DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

There's a bit of a split personality at this DoubleTree -- some areas are sharp and modern while others are in need of a facelift. Palm trees and exotic plants line the drive leading up to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cocoa Beach Oceanfront. Inside, the spacious lobby has a pleasant appearance, with large columns decorated with sparkly mosaic tiles and a couple of seating areas, including one tucked in a corner under a glass-ball chandelier. It's a refreshingly modern welcome, one that's helped in no small part by the free cookies on offer here as well. The restaurant and bar, however, appears dated in comparison, with wooden dining tables and chairs that clash with the outdated carpeting. Next to the horseshoe-shaped bar is a brick oven where guests can watch their pizza cook. The hotel also has an outdoor pool that's surrounded by palm trees -- it's a bit small for the hotel's size -- while a wooden path leads to a flat, sandy beach. Overall, this DoubleTree is a clean and conveniently located option that attracts a mix of leisure tourists seeking a beachside getaway as well as some business travelers.

The hotel has a convenient beachfront location on Atlantic Avenue, the main road running through Cocoa Beach. Across the street is a strip mall with some dining options, including a Chinese restaurant, as well as a supermarket. There are several casual restaurants and some shops within walking distance. Cocoa Beach Pier is within a five-minute drive, and Port Canaveral can be reached in about 10 minutes. Kennedy Space Center and Melbourne Airport are just over a half-hour drive, and Orlando International Airport is around a 50-minute drive from the hotel. The Disney and Universal resorts will take a little over an hour to reach depending on the destination and traffic.

Rooms at DoubleTree by Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront have a modern chain look. Style varies a bit from room to room -- some are muted while others have a brighter design scheme, like the Deluxe Double Room that we visited, which had patterned blue carpets and chairs plus dark wood veneer furniture with clean lines. Sharp nautical photographs -- the black-and-white prints look particularly nice -- make a statement against the otherwise straightforward design. Decor is relatively homey, with chunky armchairs and accents like granite surfaces and metallic bedside lamps. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, microwaves (with free microwave popcorn), and coffee machines. Bathrooms have tile floors, large mirrors, spacious granite vanities, and shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. There are a variety of room types, and some offer furnished balconies with excellent ocean views. Suites are also available with separate living rooms that include pullout sofas. 

The obvious highlight of this DoubleTree is its setting right on Cocoa Beach. The hotel provides direct access to the flat, sandy beach, though like most hotels in the area there are no beach services. As an alternative, the hotel also has a small outdoor pool and children’s pool surrounded by lounge chairs, tables, and umbrellas. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet -- though it's not included in room rates -- as well as an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. It has a bar and a brick oven for making pizzas, though food generally gets mixed reviews. There’s a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer, and 10,000 square feet of meeting space is available for private events. The hotel has a small fitness center with a few exercise machines, towels, and a water dispenser, and there’s a pantry with snacks and drinks for sale. Extra conveniences include an on-site ATM and free parking. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the property.