Best Affordable Beach Resorts

$217: Waoku Lodge
New Zealand

On the west coast of the North Island, along the black volcanic sands of Whale Bay in Raglan, the new three-suite Waoku Lodge is making a name among Aucklanders looking to get away from it all. Innkeepers Sharon and Rob Southern know a thing or two about making guests feel coddled—they will bring meals right to your room (order the smoked local salmon on crispy Rösti ). After a long afternoon on the beach, you may crave a change of pace: don’t miss a quick trip to Bridal Veil Falls, a 180-foot waterfall in the nearby jungle.