The Most Expensive Beach Destinations in the United States
July 26, 2017
Montauk, situated at the east end of the Long Island peninsula, has earned the distinction of being the USA’s most expensive beach destination this late summer. A recent survey by CheapHotels.org ranked it as the nation’s priciest sun and surf locale.
In compiling the rankings, the survey looked at beach destinations across the United States. For the purpose of comparison, it focused on the minimum price beachgoers would have to spend to stay overnight in the cheapest available double room at each destination during the month of August. The average minimum cost was used as the comparative base. Hotels or inns with less than a 2-star rating and those not located near the beach were excluded from consideration.
Montauk takes the number one ranking with an average nightly rate of $312 for its least expensive double room. Rounding out the Top 3 are Nantucket, an isolated island located 30 miles south of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod, and Cannon Beach in northwest Oregon. With average overnight rates of $285 and $262 respectively, they hold the survey’s second and third spots.
Santa Monica ranks as California’s most expensive summer beach destination. With an average nightly rate of $261, it places fourth in the survey. Along with Coronado ($221) and Santa Barbara ($209), it represents three California destinations that landed in the Top 10.
Top 20 Most Expensive Beach Destinations in the U.S.
| Destination | Average Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Montauk (NY) | $312 |
| Nantucket (MA) | $285 |
| Cannon Beach (OR) | $262 |
| Santa Monica (CA) | $261 |
| Kennebunkport (ME) | $246 |
| Long Beach Island (NJ) | $225 |
| Provincetown (MA) | $224 |
| Coronado (CA) | $221 |
| Poipu (HI) | $219 |
| Santa Barbara (CA) | $209 |
| York Beach (ME) | $207 |
| Rehoboth Beach (DE) | $202 |
| Cape May (NJ) | $202 |
| Laguna Beach (CA) | $194 |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea (CA) | $193 |
| Newport (RI) | $187 |
| Huntington Beach (CA) | $184 |
| Chatham (MA) | $184 |
| Avalon (CA) | $176 |
| Bar Harbor (ME) | $174 |
About the Methodology
The survey considered beach destinations in the United States with at least 10 hotels or inns. Only well-located hotels within walking distance of the beach, rated at least 2 stars and with positive average guest reviews, were included. For each destination, the average price for the cheapest available double room was calculated for the period from August 1 to August 31, 2017. Rates were determined in mid-July based on hotel price comparison research.
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