10 of the best hotels in the United States for boat lovers

Photo courtesy of iStock / photosvit

Whether you love a sunset dinner cruise or you enjoy passing time watching the boats cruise by, these are the best hotels for boat lovers.

Photo courtesy of The Ben, Autograph Collection Hotels

The Ben, Autograph Collection – West Palm Beach, Florida

The Ben, Autograph Collection is the first and only waterfront hotel in downtown West Palm Beach, designed after author Byrd Spilman Dewey’s estate named Ben Trovato. The 208 thoughtfully curated guest rooms capture the spirit of the Victorian home, which served as inspiration for the upscale hotel.

Head to the rooftop lounge and take a dip in the heated saltwater pool with expansive views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Palm Harbor Marina. Walking distance from the hotel is Clematis Street, the entertainment and dining hub of West Palm Beach, and Rosemary Square, an outdoor shopping destination with retailers like Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie and Tommy Bahama. 

Photo courtesy of Hammetts Hotel

Hammetts Hotel – Newport, Rhode Island

Considered one of the sailing capitals of the world, Newport is a popular maritime hub and a coastal town oozing with charm, giving it the nickname “city by the sea.” Centrally located on the Wharf, Hammetts Hotel is a nautical-themed boutique hotel that pays homage to its historic maritime heritage with a modern aesthetic for today’s traveler.

Waterfront dining can be enjoyed from the deck which overlooks the Newport Marina, or you can browse retailers such as Johnnie-O, Holebrook and Saltzman Watches. In May 2022, Newport will also be home to The Sailing Museum, an 8,000-square-foot space dedicated to the legacy of sailing and honoring those who have shaped the sport over the years. 

Photo courtesy of Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel

Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel – Avalon, California

About 22 miles south of Long Beach, California lies an idyllic island with colorful cliffside homes that could easily be mistaken for a dreamy coastal town in Italy. Catalina Island is a popular destination for boat owners and outdoor enthusiasts who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Getting to the island requires a ferry ride from one of four ports in Southern California or you can charter your own boat.

Nestled in the hills of Avalon, Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel is a respite from the tourist crowds in town and is situated high enough to offer spectacular views of the Casino, as well as the harbor dotted with private boats. The historic hotel, which is one of the island’s more upscale offerings, completed an extensive renovation in 2019 which included the addition of eight new suites and refreshed rooms. 

Photo courtesy of Baldemar Fiero

Balboa Bay Resort – Newport Beach, California

Balboa Bay Resort is located at the edge of the sparkling harbor in Newport Beach, offering prime views of the marina. The hotel’s relaxed, open-air design makes it easy to linger on property and take advantage of all the amenities including a fitness studio, pool and 10,000-square-foot spa.

Ask the hotel’s recreation concierge about water excursions like boat rentals, kayaking and paddle boarding, or explore the Balboa Peninsula, a three-mile stretch filled with restaurants, bars and beautiful beaches. A five-minute drive from the resort will take you to the Lido Marina Village, a popular outdoor retail and dining destination with trendy restaurants like Nobu and Malibu Farm. 

Photo courtesy of Sagamore Pendry Baltimore

Sagamore Pendry Baltimore – Maryland

Located in a historic building on Baltimore’s Recreation Pier, or “Rec Pier” as locals know it, the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is a luxury hotel that overlooks Inner Harbor. The historic 1914 building honors the city’s history and surrounding waterfront community of Fell’s Point where cobblestone streets are dotted with seaside restaurants and boutiques.

Each of the 128 guest rooms are designed with warm wood tones, curated artwork and views of the garden courtyard, harbor or pool deck. The hotel features multiple food and beverage concepts in collaboration with NoHo Hospitality Group, including a waterfront bar and grill; The Cannon Room, an American whiskey bar; and Rec Pier Chop House, a prime Italian chophouse.

Photo courtesy of Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Edgewood Tahoe Resort – Stateline, Nevada

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and the emerald green waters make it an ideal spring and summer destination for boat lovers. Water activities along the lake include kayaking, boating, fishing and paddle boarding, to name a few. For luxury accommodations, Edgewood Tahoe is a LEED-certified mountain lodge set along Lake Tahoe’s south shoreline overlooking the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The resort is a 20-minute drive from Tahoe Keys Marina, the largest marina on the lake that offers all your boating needs including rentals. The annual Concours d’Elegance Wooden Boat Show in August hosted by Obexer’s Boat Company, the first wooden boat dealership on Lake Tahoe, brings together boat enthusiasts for one of the marquee events in boating.

Photo courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts

The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf

The InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf is an upscale property overlooking the waterfront at the edge of the Potomac River. The reimagined mile-long Wharf is a vibrant mixed-use development with over 20 restaurants and food concepts, cultural attractions and shops, with the hotel conveniently located at the center of it all.

Head to the rooftop deck where you can lounge poolside while admiring the boats that sail by. Seaside views can also be enjoyed from the state-of-the-art fitness center or casual riverside restaurant, The Watering Hole. Guest rooms are modern and stylish with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for plenty of natural light, spa-inspired bathrooms and select rooms that offer scenic views of the river.

Photo courtesy of Don Riddle

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey – California

At The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, guests take a front row seat to the beautiful cotton candy sunsets that Los Angeles is famous for. Aside from the spellbinding sunsets, the waterfront hotel offers stunning views overlooking glitzy yachts docked at the marina.

Guests can book a private yacht excursion or sunset dinner cruise through the hotel concierge. Don’t miss the ultra-hip Abbot Kinney Boulevard, just a short drive from the hotel, lined with cool boutiques and some of the city’s notable restaurants, including Felix, Gjelina and Scopa – that is, if you can snag a reservation. 

Photo courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Mandarin Oriental, Miami – Florida

The Mandarin Oriental, Miami hotel soars above the small island of Brickell Key, offering some of the best views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Located in between South Beach and Downtown Miami, the Mandarin Oriental offers luxurious accommodations in a quaint setting.

Take a dip in the infinity-edge pool or relax at the hotel’s 15,000-square-foot spa where daily fitness classes are available upon request. All 326 guest rooms offer water views, 10-foot ceilings and private balconies that overlook the bay. Brickell City Centre and the trendy Wynwood Arts District are just minutes away from the property, with no shortage of upscale dining and entertainment options nearby.  

Photo courtesy of Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – California

Towering over the San Diego Bay, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego sits across from the Seaport Village Shopping Center and is a short distance to the San Diego Convention Center and the packed Gaslamp Quarter. Step inside the airy and elegant lobby adorned with high ceilings and marble floors, and take in beautiful bay views from contemporary guest rooms or one of two rooftop pools (including one for adults only).

Don’t miss the Top of the Hyatt, the sky lounge on the 40th floor, which is ideal for watching the sunset through the floor-to-ceiling windows.