5 Best Hotels in Spring Lake, New Jersey Shore

The only elevators in town whisk you to upper stories and spectacular views of the ocean. Ask for a room with a direct view and an extra-large whirlpool tub, or, as a second choice, a side-view room with a jet tub. Vast outdoor porches and a large freshwater pool make this hotel feel like a mansion. Both restaurants have fabulous water views.

Originally a 19th-century Victorian hotel, the Hewitt Wellington has been renovated into a more modern lakefront boutique inn. Furnishings throughout are elegant and understated—there are Victorian flourishes, but you won't find rooms plastered with jarring wallpaper. The best of the standard rooms have private porches overlooking the heated outdoor pool. Staying here puts you next to Spring Lake and three blocks from the ocean. Off the wraparound porch is Whispers restaurant, which preserves the Victorian aesthetic while serving contemporary cuisine.

This multicolor painted lady, circa 1889, has red rooftops and a central, square tower. The interior is filled with period antiques, including stain-glass lamps throughout, ladies' handiwork from the 1800s in the dining room, and intricate carved-wood furniture. Floral wallpapers and area rugs complement the Victorian pieces. The largest rooms are the most comfortable; on the other end of the spectrum, the tiny tower room (Room 200) feels a bit like the crows nest of an old schooner, looking out at the ocean a half block away.

Salmon outer walls, striped window awnings, and a wrap-around porch characterize the bright and breezy resort hotel built in 1878. Brightly colored guest rooms—blue-green, dusky blue, daffodil yellow, powder pink, magenta—coordinate with floral bedspreads on white iron, four-poster, and brass beds. Antiques fill the attractive common rooms—look for the original switchboard in the main lobby and try to imagine what this inn was like when first opened. The Ocean House is one block from Spring Lake and one block from the ocean.

A big front porch and unusual, angular-shape guest rooms make staying here a memorable experience. Most rooms are painted in bold, solid hues, tempered by light floral bedspreads and lace curtains. Some rooms have queen-sized sleigh beds, and all have gas fireplaces. Homemade baked goods are a specialty, with breads and jam served with breakfast and fresh cookies for afternoon snacks. At breakfast, ask for the inn's version of bananas Foster—thick French toast stuffed with cream cheese, flavored with rum extract, and topped with bananas. The inn is a block from the boardwalk's south beach house and two blocks from Spring Lake.