Seaside Celebrations for Every Bride-to-Be
If there’s any arena where brides-to-be have upped their game, it’s the bachelorette party. Long gone are the days of the one-and-done GNO to celebrate the last moments of your unmarried life. For a generation that will use any excuse to travel, who wouldn’t opt for a beachside blowout with your girl squad? Lazy days filled with sand and surf plus outdoor tiki bars to party all night equals the perfect combination of fun and sun. Break out the Cajun Shrimp nail polish and monogrammed tumblers: here are some of the hottest beachside bachelorette party destinations.
Bungalows Key Largo, Florida
Located on the Northernmost island, Key Largo (just 63 miles South of Miami), Bungalows Key Largo – the luxury, adults only resort and first and only all-inclusive in The Keys – offers an exotic, tropical bachelorette party destination. Lending itself perfectly to groups of friends celebrating a special bride, but seeking an escape free of crowded spaces and throngs of people, the waterfront oasis offers 135 private bungalows (with not an elevator or tight hallway in-site). Dotted across the property’s sprawling 12 acres, each bungalow boasts its own bougainvillea-laden veranda, oversized soaking tub, outdoor garden shower as well as two Huffy beach cruisers, perfect for getting around as a group.
“Recreational experiences and dining on the resort are aplenty,” says Property Representative Taylor Bishop. “Ladies can book an excursion on one the resorts two tiki boats aptly named the S.S. Rum Runner and the S.S. Margarita for a nautical happy hour, or set sail on “Lady B” the 56 foot catamaran offering sunset cruises complete with drinks, hors d’roves and an unrivaled Florida Keys sunset. For daytime fun, guests can take “Lady B” on a “Backcountry Swim + Sail” excursion to kayak the Everglades or lounge on a drink mat set out across the vessel’s sternBungalows comes complete with three taste-temping dining experiences such as Bogie & Bacall’s the multi-course fine dining venue with wine pairings, beachside Sea Señor for Mexican fare and resort-casual seafood restaurant, Fish Tales — these come in addition to two on-site bars, Hemingways featuring handcrafted cocktails such as Martinis and Old Fashions and the Sunset Tiki offering frozen drinks, draft beer and signature island libations.”
Condado Ocean Club, Puerto Rico
“With no passport needed for domestic U.S. travelers, San Juan is an ideal beachside destination to celebrate brides-to-be under the warm Caribbean sunshine,” notes Betsy Mujica, Director of Sales at Condado Ocean Club. “Bachelorette parties can enjoy an elevated, adults-only escape at Condado Ocean Club thanks to a vibrant pool deck featuring a rotation of weekly live DJs and private poolside cabanas with bottle service, an incredible food and beverage program, sleek and spacious guest accommodations, and proximity to local sites like Old San Juan for daytime explorations or the Condado Lagoon for nighttime kayak adventures. Our new “Squad Goals” package is a perfect option for bachelorette parties, inclusive of a two queen bed suite for up to 4 guests, a round of 2 desserts to share with a lunch or dinner purchase at SOCIAL, and a bar hopping tour in Old San Juan that includes the rum history of Puerto Rico.”
In addition to being the only adults-only boutique hotel located directly on the oceanfront in San Juan, Condado Ocean Club also boasts multiple on site restaurants. Mujica says,”bachelorette parties can enjoy sunset views while sipping craft cocktails at the breezy open-air bar and eatery SANDBOX or enjoy elevated meals from breakfast to dinner at signature restaurant SOCIAL, serving locally inspired cuisine with an international flair.”
Kingston Resorts, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Robin Kociski, Senior Event Manager at Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina notes “[We] recently underwent a $65 million renovation deemed the most comprehensive project our coastal town has seen in more than five years. What makes us unique is that with the updates made to our two resorts, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, including refreshed rooms, meeting and event space, and specific food and beverage outlets, in addition to a new restaurant, pool and water parks opening this summer, we truly offer the most elevated experience the destination has to offer…. Guests of the Hilton enjoy unobstructed views of the Atlantic and can take delight in our completely updated outdoor dining and pool space, inclusive of Wet Whistle Pool Bar, the perfect spot for snagging a tasty craft cocktail, and Beachcombers, our al fresco food outlet where games like giant chess, connect four and shuffleboard afford friendly competition. We also have the gorgeous Spa33, a beachside retreat open to all Kingston Resort guests. The facility features blissful treatment rooms, a tranquility garden, a relaxation room with trickling water wall fixtures and a retail boutique touting premier products.”
While visiting Kociski highly recommends “testing out our newest restaurant, Black Drum Brewing, when it opens this summer. A totally fresh concept, it’ll offer
waterfront dining with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, while serving up Coastal Carolina cuisine paired perfect with an array of craft beers sourced from breweriesthroughout the Carolinas. The restaurant itself will boast an industrial modern design withhints of nautical decor, high vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout to ensure a constant gesture of ocean breeze. For larger parties who may want a more private dining experience, Black Drum Brewing will feature upstairs event space and two lawns where we could set up an experience that’s extra special and curated.”
