Hilton Daytona Beach Resort

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what hits you first when you walk into the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort? It’s not the lobby (though it’s nice enough) – it’s the fact that you’re literally steps from the sand. I mean, we’re talking about prime real estate on Atlantic Avenue here, where most people just drive by gawking at the beach access. This place actually sits right on it.

The resort has that classic Florida beach hotel vibe – not trying too hard to be boutique-y, but definitely a step up from the typical Daytona Beach lodging scene. Honestly, after staying at some of the more questionable spots along A1A over the years, the Hilton feels like a breath of fresh air. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid four-star property, though I’ll say the oceanfront ones are worth the extra cost if you can swing it. There’s something about falling asleep to actual wave sounds instead of traffic from International Speedway Boulevard that just hits different. The pool area gets pretty lively during race weeks (and honestly, good luck getting a reservation then anyway), but if you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons – like late fall or early spring – it’s actually quite peaceful.

What really works about this place is how it handles the whole Daytona Beach thing without leaning too heavily into the racing theme. Sure, you’ll see checkered flags during Bike Week and the 500, but it doesn’t feel like you’re staying inside a NASCAR gift shop year-round. The restaurant does decent seafood – nothing groundbreaking, but the grouper’s fresh and they don’t overcook it, which is more than I can say for half the places on Seabreeze Boulevard. Parking’s included, which might not sound like a big deal until you’ve paid $25 a night at some of the other beachfront spots around here. The staff actually seems to know the area too – they’ll point you toward Aunt Catfish’s if you want the full local experience, or steer you away from the tourist traps on the boardwalk if you ask nicely. One thing to keep in mind: the elevator situation can get a bit slow during peak times, and if you’re staying on the higher floors during summer afternoons, well, you might work up a sweat waiting. But honestly? Once you’re settled in with that ocean view, these minor inconveniences fade pretty quickly.