Sometimes you need to escape the city—without actually leaving the city. The Rockaway Hotel + Spa is the perfect place to do exactly that.
An oasis in Queens, the Rockaway Hotel feels like a beachy, remote retreat even though it’s just over an hour’s subway ride from midtown. Decorated in natural blue and tan tones and packed with art, the hotel evokes relaxation along with a sense of New York City cool from the moment you step inside. The luxurious and design-forward 84,000-square-foot hotel offers 53 guest rooms and eight extended-stay residences each with Atlantic Ocean or Jamaica Bay views.
Best of all? It’s just a five-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean—if you can tear yourself away from the hotel’s on-site pool to make the short walk to the beach, that is. At the hotel’s heated outdoor pool, relax on a lounge chair, drop by the hotel’s cedar saunas and order poolside snacks and drinks from attentive staff. If you’ve got a large group, book a cabana in advance. You can even book a poolside spa service, like the scalp therapy drizzle or the after-sun skin reset. Speaking of spa services, the hotel’s spa really delivers with an array of treatments from massages to facials, along with wellness classes.
As for dining, there’s the Pool House with a casual, poolside menu from dawn til dusk. Indoors, you’ll find Margie’s, the ground-floor restaurant that feels like a neighborhood dining room with its menu of American classics. Start with the tuna crispy rice and a citrus salad, then move onto the burger, branzino or a cauliflower steak. Be sure to make time for the Rooftop, where you can enjoy sushi, bao and a raw bar, along with an excellent list of cocktails. The Shark Bite (with ghost pepper tequila) and the EZ Pass (with vodka and lavender) are stand-out classics; also make room for menu newcomers the Ocean Spritz (a twist on an Aperol Spritz) and the Bay Side Spritz (with vodka, watermelon and elderflower).
When it’s finally time to rest, you’ll be met with a plush bed, large windows and a spacious bathroom. Much like the rest of the hotel, the room design feels relaxing and beachy in a fresh and modern way.
Neighborhood
The hotel is located at 108th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Rockaway Beach, Queens—one of New York’s finest and most fun beach towns. It’s easily accessible via subway, bus, or ferry.
Nearby
1. Tacoway Beach: Open during the summer only, this relaxed taco spot with surf shack vibes serves a variety of tacos (fish, tofu and carnitas, to name a few), as well as sides (elote and chips-and-guac, for example). Find it at 302 Beach 87th Street. It’s about a 30-minute walk down the Boardwalk from the hotel or a 10-minute ride-share trip.
2. The Boardwalk: A stroll along the Boardwalk is a must. This sprawling Boardwalk is more natural than the Boardwalk in Coney Island, so you can enjoy some beautiful ocean vistas while you pop by shops and restaurants.
3. Local art installations: In the neighborhood surrounding the hotel, keep an eye out for public art installations, including murals and sculptures. Here’s a list of what's on view right now.
Time Out tip
The Rockaway Hotel + Spa doesn’t lose its luster when fall comes around. The pool area stays open, transforming into a Winter Pool House with cozy decor, cedar saunas and additional wellness services. Plus, cuddling up in your room and watching the waves crash on a winter morning is a divine experience itself.
One more tip: A heads up when you’re using a mapping app. You’ve got to type in “The Rockaway Hotel,” not just “Rockway Hotel.” Otherwise, you’ll be sent to a landlocked part of Brooklyn. Double check the destination before you hit “start,” so you don’t waste any time getting there.
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