Top amenities: Balconies, ocean views, complimentary bikes
Best for: A beach vacay within the five boroughs
Turns out you don’t have to leave the state, or even New York City, to book yourself a fun-filled beach vacation, all thanks to the Rockaway Hotel. Centrally located on one of the main drags of Queens’s bustling Rockaway Beach—where you’ll find hot dogs, surfers, skaters, and good sand and waves—the hotel is situated smack between the ocean on one side, and a ferry stop on the other. Inside, guests love the fresh and colorful design, the balconies, the swimming pool, the rooftop dining, and so much more. This is how you leave the city without leaving the city. Rooms have a sunny vibe and are not at all fussy or formal: Blonde wood floors, vibrant art in white frames, natural materials on furniture with woven accents, and lived-in-looking pillows with pops of color. The focus of the rooms is many large windows facing the ocean, and those windows open (!) to let in fresh, salty air. Beds face that wall of windows and ocean view—a departure from most hotel rooms, where your bed faces a TV. You’ll have a time lying in bed, reading, sipping coffee, and staring at the water’s horizon. —Corina Quinn
Room count: 53
Address: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Queens, New York 11694
