Picture a fantasy beach house: magical ocean views, hand-picked, one-of-a-kind furnishings, and lush greenery, with sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows -- tranquil simplicity and natural beauty at every turn -- just 70 minutes from NYC. Asbury Ocean Club brought this dream to life last summer as the Jersey Shore’s first luxury five-star boutique hotel. An elevated beach experience - literally - the entire 54-room hotel is elegantly set on the fourth floor of the mixed-use development’s 17-story residential tower.

Asbury Ocean Club has a luxe, intimate residential feel -- warm, welcoming, and alive with ingenious design led by visionary Anda Andrei (11 Howard, Gramercy Park Hotel, Royalton, Delano). Andrei tapped world class talent to assist her with the project including: Bonetti / Kozerski Architecture (PACE Gallery), Handel Architects (Dream Downtown Hotel in Manhattan); Madison Cox (Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech), and Salt Hotels (The Chequit) as ongoing operator.

Hand-selecting pieces -- like a limited-edition chair by Charles Kalpakian and a vintage Ultrafragola by Ettore Sottsass -- Andrei sourced furniture and accessories from all over the world, much as a homeowner would layer decor with personal touches that reflect their travels. Handel Architects kept to glass and wood accents, adding a gentle curvature to the building to reflect the shoreline, accentuating the quality of the views.

Guest rooms boast jaw-dropping 11-foot ceilings and terraces with views of the water or sand dune gardens. Unparalleled amenities include: an ocean view pool and deck, The Drawing Room (an awe-inspiring “glass house”), a spa and state-of-the-art gym and personalized service, like 24-hour concierge.