11 Chic And Affordable Beach Escapes Slideshow

The Postcard Inn is a breath of fresh, well-designed, beachy air, with cool vertical bookcases, bright accents, chopped firewood against the café walls, a pool dotted with yellow lounge chairs and cabanas, and a beachfront location. On top of generous amenities, the hotel boasts the much-loved Beachwood BBQ & Burger, as well as a beach bar and Snack Shack where burgers, baby back ribs, and beers are on offer all day. From $182/night.

Perfect for families and adventurers, La Costa de Papito sits across the street from the white sandy Cocles beach. Its cozy, rustic bungalows are outfitted with colorful, local accents within and are surrounded by lush greenery outside. Their café and restaurant serve fresh tropical fruits in the morning, followed by fresh tropical cocktails in the evening paired with feasts of Caribbean barbecue. From $89/night for a two or three bedroom bungalow, in peak season.

Staying on a Hawaiian coffee and fruit plantation definitely sounds expensive, what with the vast horizon of lush plants and ocean expanding before you. But sitting on the Big Island, the affordable Ka'awa Loa Plantation boasts five acres, with a bed-and-breakfast from which guests can swim, snorkel, go hiking, ride horses, or tour the farm. The warm, modern Hawaiian rooms have outdoor lava rock showers, a wraparound lanai, and a large gourmet kitchen in a common area. From $129/night.

You'd be hard-pressed to find more affordable and chic accommodations in Miami than the Townhouse Hotel. It's sleek and white with a few rustic touches, like hand-painted signs directing you to the BONDST lounge. The guestrooms are bright and well-appointed (free Wi-Fi, anyone?) and the rooftop terrace begs for evening cocktails. The hotel will arrange beach chairs and umbrellas for guests, as well. From $215/night.

Imagine waking up to the purple and orange hues of El Encanto de Cabo Pulmo, an hour from the airport and a world away from Cabo's party scene. With the water lapping just outside, the hotel can be rented as a full house or as separate suites which share the amenities of the main house, like indoor and outdoor dining areas, a full set of beach supplies, a campfire, a barbecue grill, and an outdoor bar. From $105/night.

Jakes Hotel has a great sense of humor, a fantastic location, and even better food. They also have stunning indoor and outdoor rooms that will make you wish you booked for an entire month. Guests can spend their time exploring local trails, biking to Billy's Bay Fishing Beach (and bringing your day's catch back to be cooked for dinner), or simply sunbathing. From $195/night.

Natura Cabana boasts an unspoiled beach, tall palm trees, and a tourist-free vibe, letting guests enjoy the laid-back nature of the sun, sand, and sea. Guests can be active (rent a Jeep or bike to explore the island, go horseback riding, scale waterfalls) or as inactive (sunbathe, take yoga, enjoy the spa, fish) as they like, but they'll all be well fed in one of the hotel's two open-air restaurants serving local cuisine. From $130/night for single occupancy, $90/night for doubles.

Bright blue waters and white sandy beaches make up the stunning surroundings of the Cooper Island Beach Club on Tortola. Days spent scuba diving and snorkeling end with sunset cocktails at the hotel's beachfront bar, where stools are made from recycled fishing boats and Caribbean-inspired dinners (think seafood, rotis, and conch fritters) are made from the day's freshest catch. From $250/night, or a seven-night room and meal package is $1,510.

Tents and hammocks may not sound like the lap of luxury, but at Bahari Beach, they come with an enviable seaside location, oversized beds, private patios, Jacuzzis, and bathrooms. The hotel also wakes guests up with the smells of locally produced coffee in their rustic restaurant, which serves Costa Rican specialties all day. They'll arrange for horseback riding on the beach, rafting, fishing trips, and beach amenities, as well. From $95/night for a tent with a bed; rooms in the main house are less.

On Holbox Island, not far from Cancun, the secluded and luxe CasaSandra Hotel has 20 suites, each with an ocean view. The restaurant's patio, where meals of fresh seafood and fresh local produce are served (chef René Redzepi said it was the best fish he'd ever had), opens directly onto the sandy beach and is prime for sunsets. Suites are luxurious and comfortable, with oceanfront balconies. From $160/night.

In a part of Hawaii where mega-resorts reign, the Hotel Wailea is a welcomed boutique relief with a cool, design-conscious feel within the lush backdrop of Hawaii. The pool is dotted with mod white loungers and rocky terraces, the beach beckons sunbathers and snorkelers, and the restaurant offers a daily wake-up call of fresh Kona coffee and baked goods. Guests can also take advantage of amenities and services at the nearby Grand Wailea while staying at the hotel. From $220/night.