Daddy O: The Complete LBI Experience

Photo credit- Ann Coen

Long Beach Island, a popular Jersey Shore Island is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and beautiful quiet beaches. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in LBI, consider Daddy O, a boutique hotel only a few houses down from the beach.

Located right on Long Beach Boulevard, Daddy O stands out by its red and white exterior and noticeable rooftop bar. The interior is retro-chic, with vintage photos of people surfing and enjoying the beach located around the lobby and inside the rooms. The red and white theme is executed beautifully throughout the 22-room hotel which creates an inviting, home-like vibe.

Daddy O Lobby- Photo credit Ann Coen

King Suit- Photo credit Alexandra Tringali

There are plenty of options to sit and enjoy their tropical cocktails. There is both a garden patio that includes a rum bar and a rooftop bar that serves small plates. Both of these outdoor options are perfect for lounging, complete with palm trees, couches, umbrellas, a fire pit, and string lights. The indoor restaurant by Fearless Restaurants serves great classic American cuisine. 

Daddy O Rooftop- Photo credit Ann Coen

The service was amazing from check-in to check-out. The staff at Daddy O are extremely friendly and eager to help. Our waitress was extremely personable and helped us with great recommendations. We began our dinner with probably the best espresso martini I’ve ever had (and I’ve tried a lot!) and an incredible Old-Fashioned. For an appetizer, we split the roasted Brussel sprouts flatbread with herb ricotta and truffle honey topped with arugula. The crust was crisp and the Brussel sprouts were burnt to perfection. For our main courses, I ordered a Daddy O Caesar with a warm parmesan garlic crostini to replace typical croutons and a falafel patty to replace chicken. As a vegetarian, I appreciated it when restaurants have protein alternatives. My date got Barnegat Light Scallops over applewood bacon-sweet pea risotto which was cooked perfectly. Regional Director and life-long LBI local, Pete Palladino says that the scallops are his favorite item on the menu because they come “fresh from the waters 10 miles north of us.” We were too full for dessert, so we instead finished with another cocktail each. We got the Cucumber Cooler which was a refreshing way to end my meal and a peach mango tea White Dog Canned Cocktail.

Daddy O is a perfect stay to explore LBI, but you barely even need to leave the hotel! The fun does not have to end when the summer does, as Palladino says “Fall is one of the best times down here because the crowds are gone and the weather is still beautiful … we’re always doing comedy shows and wine dinners for people to get away for a weekend in the off-season as well.” I would like to thank the staff at Daddy O for being so welcoming and giving us a night of luxury at the Jersey Shore.