Where to Stay in Daytona Beach | A Local’s Advice
Heading to Florida and wondering where to stay in Daytona Beach? I’ve grown up near Daytona and I’m happy to help you decide on where to stay! There are hotels, rental condos, and rental homes along this coast.
I’ll suggest some places on the beach to consider for your Daytona Beach itinerary. Of course, you might be coming to Daytona for an event or don’t want to stay on the beach, so I have a few options listed for you as well! In general, Daytona Beach is one of the best Florida beaches for solo travelers on a budget.
Even though there aren’t true luxury options here, there are plenty of good options and as a bonus they won’t break the bank!
Before you dive in, I want to be transparent: this article includes affiliate links. This simply means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Rest assured, the article includes my genuine advice and it won’t cost you anything extra. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy reading!
Considerations When Choosing Where to Stay in Daytona Beach
When deciding where to stay in Daytona Beach there are considerations to make! Do you want to be on the beach? Is it okay if people can drive on the beach or would you prefer a non driving beach? Do you want to be in the heart of Daytona Beach near the boardwalk or would you prefer a quieter area like Daytona Beach Shores or Ponce Inlet?
Driving versus non-driving beaches is something to consider, but can be hard to pinpoint. The rules can change depending on low or high tide, but consider asking the hotel to confirm. I utilized this map and google search, but things can change so ask the accommodation for the most accurate information.
Overall, a car is a necessity, but if you don’t plan to venture far you could get by with Uber for an occasional outing. However, I would say Florida in general is a destination where a car is more of a necessity, especially if you want to explore.
The last thing to consider is if there were any hurricanes recently. Our coast has been battered quite a few times. While I’ve noticed a recent glowup overall, there are condos and hotels that never recovered. I checked recent reviews for the hotels below, but it’s always worth reading the latest reviews as things can change.
Daytona Beach has some nice options, but overall it’s not a luxury destination. It’s more of the budget friendly beach destination, so keep that in mind.
Staying on the Beach
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Located in the more touristy area of Daytona Beach is the Hard Rock Hotel. Even recent reviewers enjoyed their stay here, so they either recovered quickly from the hurricane or withstood it better than others. Either way, this is a great option if you want to stay in the heart of Daytona Beach!
Of course, Hard Rock Hotels are a popular chain of hotels with the rock-and-roll theme. This one is directly on the beach,and has a fitness center and pool.
Location: Daytona Beach
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Driving Beach
Average Price Range: $200 – $400+
Style: 4 Star Hotel
The Shores Resort & Spa
When looking for where to stay in Daytona Beach that is on the nicer end, The Shores Resort & Spa is worth checking out. Even recent reviewers were happy with their stay. While some say it’s very nice and may even use words like luxurious, I wouldn’t set your expectations too high. However, this hotel is on the nicer end overall!
It’s located in Daytona Beach Shores which is a quieter end of Daytona Beach. They have beachfront and also have river (sunset) views. There is a spa onsite that some guests have taken advantage of and enjoyed.
Location: Daytona Beach Shores
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Driving
Average Price Range: $250 – $500+
Style: 4 Star Hotel
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
When it comes to where to stay in Daytona Beach, you’d automatically think a Hilton on the beach would be a stellar choice! While recent reviewers are generally happy with this hotel, some point out how dated it is currently.
On the flip side, a beachfront hotel in need of renovations can also mean you can stay for less money! If you care more about location and want to save a little money, this is one to consider. It’s in the heart of Daytona Beach and directly on the beach offering ocean view rooms and easy access to the sandy shores.
Location: Daytona Beach
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Non-Driving Portion of Daytona Beach
Average Price Range: $180 – $350+
Style: 4 Star Hotel
Sea Club IV
A great option when considering where to stay in Daytona Beach that is also budget friendly is Sea Club IV. It’s located in South Daytona Beach in an area called Daytona Beach Shores. It’s a little quieter on this end than the heart of Daytona Beach, but you’re still a close drive to that area.
