Allegria Hotel

The Allegria Hotel ranks among the top luxury hotels on Long Island, and its location makes it particularly noteworthy. It's the only hotel right on the Long Beach boardwalk, and will remain so -- the hotel opened in 2009, but the building first received permission to open as a hotel in the 1930s, allowing the developers to get around modern zoning rules. The hotel has undeniable South Beach flair, and during the warmer months its second-floor bar, rooftop lounge, and rooftop pool draw both guests and local beachgoers. Even more unusual for the area: The hotel offers not only direct beach access via an underground tunnel, but beach service (excluding alcohol, which law prohibits on the sand).The hotel is also within walking distance of the Long Island Railroad and an hour's train ride from New York City, making it popular with Manhattanites looking for a more convenient getaway than the Hamptons. When the weather turns cold, the hotel increases its focus on business travelers and corporate events; it's a 30-minute drive from JFK, and offers impressive meeting space for its size.

The Allegria Hotel is right on the boardwalk in Long Beach, Long Island, and is within walking distance of the Long Island Railroad.- Right on the boardwalk and beach

• 8-minute walk to the Long Island Railroad, and a 1-hour train ride to Penn Station
• 8-minute walk to the restaurants on West and East Park Ave.
• 20-minute drive from LaGuardia Airport
• 30-minute drive from John F. Kennedy International Airport

The rooms at the Allegria Hotel have beach-chic decor: light woods, plush white bedding, and blue accents, all of which contributes to the bright, airy feel. Spacious, sleek limestone bathrooms have walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads.The only difference between the rooms is the view: city view, beach, or oceanfront. It should be noted that the beach views typically only have partial views of the water and also look over the hotel parking lot, while the city views face either the city or an interior atrium. Oceanfront views deliver what they advertise: The views are stunning, and the big windows open up so guests can let in the sea breezes.The hotel does offer some suites as well, which have two rooms -- a living and dining room area as well as a bedroom -- and larger bathrooms with soaking tubs.- Beds have high thread count sheets and fresh white duvets

• 37-inch flat-screen TVs
• Wi-Fi (for a fee)
• Wine coolers
• Limestone bathrooms with big walk-in showers
• Big windows and lots of natural light, except in rooms facing interior atrium
• Bathrobes

The Allegria Hotel has a small seasonal rooftop pool with stunning views of the ocean. In warm weather, it's surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, and food and drink service are offered.

The Allegria's fitness center is first-rate, with modern machines and huge windows facing the ocean. There are numerous cardio machines (though they lack individual TVs), strength training machines, and free weights.

Atlantica is a gourmet restaurant serving organic American fare in an Art-Deco-style space. Its floor-to-ceiling glass doors can open up to the boardwalk in nice weather. The menu features fresh seafood dishes, though the food gets mixed reviews.L'Onda Lounge is located next to Atlantica on the second floor, and has a dramatic round bar, high-top tables by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a long communal table, and a two-sided glass fireplace surrounded by lounge seating. An outdoor terrace is open in the summer months.Atrium is a bar and restaurant with live piano music and a big fireplace.Jack's on the Rocks is a dramatic rooftop lounge (adjacent to the rooftop pool) that is principally used for events, though it's also used as a bar in the high season. It has ocean views, as well as a distant view of the New York City skyline.- Food and drink service poolside, and food service on the beach (alcohol not allowed on the sand)

• 24-hour room service

The Allegria Hotel has impressive meeting space, especially for a hotel of its size. It regularly hosts corporate events as well as private parties and weddings.- The Grand Ballroom can fit 250 guests and has ocean views.

• Several suites can be used as breakout rooms.
• Cocktail receptions can be held at L'Onda Lounge or Jack's on the Rocks; both offer sunset views.