The diversity of guests staying at this pleasant property in Cocoa Beach are a good testament to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cocoa Beach Oceanfront’s wide appeal. There are families popping in for a day or two pre- or post-cruise out of the port in nearby Cape Canaveral, multi-generational gatherings of folks taking a beach break from the nearby theme park attractions in Orlando, and, of course, families who’ve targeted this hotel because of its great location and variety of rooms that promise a classic Florida beach escape. Chances are, if you fit into any of those categories — or are just looking for a clean, comfortable property on the ocean in the Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral area — you’ll find a lot to like here, too.

The DoubleTree’s 148 rooms and suites are spread between six floors in a compact building set just back from the dunes, with no street to cross before you find yourself relaxing with everyone on the sand. And the direct oceanfront setting is a real plus when you’re toting things back and forth from your beach setup every day.

The onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, making it easy to stick around all day without having to organize everyone to head out for a meal. And the pool, while fairly small, is heated in the winter, so you can swim here year-round even if the ocean is too chilly to tempt you.

There are many similar chain hotels in Cocoa Beach with similar price ranges, too, but another thing that sets this property apart is its lovely location between two oceanfront parks, with playgrounds, picnic pavilions and grills for barbecuing.

For more information, read about DoubleTree Hotels & Suites.

Families of most sizes will find accommodations to suit their crew at this 148-room hotel. The hotel has six floors, with rooms and suites spread out between the second and sixth floor. If you're looking for views, you'll want to request a room on the third floor or higher, since oceanfront rooms on the second floor overlook air-conditioning units that are unsightly.

All rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. Rollaway beds are available for $15 per night and cribs are complimentary.

Only eight of the rooms don't have balconies, and that will be specified when you book. Almost all of the rooms have shower-in-tub combos in the bathrooms, but a few of the suites have walk-in showers that are also handicap accessible. If that's important to you, do specify.

Décor is standardized throughout the rooms and suites, with big billowy beds with quality starched-white linens, carpeted bedrooms and living rooms, tiled bathrooms with single sinks and granite counter tops and a neutral color scheme of ochre, dark orange and burgundy.

The hotel is only able to confirm connecting rooms at check-in, since it's all based on when other guests have checked out and what's still available.

King Oceanfront Rooms
If being directly oceanfront is your main interest, then just know that the true oceanfront rooms have only two configurations. Option one is one king bed to sleep two people. And option two is a king suite, which has a separate room with a king bed that can be closed off from a living space with a sofa bed; there is room for four guests in this option. These suites have two balconies (one in each room) to maximize the beautiful oceanfront views.

Partial Ocean View Rooms
Partial ocean view rooms, where you can see a sliver of ocean from the balcony, are located on the north and south sides of the building. Here, you've got an option of one king bed with room for a rollaway or a room with two double beds that can also accommodate a rollaway (a good option for families of five who don't mind sharing beds).

Suites
Suites all have king beds separated from living areas with sofa beds, and they vary in price depending on whether they have oceanfront views or partial ocean views.

King Executive Suites are the most luxurious option for staying here, with full-size refrigerators in addition to a microwave, coffeemaker and dining room table. If you're staying on the hotel's executive floor, you'll have access to the Trident Club, where light snacks are served free of charge from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Pool
It's all about sun, surf and sand in Cocoa Beach, and the DoubleTree puts all that right at your doorstep when you stay here.

For starters, there's the hotel's small, but well-kept pool -- a simple rectangular affair which is heated in the winter and open for year-round swimming from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. There are no lifeguards on duty and when the hotel is at full capacity, things get very crowded here. Otherwise, it's a nice spot for a refreshing freshwater dip. The pool overlooks the ocean, with direct access to the beach, and there's a Jacuzzi alongside it that's a favorite with adults.

Beach
The stretch of Cocoa Beach in front of the hotel is a very pleasant one, surrounded by condos and residences that make for a good mix of local and tourist crowds. An outside vendor rents packages with two lounge chairs and an umbrella for around $30 per day, so if you're planning on staying for more than a few days, you may want to bring your own gear or consider investing in chairs and an umbrella of your own.

