26 Best Hotels in Northeast Coast, Florida

Hand-stenciled Moorish columns and arches, handcrafted chandeliers, and gilded iron tables decorate the lobby of this late-1800s Flagler-era masterpiece. A retreat for the nation's wealthiest until the Great Depression put it out of business, it returned to its perch as St. Augustine's grande dame in 1999. The turrets, towers, and wrought-iron balconies offer a hint of what's inside. For a bit of pampering, head to the luxurious Poseidon spa. The location puts you within walking distance of many attractions.

This coral-and-blue, 1950s throwback caters to budget-minded guests seeking an ultracasual, laid-back oceanfront experience. The vibe may be retro, but the technology is up to date, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, small refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers. All the rooms face the ocean and have private balconies or patios from which to watch the sun (or the moon) rise over the Atlantic. The kidney-shaped pool and lounge chairs are pretty standard issue but offer a refreshing respite from the hot Florida sun or the salty ocean. The Lemon Bar is a hot spot for locals and hotel guests, especially on weekends.

Across the street from the beach, this convenient, midsize inn is an economical, family-friendly alternative to the area's luxury resorts. Several restaurants are within walking distance, and a full breakfast is served each morning in the lobby. Rooms are modestly furnished and have ocean views and pool views (though the pool is practically in the parking lot, so there's not much of a view).

The hospitality at this 1920s-era downtown boutique hotel starts with a free welcome goodie bag and continues throughout your stay. The property has been through various iterations, but the latest renovation created a trendy, updated space that preserves the original hardwood floors, the stone-floored lobby, and the exposed brick walls. Most rooms are spacious suites that offer modern amenities but also remain faithful to the history of the century-old structure. Restaurants and shops are a short walk away, but staying in is an option, too: there's a cozy lounge with a full bar and a delightful on-site Cuban restaurant.

Families love this Best Western for its affordable suites, and everyone loves it for its oceanfront location (just a half block from the Cocoa Beach Pier), its great views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and its proximity to Port Canaveral. The cruise pier is only five minutes away. The suites are modest but have two TVs, a separate living room, wet-bar area with sink, refrigerator, microwave, sofa bed, and a private balcony. In addition to the beach, outdoor spaces include fire pits and two pools.

Compared with nearby oceanfront hotels, it's small, but Casa Marina's rich history—it opened in 1925 and hosted Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Al Capone in its early days—make it a hit with those looking for a characterful retreat. Rooms are spacious, and most have some view of the ocean. Unwind in the large courtyard behind the hotel with a drink from the bar, or take a stroll on the beach. The romance of the location and the building attracts weddings and events galore, so evenings can get noisy, particularly when the Penthouse Lounge is busy. An acclaimed Sunday brunch brings flocks of locals to the restaurant.

If you're visiting Daytona Beach for something other than surf and sand (a certain iconic racing facility comes to mind), this smartly located Marriott is the perfect base. It's within walking distance to Daytona International Speedway, surrounding restaurants and shopping venues, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Public spaces include a pool and barbecue picnic area with umbrella-shaded tables for outdoor dining and a chic lobby area with media pods and a mounted flat-screen (often tuned to NASCAR). The lobby Bistro serves breakfast and dinner.

As a nod to its location near the Kennedy Space Center, this hotel has space-themed decor and amenities and a rooftop Space Bar where you can take in views of the Indian River, watch launches, and enjoy flavorful food and drink. Rooms feature wall murals taken by the Hubble space telescope and, on the night stand, a toy astronaut that projects nebulas on the ceiling. The river side of the hotel's exterior features fire pits, Adirondack chairs, recreational games, and a resort-style pool with cabanas and a bar. 

Anchoring the One Daytona shopping and entertainment complex across from the speedway, this sleek Marriott hotel is to racing what Hard Rock Cafe is to music. The racing theme runs from the common areas, where historic cars are displayed, to the rooms, which have motorsports artwork (as well as cozy sofas, iPads, and refrigerators) to the Sir Malcom restaurant and Blue Flame bar. The hotel also has a resort-style pool with cabanas and a fire pit.

Despite being one of the newer additions to the St. Augustine lodging scene, the DoubleTree blends seamlessly into the city's Old World Spanish ethos, with wrought-iron design features, high ceilings, hardwood tile, and locally produced art reflecting the city's rich history. The rooms, overlooking the city streets or pool area, are equipped with 42-inch HDTVs and Sweet Dreams beds. The on-site Oak Tree Restaurant and Lounge serves breakfast and dinner, including in-room dining. Not to be missed are the trademark homemade DoubleTree chocolate-chip cookies, served warm on arrival.

Proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and reasonable rates make this four-story hotel a top pick for an overnight. Guests deem the rooms clean, comfortable, quiet, and larger than those in comparable hotels. The property also scores points for conveniences like 24/7 coffee and tea service in the lobby, complimentary hot breakfast, microwaves and refrigerators in every room, and a fitness room and pool.

You can't get any closer to the beach than this seven-story hotel, where most rooms, renovated in 2022, have ocean views. For true drama get a room on the east end, facing the water. The pool and beach are only steps away, and the hotel offers beach chair rentals along with boogie boards, bikes, and surf lessons. If sand isn't your thing, enjoy the ocean breeze and live music under the palm-thatched bar on the deck.

