Daddy O
4401 Long Beach Boulevard,
Brant Beach (Long Beach Island)
609-494-1300, daddyohotel.com
Number of rooms: 22; Summer price range: $280-$435
The vibe is more South Beach than Brant Beach at Daddy O, a hip hotel located just across from the beach. Not exactly a sleepy spot, Daddy O is known as much for its popular restaurant and lively bar scene as for its sophisticated boutique hotel. Owned by a partnership headed by restaurateur Martin Grims—who also owns Long Beach Island’s Plantation restaurant and several others in the Philadelphia area—Daddy-O was opened in 2005 following a multimillion dollar transformation of a rundown hotel.
Rooms are small but stylish, with lacquered mahogany furniture, stainless steel and leather accents, and faux mink throws. Each room has a flat-screen television, wireless hook-up, MP3 player, and a marble shower with a rainfall showerhead. Guests, mostly couples seeking an ultra-chic getaway, can enjoy the private rooftop sun deck with its ocean and bay views. Or they can walk half a block to LBI’s pristine beach.
As the day winds down, Daddy O heats up, with a nightly Happy Hour featuring the signature Sparkling Cosmo for $5. There’s live entertainment on Thursday and Friday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day.