Family Fun Abounds in Florida:
The Shores Resort and Spa Review
by Sue Mead

“I liked swimming in the ocean and playing in the pool, too” said our sweet 6-year-old, Alex, during a recent three-generation visit to The Shores Resort and Spa, in Daytona Beach, Florida. “And, what I also really liked was playing miniature golf and having s’mores by the fire at night!” Alex, my daughter Brooke and I recently tried out some of the special offerings at this boutique resort, as well as in the nearby picturesque coastal area, at the start of a recent two-resort sampling trip.

Are you looking to create memories? We were, and found The Shores to be a great destination for you or your family to build sand castles, swim in the ocean, and comb the white sands beach for treasures to add to a seashell collection, as well as take in some of the resort’s amenities. One of our favorite memories was sitting by the beach-side fire pit, which is lit every night at dusk, enjoying the gooey deliciousness of a S’mores treat, as sea breezes scented the wind. S’mores packages are found in each room; it’s one of the resort’s signature touches! We also enjoyed outdoor dining and comfortable Adirondack chairs to lounge in while sipping a favorite cocktail, as the evening light faded over the Atlantic -- the perfect nightcap to a sun-filled day.

The Shores Resort and Spa is close to all of the excitement that Daytona Beach has to offer, but it can also be a hideaway of serenity. Daytona’s only AAA Four-Diamond luxury beachfront hotel is located on The Shores barrier island just a short distance south of the Daytona Beach tourist scene and the famed Daytona Speedway.

On Site ~ The Shores offers a great pool-side experience, with cabanas and chaise lounges, where you can spread out your beach towel and catch up on a good book, and watch as your little ones enjoy the kiddie pool, a water-spout play area, or the large, sculpted pool for swimmers of all ages. And, you’ll find the poolside, thatched-roofed Tiki Bar serves a variety of food and drink to keep you refreshed during a day soaking up the Florida sun.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served seven days a week in the resort’s Azure restaurant, which features elegant indoor dining in a bright setting, blue and sun-washed by day, and romantic and reflective by moonlight.

If you are looking for the ultimate in pampering and relaxation, try Indulge, the resort’s spa, designed to take your senses on a spectacular journey around the world. With pure and natural ingredients hailing from Australia, Bali, Japan, Turkey and Daytona Beach, the staff is trained to create a personalized therapy session that reflects both global and local influences. There are also spa packages, such as Chocolate Raspberry Peppermint Delight or the Tropical Escape package, sweet escapes designed to rejuvenate your body.

Off Site ~ Daytona has something for everyone. Enjoy the endless miles of rolling tide or a wide variety of water activities that range from surfing and scuba diving to parasailing, jet skiing and water skiing.  You can also join in a deep-sea fishing excursion, or cast a line from a pier.

One of our favorite visits was to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, complete with a museum. NASCAR enthusiasts will have to plan a stop at the Mecca of motorsports, the Daytona International Speedway, also known as the “Birthplace of Speed.”  Even though NASCAR visits Daytona only twice a year for racing, fans can get a true Daytona 500 Experience; you can get the adrenalin-filled experience of performing a pit stop on a real Sprint Cup Series race car to taking in the motion simulators and the Coca-Cola IMAX Theater.

If you go: The Shores Resort and Spa:

Upon arrival at The Shores, you will be welcomed by your personal check-in ambassador to one of the 212 guestrooms and hotel suites. From your room, you’ll find lovely vistas of Daytona Beach, along the Atlantic Ocean, or views of the tranquil Intracoastal Waterway. Each room is designed with chic furnishings, warm bright colors, and soft textures. They're set up with Italian marble bathrooms to resemble an historic beach-house ambiance, with oversized windows and spacious terraces or balconies.

Pet Friendly: The Shores Resort and Spa doesn’t only welcome canine companions, but also your feline friends!

Go Green: The Shores has adopted a one-mile stretch of Daytona Beach. Staff do clean-up every other week and over the past two years, have picked up more than half a ton of garbage and recyclables. The Shores also participates in the Clean the World Program; this program picks up, sterilizes and recycles left-over soaps and shampoos from guest rooms and sends these goods to third-world countries.

Contact Info:
The Shores Resort & Spa
2637 South Atlantic Avenue
Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
(866) 310-9909

But wait, there's more!

