Montauk, Long Island

The family-owned, locally iconic East Deck Motel (40 Deforest Rd., map), its low-lying L-shape and wood-paneled rooms a product of the 1950s, offers unpretentious beachfront accommodation mere steps from the excellent surf beach Ditch Plains, its famous jetty break and trusted shore fishing (plus the esteemed food truck, the Ditch Witch). There’s also a pool, breezy decks, and outdoor morning yoga for $10. Basic rooms range $105-$210, depending on season (it is open from May to October only).

If you’ve got more money to burn, check out the newly renovated Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina (32 Star Island Rd., map), a resortlike collection of (tastefully) nautical-themed water-view and beachfront bungalows, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, spa facilities, and a handful of good restaurants and bars. The “beach” is on Lake Montauk, but free shuttles provide access to the Atlantic as well. Although you may find the rooms’ private balconies and/or curtained cabana-style decks make it hard to leave the premises. The lowest-priced rooms range $119-$599 per night depending on season, and go up from there.