Proximity to the beach and comforts like in-room microwaves and refrigerators make this six-story hotel a favorite of vacationing families, particularly Orlandoans on weekend getaways. Most rooms have ocean views with private balconies. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

In the heart of historic St. Augustine, this Spanish colonial–inspired hotel overlooking Matanzas Bay has 19 separate buildings in a village setting, and most rooms have water or city-attraction views. Given its location in the thick of the Oldest City, the hotel caters to the tourist throngs with amenities such as in-room refrigerators and a coin-op laundry.

With 12,600 square feet of meeting space, the University of Florida's flagship hotel caters most obviously to business travelers, but its location on the southwest corner of campus also makes it a good choice for UF visitors. Guest rooms, which look like they came straight off the Rooms to Go showroom floor, have two phones with voice mail, large work desks, coffeemakers, and 50-inch flat-screen TVs. The hotel offers room service, and its on-site restaurants include Shula's American Steakhouse.

Although it's part of a chain, this bright, bold boutique hotel makes you feel like you're staying in a hip apartment rather than a by-the-night lodging. Suites have a spacious soaking tub, as well as a kitchen alcove with a small refrigerator and microwave, a dining area, and a living room with a second large TV. All rooms have a desk, flat-screen TV, high-end coffeemaker, tiled walk-in shower, and large windows, as well as free Wi-Fi and access to a tech concierge on call. A stay here puts you 20 to 30 minutes from Downtown, amid office parks where many businesses have headquarters. Tapestry Park's collection of stores and restaurants is only steps away. The hotel has a bar and eatery with outdoor seating that overlooks the nicely landscaped lake. Room service is available.

It doesn't get much more convenient than this 19-story, waterfront hotel within walking distance of TIAA Bank Field, Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, Daily's Place, Florida Theatre, Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, MOCA, and all things Downtown. The property, on the north bank of the St. Johns River, offers a rooftop pool; grab-and-go food and coffee 24/7 at Market; the Tavern for cocktails; the SHOR Seafood Grill for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and Morton's The Steakhouse for upscale dining. Rooms have cool turquoise color schemes, triple-sheeted beds, pillow-top mattresses, and ergonomic work chairs. Since the hotel encompasses 110,000 square feet of meeting space, chances are pretty good you'll share an elevator with someone wearing a name tag.

Chains have since taken over St. Augustine Beach, but this longtime favorite—the only remaining "Mom and Pop" on the beach—is still doing business (lots of it) and remains as beloved as ever. The location, just steps from the beach, helps, of course. But so do the inviting, consistently updated rooms, in-room continental breakfast delivery (you choose the time), private walkway to the beach, warm service, and reasonable rates. There are a wide variety of room types and locations (some with balconies and/or fireplaces), so it's best to call and make sure you get the room you want. For a special treat, book a room in the property's adults-only bed-and-breakfast, a short walk from the main building.

The nautical theme at this boutique hotel is no gimmick, as the charming establishment also serves as a working marina, and all its rooms have balconies or patios that capitalize on the views of the Matanzas River, Bridge of Lions, and downtown. A hearty, made-to-order breakfast is served each morning in the Captain's Table, and afternoon hors d'oeuvres are offered in the Driftwood Lounge. All in all, this a great place to drop your anchor on a visit to St. Augustine.

From the upper levels of this imposing 16-floor tower, which is across the street from the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, the smart, neutral colors and modern lines of the furnishings set off the views of the St. Johns River and its iconic bridges. A marble-floored, wood-paneled lobby leads to the reception area, an upscale lounge (JBar), and Juliette's Bistro, where cozy banquettes and tables bask in the airiness of a lofty atrium. Bell service is exemplary; many porters have more than a decade on the job, so they can and will happily help you find just about anything, including a cab.

For cruise-ship passengers who can't wait to get under way, this splashy resort, done up in pink and turquoise, already feels like the Caribbean. Guest room decor is simple and restrained, but the pool is lushly landscaped and features a cascading waterfall, tiki bar, and occasional appearances by the "Radisson parrots," about a dozen wild birds who call the resort home. This resort, a little south of Port Canaveral, is not on the ocean, but only a short ride away.

Located in the heart of the Historic District, this luxurious property is within walking distance of Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street, and more. Along with modern amenities and a lively restaurant and lounge—Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen—there is also an on-site Starbucks coffee shop.

Travelers love this all-suites property for its great location, modern design features, and family-friendly amenities. The beach and restaurants are a short walk away, though many prefer to prepare meals in their spacious suites, which are all equipped with contemporary kitchens, as well as cozy sitting areas, wood-paneled accent walls, and mood lighting in the bedrooms. Adjacent to the pool is an outdoor lounge and fire pit, where guests gather in the evenings

The four-story Residence Inn is one of the closest all-suite hotels to the Kennedy Space Center. Considerably larger than traditional hotel rooms, the one- and two-bedroom suites include a full kitchen (dishwasher and all) and separate living and sleeping areas. The morning buffet and manager's reception are popular with guests. It is also convenient to other area attractions such as Port Canaveral, the Cocoa Beach Pier, the Brevard Zoo, and Cocoa Village, and is only an hour from Walt Disney World.

This hotel, a relative newcomer, is a block from the Atlantic and 2 miles from Fernandina Beach's historic district. It features a resort-style pool deck with fire pits and a full-service bar. Amenities include free, hot breakfast; free Wi-fi; pet-friendly rooms; and the on-site Tides Pool Bar and Grill, which serves small plates and cocktails.