When you're leading a team of senior decision-makers, the venue you choose sets the tone. It needs to be accessible from Manhattan, distraction-free, inspiring, and operationally airtight. On the Jersey Shore—just about an hour from New York City—Wave Resort and Bungalow Hotel in Long Branch deliver all of the above in a walkable, oceanfront campus made for strategy, culture-building, and breakthrough thinking.
Closer than you think yet it feels a world away
Long Branch sits an easy hop from NYC by car, ferry, or rail, without the airport hassle. Wave Resort's corporate retreat hub highlights its ~55-mile proximity to Manhattan and direct access via NJ Transit, so your team can be in a boardroom with ocean views shortly after leaving Penn Station New York, New York. You can also arrive by ferry via Seastreak to the nearby Atlantic Highlands/Highlands terminals, then a quick drive down the coast.
Two distinct venues. One cohesive executive offsite.
Wave Resort is your polished, oceanfront headquarters for strategy sessions and executive presentations. The High Crest rooftop complex offers 7,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor space with panoramic Atlantic views, ideal for planning sessions, sunset receptions, or that high-stakes quarterly briefing. Additional rooms (including The Cove—Thinking Room) provide natural light and multiple seating configurations for breakouts.
Bungalow Hotel, Wave's boutique sister property, adds a creative edge. Its BungaLounge is a 1,800-sq-ft lounge-meets-meeting space—great for design sprints, leadership workshops, or fireside-style conversations. Capacity tops out around 75 guests (up to ~150 inclusive with the lobby), striking that rare balance between intimate and inspiring.
Together, the properties sit in the heart of Pier Village, a lively, walkable district of dining, culture, and entertainment, so you can keep transfers minimal and energy high.
Productivity by day, ocean-air energy by night
Onsite at Wave, you'll find multiple environments to punctuate the agenda:
- Ocean-view boardrooms & rooftop: sunlight, sea breeze, and a polished AV experience.
- Cocktail-ready venues: The Bar, Carousel Bar, Pool Bar, and Bungalow's Lobby Bar. Each venue has outdoor space for networking or welcome receptions.
- Private dining & custom menus: Elevated catering that fits leadership tastes without slowing down the schedule.
Wave's corporate retreat program also streamlines logistics with Day Meeting Packages (breakfast, lunch, snacks, Wi-Fi) and a dedicated event team, so your operations lead isn't playing air-traffic controller all day.
Wellness that fuels sharper decisions
Great strategy requires clear minds. Build recovery and focus into the retreat with Wave Spa treatments (yes, chair massages between sessions are a hit), an ocean-view fitness center, and complimentary bicycles to reset along the boardwalk. Teams return to the room sharper and more inspired so that your next session runs better because of it.
Team-building you don't have to bus to
The beauty of Long Branch is how much you can do without leaving the boardwalk:
- Pier Pins: upscale bowling lounge, VR golf, table games, and a full bar—perfect for a casual tournament after day one.
- Pier Putt: mini-golf just steps away—easy to bracket into friendly, fast-moving competitions.
- Boardwalk Fun & Games: a high-end arcade with a redemption center—nostalgic, lively, and surprisingly effective for breaking the ice.
Prefer a wellness-first track? Schedule oceanfront yoga or meditation on Wave's terrace, or plan a guided beach walk to encourage candid one-on-ones away from the slide deck.
Ready to find out more? Request more information here
Sample 48-Hour Executive Retreat Agenda
Day 1 — Focus & Alignment
- 8:30 AM: Oceanfront breakfast & welcome at High Crest Terrace.
- 9:15 AM: Keynote and Q3 strategy review (High Crest Ballroom).
- 11:00 AM: Breakout rotations (The Cove (Thinking Room).
- 12:30 PM: Chef-curated lunch; informal table topics.
- 2:00 PM: Working session: roadmaps & resourcing.
- 4:00 PM: Optional chair massages / terrace coffee chats.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset reception (High Crest Terrace) → private dinner at The Bar.
Day 2 — Culture & Creativity
- 8:00 AM: Choice of boardwalk bike ride or yoga on the terrace.
- 9:30 AM: Innovation workshop (BungaLounge).
- 12:00 PM: Working lunch in small groups—action plans & owners.
- 2:00 PM: Team-building: Pier Pins bowling bracket or Pier Putt pop-up tourney.
- 4:00 PM: Closing session back at Wave—commitments & timelines.
- 5:00 PM: Departure via NJ Transit or ferry carpool to NYC.
Why NYC leadership teams choose Wave & Bungalow
- Executive-grade accessibility from Manhattan via car, NJ Transit, or ferry + short drive.
- Oceanfront venues that keep energy high and attention focused.
- A walkable, self-contained campus inside Pier Village—less time in transit, more time together.
- Tailored planning support (RFP, site tours, onsite coordination) so your ops team can participate instead of quarterback.
- Two complementary properties: polished corporate spaces at Wave; boutique creativity at Bungalow.
When to book
- Spring & Summer: Build momentum around launches or mid-year resets; leverage outdoor terraces and beach-adjacent activities.
- Fall & Winter: Lean into focused work blocks, cozy oceanfront dining, and wellness-first agendas—often with greater date flexibility.
How to get started
- Request a proposal and outline your objectives, team size, and preferred dates; the Wave sales team will return options with tailored layouts, menus, and timelines.
- Book a site tour (in person or via virtual walk-throughs) to finalize spaces and flow.
- Lock the agenda with a balanced mix of deep work, wellness, and team-building—everything within walking distance.
FAQs for Planners
How far is Wave Resort from NYC?
About 55 miles, roughly an hour by car depending on traffic; teams also arrive via NJ Transit to Long Branch or ferry to Highlands/Atlantic Highlands plus a short drive.
What capacities can you accommodate?
High Crest at Wave features 7,000 sq. ft. of flexible space for up to ~200 in a ballroom setting; Bungalow's BungaLounge hosts up to ~75 (more including the lobby).
Do you offer day meeting packages and AV support?
Yes, bundled Day Meeting Packages (breakfast, lunch, snacks, Wi-Fi) plus enterprise-grade connectivity and trusted AV partners.
What team-building activities are nearby?
Bowling at Pier Pins, mini-golf at Pier Putt, and a boardwalk arcade are steps away, plus oceanfront yoga and spa experiences on property.
Can we split our group between Wave and Bungalow?
Absolutely. The properties operate as a seamless campus in Pier Village, so you can pair Wave's oceanfront meeting spaces with Bungalow's boutique vibe.