Skip to content
Search
Search
  1. Travel
  2. Travel Tips
 

5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable

by Bill Newcott, AARP, August 1, 2013

  • Inn of Cape May, Victorian Hotel on the Beach, 5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable
    Jason Varney

    Inn of Cape May ~ Est. 1894

    Just 48 miles south of Atlantic City's gaudy glitz, the streets of Cape May are lined with exquisitely preserved Victorian treasures, including this century-old seashore fixture. The water's pretty cold year-round, but you can always rent a tandem bike and ride to nearby Cape May Lighthouse, or sit in a rocking chair on the broad porch and listen to the surf tumble in the distance (800-582-5933; innofcapemay.com). Sold out? Built as a private home in 1850, Angel of the Sea, a half-block from the ocean, became a hotel around 1905. Rates include breakfast, beach chairs and bicycles (from $105 in the late fall; 800-848-3369; angelofthesea.com). 

    1 of 7
  • The Breakers Hotel, Aerial View, Swimming Pools, Beach, 5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable
    The Breakers

    The Breakers ~ Est. 1896

    The palatial Breakers sits near where the Gulf Stream comes closest to the Florida coast — go snorkeling just off the hotel's beach and you may see a mother and baby manatee. Inside and out are quiet nooks. Sip tea under the chandeliers of the towering lobby or shop on posh Worth Avenue — aka Rodeo Drive East (888-273-2537; thebreakers.com). Sold out? A few blocks from the beach, the Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club has an intimate charm that has made it a yacht-and-jet-set fave since 1926 (from $184 in the summer; 561-655-7740; thebraziliancourt.com).

    2 of 7
  • AARP Travel
    Vision/Cordelli/Getty Images

    AARP Offer: Explore Your World

    Explore Travel with our newsletter filled with tips and ideas to plan the ultimate getaway.
    Join AARP today for savings on airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises.

    3 of 7
  • Hotel Galvez, Palm Trees, Flowers, 5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable
    Alamy

    Hotel Galvez & Spa ~ Est. 1911

    It's easy to see why they called it Queen of the Gulf when it opened, with its mahogany ceilings and gold-leaf-topped columns. Walk (carefully) out onto the granite breakwater that juts into the warm Gulf of Mexico (409-765-7721; wyndham.com/hotels/GLSHG). Nearby, Big Reef Nature Park is home to 500 bird species (800-425-4753; galveston.com). Sold out? The guest registry at the lavish Tremont House Hotel includes historical figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Buffalo Bill (from $139 in the fall; 409-763-0300; wyndham.com/hotels/GLSTH).

    4 of 7
  • Swimming Pool, Hyatt Santa Barbara, Palm Trees, 5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable
    Hyatt Santa Barbara

    Hyatt Santa Barbara ~ Est. 1931

    One of the world's great beaches spreads below if your upper-floor room balcony faces the ocean. Art galleries and restaurants are a short shuttle ride away (805-882-1234; santabarbara.hyatt.com). Sold out? Two blocks from the beach, the Montecito Inn features its founder, Charlie Chaplin, in its logo. The place still has an air of old-Hollywood glamor (from $139; 805-969-7854; montecitoinn.com). 

    5 of 7
  • La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla, California, 5 Historic Beach Resorts That Are Surprisingly Affordable
    Alamy

    La Valencia Hotel ~ Est. 1926

    North of San Diego and above rocky La Jolla Cove — a favorite wedding spot — the "Pink Lady" is steps from a small sandy beach. You may want to sit in the quiet hotel courtyard with a drink, admiring the mosaics and murals. For the best dining view in town, head to the 10th-floor Sky Room restaurant (858-454-0771; lavalencia.com). Sold out? The sandy beach is closer to your door (and wider) a few miles south at San Diego's 124-year-old Hotel del Coronado, one of America's grandest grand hotels (from $299 in the fall; 800-468-3533; hoteldel.com). A block in from the Del is the charming 1906 Lodge, one of the area's best-kept secrets (from $209; 866-435-1906; 1906lodge.com). Both are a quick walk from the modest little house where L. Frank Baum wrote his Oz books.

    6 of 7
  • Inn of Cape May ~ Est. 1894
    Jason Varney

    Also of Interest

    7 of 7
AARP Travel Center

Call: 1.800.675.4318

Search Flights

Enter a valid date

Enter a valid date

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Enter a valid date

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Enter a valid date

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Flight 2

Enter a valid date

Flight 3

Enter a valid date

Flight 4

Enter a valid date

Flight 5

Enter a valid date

Add Another Flight

Search Hotels

Enter a valid date

Enter a valid date

Room 1

Room 2

Room 3

Room 4

Room 5

Room 6

Room 7

Room 8

Search Packages

Enter a valid date

Enter a valid date

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Room 1

Room 2

Room 3

Room 4

Room 5

Search Cars

Enter a valid date

Enter a valid date

Search Cruises

Select a valid location

Select a month

Search Things to Do

Enter a valid date

Enter a valid date