Parks
The hotel sits between two great oceanfront parks, Sidney Fischer Park and Lori Wilson Park, with picnic pavilions and playgrounds just a short walk in either direction along the beach.

Bicycles and Water Sports
While the hotel doesn't provide any beach rentals along the lines of bikes, surf boards, boogie boards and the like, there are several outfitters nearby who will even deliver equipment to the hotel. Just ask for this service at the front desk if you're interested.

3 Wishes
3 Wishes, just off the pool and overlooking the ocean, offers continual service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The staff is happy to provide highchairs for the kids, who will also quickly be handed place mats with the kids' menu printed on them and crayons for coloring as soon as you arrive.

During breakfast, you've got the option of a full hot and cold buffet where the kids can make their own waffles at the waffle maker and choose from all kinds of eggs, cereals, meats and pastries ($13.95 for adults, $10.95 for kids). Or else you can save a bit of money by ordering omelets, pancakes, yogurt parfaits, hash browns and the like off the a la carte menu.

At lunch and dinner, the menu is largely the same, with a la carte options for kids covering all the usual suspects -- burgers, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hot dogs and the like; items are priced between $5 and $7. Adults appreciate more refined items like wood-fired pizzas and flat breads, grilled mahi sandwiches, fish and chips, grilled salmon, steaks and a range of pastas and burgers.

Room Service
Room service is available from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. for a nominal delivery fee.

All About the Extras
Free Wi-Fi
Wireless Internet is offered free of charge throughout the hotel

Parking
Self-parking is free in an outdoor, lit parking lot.

Laundry Facilities
Self-service laundry machines are located on the second and fourth floors ($2 to wash; $2 to dry; $1.25 for detergent) and the front desk can provide you with change.

Business Center
There are a few computers in the business center where you can get on the Internet and print documents for free.

Fitness Center
The hotel's gym is open 24 hours and has treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent bikes, weight machines and stability balls.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at noon.

The Art of Smart Timing
Cocoa Beach is a popular destination year-round, and crowds particularly swell during spring break in February and March, around Easter, and over Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. You'll get some of the best deals and have the beaches largely to yourself during the shoulder season months of late-September and October into early November and again in January and April and May. The area sees many snowbirds migrating down from the northeast and Canada from after the Christmas holidays into early May. And weekends are often busy on the beach, too, with locals coming out to play and Floridians from inland areas like Orlando making the day trip for fun in the sun.

Getting There
Most guests at the DoubleTree either arrive by car from elsewhere in the state and country or fly into Orlando International Airport, located roughly an hour west of the hotel and accessed by a relatively straight shot of mostly highway (toll road) driving. Orlando's airport has flights by all major national carriers, as well as many international airlines. Alternatively, you can consider flying into the much smaller, but closer Melbourne International Airport (about 25 minutes away), with flights offered by Delta and US Airways from major cities in the south, such as Atlanta and Charlotte.

Getting Around
Unless you plan to spend all your time at the DoubleTree, you'll want to consider renting a car during your stay for easy access to nearby restaurants and attractions, such as the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center to the north. Car rental companies are available in Cocoa Beach.

Kids love to ride the Cocoa Beach Trolley, which runs up and down the beach (including to Port Canaveral) and has a stop a block from the hotel. The trolley operates Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids under 5 years old ride for free and it's $1.25 for adults, with discounts for seniors.

For Mom and Dad
If the kids are old enough to watch themselves in the evenings, it's fun to make the short drive across the river to historic downtown Cocoa Village, with its tree-lined brick streets and charming boutiques and restaurants. Café Margaux is a long-standing and favorite French restaurant that's perfect for date night and has an incredible wine list. And if you like seafood -- and oysters in particular -- there's Norman's Raw Bar & Grill, a real Cocoa institution that's been operating in the area for over 30 years. Consider making a night of it and taking in a local show, too, put on by the talented players at the Cocoa Village Playhouse, which has been entertaining the public in a historic building here since 1924.