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The Rockaway Hotel
- Where:
- Why:Leaving the city without leaving the city
- When:July 2025
- Who:Me + visitors
"A NYC beach escapade"
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thew view from outside
best way to get there: taking the Rockaway Beach ferry from Wall St port in downtown Manhattan. It's a lovely scenic ride, but FYI ferry is seasonal.
getting cozy in my room
eclectic and modern pieces in the lobby
the hotel’s corridors double as a gallery, with bold artworks and strong beachy vibes
a taste of the rooftop menu: crispy rice tuna & shrimp cocktail
Claudette's cafe is part of the hotel, offering artisanal bites: smoothies, açai bowls, desserts, and coffee, among other small-snacks
we met the most stylish guy in the building: Robert, the F&b director!
the hotel offers complementary beach cruisers which you can take around town and across the boardwalks.
a regular scene of everyday life in the Rockaways
if you don’t know Rockaway Beach, it’s New York City’s surf-soaked backyard — an unexpected seaside retreat where urban grit meets laid-back coastal charm, and where locals swap subway rides for sandy feet and salt-kissed breezes.
hotel staff provides guests with everything you may need for a day at the beach: chairs, towels and umbrellas.
a view from above: the heated pool and cedar sauna double as a social hub, complete with cocktails, cabanas, and day passes for locals.
pool side with my bestie who visited for the day
the Supply Shop extends the hotel’s chic coastal vibe with curated beachwear, fragrances, and design-forward essentials you’ll actually want to take home.
this vending machine also offers last minute essentials: from protein bars to sunblock, books and speakers
yoga mats, pub crawls, and ocean views — all in a day at Rockaway.
ocean views from my room — a reminder that you can forget you’re still in NYC.
an unusual perspective of the Manhattan skyline, where the distance clearly separates Downtown from Midtown.
leaving the staycation with a tan - and a bucket hat
Highs & Lows
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Location: in its proximity to the city, this is a very accessible and quick getaway by either car, train, or ferry. You could even bike there!
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F&B: there's many offerings in one location, I appreciated the quality of the food
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Hotel brand & culture: overall, the hotel has a strong sense of who they are and what they offer, they love their local community and cater to it as well
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Beach & pool amenities: You don't need them to access the Rockaway beach, but it's so nice when you don't need to bring anything. That's a game changer!
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They have a full programming agenda during the summer and offer day passes to the pool, which makes it accessible to all
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Year-round heated pool: this will also be a popular getaway in the cooler seasons
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The hotel is busy, so if you're looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway, this may not be it.
Important Bits
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Type
Lifestyle Hotel, Luxury Hotel
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Vibe
Chic and coastal with a community spirit — sleek design, bold art, and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that merges surf culture with boutique sophistication. Mix of locals and visitors. It's a busy hotel.
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Location
In the heart of Rockaway Beach, Queens — just steps from the boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean, and less than an hour from Manhattan.
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Rooms
63
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Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
The booking process is straightforward, with plenty of information available online about amenities, events, and neighborhood highlights. Pre-arrival communication is smooth, and guests feel the buzz of Rockaway as soon as they arrive. Check-in is easy, and the welcoming staff sets the tone for a stylish yet laid-back stay.
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Future Forward
Community-minded with local partnerships, cultural programming, wellness offerings, and a focus on sustainability through clean ingredients, eco-friendly amenities, and support of Rockaway artists and makers.
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Music
A curated mix of coastal-cool playlists and live music and DJ sets on weekends — perfectly balancing poolside energy with relaxed evenings.
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Year Opened
2020
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Designed By
Morris Adjmi Architects, with interiors by Curious Yellow Design.
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Health & Wellness
Heated outdoor pool with cabanas, cedar sauna, and wellness services; full gym access; and a holistic spa offering treatments inspired by nature.
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Food
Ursula of New York serves inventive Southwestern fare; Margie’s is the hotel’s signature restaurant offering modern coastal cuisine; Claudette’s Café provides smoothies, bowls, coffee, and quick bites.
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Bar, Events & Nightlife
The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel delivers panoramic ocean and Manhattan skyline views, cocktails, and music. Live performances, DJ sets, and cultural events keep the space buzzing year-round, specially during the summer
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Minibar & Retail
The Supply Shop offers curated apparel, fragrances, books, gifts, and beach essentials — blending utility with design. Vending machine with essential available.
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Accessibility
The hotel has ADA-accessible rooms and facilities, with elevators and wide corridors. Pool and common areas are wheelchair-friendly.
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Pet Friendly
yes
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Children
yes
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Price
Reassuringly expensive — rates reflect its position as a design-forward, lifestyle destination just outside NYC.
- Tel.
- Website
The Rockaway Hotel
The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens, NY, USA
Rippers
8601 Shore Front Pkwy, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693, USA
Beach Boardwalk
Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, Shore Front Parkway, Queens, NY, USA
Rockaway Film Festival
72-02 Gouverneur Ave, Arverne, Queens, NY 11692, USA
In the Area
Hotel Location The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens, NY, USA
The Rockaway Hotel is at the heart of Rockaway Beach in Queens, a seaside neighborhood that blends surf culture with a true New York edge. Just a block from the ocean and boardwalk, it’s surrounded by beach bars, local restaurants, and a thriving creative scene that includes galleries, live music, and festivals.
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