Hotels + Resorts Beach Hotels The Real Difference Between Ocean-view and Oceanfront Hotel Rooms And how to ensure you get the best view for your buck. By Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Instagram Twitter Website Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 4, 2023 Fact checked by Kevin Ford Fact checked by Kevin Ford Kevin Ford is a fact-checker with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: borchee/Getty Images Undoubtedly, you put a great deal of time into crafting the perfect vacation — from choosing the right destination to picking your preferred seat on the plane and finding the ideal hotel room. But, even with all your diligence, there may be one thing you can’t control, and that is how much ocean you can actually see from that "ocean-view" room you requested. This is why it pays to know the difference between "ocean-view" and "oceanfront." The term "ocean-view" can mean totally different things at different hotels. While one might consider an ocean-view room as one that comes with panoramic views of the sea, another may dupe you into paying more for a mere glimpse of water off in the distance. Here are a few things you can do to ensure the view of your dreams. Know the Difference Between Oceanfront and Ocean-view Here's the real difference between the too-similar and easily confused descriptors "ocean-view" and "oceanfront:" The former means you can technically see the ocean from your room, no matter how unimpressive the view of it, while the latter ensures your room faces the ocean, likely giving you some of the best views the hotel has to offer. Next time you book a beach hotel, beware of language like “partial” ocean view. Also, pay close attention to the price. Ocean-view rooms tend to cost more than standard rooms, and oceanfront rooms tend to cost more than ocean-view rooms at hotels that offer both. Remember, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look at the Layout of the Hotel Many hotels provide floor plans on their websites. Always check these before booking so you can orient yourself with the property and see exactly how the rooms are laid out. Sometimes, with a little research on Google Maps (especially that nifty Street View feature), you can figure out how good a view you would have from different parts of the hotel. Call the Front Desk A hotel concierge should be able to help you decide which room to book by finding the best view for your budget. Be sure to ask specific questions so you don't get generic answers. You may even score a good deal in the process. Check Photos and Reviews denizunlusu/Getty Images Nobody will be more honest about a hotel’s views than previous guests. Check out the property’s hashtag on social media, or click over to the “tagged” section on Instagram to see what other users have posted about the hotel and its views. Then, search for the property on sites like Yelp and Tripadvisor to read actual customer reviews. Remember Views Aren't Everything Sometimes the rooms with the best views aren't the best rooms at the hotel. They may be especially small — hotels will try to cram as many rooms-with-views-as they can along that ocean-facing wall — and noisy, thanks to thin walls or a parking lot below the window. Figure out whether you really do value the room's view over other factors like size, decor, amenities, or proximity to the lobby. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit