The Rockaway Hotel

Situated a few blocks from New York City’s only designated surfing beach and a breeze to reach by ferry, the 53-room Rockaway Hotel and Spa has aced the staycation. With your welcome glass of bubbly, take in the lobby’s stunning rotating art gallery—catch “Kings on Vacation” by Derrick Adams and Christopher Myers’ “Igbo Landing 4” stained glass lightbox—installations that reflect the diverse, vibrant landscape of the Rockaway community. Start your day with a vinyasa yoga class and a dip in the heated outdoor pool, pedal along the boardwalk on a complimentary cruiser, and let the hotel organize a surf lesson with Locals Surf School. Dine at Margies and then follow the music to the rooftop, where local bands jam and Manhattan’s skyline sparkles. You’ll sleep well knowing that your presence helps support the hotel’s partnerships with the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy and The Rising Tide Effect, which has taught more than 200 underserved local kids how to swim.
Nearby activities: Soak up the surf culture at Rockaway Surf Club, where a margarita and Tacoway Beach’s Fish Tacos will hit the spot, whether you caught some waves or not. Delicious food options like Red Hook Lobster and Rippers burger joint line the boardwalk, so you’ll never go hungry in the Queens riviera. Back at the hotel, park your cruiser then walk across the street to Coastal, where Rockaway Beach Bakery's Tracy Obolsky has just launched her new business, Rockaway Beach Creamery, serving up handmade ice cream and Riptide Roasting Coffee toffee. After digesting, ride 3.8 miles to the endlessly photographable Fort Tilden Beach.
How to get there without a car: Take an hourly NYC Ferry for $4 from Wall Street/Pier 11to Sunset Park, a five-minute walk up 108th St. to the hotel.
Total travel time: 1 hour