Cliffside Beach Club

Visitors who want to be right on the beach—not next to it—choose Cliffside. First opened as a private beach club during the 1900s (a few of the existing buildings date back to 1904), the property occupies a stretch of sand just west of Jetties Beach, cheerfully marked by the hotel's signature yellow, green, and blue beach umbrellas.

The 27 rooms and suites here aren't particularly fashionable; they vary from light beachy interiors to wood-paneled rooms with leather couches and dark granite accents. The rooms inside the old bathhouses are brighter and still retain some historic elements like wood beams and sloping white-painted ceiling. The single stand-alone beach cottage with cathedral ceilings, huge windows, a kitchenette, and a private deck is the property's prettiest lodging. All, however, share the same access to the crashing surf and chic on-site restaurant and nightspot, The Galley.