50 Affordable Beach Resorts

Coliena=20 Rentmeester

Plus

Beaches=20 By Design=20
Finding=20 the Perfect Beach On-line

From Hawaii to Zanzibar, we've searched the globe for stylish = getaways just=20 steps from the sand. The best part: almost all are under $200 a = night.

FROM MAR 2004

It can be as smooth as glass, or as wild as a white-capped Alpine = range. Yet=20 even at its most powerful, the ocean is soothing. On the sand, the = stress of=20 modern existence drifts away. You return to your senses=97feeling the = warmth of=20 sun on bare skin, savoring the salty air, listening to your internal = engine slow=20 down to match the rhythm of the surf. You regain enough perspective = about life=20 to ask the truly important questions of the day: Snorkel, swim, or ride = on that=20 silly banana boat? Isn't it time for a nap?

Of all the pleasures guilty by association=97the trendy bags, = designer=20 blankets, plush towels, and mindless best sellers=97none is sweeter than = finding a=20 place in the sun that doesn't burn a hole in the pocket. The 50 we've = chosen=20 cover the waterfront, from rustic cabins by the sea to lavish beachfront = resorts=20 at great values.

But these suggestions can cause a bit of inner conflict. Returning = home,=20 color in your cheeks and clarity in your eyes, you're likely to be asked = where=20 you've just been. Keep it a secret or share the wealth? You decide.

Prices listed reflect the lowest rates for a double room in high = season=20 (excluding holidays). Be aware that the cost can drop dramatically = because of=20 seasonal fluctuations or special offers. The symbol * indicates that = rates drop=20 by 20 percent or more in low season.

UNITED STATES

Hawaii
$153 After a massive $30 = million=20 renovation last year, the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel traded its=20 concrete-cool image for a tropically chic vibe. Kitschy Hawaiiana = touches have=20 struck a chord among the young travel set: a color scheme Don Ho would = love,=20 beaded curtains in lieu of closet doors. Downstairs, Tiki's Bar & = Grill=20 draws a raucous crowd for pu pu and fruit-filled cocktails. For a little = moonlight cinema, hit the beach, where free alfresco movies are shown = every=20 Saturday and Sunday night. 2570 KALAKAUA AVE., OAHU; 800/922-7866 OR=20 808/922-2511; http://www.astonhotels.com/

California
$135 If you want to = camp=20 without pitching a tent, El Capitan Canyon, 15 miles north of = downtown=20 Santa Barbara, has 26 canvas-walled rooms on wooden decks, with = handcrafted twig=20 furniture. Need your own bathroom? The 96 tin-roofed cedar cabins = provide that=20 and more: a kitchenette, Jacuzzi tub, sleeping loft, and fire pit. After = exploring tidal pools on the stony Pacific shore, unwind during an = in-room=20 Barefoot Deep Massage. 11560 CALLE REAL, SANTA BARBARA; 866/352-2729 OR=20 805/685-3887; http://www.elcapitancanyon.com/

$139 It's no Hearst Castle=97that's three = miles to=20 the north=97but for a Best Western, the 12-acre Cavalier Oceanfront = Resort=20 can't be beat. This Big Sur property was carved out of a 1960's motel = set above=20 the roaring Pacific. Most of the accommodations are done up in=20 Mission-meets-lodge style, with wood-burning fireplaces and sturdy = furniture.=20 The year-round temperature here averages 60 degrees, so the beach and = tide pools=20 are mostly for walks, whale- and elephant seal-watching, and sunset = bonfires.=20 9415 HEARST DR., SAN SIMEON; 800/826-8168 OR 805/927-4688; http://www.cavalierresort.com/

Oregon
$120 Located just 200 = feet from=20 the Pacific and two hours west of Portland, the Inn at Manzanita = is the=20 perfect spot for a romantic weekend. The 13 rooms at the pine-and-cedar = inn each=20 have a Jacuzzi, fireplace, down comforter, and private deck. Expect an = attentive=20 staff that will schedule massages, plan hikes, and even supply board = games and=20 magazines on a rainy day. 67 LANEDA AVE., MANZANITA; 503/368-6754; http://www.innatmanzanita.com/

Wisconsin
$175 On the sheltered = Door=20 Peninsula, the Blacksmith Inn stands sentry over 400 feet of = untamed,=20 shrubby Lake Michigan beachfront. The 15 rooms, in a half-timber 1912=20 blacksmith's house and a new neighboring building that's nearly = identical,=20 capture the simplicity of early America=97wide-plank maple floors, = patchwork=20 quilts, cherrywood four-poster beds. The inn's homemade granola is best = enjoyed sitting=20 on Adirondack chairs while watching blue herons wade by. 8152 HWY. 57, = BAILEYS=20 HARBOR; 800/769-8619 OR 920/839-9222; www.theblacksmithinn.com; = breakfast=20 included *

New York
$195 Hotelier Andr=E9 = Balazs=20 transformed an old motel into a sophisticated, retro jewel overlooking = Shelter=20 Island Sound and Crescent Beach. It's known as Sunset Beach for = its=20 incredible sunsets. The 20 rooms have funky paper lamps and lounge=20 chair-bedecked terraces. The atmosphere is not too "Hamptons," although = at times=20 it feels dangerously close, particularly when mainlanders boat in to = visit the=20 open-air restaurant. For the best deals, come midweek. 35 SHORE RD., = SHELTER=20 ISLAND; 631/749-2001; http://www.sunsetbeachli.com/; open Memorial = Day-Labor Day=20

Maryland
$175 Far down = Maryland's Eastern=20 Shore, the 20-room Tilghman Island Inn commands a marshy spit off = Chesapeake Bay. On a remote isle favored by gruff oystermen, two = fashion-forward=20 innkeepers cater to Beltway gentry with leopard-print throws and wildly = eclectic=20 watercolors. Upstairs, the white-on-white room No. 12 has fabulous east = and=20 north water views. Poke around Knapp's Narrows in an outboard runabout; = at=20 night, take a bite of the chef's Pernod-laced oysters wrapped in puff = pastry.=20 21384 COOPERTOWN RD, TILGHMAN ISLAND.; 800/866-2141 OR 410/886-2141; http://www.tilghmanislandinn.com/ *

South Carolina
$180 Southern = comfort=20 means flip-flops and fried chicken at the carefree Sea View Inn, = just a=20 dune away from the surf on a laid-back barrier island 70 miles north of=20 Charleston. The 20 pine-paneled rooms are beach-rental basic: = hand-stitched=20 quilts, ceiling fans, half baths. (Rinse sea salt off in a shower down = the=20 hall.) Guests can whistle "Dixie" while dangling a fishing pole from the = tidal-marsh dock. 414 MYRTLE AVE., PAWLEYS ISLAND; 843/237-4253; http://www.seaviewinn.com/;=20 all meals included

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The information in this story was accurate at = the time=20 it was published in March 2004 but we suggest you confirm all details = and prices=20 directly with any establishments mentioned. The quality of offerings and = services tends to change over time.

=20

Sun, Sand, Ceremony-Planning a destination wedding? A=20 bride-and-grooms essential guide to choosing just the right place. =
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