Recommended Lodging Pages

Recommended

Lodging by BestWeekends.com

Chateau Inn & Suites, Spring Lake, NJ

OVERVIEW

Long the standard for accommodations and service in this part of the Jersey Shore, The Chateau Inn and Suites in Spring Lake remains the choice of many, including celebrities who visit the area. They raised the bar even higher a few years ago with their departure from the “Victorian and wicker” decor that characterizes so many places at the Shore.

The location couldn’t be better, set in a serene section of Spring Lake, just blocks from the beach and the delightful downtown area, filled with boutiques, galleries and antique stores. The Inn is flanked on one side by Potter Park with a gazebo that features musical events in the summer and on another by Divine Park and “The Lake”. Your introduction to the Inn is a warm lobby with polished mahogany paneling and front desk, fresh flowers and palms and soft lighting. To the right of the front desk is the antique filled Brighton Room with leather chairs, a library, and marble fireplace. Breakfast, afternoon refreshments and coffee and tea are served here at tables looking out onto the park.

THE ROOMS

The 37 rooms and suites are decorated in a soft palette of beige, cream, gold and brown and offset by dark mahogany furniture, rich Italian fabrics and deep chocolate leather

sofas and chairs. Plump pillow top beds are covered in luxurious 300 count linens. Artwork is a blend of local, historical and colorful modern and Impressionist styles. Tin ceilings, wood-burning

fireplaces, paddle fans, potted palms and sea grass and mahogany blinds complete an elegant “Tommy Bahama” kind of feel. Marble bathrooms feature Aveda toiletries and many have Jacuzzis and/or soaking tubs. Flat screen TV’s, DVD’s, wireless Internet access and refrigerated wet bars head the list of other amenities.

As with many older properties, no two rooms are alike but all are elegantly decorated. Be sure to ask for details when booking as not all amenities are available in every room. We like the Luxury Parlor Rooms located on the second floor with views of the Lake. In particular, we like the Stockton Parlor with its corner fireplace, four poster bed, leather

sofa and balcony overlooking the Lake. Suites and Parlors have sleep sodas so are ideal when traveling with children.

Most good hotels and inns offer special add-ons to enhance your stay, but frankly I find them to be generally overpriced and don’t include them in our review. Here, however, they are not and may explain why so many locals stay here…right in their own backyard….just for a little escape.

THE RATES

From $259 Peak Season Weekend (732) 974-2000 500 Warren Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 https://chateauinn.com

Inn on Main, Manasquan, NJ

OVERVIEW

We were thrilled a few years back when Inn on Main opened in our little town. There had not been many properties if this caliber in the area, so this was a welcome addition. Ideally located in the center of town, within walking distance of the train station and restaurants, and just a mile from the beach.

THE ROOMS

The Inn has 12 beautifully decorated and large rooms, some with balconies, all with sitting areas and all with fireplaces, pillow top beds, thick terry towels and Bio toiletries. Each room has its own distinctive character, but all are luxurious, comfortable and make you forget you are in Manasquan. These rooms are as nice as ones we have seen in Newport, Martha’s Vineyard, Charleston and Key West and other places we have traveled.

All of the rooms are spacious and well appointed. Third floor rooms are slightly larger. My favorite rooms are #302 and #305, they are particularly large, very cozy and have balconies, fireplaces and large marble bathrooms.

This is the perfect place to house a wedding party, overflow relatives at the Holidays, friends coming to town for a reunion. And, if you need to get away from

the kids for a night, there is no better place for romance in the area.

DINING

The acclaimed Blend on Main Bistro occupies the ground floor. Sister restaurant the Peach Pit serves breakfast and lunch.

THE RATES

From $219 Peak Season weekend

(732) 528-0099 152 Main St, Manasquan, NJ 08736 https://innonmainmanasquan.com

Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch, NJ

OVERVIEW

Sitting right next to the lively Pier Village with its boutique shops and restaurants, Ocean Place is the only full service hotel directly on the ocean at the Jersey Shore. The views from the rooms are spectacular up and down the beach.

THE ROOMS

This recently renovated gem offers generous sized rooms decorated in a South Beachinspired theme with light woods and neutral color palettes highlighted by soothing ocean teal and gold accents. All have private balconies, most with direct or partial ocean views. The comfortable beds are dressed in luxury linens and duvets and rooms are equipped with flat screen TV’s, coffeemakers, IPAD docking stations and complimentary WIFI.

DINING

The new 70 ft. marble lobby bar offers well crafted cocktails with views out to the ocean. The lively Tiki Bar opens in the warmer months and the indoor/outdoor Aquaviva is perfect for poolside drinks.

