Best Waterfront Hotel

Dreaming of a getaway to a waterfront destination? From quiet lakeside vistas to stunning seascapes, nothing says relaxation like some time near the water. Escape to one of these handpicked properties, highly rated by our experts. You can stay as busy as you want to with activities like boating, swimming and fishing. If you plan to simply lounge by the shore, these winners guarantee incredible views that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

These 10 waterfront hotels were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best. Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Waterfront Hotel contest.

1. Acqualina Resort & Residences–Miami, FL

This stunning waterfront resort offers immersive Mediterranean decor, personalized service and a wealth of amenities including a world-class spa, three oceanfront pools and fine dining. Take in panoramic ocean views from your luxurious accommodations or relax under old-growth palm trees in outdoor living-room-style furniture. The resort offers a range of activities for young and old, from painting lessons to scuba diving classes.

2. Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa–Pacific City, OR

Explore the Oregon Coast at this waterfront lodge and spa, offering exceptional views of Haystack Rock. Take in the Pacific Ocean from your private balcony or feel the ocean spray during a bike ride along the coastline. You can go clamming along Netarts Bay or take a guided tour to beachcomb for agates.

3. Mohonk Mountain House–New Paltz, NY

A National Historic Landmark located in the Hudson Valley, this stunning Victorian castle resort offers inclusive pricing with amenities like farm-to-table fare, guided hikes and a variety of lake activities. You can also enjoy afternoon tea, nine holes of golf, yoga and meditation classes and tennis reservations with your stay.

4. Fairmont Orchid–Kona, HI

Surrounded by 32 oceanfront acres, this luxury hotel located on the Kohala Coast offers a tranquil retreat. With amenities like world-class golf, six restaurants, a 10-court tennis pavilion and a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool, you may not want to ever leave. Explore the grounds filled with tropical gardens and waterfalls or participate in cultural activities offered by the Hui Holokai Beach Club.

5. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa–Miramar Beach, FL

Let relaxation wash over you at this dreamy resort surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. If the white-sand beach made of quartz crystal isn't enough of a draw, the hotel also offers a full-service spa and salon, world-class golf courses, three pools and an expansive sunbathing deck.

6. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort–Rio Grande, PR

Escape to this coastal paradise in Puerto Rico where you can dip your toes in two miles of exclusive beaches. Golfing, tennis, spa treatments and lagoon-style pools are among the amenities at this upscale property. Rent a private pool cabana to enjoy towel service and fresh fruit, or test your luck at the on-site casino.

7. Terranea Resort–Palos Verdes, CA

With 270-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and 102 acres of coastal setting, Terranea Resort offers a truly inspiring getaway on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Stay in a variety of accommodations including suites, bungalows and expansive casitas, and enjoy a range of dining experiences, from elegant al fresco dinners overlooking the coast to fireside cocktails and live music.

8. Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake–South Casco, ME

Set within 125 acres of pine forest along the Sebago Lake shoreline in southern Maine, Migis Lodge offers a tranquil escape with activities like sailing, kayaking, waterskiing and tennis. Whether you stay in the lodge or in a private cottage, you can relax on your own porch with lakefront views.

9. The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort–Mt. Pleasant, SC

Enjoy a truly Southern experience at this luxury hotel featuring Lowcountry design and personalized service. Take in views of the marina while sipping a cocktail on one of the wraparound porches or playing chess on the life-size outdoor board. The Estuary Spa offers treatments, and the Beach Club provides a pool with private cabanas and water taxi service to downtown Charleston.

10. Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay–Half Moon Bay, CA

Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay features first-class accommodations with coastal views. Dine on California cuisine in a refined setting or experience rejuvenating spa treatments using locally sourced ingredients. You can reach San Francisco within half an hour thanks to the hotel's Bay Area location.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Dena Roché is a professional travel journalist and sommelier who counts tasting with South Africa's top sommelier, sleeping on a barge on the Great Barrier Reef and covering Wimbledon as some of her top memories. She works with publications, agencies and brands in travel, wine, health, real estate and education to create content and content strategy. Read more at https://www.denamroche.com.

Jill Schildhouse is an award-winning writer and editor with 23 years of experience in print and digital publishing. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, Brides, TripSavvy, Insider, USA TODAY, Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, and Southern Living. Based in Phoenix, Jill has traveled to 38 countries and is always dreaming of her next adventure. Follow her @the_globalglutton.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Tracy Ellen Beard is a freelance writer, photographer and editor based in Longview, Washington. Tracy is the "Out and About" columnist for the Columbia River Reader and writes regularly for Upscale Living Magazine and Wander With Wonder. She also contributes to LuxeGetaways, Northwest Travel & Life, Country, Country Extra and several other magazines. Her stories focus on luxury and adventure travel, fine dining, wine, libations, road trips and recipes. Her twenty years of experience writing in various genres, her travels as the founder and past president of an international children's nonprofit, and her culinary training in San Francisco, California, add to her expertise. Learn more about her travels at tracybeardwrites.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.