Manta Ray Inn

Manta Ray Inn sits directly on the sand in Hollywood Beach, about six blocks north of the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk’s busier stretch near the Diplomat resort. This is a small, independently run property built around one and two bedroom suites rather than standard hotel rooms, which makes it a practical choice for a family or a couple who wants a real kitchen and living space instead of a single room with two beds. Every suite comes fully furnished, and the inn’s own literature describes the layout as designed for longer stays, not just an overnight stop.

The location is the property’s biggest selling point. Guests step out of their suite and onto the beach, with no street to cross and no boardwalk crowd to navigate first. Hollywood’s Broadwalk, with its bike path, restaurants, and beachfront cafes, is an easy walk south. Because the inn only has a handful of suites, the atmosphere stays quiet compared to the big resort towers nearby, and the same is true of the pricing structure, which is published openly on the inn’s website rather than hidden behind a call for rates line, an unusual level of transparency for an independent property this size.

Rates shift with the seasons, running lower from mid April through mid December and higher during the winter high season from mid December through mid April. One bedroom suites are offered in pool view, ocean view, and oceanfront configurations, while two bedroom suites accommodate larger groups. Each suite includes a full kitchen, wifi, and one parking space, and the inn allows weekly bookings at a reduced nightly rate for guests planning a longer South Florida stay. A 30 percent non-refundable deposit secures a reservation, and rooms are strictly non-smoking.

Manta Ray Inn has picked up recognition over the years, including a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and a White Glove Award, both signals that the inn has built a track record with return guests rather than relying purely on walk-in beach traffic. Check-in starts at 2 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m., with late check-out available for an added fee. The property markets itself plainly as a boutique oceanfront hotel, and the boutique label fits: this is not a chain property with a lobby full of vending machines, but a small, owner-style operation where the suites themselves, not a long list of resort amenities, are the main draw.

For anyone comparing Hollywood Beach lodging options, Manta Ray Inn fills a specific niche between the large chain hotels along the Broadwalk and the smaller budget motels a few blocks inland. It suits travelers who want direct beach access, more space than a standard room, and a kitchen to cut down on restaurant costs during a longer visit, all from a property that has stayed independently operated rather than converting to a franchise brand.