There is a 3 night minimum stay, so keep that in mind. The place is more timeshare and less hotel, but the rooms and location might work well for what you’re looking for and the price is on the budget end!
Location: Daytona Beach Shores
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Driving Beach
Average Price Range: $150 – $200+
Style: 3 Star Hotel
The Shores Club (Condo)
We’re switching things up a little with this condo rental. Depending on the time of year, there could be a 4 night minimum or even a weekly minimum! This unit has 70 reviews with a 10 of 10 Exceptional rating.
Since it’s a condo, you will need to be more self sufficient overall, but it’s on the beach with beautiful views! It’s a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo, no pets allowed and smoking is prohibited. Another bonus is you can’t drive on this part of the beach, so you won’t be dodging cars.
Lastly, I find with homeowner renters with good reviews, it’s easier to get an indication of storm recovery. So if a storm hit recently, it’s worth messaging and asking how far the condo has gotten with its rebuilding efforts.
Location: Daytona Beach Shores
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Non-Driving Beach
Average Price Range: $300+
Style: Condo/Home Rental
Bahama House
If you’re looking for a comfortable and laid-back beachfront stay, Bahama House is a great option. Recent reviews are good, with one exception where the reviewer expected it to be pet-friendly.
It’s right on the beach and a solid affordable option located in the quieter Daytona Beach Shores area.
Location: Daytona Beach Shores
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Driving Beach
Average Price Range: $150 – $250+
Style: 3 Star Hotel
Delta Hotels Daytona Beach Oceanfront
Among the better options for where to stay in Daytona Beach is Delta Hotels Daytona Beach Oceanfront. This Marriott hotel has clean, modern rooms.
While most recent reviews are positive, there are several negative mentions about the check-in process. This hotel did have repairs after the last hurricane, but it seems as most are completed. However, I do recommend checking to ensure there is no major construction expected during your stay.
Location: Daytona Beach Shores
Driving or Non-Driving Beach: Driving Beach
Average Price Range: $150–$250+
Style: 3.5 Star Hotel
Staying on the Intracoastal
If you are not interested in staying on the beach, but still want peaceful water views then the intracoastal is a great option! You can then drive to the beach or take day trips around and explore!
The options on the intracoastal are better in New Smyrna, in my opinion. It’s a beach town about 20 to 30 minutes south of Daytona. I found a few options on the river in Daytona, but they just don’t seem as good as the New Smyrna options.
In New Smyrna, the beach is also a driving beach and there is a great restaurant scene there of mostly local options! The stays are cozier with beautiful views of the intracoastal in a small town setting!
Black Dolphin Inn
Black Dolphin Inn is a more upscale, boutique hotel on the river. Guests love their stay here and mentioned the charming atmosphere and beautiful architecture.
Location: New Smyrna
Average Price Range: $250 – $400+
Style: 4 Star Hotel
Night Swan Intracoastal B&B
Just up the street from Black Dolpin is the charming and peaceful bed and breakfast called Night Swan. It’s a cozy spot offering a relaxing getaway with beautiful views, making it ideal for those looking for a quiet, intimate experience away from the hustle of Daytona Beach.
Location: New Smyrna
Average Price Range: $270+
Style: 3 Star Hotel
Staying Near the Daytona International Speedway
If you’re planning to visit Daytona for an event or just don’t want to stay at the beach, there are some good options across from the Daytona International Speedway.
ONE DAYTONA is a newer area with restaurants and shops. Staying in this area you will be in walking distance of plenty of places to eat and the International Speedway! While Costco is the main reason I come to this area, I’ve also visited some of the restaurants, Foxtail Coffee, and Bass Pro Shop.
There are plenty of hotels along International Speedway Blvd, but the ONE DAYTONA is a newer and nicer area so here are a couple options to consider.
