Last Updated on May 8, 2023
Jacksonville, Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, 12-month a year golf culture and as home to the Florida-Georgia football game and the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. With miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline – wide, clean, free and open to the public – I think the Jacksonville beaches can go toe-to-toe with any in the world. When looking for a Jacksonville Hotel on the beach, you have options.
First, let’s make a distinction between “Jacksonville” proper and “Jacksonville Beach” specifically so we’re all on the same page. Jacksonville is the city covering all of Duval County and all the Jacksonville beaches. Those beaches include from north to south: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach. Swanky Ponte Vedra Beach is just south of Jacksonville Beach, but in St. John’s county.
Jacksonville Beach – Jax Beach for short – is a place, a beach, more of a neighborhood, not a distinct city separate from Jacksonville.
I’ll help you find the right Jacksonville hotel on the beach, be that in Jacksonville Beach, or one of the surrounding beaches.
Jacksonville, Florida hotel on beach
Let’s begin with the two premiere Jacksonville, Florida hotel on beach properties. Both are spendy, but deliver superior ocean views, direct beach access and luxury services for their high dollar cost.
One Ocean Resort & Spa
One Ocean Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel located in Atlantic Beach. The hotel offers oceanfront rooms, a spa, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Guests can also enjoy access to the hotel’s private beach club and ocean-view pool.
If you’re idea of the perfect Jacksonville hotel on the beach mimics what you would find in Miami – chic, sexy, contemporary, energetic – One Ocean Resort & Spa is for you.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Ok, I’m cheating here. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is in St. John’s County south of Duval, but it’s the next beach south of Jacksonville Beach so if you’re looking to stay in the area, it’s in the area.
The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is a historic hotel located in swanky Ponte Vedra Beach. The hotel offers oceanfront rooms, a spa, two golf courses, and multiple dining options. Guests can also enjoy access to the hotel’s private beach.
If the Jacksonville hotel on the beach you’re looking for recalls the aristocratic refinement of Palm Beach, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is for you. This is also a wonderful location should you be attending The Players Championship golf tournament held each March in Ponte Vedra.
Be warned, it’s mega-expensive! Think $1,000 a night.
Hotel in Jacksonville Beach
Neither One Ocean nor Ponte Vedra Inn & Club are in Jacksonville Beach, but both are close. One Ocean is 2.5 miles north in Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is 4 miles south in Ponte Vedra Beach.
If you’re looking specifically for a hotel in Jacksonville Beach, Casa Marina Hotel is tops. A member property of both Historic Hotels of America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Casa Marina Hotel melds the feeling of classic glamour with an air of a refined private residence.
With only 23 rooms, the property recalls a sophisticated European-style boutique hotel on the Riviera. You’ll pay for it, too. This place is expensive, but not as expensive as you think with rooms available starting in the $200s off-season and mid-week.
The third floor, rooftop bar and restaurant offers one of the most stunning views of the north Florida coastline. The hotel’s culinary team creates seasonal dishes accompanying a creative bar and martini menu that stacks up with those on South Beach.
The iconic Casa Marina Sunday Brunch continues to receiving awards for its classic dishes which include local seafood and house-made desserts.
Hotels in Jacksonville, Florida on Beach
You don’t have to be rich to stay at a Jacksonville hotel on the beach. The remainder of my selections will be more budget friendly – not cheap, mind you – but not luxury either. All of the following properties are located in the heart of Jacksonville Beach among the neighborhoods restaurants, bars and shops.
Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront
Not quite luxury, but close. Consider this a “luxury adjacent” property with many suites featuring stunning ocean views. Room rates begin in the $200s and go up from there.
This is a high-rise, branded property, right on the beach with direct access for guests, delivering all of the amenities and services you’d expect from a major national brand.
Parrot Heads unite!
Another high-rise, branded property right on the beach with direct ocean access, a gorgeous outdoor pool, a variety of room options and amenities and the on-site Landshark Bar & Grill.
Opened in January of 2021, if you’re looking for the “Margaritaville” lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place.
Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach
The Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach/Oceanfront is a more affordable option located directly on Jacksonville Beach. The hotel offers oceanfront rooms, a fitness center and a complimentary breakfast. Guests can also enjoy access to the hotel’s outdoor pool and hot tub.
You know what to expect from a Hampton Inn and this one delivers all of that with a spectacular ocean view and direct beach access.
Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront
Adjacent to the Hampton Inn, the Courtyard is also right on the beach with direct access and ocean views from many of the guest rooms. Fantastic, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, Wi-Fi and all the amenities you’d expect from this nationwide chain.
Springhill Suites By Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront
This property is about as inexpensive as you’ll find for a beachfront hotel. It has a pool, free breakfast and parking. A solid choice with off-season, mid-week rates starting a tick under $200.
Best Times to Visit Jacksonville for a Beach Vacation
Jacksonville is hot and steamy from June through August and with kids out of school, this is high tourist season for all of the Jacksonville beaches. With high demand, comes higher prices at the SEO TERM.
If you’re able, push your visit up into May or back into September or October when high temperatures are still in the 80s with lows in the 60s. The water will be cooler in the spring months, but not so cold you can’t take it. The crowds and prices will be much less.
North Florida is not South Florida. December, January and February can be downright cold, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s, but, for every day like that, there’s a beautiful, sunny, winter day with temps in the 70s.
What about hurricanes? They are a possibility June through October so check the forecast. Interestingly, Jacksonville Beach hasn’t been hit hard by a hurricane since Hurricane Dora in 1964.
Things to Do in Jacksonville, FL Near the Beach
From Atlantic Beach through Ponte Vedra, you’ll find dozens of locally owned restaurants, bars and boutique shoppes. Atlantic Beach has a lively “town square” right by One Ocean. Jacksonville Beach is very compact and walkable with more of a “college” feel to it, less expensive, VERY casual.
Thankfully, the Jacksonville Beaches aren’t like Myrtle Beach or Daytona Beach. They aren’t overrun with tacky tourist souvenir shops and mini golf. There are no go-cart tracks. If you’re looking for something to do other than lounge at the pool or ocean, take beach walks, and stroll through the neighborhoods, you’ll need to go further afield.
Here’s a guide to my favorite things to do around Jacksonville.
Here’s my guide specifically for what to see and do in Jacksonville Beach in Florida.
Dining Options Near Jacksonville Hotels on the Beach
The North Beach Fish Camp is a seafood restaurant located in Atlantic Beach. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, sushi, and other dishes. Ragtime in Atlantic Beach is one of my wife’s favorite for standard pub fare.
The Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant is a family-owned seafood restaurant located up the road about a 10-minute drive from Atlantic Beach in Mayport. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, including oysters, shrimp, and crab. This is as close as you’ll find in the Jacksonville area to the old-school Florida fish house.
As mentioned above, for fine dining, you can’t beat the on-site restaurants at Casa Marina or Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.
V’s Pizza, Metro Diner for breakfast, the Bearded Pig for BBQ, Angie’s Subs and Taco Lu in Jacksonville Beach are all relatively inexpensive go-tos.
The Jacksonville beaches also have a robust craft beer scene with numerous tasting rooms.
