The Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront is a straightforward, well-run beach hotel right on the sand at 1515 1st Street North in Jacksonville Beach. It is the sort of place that works for a family week, a couples weekend or a golf trip with a beach day tacked on, and it sits at a comfortable middle price level compared with the resorts further south in Ponte Vedra. The building has 177 rooms, most with a private balcony, and the room types make the choice easy: two queen beds for families and groups, a king with a sofa bed for couples with a child, and studio and two-room suites for those who want more space. Standard rooms measure around 377 square feet and suites around 398, with views that are described as oceanfront, partial ocean view or no view, so it is worth asking for the view you want when you reserve. What guests tend to like most is how much is included. A free full breakfast is served each morning, and rooms come with air conditioning, a microwave, a refrigerator, a large flat-screen television and Wi-Fi in public areas. Two outdoor pools with loungers and umbrellas sit between the building and the beach, along with a hot tub, and the pool hours run through the day into the evening, so check them when you book. Salt Beachside Bar, the on-site restaurant and bar, has ocean views and is a handy place for a sunset drink without leaving the property, and there are two bars in all. A 24-hour fitness centre and business centre, bicycle rentals, luggage storage, laundry services and a concierge round things out, and a bodyboard is available on site for the waves. The location is the real draw. The beach is a few steps away, and the Jacksonville Beach Pier is a walk of roughly a quarter of an hour, with restaurants, ice cream shops, surf shops and live music venues along the way. That makes it easy to leave the car parked for much of a stay. If you have wheels, downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk and the museums are a drive away, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is nearby for trails and a quieter beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach and TPC Sawgrass are a short trip south for golfers. Jacksonville International Airport is about a thirty-five minute drive, so plan for a car or rideshare on arrival. Some practical points will help you plan. Self parking is charged per day, so factor it into the total cost. Check-in starts in the afternoon and runs very late, but after-hours check-in is not available, so tell the hotel if you will arrive in the early hours. Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Pets are accepted with limits and a one-time fee, while service animals are exempt, so read the pet terms if you are travelling with a dog. Some rates offer free cancellation and others do not, which matters in hurricane season, so choose a flexible rate if your dates are not fixed. Compared with the other beach stay in this guide, this is the practical pick: not a boutique, not a golf resort, but an easy, reliable base with a pool, free breakfast and a balcony over the Atlantic. Summer weekends and the weeks around spring events fill early, while winter is quieter and cheaper, so book ahead for the peak months.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on the oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach, a short walk from the sand and about a quarter of an hour on foot from the pier. The airport is about thirty-five minutes by car. Downtown is a drive across the bridges, so most guests use a car or rideshare for city sightseeing.
The rooms
Two queens, a king with a sofa bed, studio suites and two-room suites, nearly all with a balcony. Oceanfront and partial ocean views are sold at different rates, and ground-floor rooms may have a limited view. Accessible rooms are available.
Who it suits
Families, couples and groups who want a beachfront base with free breakfast and a pool. It is less suitable for travellers who want a quiet adults-only retreat or a full spa.
Good to know
Parking is charged per day, check-in is not available after hours, and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Cancellation terms depend on the rate, so confirm them when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Oceanfront location
- ✓Two outdoor pools and hot tub
- ✓Free full breakfast
- ✓Salt Beachside Bar
- ✓Balcony rooms
- ✓24-hour fitness centre
- ✓Bicycle rentals
- ✓Wi-Fi in public areas
Good questions
Is the hotel right on the beach?+
Yes. It is on the oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach, and the sand is a few steps away. Views vary by room, so check when you book.
Is breakfast included?+
A free full breakfast is served. Confirm what your rate includes when you book.
Are pets allowed?+
Cats and dogs are accepted with limits and a fee, and service animals are exempt. Read the pet terms before you book.
