HOMETOWN HERO: THE JAMES BRADLEY HOTEL

August 2026
Bradley Beach, New Jersey

By Ross Belfer

Coastal New Jersey—Monmouth County, to be exact—is where I’m from. A place normally immune to trends, though the wave of development in Asbury Park has slowly begun to touch the towns just south. Still, I wasn’t expecting to find The James Bradley: a beautifully restored 1904 home that feels less like a hotel and more like the private coastal residence of someone with impeccable, far-reaching taste.

Inside, designer Sebastian Zuchowicki layers sculptural furniture, vintage pieces sourced near and far, custom-made objects, natural textures and a remarkable white-oak folding screen handcrafted by owner George DiStefano. But it was the light I loved most—the way it moved through the rooms, warming every quiet detail. I photographed it all with genuine delight, surprised to find a place so worldly yet so deeply at home here. Hopefully, next time, I’ll stay awhile.