Planning a getaway to a Forbes Star-rated hotel usually involves booking a flight to a major city or a far-flung exotic destination. But there’s one spot in New Jersey that’s been given the coveted designation for a third straight year. The only independent global rating system of its kind, Forbes Travel Guide relies on inspectors who check in anonymously as paying guests, meaning no one knows they’re reviewing the hotel or experience. So the rating and recognition is based on an independent and honest review of what a hotel, restaurant, spa or cruise is really like.
The Asbury Ocean Club Hotel is New Jersey’s only Forbes Star-Rated Hotel in the 2026 Star Awards. This marks its third consecutive year on the exclusive list. It was also named a 1 Michelin Key Hotel in 2025. A Michelin Key is a Michelin Guide award that recognizes outstanding hotels for their level of service, design and more. It’s basically the hotel equivalent of a Michelin Star.
A dreamy and easily drivable spot for an overnight or weekend sans kids, The Asbury Ocean Club is just steps away from the Asbury Park boardwalk. The modern boutique hotel has 54 rooms, including suites, loft-style layouts and luxe penthouses with a large living and dining area, all with high ceilings, lots of sunlight and ocean and dune views, plus private outdoor space.
Rooms include king beds, seating areas, spacious bathrooms and thoughtful touches like beach bags, in-room tablets for service and a welcome drink after check-in. At the moment, a standard room with a king-sized bed and city view starts at $347 a night for a midweek stay in March.
The hotel has a spa, fitness center, yoga and meditation spaces, and indoor gathering areas, including a glass-enclosed Drawing Room lounge and a breakfast room overlooking the grounds. The ocean-facing deck and bar and grill has a pool, lounge seating, firepit areas and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with cocktails.
If you’re planning a kid-free getaway close to home, the hotel offers a Sea & Serenity for Two package that includes a 60-minute couples massage at the spa with aromatherapy (tip is included), a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for you when you arrive, and two monogrammed robes and two pairs of slippers you get to keep.
The hotel also offers a baby moon package that comes with a 60-minute prenatal massage with a foot treatment (tip is included), a luxe pregnancy pillow you get to keep and a late-night snack box (obviously) delivered to your room with a mix of sweet and salty treats.
One of the Asbury Ocean Club’s biggest draws is its beachfront location in the heart of Asbury Park, home to tons of restaurants, coffee shops (don’t miss A Cup of Literature for your fix of coffee, books and a workout), boutique and vintage shops, indie bookshops and, of course, iconic music venues like The Stone Pony and Asbury Lanes. First opened in the 1960s as an 18-lane bowling alley, Asbury Lanes hosts concerts year-round and has bowling and a retro diner serving Jersey classics like a pork roll, egg and cheese, plus a hearty lunch and dinner menu and boozy shakes. For more on what to do in Asbury Park, head to asburyparknow.com.
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