Ocean View Hotels
I’ve been getting a lot of requests from people for ocean view hotels – either in specific locations or anywhere in the world. We love hotels with good views, especially with kids. If we’re somewhere with young kids and they need downtime in the middle of the day, I want to be able to look out and know where I am in the world, and enjoy the view while waiting to head back out.
I’ve written about our favorite hotel views before, but nothing specific to ocean views. So here you go: our top 20 ocean view hotels in the world. I’m not including lakes or rivers here, but I am including seas, since really that’s all the same water. And we’ve stayed at a lot more beachfront hotels than these, but I’m just including those where we could see the ocean from our room.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Oahu, Hawaii
Most rooms at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach have partial ocean views. It’s worth paying more for a full ocean view. A perfect location right in the middle of Waikiki.
Prices and Booking: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Relevant Blog Post: Things to Do in Oahu
Hotel Punta Islita
Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita is built up the side of a mountain and most rooms have ocean views. The beach is just a few minutes’ walk from anywhere, and the hotel includes more complimentary activities than anywhere else we’ve stayed.
Prices and Booking: Hotel Punta Islita
Relevant Blog Post: Punta Islita: Amazingly Family-Friendly Costa Rica
Six Senses Laamu
Maldives
Six Senses Laamu is our favorite resort in the world, and all overwater villas have incredible ocean views!
Prices and Booking: Six Senses Laamu
Relevant Blog Posts: Six Senses Laamu; A Return to Six Senses Laamu: Six Nights in Paradise
Playa Torguga Hotel
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Playa Tortuga Hotel was ok. I’m including it here sort of as a placeholder for all of Bocas del Toro, an amazing, not-well-known destination on the Caribbean coast of Panama. We passed so many hotels on the water that looked great, and the area’s less expensive than nearby Costa Rica.
Prices and Booking: All Bocas del Toro Hotels
Relevant Blog Post: A Panama Vacation with Thomson Family Adventures
Hilton Barbados Resort
Barbados
I really liked the Hilton Barbados. The hotel was inexpensive, the beach was excellent, and the local horse owners all bring their horses down to the ocean near the hotel every morning at sunrise. One of my favorite sunrise experiences ever!
Prices and Booking: Hilton Barbados Resort
Relevant Blog Post: None
Soneva Kiri
Ko Kood, Thailand
One of the nicest places we’ve ever stayed, Soneva Kiri is amazing on every level.
Prices and Booking: Soneva Kiri
Relevant Blog Post: Soneva Kiri: Kid Friendly Perfection in Thailand
Nissaki Beach Hotel
Naxos, Greece
We return to the Nissaki Beach Hotel every other year or so. It’s just a couple minutes’ walk from all of Naxos Town and the ferry terminal, its beach is amazing, and the room setup is perfect. Plus the hotel’s restaurant is one of the best on the island.
Prices and Booking: Nissaki Beach Hotel
Relevant Blog Posts: Naxos Greece: Our Favorite Island; Three Weeks on the Island of Naxos
Al Bustan Palace
Muscat, Oman
We love Oman. Our favorite hotel there is Six Senses Zighy Bay (listed below), but it’s remote. If you’re in the capital of Muscat, Al Bustan Palace is a great choice.
Prices and Booking: Al Bustan Palace
Relevant Blog Post: Where to Travel in Oman
Shutters on the Beach
Santa Monica, California
There are very few hotels in Los Angeles that are actually on the beach. Shutters on the Beach is excellent.
Prices and Booking: Shutters on the Beach
Relevant Blog Post: Los Angeles with Kids
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
The Seychelles
Maybe the nicest place we’ve ever stayed? Everything at Six Senses Zil Pasyon was amazing, from our helicopter arrival to our side-by-side villas to our private pool. And the view is beautiful from everywhere.
Prices and Booking: Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Relevant Blog Post: Six Senses Zil Pasyon: Stunning Family-Friendly Luxury in the Seychelles
Taj Mahal Palace
Mumbai, India
The Taj Mahal Palace is one of the world’s great hotels. Go for the Palace wing, and pay a little more for a sea view.
Prices and Booking: Taj Mahal Palace
Relevant Blog Post: Ten Incredible Places to Visit in India
Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay
Bodrum, Turkey
After cultural travel through Turkey, a couple days of relaxation in Bodrum were appreciated! We loved basing at the Kempinski Barbaros Bay.
Prices and Booking: Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay
Relevant Blog Post: Bodrum with Kids
Four Seasons Bora Bora
French Polynesia
Four Seasons Bora Bora is an iconic honeymoon resort, but the view is amazing whether you’re solo, honeymooning or with your kids.
Prices and Booking: Four Seasons Bora Bora
Relevant Blog Post: Bora Bora with Kids
Shangri-La Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Not a beach hotel, but one of my favorite views anywhere! Definitely opt for a view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, although you can see both from the breakfast restaurant as well.
Prices and Booking: Shangri-La Sydney
Relevant Blog Post: A California Getaway to Australia to Cuddle Koalas
Miniloc Island Resort
Palawan, Philippines
We loved El Nido Resorts’ Miniloc Island Resort. Our overwater hut was small but it was all we needed, we kayaked every day, and we did frequent excursions to neighboring islands. Loved relaxing with this view too.
Prices and Booking: Miniloc Island Resort
Relevant Blog Post: Palawan with Kids
Aqua Terra Traditional Cave Houses
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is amazing no matter where you stay. We loved our cave house at Aqua Terra Traditional Cave Houses, but it’s hard to go wrong.
Prices and Booking: Aqua Terra; All Oia Hotels
Relevant Blog Post: None
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Vietnam
All villas at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay have amazing ocean views, and the beach and water villas are literally steps away from the water. After exploring the culture of Vietnam for a week or two, relax for a few days at Ninh Van Bay. Incredible!
Prices and Booking: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Relevant Blog Post: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam: Pure Relaxation
Turtle Inn
Placencia, Belize
Belize is an easy destination from the US, and Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn is a great beach hotel. We really enjoyed both of his lodges in Belize.
Prices and Booking: Turtle Inn
Relevant Blog Post: Belize with Kids
Round Hill Hotel
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Round Hill Resort is an easy Caribbean beach destination, with a lot of water activities. My kids still talk about the ocean trampoline.
Prices and Booking: Round Hill Hotel
Relevant Blog Post: Jamaica with Kids
Six Senses Zighy Bay
Musandam Peninsula, Oman
I didn’t intend to include every Six Senses we’ve stayed at on this list, but the truth is I’ve purposely booked their resorts around the world because of the service level and the locations, and every one that we’ve stayed at is on the water. Six Senses Zighy Bay in northern Oman is amazing, and an easy two-hour drive from Dubai.
Prices and Booking: Six Senses Zighy Bay
Relevant Blog Post: The Amazingly Kid-Friendly Six Senses Zighy Bay
Ocean View Hotels: Your Turn
What’s the best view you’ve every had from a hotel room on the coast?
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