Daytona Beach (Florida)

Advantages: Relaxing, Clean Beach, Can go cruising on the beach
Disadvantages: basic motels

...the build up to the Daytona 500 and it was very busy. We visited Daytona Speedway when the cars were practising and did the "tour" where a small train takes you through the tunnel on the infield, awesome, you really dont realise the sheer scale of the place until you are in the middle of it. You are given all the information you need to know about the Speedway and if you are lucky may see some cars practising. Considering how famous Daytona is you ...
...seafront. This part of Daytona looks as though it could all do with a good lick of paint. The motels/hotels are generally quite old looking apart from a scattering of new hotels. We stayed one night in a motel and compared to our hotel we were staying at in Orlando it was old fashioned, grubby and a bit decrepit, apparently most of the motels are like this but it came as a bit of a shock nonetheless! Most of the hotels have access directly to the ... Read review

Advantages: long white sandy beach, sea turtles nest here
Disadvantages: can get very, very busy

...nothing but white sand and blue (warm) sea. There is plenty other things to do and see (including Daytona 500 - the race track) and nightlife here is great. It is ideal for young couples. We stayed for 3 days, but a week would have been better. ... Read review

Advantages: Very easy to find, Lot's of hotels, Lot's of everything
Disadvantages: Can be very crowded, Lot's of people driving up and down the road showing off their cars (during high season)

Daytona beach is a place that if you haven't been to, you need to get on a plane and go. Imagine driving up and down the beach, looking for that amazing spot, pulling up right there, setting up your blankets and just roasting in the sun all day, 20 feet from the beach. It does cost 5 dollars to get on the beach, but that's nothing. When you're done on the beach and you wanna eat there are so many amazing cafe's/restaurants right on the beach so you ...
...night for two weeks, and daytona is one big party. MTV get down there and many other big corporate sponsors host annual parties that many people go and have immense amounts of fun. If you want to go during the summer, it will be full of tourists and pretty jam packed, so the best time to go is the end of summer or beginning, and all you'll see are locals. There is also a race track there which during the right times, can be fun. If you like bikes, ... Read review

Advantages: Plenty of room
Disadvantages: Can get busy

...whelming when we first saw Daytona Beach, it seemed to be endless. It was great to park the car right there on the beach and sit beside it. The water was beautiful once you got past the huge waves and were able to then 'ride' them. The kids had endless fun here. This is my kind of holiday, deckchair, cool drink & magazine. Everything is provided along the beach and at a reasonable daily price. It is very clean and well maintained. We were amused ... Read review

Advantages: read opp
Disadvantages: read opp

...to see things for myself, without having my family here, (a big plus for me) Daytona; For anyone going to Florida, Daytona Beach is defiantly a place that one must go. It's exactly what it looks like in the movies, blonde beautiful women on the roller blades, bodybuilders working out near the beach, surfers in the water, and Baywatch life guards running in slow motions like they do. Its also a place full of motor sport fanatics, with state of the art motorbikes to state of the art cars, they love them. We were fortunate to be around during a NASCAR event, although we didn't see the actual race, just watching the fans were something special. The beach is right up as the best beach in the world, next to the Miami Beach. Its absolute gold and having arrived for Spring Break, there were plenty of people backed on the beaches having a sun... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Spacious suites close to Disney
Disadvantages: A few miles from International Drive

...and Magic Kingdom 8 miles. The rest of the Orlando attractions are all under 10 miles from the Hawthorn Suites. Further afield other Florida attractions can be easily reached in around an hour including: Busch Gardens - 45 miles, Kennedy Space Centre - 40 miles, Daytona Beach - 50 miles. My family stayed at Hawthorn Suites primarily because of its location close to all the Orlando Theme Parks by car. Two adults and two children stayed in a ground floor suite with all the amenities to hand. The American Breakfast was good enough for us, but it was the same everyday. Having said that it was sufficient to set us up for a day at the theme parks. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Our rooms were cleaned daily and the air conditioning worked well. Despite there being a variety of different guests at the Hawthorn Suites we noticed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: weather
Disadvantages: if you go in summer - too hot - too many mosquitos

...The sunshine state, or otherwise known as florida, is brimming with things to do and places to see. I have been four or five times now and each time I go I see different things, and experience new and exciting places. No matter what time of the year that you decide to go you will alwasy find sunshine. I have been in every season and each time I have been impressed by the continual sunshine and fine weather. (If you don't like hot weather avoid travelling in summer). Florida is not only in a constant state of sunshine but the people also are very hospitable. Your free first day should incorporate one of the many beaches - Daytona is a must, also check out New Smyrna and Melbourne beaches. You should plan your trip in advance but don't buy tickets until you get there - they are so much cheaper. Plan each attraction/park so that you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful