Photo: Dreamsea Surf Camp

9 Beachfront Hotels You Can Actually Afford

Insider Guides Epic Stays Beaches and Islands
by Madhurima Dutta May 25, 2018

Being able to drift off to the sound of the ocean and roll out of bed onto the sand sounds idyllic, but staying in beachfront hotels often comes with a hefty price tag. If the idea of enjoying breakfast in bed with a view of the sea sounds appealing, we’ve curated a list of beachfront hotels from around the world that won’t break the bank. From the laid-back island life of Bali to the hidden beaches of Croatia, these chic, yet affordable hotels are perfect for a coastal escape.

1. Dreamsea Surf Resort Bali, Indonesia

Whether you like to surf, or practice yoga, or simply lie on the beach, Dreamsea Surf Resort Bali is the ultimate place to reset and get off the grid.

Located south of Kuta, the boutique eco-sustainable hotel features stylish and spacious bohemian rooms on the beachfront. The resort literally hangs from the cliffs and neighbors some of the best waves in the world, namely Padang Padang and Impossibles.

There are a variety of rooms starting from dorms that accommodate four people to private suites with ocean views. Every room tells a different story, with furnishing and detail that is designed and handpicked with love by their interior designer.

Dorms start from $24 USD/night and private suites start from $82 USD/night. If you plan to opt for their surfing lessons, you may want to select their weekly packages instead.

2. Hotel Tamariu, Tamariu, Spain

Warm weather, combined with secluded stretches of golden sand, has made Spain’s Costa Brava one of the most popular coastlines in Europe. Despite it being a beloved destination for tourists, you can still experience the allure of the Mediterranean in the scenic village of Tamariu.

Hotel Tamariu is a family-run hotel which favors simple and elegant decor, leaving the focus to land on its best feature: the view. The property has a homely appeal and is peppered with nice personal touches. If strolling on the beach doesn’t make you fall in love with Tamariu, you can always book activities like sea kayaking and diving from the hotel.

The rooms here start from $140 USD/night and often get booked way in advance during peak season. Don’t forget to enjoy their Catalan delicacies during lunch and dinner in the restaurant.

3. Hotel Odisej Mljet, Mljet, Croatia

A short ferry ride from Dubrovnik and yet a world away from its cosmopolitan hustle, Mijet is the southernmost of the South Dalmatian islands of Croatia.

Located in the pine and oak forest of Mljet National Park is Hotel Odisej Mljet.

This luxurious property has a range of rooms, from classic doubles to executive suites, and dining venues that offer breathtaking ocean views.

The island is famous for hiking and biking trails and you can always treat yourself to a massage or a sauna after a day of activities.

Their classic rooms start from $52 USD/night, but if you want to splurge you can go for one of the two executive suites with sea view and balcony that start at $100 USD/night. From souvenir shops and excursions to kayak rentals, Hotel Odisej proves that you don’t need to break your bank to enjoy luxury.

4. Tamu Hotel, Otres Beach, Cambodia

One hour flight (or a rather bumpy bus ride) away from Siem Riep is the port town of Sihanoukville. Despite Cambodia’s increasing tourism, pockets of the coast have managed to preserve some of their fishing village charm.

A step up from the basic bungalows of Sihanoukville, the Tamu Hotel is a boutique property on the Otres beach that aims to redefine the “barefoot chic” spirit.

The rooms are modern and minimalistic with polished concrete floors. The standard rooms start from $80 USD/night and offer direct access to the pool, a private patio with daybeds, and a private Balinese outdoor shower.

The deluxe rooms start from $110 USD/night for a spacious room with a private sandy garden. They are the closest to the beach and have a comfortable sofa that can be easily turned into a bed. The hotel also offers various activities like zip lining, paddle boarding, and even day trips to Koh Rong Island.

5. Villa Serena, Las Galeras, Samaná, Dominican Republic

The capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is often referred to as the “First city of the New World” as it was home to the first street, cathedral, university, and hospital in the Americas. A three-hour scenic drive from the Santo Domingo, in Samaná, lies Villa Serena.

