Hotel at a Glance: The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel

In 2004, a massive restoration project of the Asbury Park Boardwalk brought back crowds to shop for fine art and dine in the ocean breeze. In keeping with the spirit of renewal, The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel underwent restoration. The red-brick boutique hotel, which has been around more than a century, now blends charming 1920s flourishes and panoramic ocean views with modern comforts.

• Where you’ll stay: Guest rooms have bright decor, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and iPod docking stations.
• Added amenities: This deal includes free daily WiFi beach passes for two.
• Roaring Twenties atmosphere: carved ceilings and walls, large doorway arches, and grand staircases
• Walk to bars, the Asbury Park Boardwalk, and the Stone Pony, the world-famous music venue where Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi got their starts.
• Grab a drink: The Berkeley Bar serves cocktails and is open in the season on Fridays and Saturdays.

Asbury Park, New Jersey: Beachfront Boardwalk Scene with Eclectic Art and Shopping

Asbury Park exudes an inescapable air of nostalgia: the beachfront boardwalk is often the epicenter of activity here, where locals and visitors stroll the slats to watch ships pass and blue sky suspended over the sea. Outdoor concerts, live theater, fireworks, and bonfires liven up the beach year-round, and a vibrant arts scene has helped vitalize the downtown area, which is marked by several fine-art galleries, antique markets, and a tiny independent movie theater.

During his ascendancy in the 1970s, Bruce Springsteen and his band were fixtures at Asbury Park’s music clubs, and the legendary rocker still stops by to join impromptu jams. These storied venues are just a short walk from the Convention Hall, which packs in audiences to see today’s headlining music stars.