Oceanview vs oceanfront: Key differences, explained.

When it comes to booking that long-awaited beach vacation, you have a few important decisions to make, even after you’ve chosen your destination. Not only will you have to pick a hotel, but you’ll also need to decide on which type of room best fits your preferences. For example: oceanview vs. oceanfront? 

As someone who’s stayed in dozens of beach resorts and hotels, I can attest that these two room categories offer very different experiences. Below, we’ll go over which one is better to book, when it’s worth the splurge to go for the more expensive room and how you can avoid getting a less-than-ideal view.

What’s the difference between oceanfront, oceanview and beachfront?

Oceanview.

• An oceanview room doesn’t guarantee you a panoramic view of the surf and sand.
• The room might only offer a partial, angled or extremely distant view of the ocean.
• Nightly rates for oceanview accommodations will typically be lower than those of an oceanfront or beachfront room.

Example: The Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach’s oceanfront rooms have “balcony views of the ocean, and pool or fountain courtyard.”

Oceanfront.

• An oceanfront room directly faces the ocean.
• In most cases, there are no buildings or other structures between the hotel or resort and the water.
• Night rates are usually higher than oceanview rooms, but they won’t be as expensive as those rooms with direct beach access.

Example: The wording differentiation for the oceanfront vs. oceanview rooms at Rock House in Turks and Caicos is almost imperceptible, but the oceanfront studios are billed as rooms that offer “sweeping views of the ocean.”

Beachfront.

• Beachfront rooms, suites, or cottages are, in most cases, located directly on the beach or provide immediate beach access.
• Guests can reach the sand without having to cross a street or walk too far.
• Beachfront accommodations tend to be more expensive than oceanfront rooms, given their convenience and exclusivity.

Example: The description of the beachfront suites at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas includes clear wording: “direct beach access.”

Why the difference matters.

While the differences between oceanfront vs. oceanview rooms aren’t exactly monumental, they do impact the vacation experience in two key ways.

• Price: You should expect to pay more for rooms with better views. With that in mind, oceanfront and beachfront rooms, suites, and villas usually come with higher price points than oceanview rooms.
• Expectation vs. reality: You don’t want to kick your beach vacation off with disappointment. So if you’ve been dreaming of sipping a glass of wine on your hotel room balcony, gazing out at the ocean, you need to make sure you booked an oceanfront room. The oceanview room likely won’t be as picture-perfect.

When is it worth upgrading to oceanfront?

There are some scenarios where it doesn’t quite matter which room you get. There are others, however, where the entire experience will be elevated if you upgrade to an oceanfront room. These include:

• A celebratory trip: If you’re celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary, or any other big life chapter where Champagne might be involved, it’s probably worth it to splurge on the room with the beach vista.
• Destinations with A+ views: There are some beach destinations – like Maui, the Amalfi Coast, and Jamaica – that are known for their stunning views over the ocean. If you want to ensure you get to see as many jaw-dropping sunsets as possible during your trip, go for the oceanfront room.
• Resorts where the view is the main event: If the resort you’re considering booking has tons of different activities – a great pool, snorkeling and surfing, a spa, etc. – there’s no real reason to upgrade. But, on the other hand, if it’s the type of place where the view is the highlight, go ahead and request the oceanfront room. I found this to be the case at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa. The standout feature of the resort is its location along the Grand Cul-de-Sac, so guests definitely reap the benefits from snagging an oceanfront suite.
• When you’ll be in the room a lot: Similar to the above example, if you plan on staying busy throughout your trip – maybe going on excursions or lounging by the pool or beach – your room view shouldn’t be the biggest priority. If you plan on spending more time inside, perhaps working remotely, will benefit more from having a room with an exceptional view.

When oceanview (or even garden-view) might be enough.

It’s not always worth it to upgrade to the best room with the best view. Feel free to go with the oceanview (or the garden- or resort-view) room if any of the below situations apply.

• If you’re budget-conscious: You may have saved up for your dream trip, but you don’t want to blow your budget on the room – so you opt for the cheaper option. This doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on views completely; you can always find another spot on the property to watch the sun set.
• If you’re only sleeping in the room: When your itinerary is packed with meals, activities, and off-property excursions, there’s little room for regret that your accommodations only have a partial view.
• If the property has a great shared space for views: Perhaps the hotel is famous for its rooftop bar or the main building’s wraparound veranda that overlooks the pristine beach. These are both great options for getting unforgettable ocean views, without having to pay for the premium room.

Questions to ask before booking to avoid disappointment.

Prior to confirming your booking, I recommend asking the hotel the following questions to double (and maybe even triple) check that you won’t be disappointed when you step into your temporary home away from home.

Tips for booking the best room.

Before you book your next trip, read through the following tips to ensure you get the exact room category you want – and avoid any disappointment upon entering what you thought was going to be your dream hotel room.

• Check reviews: Past guest reviews can be incredibly helpful when figuring out where to go and which room to book. If reviewers repeatedly share that the “oceanview” rooms are less than impressive, consider upgrading to the oceanfront room.
• Call the hotel: Sometimes, your best bet is to talk to someone actually on the property. The front desk or concierge team will likely be able to help you figure out which rooms have the best ocean views, as well as which ones are the quietest or most spacious.

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