The 8 Best Resorts in Long Beach Island NJ | Right on the Sand
We analyzed all the choices and hand-picked the best resorts in Long Beach Island NJ that actually live up to the hype. Each one offers something a little unique, whether it’s the laid-back beachfront charm, rooftop bars with serious views, or full-on coastal luxury.
So, if you’re searching for Long Beach Island resorts with the right mix of beach proximity, strong amenities, and some solid comfort, this list more or less covers everything you’d want across LBI.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To put this list of the best resorts Long Beach Island NJ has to offer, we checked user ratings and sifted through reviews from Google, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
We also factored in overall vibe, room types, pools and spas, food options, and how close these resorts in LBI NJ are to major beach zones, dining spots, and attractions.
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The 8 Best Long Beach Island Resorts for 2025
8. Windward at the Beach
Key Highlights:
- Located just 1 block from the beach
- Charming inn-style vibe with 10 individually decorated rooms
- Pet-friendly and kid-friendly with beach gear included
Windward at the Beach is one of those resorts in LBI NJ that people remember for its throwback charm and really walkable location in Beach Haven.
The property features a brightly painted vintage-style inn that’s been updated with little modern touches like free Wi-Fi, A/C, and access to beach gear.
The rooms vary quite a bit—some have kitchenettes, others are larger family-style setups, and all of them are stocked with stuff like board games and beach towels, which is kind of perfect for families or couples who pack light.
They don’t have a pool or spa on-site, but you’re barely 100 steps from a pretty solid stretch of sandy beach, and the nearby dining options—like Uncle Will’s and The Chicken or the Egg—are walkable in flip-flops.
You’re also super close to Fantasy Island Amusement Park, so if you’ve got kids, that’s a bonus. All in all, this one sits in that sweet spot between affordable and cozy with just a little hint of nostalgic beach motel energy.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
7. Surf City Hotel – Most Affordable
Key Highlights:
- Direct access to the beach across the street
- One of the most affordable options among resorts Long Beach Island offers
- Live entertainment and an outdoor tiki bar
Surf City Hotel is arguably one of the most accessible Long Beach Island resorts if you’re sticking to a more moderate budget.
It’s been around since the 1890s, and it’s got a casual beach-town vibe that still pulls in loyal crowds every year. The rooms are definitely straightforward, but they’re clean, updated, and comfortable enough for travelers who spend most of their time on the sand or grabbing drinks at the bar.
The beach is literally across the street—like, you’ll be rinsing off sand before you’ve even taken your shoes off—and that’s probably the biggest draw.
On-site, there’s a restaurant and two bars, one of which is a lively outdoor tiki spot that hosts live music and DJs on weekends. That kind of makes it a mini social hub on the island.
Food-wise, the on-site Surf City Bistro has a pretty decent seafood menu, and the drinks are generously poured, which is kind of the vibe you’re probably going for here. If you want proximity without the premium price, this place fits the bill.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
6. The Boulevard
Key Highlights:
- Steps from the beach in Surf City
- Rooftop lounge with full bar and partial ocean views
- Modern boutique vibe with luxury suites
It’s almost like The Boulevard brings something a little different to the usual resorts in LBI—more like an upscale, grown-up twist on a coastal stay.
The building is sleek, the rooms feel more polished than most other spots on the island, and the rooftop bar adds that extra notch of social appeal without being over the top.
You’re just one block from the beach, but what makes this place stand out is the feel—it’s kind of urban-coastal, if that makes sense. Rooms include large walk-in showers, high-thread-count sheets, and some even come with private terraces that overlook the water.
Guests often stick to the rooftop lounge, especially in the evenings when the lighting and partial views of the ocean set a pretty mellow vibe. Food and drink service is solid, and the location means you can walk to spots like Baked on the Beach or Surf City 5 & 10 in a couple minutes.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
5. Drifting Sands Oceanfront Hotel – Best-Seller
Key Highlights:
- Oceanfront property in Ship Bottom
- Newly renovated rooms with coastal-modern design
- Private beach access and outdoor showers
Among the best resorts in Long Beach Island NJ, Drifting Sands Oceanfront Hotel is one of the most booked—and once you’re there, it’s clear why.
This property is perched right on the beach in Ship Bottom, giving you that ultra-convenient oceanfront access with zero hassle. You step outside and boom—you’re basically on the sand.
