One of the very few local resorts directly on the sand, and a short hop below the main beachfront bar/restaurant scene, the iconic onetime Yankee Clipper is cruising along better than ever after a $30 million spruce-up in 2010. It still sports an “Ahoy, matey!” silhouette and the famous Wreck Bar, with its wood, ropes, and live “mermaid” show. But otherwise it’s taken its nautical motifs in a more contemporary direction, including aquarium-mod touches in the lounge-y lobby and soothing marine hues in the 486 well-equipped rooms. The marquis dining spot is an indoor-outdoor branch of the fancy New York City Mexican Dos Caminos – long, narrow, and a bit on the dimly lit side but muy tasty. There’s also a beach bar and grill, Internet cafe, fitness center, kids’ club, and a pair of great pools (one of which has portholes into the Wreck Bar, so careful!).