I live in NYC. I would like to find a beach resort within a 4 hour car ride or so from NYC that would provide me with a beautiful hotel, beautiful beaches and a romantic setting. Any ideas

long island has tons of options. otherwise, you can head north to westchester - rye, greenwhich, mamaroneck have options as well.

There are tons of great beaches within a couple of hours drive - but it sounds like you may want a resort hotel - rather than a resort town. If the latter why not go for East Hampton - lots of great B&Bs and restaruants - and not very crowded during the week.

I can't think of any resorts. Cape May is quite charming and romantic but more of a bed & breakfast place.

Another possibility is MOntauk point.

Gurney's Inn in Montauk and the Westhampton Bath & tennis club are the only 2 big hotels ON an ocean beach on Long Island. The Montauk Yacht Club is on the water, but not on a swimmable beach. There are also some motel type places on the beach in Amagansett & Montauk. There are many Inns, B & bs etc. in the Hamptons but you'd have to drive to the beach. The J Harper Poor Cottage in East Hampton is one of the nicest (and most expensive).

The Ram's Head Inn on Shelter Island is a bigish old fashioned resort hotel on the water. The Sunset Beach Hotel is a motel really that's been made very trendy with a popular restaurant/bar. It sits on a pretty beach, but tends to attract young families.

There are some lovely inns across from the beach in Spring Lake, NJ.

But while there may be "tons" of beautiful beaches, I actually can't think of one classic beach resort hotel like you might find in Florida in the NY area. The closest are the first 2 I mentioned. Gurney's is known for it's spa too but the guest rooms are not terrific. I've not seen the rooms at the Westhampton Bath & Tennis & not sure how many are available for rent on a regular absis. I think some are condos. They also cater weddings there.

I haven't been to Atlantic city, but that's another thought although not what I'd think of as romantic.