Asbury Ocean Club Hotel

As short-haul travel once again becomes the norm, places close to New York City are experiencing a renaissance — among them Asbury Park, New Jersey, a beach town that’s right in the heart of the Jersey Shore. A hotel like the Asbury Ocean Club would have been unthinkable a decade or two earlier, but today it’s a breath of fresh air, a light and stylish luxury hotel that’s set right on Ocean Avenue, steps from the boardwalk and the beach.

The clearest departure from the Asbury Park of old is in the aesthetics; this ultra-modern structure wouldn’t look out of place in a major metropolitan area. Meanwhile the accommodations themselves come decked out in a style that mixes elements of laid-back seaside shacks and glossy urban loft living. They’re light-filled and full of boutique-hotel comforts, and more stylish than just about anything else in town.

A spa and an expansive fitness center are among the wellness offerings, alongside a rooftop pool and a garden terrace, complete with a poolside bar. Meanwhile the Drawing Room restaurant and bar make up the social heart of the hotel — and while the vibe is lively, it’s substantially more restrained than many of the nightspots in this often-raucous town.