Loews Royal Pacific Resort:
Something Royal and Fun for Everyone

“The pool was really cool and I really liked the rides and fun things to see at Universal,” said Alex, after sampling our island paradise-themed hotel, located alongside Universal Studios Orlando. Brooke and I were worried about wearing out our sweet 6-year-old, but Alex had no problem keeping up with our busy pace and making friends everywhere we went!

The second part of our three-generation, Florida fun-filled journey was to check out Loews Royal Pacific Resort, located at the Universal Studio’s Orlando complex in central Florida. This AAA Four Diamond Award winning hotel, which is home to the renowned Emeril Laggas’s Tchoup Chop restaurant, guarantees the fun and adventure of a tropical escape—but, with all the comforts and conveniences of home. Each room is designed with a tropical theme enhanced by natural bamboo colors and accents, and beset with colorful linens imprinted with a South Sea’s island décor to enhance the tropical island getaway feeling.

On Site ~ You’ll find the centerpiece of the hotel’s landscaped grounds is a lagoon-styled swimming pool and white sands beach. We found it was the perfect place to lounge in a chair, or spread out a beach towel and bury our toes in the sand. For the more active, organized poolside activities include a ping pong tournament, pool basketball, hula hoop contests and Loews weekly “dive-in” movies. Special children’s activities include the mariner’s Club supervised children’s activity center and the Royal Bali children’s water play area. There is also plenty of opportunity to stay fit at the 5,000 square-foot fitness center, along the jogging and walking paths and to golf at several award-winning nearby courses.

Off Site ~ Universal Studios Orlando: This popular Orlando-based theme park is actually comprised of two parks; Universal Studios Florida and The Islands of Adventure. Designed for the young and young-at-heart, there are more than 25 rides, dozens of shows and special events throughout the year. There is also live music, casual or fine dining and there are more than 60 on-site shopping venues.

One of the best features of staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort is that your room key serves double duty--it works as a free pass to Universal Express access at both theme parks, Universal Orlando and Adventure Island; all hotel guests are able to skip the regular lines (which were often lengthy!) and use to the special express entrances (for only a brief wait!) at most rides and attractions. Hotel guests also have priority seating at Universal Orlando theme park restaurants, and complimentary delivery of purchases to your room. And, although you’re only a short 15-minute walk away from Universal’s main entrance, there are private water taxis for hotel guests that makes the round-trip along a lagoon and waterway to a park dock throughout the day, giving you more time to enjoy the myriad of rides, activities, restaurants and shops within the two parks. There are also free shuttle buses.

While at Universal, make sure to check out the newest addition to the theme park that just opened-in June - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. As a guest of the resort you will be allowed an early park admission, before the park opens to the general public. Adults and children alike will enjoy the magic of strolling around the grounds of Hogwarts-just like Harry, Ron and Hermione have done throughout their school years. You can also make a visit to Hogs Meade and sample the sweet treats or have Hagrid instruction you on The Flight of the Hippogriff.

If You Go:
Loews Royal Pacific Resort has special-themed rooms at the Club level, where Jurassic Park themed kids’ and luxury suites offer an up-close-and-personal feeling of being in the movies. In fact, with over 300 square feet in one guest room, your whole family can kick back and relax inside. Plus, there is no reason to leave your family pet at home; the Hotel loves pets and welcomes them, as well.

Loews Royal Pacific is one of three hotels located in the Universal Studio’s Orlando complex; each hotel is a certified member of the Florida Green Lodging program. All three properties utilize cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. Their initiative includes reducing energy and resource consumption, linen and towel re-use, food donation and composting and education and communication of the team members and guests.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando®

Photos: The 2010 Suzuki SX4 Enjoys Daytona-Even the 2010 Suzuki SX4 had a great time on our recent trip to Daytona. This crossover model, with its all-wheel-drive traction was perfect for the Beach! Suzuki says the SX4 Crossover is America’s most affordable all-wheel-drive vehicle and its fully integrated touch-screen navigation system, standard on the front-wheel-drive SX4 Crossover, SX4 SportBack and the SX4 Sport, makes for confident exploration of the great outdoors with a wide range of features that enable stress-free adventures.  We agree! Photo Sue Mead/Alexander Axt.