The hotel’s restaurant, Seaview makes great use of the Jersey Shore’s bounty from local farms and waters. You’ll enjoy items like jersey clam chowder with clams, smoked bacon, sweet corn and cilantro; drunken clams, a dozen middlenecks, steamed in Blue Moon ale with fresh herbs & garlic; pan seared sesame yellowfin tuna, rare thick center-cut with shrimp fried rice, exotic mushrooms, bok choy, orange-ginger glaze and cusabi sauce and stuffed soft shell crab, lemon panko crust, heirloom tomato, olives, baby arugula, radish, asparagus, garlic, peppadew peppers and saffron e.v.o. Other options includes, steaks, pork tenderloin, chicken and more.

Seating is available in the stylist dining room that has cozy booths, at the magnificent 70-foot marble bar or on the beachfront terrace.

The property has a full service spa, a fitness room and a second floor pool. Monmouth Park Race Track is minutes away, there is local golf, local deep sea fishing, outlet malls, Asbury Park (you may run into Bruce at the Stone Pony!) and of course, miles of sandy beach.

RATES

From $449 Peak Season Weekend

(732) 571-4000 1 Ocean Blvd, Long Branch, NJ 07740

www.oceanplace.com

THE ROOMS

The hotel has 58 guest rooms and 2 suites, all beautifully decorated in contemporary colors and traditional furniture. I particularly like 2 North Suites, bedroom and sitting room, luxury bath, river view and balcony.

DINING

All meals are served in the Dining Room or outside deck. The hotel has a comfortable bar overlooking the water that

OVERVIEW

Red Bank is just about the hottest town in this part of the Jersey Shore. Great restaurants, a hopping night scene, delightful shops and boutiques and wonderful antique stores are all part of a revitalization project started about 10 years ago. It is working beyond anyone’s imagination. This is a fun town, day or night.

If small inns or B&B’s are not your style, we recommend the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank. While it is about a 20 minute ride from most of what we recommend here, The Oyster Point is an elegant, boutique style, full service hotel overlooking the scenic Navesink River. It is by far the best overall accommodation at the Jersey Shore. It is also close to our two concert venues, the PNC Arts Center and the Count Basie Theatre and our top restaurant, Nicholas, just across the bridge in Middletown.

is particularly lively on Friday nights. Boaters can dock at the hotel and enjoy a meal. The creative menu features items like: Lemon Pepper Seared Swordfish, Sun-Dried Panko Crunch, Edamame Bourbon Carrot Caramel, Corn Creme Brulee; Turkey Schnitzel, Smoked Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Baby Kale, Ham & Beans, Hot Honey; Dark Beer Braised Boneless Short Ribs, Fingerling Potatoes & Frizzled Onions.

THE RATES

From $261 Peak Season Weekend

(732) 530-8200 146 Bodman Pl, Red Bank, NJ 07701

www.theoysterpointhotel.com

The Breakers on the Ocean, Spring Lake, NJ

OVERVIEW

Nestled in the heart of the “Irish Riviera” in Spring Lake, NJ, The Breakers on the Ocean is an elegant, full service hotel, just steps from the beach and the Atlantic. A delightful wrap-around porch offers the opportunity to soak in the ocean views while enjoying a book or a cocktail. Whether you are planning a summer vacation or a weekend away in another season, The Breakers is an ideal option. Originally built in the late 1800’s and called the Wilburton, it was later renamed in 1905. The Hotel has

since been through numerous renovations preserving the integrity of the past, while updating the interior to incorporate 21st century amenities.

THE ROOMS

The ample sized rooms are decorated in shades of beige with teal bed throws and pillows offering splashes of beach colors. Traditional furniture includes a small table with chairs. Many rooms have full or partial ocean views and some have fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs. Marble baths feature Gilchrist & Soames Bath Amenities.

DINING

Cocktails, appetizers and dessert are served in the Piano Lounge (with entertainment many nights) and on the porch during warmer months. Breakfast and lunch are served in the Veranda Lounge which overlooks the pool. Dinner is served in an elegant room overlooking the ocean and features a Northern Italian menu as well as fresh seafood and prime steaks and chops.

OTHER

The hotel has a delightful pool and guests are given complimentary beach badges during the season. While the hotel does not have a fitness center, Wings Fitness is a short 5 minute drive and offers reduced daily and short-term rates to guests of the Hotel.

RATES

From $285 Peak Season Weekend. These are are very reasonable particularly for in season on the beach.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

3 Stars (Excellent) – New Jersey Monthly Magazine “The Breakers in quaint Spring Lake might serve as a benchmark by which flash-in-the-pan restaurateurs should measure themselves.”

(732) 449-7700 1507 Ocean Ave N, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 https://breakershotel.com