The St. Laurent Social Club (ex-Hotel Tides)

The place is dirty They are discriminating They don’t let you like the pool because you’re not a member Food is terrible

✨ The kind of place you almost want to keep to yourself… but it’s too good not to share. Some places are trendy because social media says they are. Then there are places that actually live up to the hype. Saint Laurent Social Club is the latter. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a peaceful little escape tucked away in Asbury Park. The atmosphere was elegant, crisp, impeccably clean, and never felt overcrowded. It was the kind of place where you could truly exhale, settle into your lounge chair, and let the afternoon unfold. The service was exceptional from beginning to end. Every interaction felt warm and genuine, and the staff made us feel welcomed without ever being intrusive. That balance is rare. The food? Phenomenal. My sister thoroughly enjoyed the Italian French 76, my mocktail was refreshing, and Judy’s Fries were unlike anything we’d had before. But the real star of the afternoon was the tuna melt. Every bite was perfection the bread was toasted just right, the cheese melted beautifully, the lettuce was crisp, the tomatoes were fresh and firm, and the tuna had just enough spice to make you pause and appreciate how good it really was. It completely stole the show. What made the experience even more memorable was the atmosphere. We spent time relaxing by the pool, taking photos, creating content, and simply enjoying each other’s company. The energy was calm, sophisticated, and welcoming. It wasn’t loud or chaotic it attracted people who came to unwind, enjoy themselves, and appreciate the experience. Saint Laurent Social Club isn’t trying to be everything for everyone, and I actually love that about it. If you’re looking for a high energy beach club, this may not be your scene. But if you appreciate quiet luxury, thoughtful service, excellent food, and a unique hidden gem that’s worth the drive, you’ll understand why this place is so special. As someone who normally spends every chance I get on the beach, I’m so glad I decided to experience something different. It gave my sister and me the perfect backdrop to relax, laugh, make memories, and capture beautiful content together. 10/10. I’ll absolutely be back. Some places you visit once. Places like Saint Laurent Social Club become destinations.

I really wanted to like this hotel, but the experience never came close to justifying the premium price. The rooms are exceptionally small, and the Murphy beds leave very little usable space once they're down. You're paying boutique hotel rates for accommodations that feel cramped and impractical. The lack of soundproofing is another major issue. The walls are so thin that neighboring guests' conversations—and even flushing toilets—are clearly audible. Despite quiet hours being posted throughout the property, they do not appear to be consistently enforced. The pool experience was equally disappointing. Signage states the pool is open until 6:00 PM, yet poolside service effectively ends around 3:30 PM when the kitchen begins shutting down. Staff start collecting towels and closing umbrellas well before the posted closing time, creating the impression that guests are expected to leave. To make matters more confusing, staff informed us that the pool closes at 5:00 PM despite signage indicating otherwise. Guests are also limited to a small selection of pre-made cocktails and cannot order drinks from the hotel bar while at the pool. Once poolside service ends, there is effectively a two-hour gap during which obtaining a drink becomes unnecessarily difficult, as the hotel bar does not open until 5:00 PM and often is not ready to serve guests until 5:30 PM or later. It was also surprising to see all poolside drinkware restricted to acrylic plastic while servers freely delivered glass bottles of Saratoga water and wine to the pools edge. The service culture throughout the property was perhaps the biggest disappointment. Rather than feeling welcomed, it often felt as though guests were an inconvenience. I rarely encountered so many staff members actively avoiding eye contact instead of acknowledging waiting customers. Even after the bar officially opens, guests can be left waiting 30 to 45 minutes while staff continue setup and preparation, making it clear that operational tasks take priority over the guest experience. Ultimately, the pricing suggests a luxury boutique hotel experience, but the room quality, noise levels, inconsistent policies, and lackluster service simply do not justify the cost. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this hotel to friends or family, nor would I choose to stay here again.

Great experience. Great service.