We ended up at the Daytona Grande after the Hilton Oceanfront overbooked and we were on our way with no place to stay! Admittedly not the safest, but I had to book this place while driving from the Orlando airport and just looking for something that wasn’t a total dive but still decently priced without a ton of extra fees. No free breakfast here which is something I especially appreciate as a family of 6, but in this case it was just me and my teenage son in town for an archery championship. After the highly stressful day of travel we had, the Grande was like a little slice of Heaven! It was clean, quiet, and beautiful. We decided after having to skip lunch with flight delays and all that, we just wanted a good meal and a good bed and we got exactly that. My son and I split truffle fries to start, the crusted crab filet, and beignets for dessert. All were wonderful (and we’re from Dallas where there is no shortage of excellent food) and enjoyed Oceanside on the dimly lit quiet patio. My only criticism is that the tables should be turned perpendicularly to the ocean and hotel so that everyone at the table gets a view of both rather than one facing a wall while the other faces the ocean.
Rooms were nicely decorated, had comfortable, intuitive lighting, handy USB plugs, and most importantly REALLY COMFORTABLE BEDS! We have a Tempurpedic at home so my sleep is usually pretty abysmal at hotels. Now, this wasn’t as comfy as home, but I slept hard and woke without being sore since the bed was genuinely comfortable.
My only complaints about the room were that the window sheers, while stylish, really gave no privacy at all, so if you wanted privacy you had to sacrifice light. Water pressure wasn’t great and the bathroom needed more towel bars and hooks. This would’ve been way more of a nuisance with the whole family, but they also came midday and restocked towels and made up the beds, which we see less and less of these days, even at nice hotels in the name of being “green”. But it was spacious and clean and otherwise nicely equipped.
Elevators were fast and never held us up. Beach access from the elevator was nice as we didn’t have to walk through the lobby in swimsuits. Parking was slightly inconvenient being caddy corner across the street, but not bad at all. We considered but didn’t try room service mainly due to price and unknown wait (when we had tournament times to consider) but the little shop/cafe in the lobby was great and convenient and priced about as you’d expect (pricey, but not too ridiculous). We got coffee and breakfast sandwiches both days.
I think the biggest issue with this place is the visibility. It’s tall to be sure so you’re not going to miss it, but the entrance and signage is on the far side and behind a little aqua building (I think called Sand Dunes) which had to be apartments or a teeny hotel that I can only assume refused to sell to the Grande in development so the Grande built around it. It keeps it from having the opulent entrance that the Hilton does
- Mama Cheetah
I had to come to this hotel because of hurricane Milton I was at another hotel and they shut down the hard Rock because I didn't think they could sustain in safely keep guests there during what was thought to be a category 5 hurricane coming. The hotel Daytona grande was very kind excepted me with much friendliness and assistance as I was alone a paraplegic in a wheelchair with my three service dogs. Very beautiful hotel they took care of everyone during the hurricane they even had the restaurant open right through the hurricane so people could get food when everything else was closed The rooms are amazing I've never stayed in a hotel was such amazing rooms it's like a glorified studio apartment very big comfortable clean and their handicap rooms are very functional. They help me make the door that was heavy accessible for me so I could open it on my own. Service was very good beautiful views from the windows etc take care of their hotel very well I think it probably was one of the few only places that electric did not go out during the hurricane felt very safe there have had to stay after the hurricane until my condo gets power and a roof collapsed on her floor and is being fixed should be able to get back home very soon but what a place to be able to stay while I'm waiting. I would definitely recommend a hotel to anybody who travels here or needs a hotel in Daytona The rates are very good for a high quality hotel I have been to other hotels in other areas that are no where near is wonderful is this hotel but much more expensive. Even the restaurant is amazing I love eating organic food and they have organic salad that really was a high point for me also I had it three times while here. The only thing I wish would have been possible is a new charger resort fee and they have pool lifts and I really wanted to use the pool when they opened up there will pull in pool and Thursday afternoon after the hurricane and both pool lifts for the Whirlpool and Paul batteries would not work so I haven't been able to use the pool the whole time I've been here which I wish could have been resolved But they were very kind about it I was told I wouldn't be charged a resort fee for the days I couldn't use the pools when other people were able to Very professional staff very kind always interested in accommodating their guests but definitely stay here again if I had to I live in Daytona Beach and was here due to the hurricane but if there was ever another hurricane or other reason why I had to come to a hotel in Daytona I would definitely choose this one over any other and highly recommend it to anybody traveling You won't be disappointed.