Amsterdam Manor Beach, Aruba
“With stunning natural beauty, cooling Caribbean trade winds, year-round sunshine and easy-to-reach direct flights from major cities in North America, Aruba is one of the most revisited destinations in the Caribbean and provides an ideal escape for beach themed bachelorette parties,” says Joanne Dirksz, Sales and Marketing Manager of Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort. “Steps away from award-winning Eagle Beach, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, a 72-room boutique resort, offers 14 two-bedroom suites and three penthouse suites that can accommodate small and large groups depending on your party size. Due to the central location of the resort, there are many diverse land and sea activities for bachelorette parties to enjoy nearby. After a long day in the sun, make sure you stop by Horizons to enjoy double happy hour every day from 5-7 p.m.!”
“Aruba is an ideal destination for a beach inspired bachelorette party,” says Julianna Hansen, who recently celebrated her bachelorette party on the ‘one happy island.’ “Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort was the perfect home for our adventurous activities. In addition to relaxing beachside with a Miami Vice in hand, we did a snorkel excursion and rode UTVs through Aruba’s rugged terrain. Even with a larger bachelorette group (17 people total), we were able to indulge in an authentic toes-in-the-sand dining experience at Passions on the Beach, with gorgeous sunset views along Eagle Beach.”
Red Jacket Resorts, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Kristin Brewer, General Manager of Blue Water Resort, a Red Jacket property nestled on the Nantucket sound says, “Our property offers brides-to-be and their bridesmaids a true northeastern coastal getaway with a vast, private beach for relaxing fun in the sun, indoor and outdoor pools for leisurely lounging, onsite dining destinations for convenient cravings satisfaction, and a prime location near all Cape Cod has to offer…It’s ideal for those seeking a quiet escape set against serene land and sea. Gal pals can hang out on the beach or relax by the pool and immediately feel as if they’ve been transported to their own personal oasis.”
There are countless ways to entertain your bride tribe on the Cape and among Red Jacket’s numerous properties, Brewer continues, “If the group is in search of a day of bliss, they can head over to our sister property, Red Jacket Beach Resort, just a three-minute drive away, to be pampered at The Spa at Red Jacket Beach. The destination of Cape Cod itself is a huge draw… with bike trails, breweries and wineries, golf courses, paddleboarding, train tours, cranberry bogs and more entertainment possibilities. At our properties we’re seeing a lot of bachelorettes who are straying away from wild,over-the-top parties, and are instead leaning more into relaxing retreats with their girlfriends.”
Sonesta Resort, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
“Spread out across 11 acres, the idyllic Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island invites bachelorette parties to unwind and relax. Only steps away from white-sand beaches, groups can find their sun by biking the hard-packed beach or laying out with a book while experiencing the ocean’s cool breeze. The hotel also offers a heated lagoon swimming pool and a full-service Arum Spa for when the crew is looking to beat the heat,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Wayne Kearney.
As a former host to Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay and her suitors in 2017, the resort is “located in the heart of Hilton Head Island… [allowing] folks to experience the best of both worlds both on and off property,” Kearney notes. “Groups can experience fine dining, sunrise or sunset beach strolls, a Lowcountry spa experience and true Southern hospitality before heading out in town to have a friendly competition on world class golf courses and tennis courts, shop til they drop at the Village at Wexford and show off their water sports skills.”
As for the resort’s surroundings, Kearney says, “[Hilton Head Island] is a true seafood culinary haven, with the freshest dock-to-table dining available and over 250 restaurants nearby. Bach parties absolutely must stop at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Dock for southern classics and seafood that was caught earlier that day before uncovering their inner sommeliers with a tour and tasting at Burnt Church Distillery. From bourbons to vodka and even moonshine flights, bridesmaids will definitely have their palates and plates satisfied. I’d also recommend outdoor enthusiasts get out on the water to have some fun and catch rays while kayaking, sailing, stand up paddle boarding and more with Outside Hilton Head. To cap off the best weekend, head out on a sunset cruise to spot dolphins while sipping champagne – don’t forget a cheers to the bride!”
Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort, Orlando, Florida
“Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort is the perfect place to celebrate brides-to-be during a beachside bachelorette experience. Here, you get the best of both, the bustling energy of this seaside town and the serenity of one of the only private beaches in the area,” says Christina Leake, Director of Social Media & PR.
“Conveniently located just an hour east of Orlando, Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort offers a relaxing beachside retreat for brides and their bridal parties to bask in the sun on Florida’s sparkling Atlantic coastline. Boasting exclusive private beach access, the whole group can get their glow on for the big day. And if they’re looking to lounge poolside, the bride and her crew can order mixed drinks at Aloha Bar. At Westgate, we vow to pamper bach parties with wonderful beachside concierge and cabana services, which include comfortable chairs with umbrellas, Bluetooth speakers, ice chests and towels provided by the staff – perfect for those looking to lounge in the Florida sun and not move a muscle.”
