I need Daytona recomendations

[loriandmatt]

While driving to WDW this June my DH and BIL want to make layover in Daytona. I have heard that it can be trashy and need some advise on lodging and things for the kiddies and us to do while the "men folk" spend the day at the speedway.

I need some recomendations on:

decent places to eat

decent places to stay overnight

beach locations that are better than others or family oriented (i know it can get a bit wild there and don't want to "expose" my kids to too much.)

interesting things to do

thanks for any info anyone can pass along.

- lori

 

[SouthernMom]

It's been a few years since we were in Daytona, so I'm not sure how accurate this info may be. But if things haven't changed -- if your children are young, you definitely want to stay on the south end of the beach. I really don't like the traffic on the beach with little ones. It made me very nerous, but seemed to be much better the further south you went. It also was not as rowdy at that end of the beach. I remember they were building scattered hotels even further south, so they would probably be in even a better location! I'm just sorry I can't tell you what they were. We stayed at the Hilton. It was nice enough ... but nothing to write home about. Hopefully someone else will have some better info for you! Good luck!

 

[singitalto]

I posted the same question a couple of months ago. We ended up deceiding to stay at the Coral Beach Motel in Ormond Beach. We got a great rate of $54 AAA rate for a beach front double room.We just wanted clean and safe for our family(quiet) Someone on the board recommended the place.

 

[Lisa P.]

There's a brand new Fairfield Resort in Daytona Beach, which is supposed to be lovely - nice rooms, lots of amenities & activities at the resort, which is beachfront. I don't know what they charge for rentals for their villas... 1BR - 2BR, all with (partial or full) kitchens, some with washer/dryer, jacuzzi, etc.

From a little reading about this place, I remember learning that Daytona has now designated some of its previously-car-friendly beachfront "motor vehicle free," as in No Cars or Trucks. If this is a consideration for you, call any hotel or resort that you are considering and ask if vehicles are allowed on their closest beach area.

 

[Olivia]

We stayed in Ormond Beach which is just up some from Daytona. We had 4 teenagers and 2 11 year olds. We stayed at the Econolodge and it was really nice. It was $70 a night but we had a kitchen living room bedroom and bath - all nice and clean. The hotel is right on the beach with a nice pool for the kids. The beach was absolutely beautiful and not crowded at all. Our kids loved the boogy boards and even swam with some dolphins! There were pelicans around and it was one of the best days of our vacation. I could have stayed a week!

Olivia

2000 - All Star Music
2002 - Caribbean Beach

 

[loriandmatt]

thanks to all of you. i will check out all these places on the web. It is nice to hear of such nice experiences in Daytona. Most of the feedback i have gotten from co workers was that Daytona can be a bit wild and in places a bit dirty. It is comforting to hear otherwise from you.

We will only be there for a day and a half so the "men folk" can get their NASCAR fix before we move on to WDW for a week. The rest of us will be hitting the beach and checing out some local attractions other than NASCAR.

thanks again
- lori

 

[Eno]

We stayed in Daytona many times - the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach Shores areas
are the quieter areas. The middle section can be trashy and there are a lot of
cheap hotels, but you get what you pay for there.
We stayed at Perry's and is family - no singles under 25 allowed. They had an
indoor and two outdoor pools and they had homemade donuts in the mornings.
Also stayed at Palm Plaza - very nice, pink highrise hotel. Each room has a
fridge, stove, microwave and table area. Lots to do just walking and playing
on the beach. Lots of good restaurants also.

 

[pdzabe]

We stayed at the Surfside Inn which is in Daytona Beach shores, or what is known as the quieter area of Daytona Beach, towards the south end. It was right on the beach, most rooms are ocean front. Our room was large and clean and the pool was very clean. The children went swimming mostly as their daily activity since we were there only a couple of days. This place was very close to the bridge to the mainland were the speedway is located. There were also many good restaurants within walking distance, both chain-type (we went to Red Lobster) and locally-run.

 

[PartyofSix]

after everyone helping me i might can help you.LOL We stay in Daytona every year for the week of the 4th. Which I must say is getting away with murder on there upcharging for rooms. We really enjoy the Treasure Island Inn in Daytona Shores which is on the South end of the beach. You can walk past the Resorts pool and and on the beach you can rent all sorts of fun stuff to cruise the beach with. Rooms at Treasure Island can be had from 89 to 398.00 depending on when your going down. You should be okay with 89 if your going in June. Don't try July 3rd-7, 2002 or they'll pop you with a crazy 199 rate for the same room. They have a penthouse suite which is a one bedroom full kitchen, they have a city and ocean view to choose from the price is the same though that room will run you 189 during June if has two t.v.'s a pull out sleeper sofa and a hugh balcony. The hotel is ***3 stars and the service is wonderful. We have stayed at the Hilton which we liked alot. DH is a fan of valet parking and this is also in the quieter Shores area. If you go past the shores area you will be in Ponce Inlet which is the very upscale section of Volusia county. They have a ton of wonderful condos there that are reasonable. Now on the North Daytona beach area you have the Boardwalk with all the nightlife and action so to speak. THe arcade and Adventure landing is down the north end. The Adams Mark is a 4 star hotel there the rates are 155 a night usually. I don't know if they discount but it's a very upscale place. You can do a quick search and you'll find the number for Tresure Island Inn on Dayonta Shores. Hope this helps if you need any info on where things are I'd be glad to help you. If your doing Daytona USA there are a ton of discounted rates for entrance and get the tour! It's a few bucks extra but worth it. Your husband will love you much! Have a great time we are thinking of ending up our trip on the 6th with the night race at Daytona still trying to get a great place to stay for Disney 2nd -5th.LOL Be glad to help you though.

 

[BC]

Coral Beach also. We thought it was very nice for the money. There is a fridge and microwave in the rooms and it was very clean. This year we are booked at the new Hampton Inn at 3135 S. Atlantic Av. It is suppose to be all oceanfront and we were quoted a AAA rate of $125 for 4 adults. Does anyone know much about this location and what there is to do around it? My husband is an avid fisherman and we were told there are marinas and tackle shops nearby. Any info is appreciated.

 

[cottontail]

Hi:
Just got back 2 weeks ago from our one night stay at the Coral Beach with our AAA discount. It was quiet, clean, the double rooms have micro, fridge, they also have rooms with kitchens, we needed a rollaway and it was $5.00. Continental breakfast in the a.m., we left to drive home at 4.50 a.m. so I never got a chance to see what it was like.

Now you do have to remember it is not on par with a disney hotel, not many are anyways. It is a regular nice, clean, quiet motel.

Hubby ran into a fellow on the beach and he told hubby he has been going to the coral beach for 7 years and preferred the coral beach.

One day when we have more time I would like to spend a week there.

Please be careful about swimming in any of the oceans, I ran into a woman who lives there and said when the sharks are mating in the early morn or evening they can mistake someones leg for another fish, go figure. she only walks the beach. Many people were walking the beach.

This year we saw a school of stingrays just about 6 ft. from shore going after little fish, really neat, some of them were flying out of the water when the waves came.

I think we ate at a stacey's buffet not far from the hotel it was 8.50 per adult for supper, I found out you can pick up little books with discounts, specials at pizza places etc for ormond beach in the lobby of the hotel.

http://www.coralbeachmotel.com/



Deb.