Best Western Oceanfront

Although from the outside the Best Western Oceanfront may look just like any budget chain hotel in America, full renovations in 2016-17 gave the property an appealing, fresh look. Reclaimed-style wood, sleek lines, bright splashes of lime, teal, and yellow, and big windows make common spaces and rooms cuter and more contemporary than your average mid-range chain hotel. The property has basic amenities and services and is overall simple, but rates are surprisingly competitive for the area, and freebies such as breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking add value. Also, most guests don’t seem to care that the pool is small and there is no gym, as the hotel's location across the boardwalk from the beach is its main appeal. Most guests here are vacationing couples and families seeking a clean, well-priced hotel that covers all the basics for a relaxed break by the ocean -- and this Best Western seems to fit the bill well. However, there aren't any kid-friendly amenities beyond a pool, so those traveling with young children may want to compare rates at the slightly more expensive One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa, which features a kids’ club, great spa, and spacious rooms. The Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront is a tad more expensive than the Best Western Oceanfront, but features a few nice perks, such as a bigger pool and a gym. The Holiday Inn Express is a good alternative for travelers on a tighter budget, though its location a 15-minute walk is less convenient.

The Best Western Oceanfront is located directly across the boardwalk from a long, fine-sand beach in Jacksonville Beach. This stretch of the beach is known for being a great surfing spot, and it also has a fishing pier that’s frequented by locals and tourists alike. However, although there are a few restaurants, bars, and shops in the area, a car is needed to reach local attractions such as the Adventure Landing amusement park, the Ponte Vedra Beach, and the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club -- all within a five- to 10-minute drive from the hotel. EverBank Field (home to the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars) can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. The historic Riverside neighborhood is about a half-hour drive away, as is Downtown Jacksonville’s museums and restaurants. The drive to Jacksonville International Airport takes about 40 minutes.

The hotel’s 51 rooms were fully renovated in 2016-17, and though not luxurious by a long stretch, they’re all contemporary and comfortable, and efforts to make them more appealing than a generic chain hotel room are apparent throughout. The dark carpets with pops of color are perhaps the least inspired of all elements in rooms, but furniture designed to look like it was made with reclaimed wood, splashes of lime green, red, orange, and yellow, and large black-and-white photos with a touch of red make rooms cute and cheerful. All but entry-level rooms have large windows offering city views, and some come with balconies offering direct views of the ocean. Unfortunately, the Standard Rooms have poor views of an alley.Each room is outfitted with a great array of amenities, including flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. High-speed Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the property, and safes, hairdryers, irons, and ironing boards are provided in all rooms. Beds get good reviews from past guests, and feature duvets and between four and six pillows. King Rooms feature sofa beds for additional guests. Bathrooms are on the small side but clean, with either shower/tub combos with curtains, or walk-in showers with sleeker glass screens. Basic toiletries are refilled daily. 

A solid, free breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, waffles, cereals, oatmeal, and juice is served every morning in a lovely space located off the lobby. There are several tables and a communal high table with stools, but the space is small and can become crowded easily. There are vending machines with drinks and snacks, but no other meals beyond breakfast are served on-site. The small outdoor pool is a nice perk, but the deck around it is tiny, and there is only space for two loungers and a handful of chairs. It is also located adjacent to a parking lot, with doesn’t make for the best views. The hotel has its own free parking, but guests driving larger cars may find spaces too tight. Additional features include coin-operated washers and dryers, and a laptop for guest use. Pets are not allowed.