Set on a secluded beach on the bay of Las Galeras, this elegant villa features 21 rooms that are spacious and tastefully decorated in a Victorian style.

For families and groups, there are vacation rentals available right on the beach.

The villa also offers yoga and wellness retreats and a range of outdoor activities like zip lining, diving, and caving. In the low season (April-November) rooms start from $110/night and in the high season, rooms start from $120 USD/night.

6. Hotel Goulielmos, Santorini, Greece

Santorini’s white-washed buildings, magnificent sunsets, churches built on steep cliffs, and deep blue water have made it one of the most desirable coastal vacation spots in Europe. Finding a beach hotel in Santorini within budget is no joke, but if you book well in advance you might be in luck.

Set on a cliff at a distance of 7 km from Santorini airport, Hotel Goulielmos is a traditional style boutique hotel, only 500 meters from Caldera Beach and Akrotiri Village.

The hotel contains 27 spacious rooms, some with garden view and some with the views of the Caldera and the Aegean Sea. Their superior double rooms also come with a mini private terrace for you to enjoy a glass of wine with the ocean vista and soak in the essence of Santorini.

The standard garden view rooms start from $107 USD/night and the Caldera view rooms start from $202 USD/night. Don’t forget to take a short drive to the lively town of Fira when you are here.

7. El Rio Y Mar Resort, Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Over the last few years, Philippines has become one of hottest destinations in southeast Asia, and Coron and El Nido are the two most popular getaways. Coron is well known for soft white sand beaches and hidden lagoons with turquoise water, the most famous one being Kayangan Lake. The black karsts bursting out of the water is truly a sight you are not likely to forget. The award-winning El Rio y Mar Resort is located in the mountains, within regions of Busuanga Island and San Nicolas Barangay.

The resort offers five different types of rooms. Their casa rooms are built with a modern decor and warm lighting and their cabanas are classic cabins built with cedar wood. The mountain backdrop and ocean views come at a reasonable price of $75 USD/night depending on the season. Don’t forget to take a trip to the famous underwater shipwrecks while you are there.

8. El Sitio de Playa Venao, Pedasi, Panama

Panama is considered the bridge of the Americas and is only about 2.5 hours away from Miami. In the southern Azuero Peninsula lies Playa Venao, one of Panama’s best surf spots with balanced, even waves that are suitable for beginners and professionals.

El Sitio Hotel is right on the shore of Playa Venao, which makes it easy to surf, swim, or simply sunbathe. From Albrook airport in Panama City, Air Panama are offering two daily flights to nearby Chitré. These flights take about 25 minutes ($62 USD). From here an hour of taxi ride will land you at Playa Venao.

The accommodation here ranges from basic twin rooms to sunrise or sunset suites, but their latest addition is the Lighthouse Apartment, featuring a 360-degree lookout of the bay and furnished with its own kitchen, bedroom, and living room.

While people mainly come here to surf, the hotel also provides numerous other options like mangroves stand up paddling, whale watching (August-November), zipline canopy tour, horseback riding, deep water fishing, and kite surfing, to name a few. The basic rooms here start from $99 USD/night with a minimum stay of two nights. The lighthouse usually starts from $190/night.

9. Dom José Beach Hotel, Algarve, Portugal

Algarve

Photo: Carmen Huter.

Portugal’s southern region is a beautiful blend of stunning architectural sights and natural attractions such as its jaw-dropping cliffs and caves. The Algarve has become the go-to European destination for surfers, cultural purists, and all travelers who want to get away from it all without compromising on modern conveniences. The Dom José Beach Hotel at Quarteira beach allows you to do just that.

A mere five meters from the beach, the family-run three-star accommodation has rooms with oak wood flooring, modern decor, and an option of sea view or city view.

Many also come with a private balcony that overlooks the ocean. The rooms here start from $110 USD/night and there are plenty of opportunities to play tennis, golf, or go horse riding near the hotel.

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