The Daytona, Autograph Collection
Part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, this hotel caters to travelers looking for a premium experience in a central location, close to Daytona’s iconic attractions. Perfect for racing fans or anyone looking for a nice stay in the heart of Daytona.
Location: Daytona (ONE DAYTONA)
Average Price Range: $250+
Style: 4 Star Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport
For a more budget friendly option in this ONE DAYTONA area, consider Fairfield Inn. This 2 star hotel has plenty of good reviews and is in the same great location.
Location: Daytona (ONE DAYTONA)
Average Price Range: $130+
Style: 2 Star Hotel
Home and Condo Rentals
Daytona has a lot of condos, and many of those owners rent them out. If you want houses, check north of Daytona in Ormond Beach or south in Ponce Inlet or New Smyrna.
Airbnb or VRBO would have plenty of listings to check, but you can also contact condominiums directly to see if they handle rentals. That is what we did growing up, but then again that was before Airbnb and VRBO were on the scene!
If you only need a place for two to four people, options are plentiful. However, if you need a home big enough for more than four, New Smyrna will have the most options.
Just keep in mind most home or condo rentals will have a minimum number of nights and the quality and decor can really vary from owner to owner.
Travel Insurance
I don’t always buy travel insurance, but it can offer peace of mind. The one time I bought it was for my solo trip to Fiji! Since I was traveling to the other side of the world and I was planning to do a dive with bull sharks, I thought the extra peace of mind would be worth it and it was!
VisitorsCoverage Travel Insurance and Insubuy allow you to search for travel insurance or trip protection that fits your needs. While I never needed to use my travel insurance in Fiji, that peace of mind was worth it for me. These companies have options for insurance for travel outside the United States or for travel to the U.S.
Is Daytona Beach Safe?
The short answer is yes! However, let’s break it down a bit.
Daytona the City
Even if you were to spend four days in Miami, there are places you should avoid. The same is true for your Daytona Beach itinerary! Overall, I feel safer in Daytona, but I’ve also grown up close to this coastal city. You will definitely pass some characters even on the main streets like International Speedway Boulevard and as with a lot of places, homelessness is an issue.
Generally speaking though, anywhere you are likely to go will be safe. The main coastal road, A1A, or the speedway areas like ONE DAYTONA are generally safe! The downtown area on Beach Street is cute and I’ve gone plenty of times in recent weeks and felt safe as a woman there alone.
There are parts of Daytona that aren’t as great, but I’ve driven through many areas over the years and never had issues. If you plan to visit an area that is off the beaten path, ask a local at your hotel or a restaurant for advice. As with any destination, practice common sense and trust your gut!
Daytona’s Atlantic Ocean
Our coast is more volatile than the gulf, which I find more interesting, but I have friends who prefer the calm waters of the gulf. The ocean here can also be beautiful and clear one day but murky the next. It can be completely calm on a Monday and on Tuesday there will be strong waves and currents.
While our conditions aren’t predictable, the beautiful days are exceptional! And if, like me, you enjoy waves, this is a better coast!
Ocean Safety
General safety for the ocean would be staying near a lifeguard and not going out too far. If you’re unsure about the conditions, ask the lifeguard. Here are some great ocean safety tips to review!
I’ve grown up on this coast and while it’s generally safe, it’s still the ocean! Respect the ocean and learn basic safety. Even the gulf had shark attacks last year, so of course, there’s always a risk.
If you’re uncomfortable with that, there are stretches along Daytona Beach where there will be shallow pools at low tide. I have friends who don’t swim in the ocean at all, but I grew up swimming in the ocean and love it. It’s okay to stick to your own comfort level and enjoy the beach in your own way!
Where to Stay in Daytona Beach
I hope this post was helpful and gives you a good starting point! There are seemingly endless options along Daytona Beach to stay, but I hope this post helped you in deciding.
While this isn’t the area for a luxury vacation, it has its own charm, history, and adventure! Plus it makes a great base for exploring east central Florida with day trips.
