikes etc.

So all I can say is if you love the ocean and if you can afford it then yes
a room with a terrace overlooking the beach and ocean is worth it. Best wishes to you with your decision.

I've already booked one so I was more interested in everyone's opinions. Great responses! And, I agree, if you are going to stay at a great beach location-you get the beach front if you can afford it.

Our family stayed in an ocean-front suite at the Maui Prince Hotel in Hawaii and it was worth every penny. We sat on the balcony and watched the whales, watched the ocean, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

As others have said- it all makes more sense if there is a balcony or terrace facing the ocean, not just windows.

Only if there is a balcony where you can open the doors and sit outside for a while. Looking at the ocean through solid glass is like watching it on TV.

We had an effiency apartment on the sixth floor with a nice balcony. It was great. Worth every penny extra. I wouldn't want one lower down where noise from the pools, etc. would intrude.

We love a beach front room. After putting the kids to bed, we like to sit on the balcony and watch the waves as the sun sets...

It is for me. Like Kansasmom, we are usually travelling with kids. If I have to be in the room for naptime, I might as well be on the balcony listening to the waves crash and smelling the salt air. Plus, I live about a mile from the ocean at home -- if my room ain't oceanfront, I might as well stay home!!

In a word: YES.
:)>-

It depends on the beach. Some beachfront rooms have so much to see and are just gorgeous and others are kind of ordinary.

A view can be important when taking my grandma on a trip. She doesn't walk as much as she used to. Having the windows open, seeing the view makes it more special.

Totally worth it if you can afford it. I agree about the balcony. First, I love waking up to the view. Then, during the heat of the day, it's great to go back to your room where it's cool, take a break, have a drink, and still enjoy the beach. Even when we do a lot of sightseeing, we never underestimate how much time we end up spending in our room/lodging.

Beachfront w/ lanai... priceless...
((R))

I just wanted to say that this is a great forum! Thanks.

Although no one has seemed to say this specifically, do you get the idea that most of us are saying it is only "worth it" if you get a balcony or terrace?

Yes, and that's just what I booked!

Yes, Yes, Yes... great place for morning coffee, early evening glass of wine... remember enjoying my first morning on the balcony at the Hyatt in Kauai...up very early due to east coast body clock...sat and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the sea with a cup of coffee. Also sat there a few days later to write postcards to my friend's children at home. Oceanfront balconies are truly wonderful and feel very luxurious.

I agree totally with starrsville who said:

"yes - if you are going to spend a lot of time in the hotel/ resort

no - if you are going to be out and about sight-seeing a lot and not in the room very much"

We travel to the Caribbean at least twice per year, and no longer get the oceanfront/beachfront rooms because we are out and about as soon as the sun comes up, and rarely ever in our room.

I disagree with those who said people who can afford it always get them. That's not always the case. We spent 15+ years getting oceanfront rooms, and while we are fortunate to be able to afford it, we choose not to get them any longer.

We have found that there's a lot of fun to be had by picking a beautiful oceanfront spot on the resort property and having a bottle of wine and a cheese plate delivered to us, or taking a picnic basket to a deserted beach and spending the day. Or getting in the rental car and hitting a local spot for breakfast, or sitting in a beach bar listening to live reggae and watching the sun set.

It's a personal choice, but there is no "always" answer for anyone. Sometimes your tastes and what you do and want on your vacation change a lot over the years.

No, because the waves are too noisy and I can't sleep at night with all that racket.

How much time will you spend in the room? A third of your day (8 hrs) or more?

Is it worth it to you to be able to look out your window, even ONCE, and have an ocean view?

That's a very subjective question. I really enjoy a nice hotel room with a pleasant view if I can get it. I like a bit of down time on any trip. My husband, on the other hand, would be in the room LITERALY just to sleep and bathe if he had his way. (On a Disneyworld trip, we'd stumble back at 10 pm from 13 hours in the parks and he'd say "okay kids, put on your suits, let's go to the pool!") All lovely amenities and views are totally wasted on him.