Jacksonville hotels

Sometimes, the cost of renting an entire beach house is out of your budget, but you still want your own kitchen and all the other homey amenities during your shoreside getaway. Enter the Element, Marriott’s extended stay concept that opened a few years ago in Jax Beach and is already one of the best hotels in Jacksonville.

I love this place because it really does feel like having a little home by the ocean, where I can go grocery shopping and enjoy coffee and breakfast on my balcony while gazing out at the Atlantic.

I don’t have pets, but this place is incredibly welcoming to dogs, making it one of the best hotels in Jacksonville for those travelling with furry friends. There’s also free breakfast every day downstairs, and the rooms have fully stocked kitchens if you want to rustle up your own meals.

My favourite among Jacksonville’s bevy of beach towns is Atlantic Beach, the most laid-back and upscale of them all. Here you’ll find yoga studios, surf shops, and fresh smoothie stands lining the streets. In order to properly immerse yourself in the town’s elevated vibe, book a stay at the One Ocean Resort, one of the best luxury hotels in Jacksonville.

This AAA Four-Diamond resort is a true seaside escape, which still manages to feel like a small, intimate hotel despite towering high over the beach.

The nautical-themed spa feels like the sort of place the god Neptune would go for a massage, where you almost seem to be getting your treatments underwater. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant Azurea is one of the finest seafood spots in town, and a big reason why the One Ocean remains one of the best hotels in Jacksonville.

I love the trend of traditional roadside motels being transformed into cool, boutique hotels. Jacksonville doesn’t have many such places, but this old former motel is among the best boutique hotels in Jacksonville Beach.

Started by a former hotel concierge and beach bike rental proprietor, this small business is packed full of charm and character and is one of the coolest places to stay near the beach. For me, this is one of the best hotels in Jacksonville for those looking for something a little different.

Each of its 15 rooms follows a nautical theme, with old-fashioned wooden ship wheels on the walls and a calming colour palette of blues and whites. Fresh and breezy, all of them feel like an updated version of the classic Florida vacation. The hotel’s small, fenced-in pool is completely private, and I love sitting out here with a book to soak up the sun.

Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville resorts have been popping up everywhere from Times Square to Downtown Atlanta in recent years. But this one right near the Jacksonville Beach Pier embodies the true Parrothead ethos. It’s the kind of place where you feel overdressed if you’re wearing shoes, as you stroll from the sand to the Land Shark lookout bar then up to your room in nothing but board shorts and flip flops.

The Margaritaville beach motif fits perfectly here, and when I’m coming to Jacksonville for a relaxed beach getaway, I’ll always check rates at Margaritaville first. It makes this northeast Florida city feel like the Florida Keys, with its coastal-inspired decor and relaxed attitude. Located just steps from the beach, it’s one of the best hotels in Jacksonville for a fun beachside escape.

As a frequent traveller, I understand the inclination to avoid chains when you’re going on vacation. But hear me out. This SpringHill Suites is nothing like the ones you find near airports, or I never would have included it in my list of the best hotels in Jacksonville.

You realize this place is a little different as soon as you step out onto the pool deck, an elevated space with direct views of the ocean that’s just begging for you to order a fruity cocktail.

Almost every room has a balcony overlooking the ocean, and I love walking outside to watch the sunrise and breathe in some fresh sea air before starting my day. The on-site restaurant is more of a beach bar than a formal hotel dining space, meaning you can grab a meal here without ever having to lose sight of those stellar ocean views.

Those who haven’t been to Jacksonville for a while may remember this riverfront hotel as the Omni, which for years was the only luxury hotel in downtown Jacksonville. Marriott took it over a few years ago and has maintained its reputation as one of the best hotels in Jacksonville, offering the most in terms of modern rooms and amenities in the downtown area.

The hotel delivers everything you’d expect from a Marriott, with larger rooms perfect for knocking out a few work assignments if you’re travelling for business. The hotel’s J Bar is also ideal for a nightcap after a day of meetings.

I love the elevated pool deck, one of my favourites in Jacksonville for its view of the city’s iconic bridges over the St. Johns River. It’s also the best hotel near EverBank Stadium, if you’re in town for a Jags game.

If I’m in Jacksonville to visit friends, staying near St. Johns Town Center is often the best option. First, because it’s as centrally located as you’re going to get in sprawling Jacksonville. Second, because you’re surrounded by great restaurants, so finding a place to meet up is never too hard.

This Tru by Hilton is one of the best value hotels in Jacksonville, making it a great option when you’re looking for somewhere clean, modern, and dependable without the need for luxurious amenities. The rooms have all the USB plugs and outlets a 21st-century traveller could need, with flatscreen TVs for watching your favourite shows.

The lobby is spacious and colourful, and you’ll often find remote workers here enjoying the roomy work cubbies. The fitness centre is a pleasant surprise too, as you’ll find running routes programmed into the gym technology and more space than you’d expect from a hotel this size.

There’s no reason bedding down by the airport means you have to stay somewhere boring. That’s why I’m a big fan of this airport-adjacent Aloft, which brings the brand's urban flair and personality to the area around JAX.

This is one of the best hotels in Jacksonville near the airport because it stands out, a place where you can get a craft cocktail and relax in a lively lobby as you decompress after a day of travel.

The wxyz bar isn’t a bad place to grab a post-flight meal either, and if I’m arriving late the bar snacks are a way better (and cheaper!) option than a food delivery. It also has one of the better airport hotel gyms you’ll come across, and a refreshing saltwater pool that almost makes a trip to JAX feel like a night by the beach.

This Hyatt Regency is the quintessential mid-sized city downtown hotel. It’s a higher-end, city-centre spot where you’ll find locals at the hotel’s waterfront restaurant Tavern or Morton’s The Steakhouse for happy hour, and weddings and other celebrations every weekend.

What sets it apart as one of the best hotels in Jacksonville is the fact it’s as much a part of the local scene as it is for visitors—I’ve met a number of people who live in the city staying here for little staycations. So, it’s actually a surprisingly good place to meet locals, who’ll happily guide you to the best bars, restaurants, and live music venues in downtown Jacksonville.

It’s also right in front of the city’s riverfront running path, which makes for a cool workout if you jog to the outdoor exercise equipment a couple of kilometres away.

Not all trips to Jacksonville are for beachside fun. Sometimes you might be in town for medical reasons, most likely visiting the Mayo Clinic near Ponte Vedra. If that’s the case, this Residence Inn is one of the best hotels in Jacksonville near the Mayo Clinic.

If you’re planning to be in town for a while, the longer-stay suites with kitchens and living rooms make for a comfortable place to return. I also appreciate the ample desks and workspaces, which are great if you’re working remotely (plus you never have to hunt around for a place to plug in).

But my favourite part of this hotel has to be the smoothie bar in the lobby, which makes it easier than ever to eat fresh, healthy food and keep up with my five a day (often a challenge when you’re staying in hotels).