A “Shore Thing” in Asbury Park

The Asbury Ocean Club captures the best of beachside living with easy elegance, ocean views, and the city’s unmistakable rock-and-roll energy.

By Lisa Loverro

Photos by: Nikolas Koenig

Checking into the Asbury Ocean Club feels a little like stepping into a beach house you’ve always dreamed of owning. Complete with sweeping ocean views and a stylish design, the property exudes a feeling of coming home. The resort, set right on Ocean Avenue, is a sleek, glassy retreat that defines coastal chic.

The vibe is one of effortless luxury with nothing overdone but everything intentional. The lobby’s coastal palette and plush seating set the tone, while breezy hallways embody a refined “beach chic” aesthetic. With just 54 guest rooms featuring soaring ceilings and private balconies, the sunlight floods in blurring the line between indoors and out. Gracefully understated design and handpicked furnishings evoke the easy elegance of a sophisticated beach house.

And when you make your way up to the pool terrace, it’s clear why this is one of the most coveted stays on the Jersey Shore. The heated pool overlooks the boardwalk and ocean, flanked by cushy loungers, lush greenery, and a bar and grill that make it far too easy to spend an entire afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

If you’re in the mood to nourish your soul, the hotel’s wellness scene doesn’t disappoint. The spa offers rejuvenating massages and facials that draw on plant-based products, while the sunlit fitness studio hosts complimentary yoga classes.

But of course, you didn’t come to Asbury Park just to stay indoors. This seaside town pulses with creativity, history, and just the right amount of grit. This once lazy beach town has reinvented itself as one of the East Coast’s coolest cultural hubs. You can feel that energy in every mural, record shop, and neon sign that lines the boardwalk.

Music lovers, this is your town. A stroll down Ocean Avenue is like walking through a living museum of American rock and roll. The Stone Pony, an Asbury legend since 1973, is where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got their start, and it’s still hosting live shows all year long. During my stay, I was lucky enough to catch an outdoor concert at the Stony Pony’s summer stage for a glorious rocking evening. Just up the road, the quirky Wonder Bar adds its own brand of nostalgia with its colorful façade, inviting patrons to “belly up” while they listen to local musicians rock out on stage.

After the music, it’s time to eat; and yes, this town rocks that, too. Dinner at Asbury Lanes is a must. This buzzy bowling alley-meets-restaurant combines craft cocktails, locally sourced dishes, and a side of vintage cool. Imagine neon lights, good beats, and a menu that swings from chicken and waffles to boozy shakes.

Beyond the nightlife, there’s plenty to fill your days. Take a sunrise walk on the boardwalk and stop by a local favorite like The Iron Whale for your caffeine fix, pop into the arcade to relive your pinball glory days, or browse the indie shops and galleries that give Asbury its bohemian soul. When the sun’s out, claim your spot on the sand because the hotel’s beach attendants will happily set up your chairs, umbrellas, and even deliver lunch straight to you.

As evening rolls in, there’s no better view than the one from your private balcony at the Ocean Club. The sky glows pink over the waves and a faint bassline hum from The Stone Pony down the street. It’s that signature Asbury blend, laid-back, a little rebellious, and full of life.

The Asbury Ocean Club Hotel isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a front-row seat to one of the most iconic comeback stories on the Jersey Shore. Equal parts beach escape, cultural hotspot, and rock-and-roll legend, it captures everything that makes Asbury Park electric.