The rooms are bright and beachy with new floors, updated furniture, and a clean layout that works well for families, couples, or even solo guests doing a weekend escape. They offer a variety of layouts, from queen and king rooms to multi-bed family setups and even suites with ocean-facing balconies.
The staff is known for being pretty friendly, and the front-desk crew often offers good local suggestions for food and activities.
While there’s no full restaurant or spa here, the location makes it easy to walk to local eateries like LBI Pancake House and The Arlington. You’re also super close to Surf City and the Causeway, so getting in and out is easy compared to deeper parts of the island.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
4. Spray Beach Oceanfront Hotel
Key Highlights:
- Direct beachfront resort with sundeck and outdoor pool
- Attached restaurant with patio dining and ocean views
- Hot tub and on-site bar
Spray Beach Oceanfront Hotel sits right at the edge of the water in Beach Haven, and it’s got that very classic, laid-back Jersey Shore aesthetic that still pulls in regulars every year.
There’s a pretty good-size pool and sundeck that gets plenty of afternoon sun, and their hot tub tends to be a popular spot to hang out once the sun starts dropping. Most rooms are just a few feet from the sand, and some offer oceanfront balconies with panoramic views.
Rooms range from standard doubles to slightly upgraded king options, and they’re usually kept pretty clean and bright.
Attached to the resort is Spray Beach Hotel Restaurant, which serves solid American-style seafood, burgers, and breakfast, all with patio seating facing the ocean.
Overall, it’s a resort in LBI NJ where you don’t really need to go far once you’re checked in.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
3. Daddy O
Key Highlights:
- Rooftop bar and restaurant with a local fan base
- 29 designer rooms with modern features
- 3 blocks from the beach in Brant Beach
Daddy O is one of the best Long Beach Island resorts that mixes coastal minimalism with boutique resort vibes and a splash of weekend energy.
It’s a stylish place with just under 30 rooms, each decked out in contemporary furniture, big comfy beds, and upscale bathrooms with rainfall showers.
They’ve got a beachy modern design that doesn’t feel like your typical Jersey Shore setup, which is a big part of its appeal. There’s no pool, but you’re a short three-block walk from Brant Beach and they provide beach passes, towels, and chairs.
The rooftop restaurant and bar is a popular hangout, especially during golden hour when the breeze kicks in and the vibe turns a little festive.
It’s also got a full restaurant on the first floor offering well-executed plates of coastal American food, so you’re covered for drinks and dinner without leaving the property.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
2. The Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast – Top Value Pick
Key Highlights:
- Adults-only with gourmet breakfast included
- Outdoor heated pool and sundeck
- Located in Barnegat Light near the lighthouse
The Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast might be the top value option among resorts in LBI, especially if you’re looking for something quiet and couple-oriented.
This is a more intimate, adults-only stay that’s been consistently rated one of the best on the island, and for pretty good reasons.
It’s got a homey feel but with luxury touches—like gourmet breakfasts made daily, suites with private decks or jetted tubs, and a pool area that doesn’t get overcrowded.
The beach is a short walk away, and you’re right in the heart of Barnegat Light, which feels more residential and relaxed compared to the busier southern parts of the island.
If you’re into lighthouses, boutique galleries, and quieter beach mornings, this place more or less checks all the boxes.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
1. Hotel LBI – Top Overall
Key Highlights:
- 102 rooms and suites with full kitchens and ocean views
- Indoor pool, rooftop bar, and on-site fine dining
- One of the largest resort-style properties in LBI
At the top of the list as the best resort in Long Beach Island NJ is Hotel LBI as it basically sets the standard for full-service resorts in the area.
This property is big, bold, and designed to offer more of that all-in-one experience you typically only find in more commercial resort towns.
Rooms are spacious, and many have full kitchens, washer/dryers, and balconies facing the water. Families, couples, and groups all stay here, and the vibe here is both polished and approachable.
The rooftop bar is easily one of the nicest on the island, and the indoor pool gives you an all-weather option that most Long Beach Island resorts can’t match.
Food and drink here are very solid, especially at the Salt Kitchen, which delivers upscale seafood in a stylish setting.
From check-in to check-out, Hotel LBI hits that sweet spot of modern convenience and coastal calm without feeling stuffy or overly manufactured.
Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor
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