Best Hotels in Jacksonville Beach

Opened in 1928, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club resort has a storied past and an excellent location on a calm stretch of beach in an affluent area just minutes south of Jacksonville Beach. But what makes the resort truly stand out are its ample amenities: 15 tennis courts, 36 holes of golf, a fantastic full-service spa, and four swimming pools catering to both couples and families. The sheer size doesn't detract from the quality of the maintenance on the property; if anything, it's standing proof that they just don't make beach resorts like they used to.

One Ocean Resort and Spa is right on Atlantic Beach, a safe area with outdoor activities like golfing, kayaking, and fishing, just a short drive north of Jacksonville Beach. The resort swaps Ponte Vedra's southern aristocratic vibe for a chic and modern one. Its 193 bright and trendy rooms have contemporary decor, flat-screen TVs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and bathrooms with double shower heads. You won't find Ponte Vedra's onslaught of amenities here, though One Ocean's spa is luxurious and couples-friendly, and the excellent kids' club has a marine biology theme.

Located down the road from its amenities-packed sister property, the Mediterranean-inspired Lodge & Club has a privileged beachfront location in an upscale residential area in southern Ponte Vedra Beach, a sleepy beachside community directly south of Jacksonville Beach. There are beautiful ocean views from balconies and romantic window seats in each of the hotel's 66 rooms. Room perks include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are particularly luxurious, with a deep soaking tub and separate shower. Additional property features include a fitness center and two good -- but pricey -- restaurants and lounges. Both Wi-Fi and daily afternoon tea are free, though those perks barely make a dent in the nightly rates (much higher here than at One Ocean).

While our top three picks are all solidly upscale, this oceanfront Best Western is decidedly mid-range. But it's a great value for the rates (which are obviously lower here than at Ponte Vedra, One Ocean, or The Lodge). Rates are made even more reasonable by their inclusion of breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. The 51-room hotel is located directly on the beach in Jacksonville Beach, very close to a fishing pier that is frequented by locals and tourists alike. There are several small restaurants in the area, as well as a few touristy stores and surf shops.