You know that feeling when you walk into a place and it just feels... heavy? Not heavy in a bad way, but heavy with history. That’s the first thing that hits you at The Plaza Resort & Spa Daytona Beach. It isn’t some cookie-cutter Marriott built three years ago in a suburban office park. It has that old-school Florida vibe that’s becoming increasingly rare in a world of glass towers and minimalist lobbies.
Honestly, Daytona is a weird place. It's got this gritty, high-octane racing energy mixed with the salt-crusted nostalgia of family vacations from the 70s. The Plaza sits right in the middle of that tension. It’s been around for over a century in various forms, and while it's had plenty of facelives, you can still feel the bones of the original "Grand Dame."
Most people book a room here because they want the beach. Obviously. But if you’re just looking for a bed near the sand, there are a hundred motels down A1A that’ll do the trick. You come here because you want the scale of a historic resort.
What Actually Sets The Plaza Resort & Spa Daytona Beach Apart?
Let's get real for a second. If you read some TripAdvisor reviews, you'll see people complaining about a musty smell or an elevator taking too long. It’s an old building on the ocean. Salt air eats everything. But what those reviews miss is the sheer physical footprint of the place.
The pool deck is massive. Like, actually huge.
While the newer hotels are cramming people into tiny infinity pools that look great on Instagram but feel like a crowded bathtub, the Plaza has this sprawling oceanfront veranda. It’s 15,000 square feet of pool deck. You can actually breathe there.
The Ocean Waters Spa Factor
You’ve probably heard of the Ocean Waters Spa. It’s not just a "spa" in the sense that they have a room where a tired intern rubs lavender oil on your back. It’s a 15,000-square-foot full-service facility. It’s actually the only "full-service" spa in the area that offers the whole European heat circuit thing.
- They’ve got thirty different treatment rooms.
- The hydrotherapy circuit is legit.
- They use Pevonia products, which if you're a skin nerd, you know isn't cheap stuff.
I talked to a local recently who doesn't even stay at the hotel but pays for a spa day once a month just to use the facilities. That tells you something. It’s a destination within a destination. If the weather turns—and in Florida, it will—having a massive indoor sanctuary matters.
Room Reality Check: What You're Getting
Don't expect ultra-modern tech here. You aren't getting a room where the curtains open via voice command. What you are getting is space.
The rooms at The Plaza Resort & Spa Daytona Beach are significantly larger than the industry average for beach resorts. Most have these little kitchenettes—microwaves, mini-fridges, sinks. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a lifesaver. You can’t eat $25 burgers at 1888 (the onsite restaurant) for every single meal without losing your mind or your savings account.
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- The View: If you don't book oceanfront, you're looking at the city. Daytona's skyline is... fine. But you're here for the Atlantic. Pay the extra forty bucks for the ocean view.
- The Balconies: They're narrow. Don't expect to host a party on them. But for a morning coffee? Perfect.
- The Beds: Actually pretty comfortable. They use high-thread-count linens that feel surprisingly luxury for the price point.
The furniture has that dark wood, slightly "dated" look, but it's sturdy. It feels permanent. It matches the architecture.
The History Nobody Talks About
The Plaza started as the Clarendon Hotel back in the late 1800s. It burned down—as everything in Florida did back then—and was rebuilt in 1911.
Think about that.
When this place was established, people were driving horseless carriages on the sand. That’s where the racing tradition started. The beach at Daytona is packed so hard you can drive a car on it. The Plaza has watched the entire evolution of the American vacation. From the high-society winter escapes of the Gilded Age to the chaotic Spring Break era of the 80s, to the family-centric vibe it has today.
It survived the Great Depression. It survived countless hurricanes. There’s a resilience to the property that you just don't get with the new builds further south in Ponce Inlet.
Dining: Beyond the Standard Tourist Fare
Eating in Daytona can be a minefield of fried shrimp baskets and overpriced frozen margaritas. 1888, the signature restaurant at the Plaza, tries to do something a bit more elevated.
Is it Michelin-star dining? No. But the steak is consistently good.
The name "1888" is a nod to the year the original hotel opened. It’s a nice touch. For breakfast, you’ve got the Veranda Cafe. It’s standard fare—omelets, pancakes, the usual suspects. Honestly, the best move is to grab a coffee and sit on the rocking chairs outside.
There’s a lobby bar too. It’s great for people-watching. You see everyone from corporate types in blazers (the hotel has a huge convention space) to bikers in town for Biketoberfest. It’s a weird, wonderful mix.
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The "Resort Fee" Conversation
Let's address the elephant in the room. The resort fee.
Everyone hates them. I hate them. You hate them. At the Plaza Resort & Spa Daytona Beach, it covers things like Wi-Fi, the fitness center, and—this is the big one—the beach chairs and umbrellas.
If you go to a public beach access and try to rent two chairs and an umbrella for the day, you’re looking at $40 to $60. The resort fee is usually lower than that. So, if you actually use the beach setup, you're technically "winning." If you spend the whole time in your room or at the track, you’re getting fleeced.
Use the amenities. That’s the only way to make the math work.
Location Strategy: Why North is Better
The Plaza is located on the North end of the main boardwalk area. This is a strategic win.
You’re close enough to walk to the Daytona Beach Bandshell for a concert (about a 10-minute stroll). You’re close to the Pier. But you’re just far enough away that the 2:00 AM noise from the main drag is muffled.
Also, this section of the beach is "no-drive."
This is huge.
While Daytona is famous for beach driving, it’s actually a pain if you have small kids. You don’t want to be constantly looking over your shoulder for a distracted teenager in a Jeep while your toddler is building a sandcastle. The Plaza’s beachfront is a pedestrian-only zone.
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Common Misconceptions and Nuances
People often confuse "historic" with "dilapidated."
There is a difference. The Plaza is well-maintained, but it’s not "new." The windows are thick. The hallways are wide. The elevators have character. If you want a sleek, white-walled, minimalist "lifestyle" hotel, go to South Beach.
If you want a place where the staff might have worked there for twenty years and the lobby feels like a grand ballroom, this is your spot.
Is it actually "haunted"?
You’ll hear rumors. Every old hotel in Florida has ghost stories. Some guests claim to see figures in the long corridors of the upper floors. There’s no documented "haunting," but the atmosphere at 3:00 AM when the wind is howling off the Atlantic definitely leans into that gothic Florida vibe.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you’re planning a trip to the Plaza Resort & Spa Daytona Beach, don't just wing it.
- Book Direct if Possible: Sometimes their internal loyalty offers beat Expedia, and you’re more likely to get a room upgrade if they aren't paying a commission to a third party.
- The "No-Drive" Advantage: Use the North beach access. It’s quieter and safer for families.
- The Spa Secret: You don’t have to book a $300 massage to enjoy the spa. Ask about "day passes" for the facilities if you just want the steam room and lockers.
- Parking: It can be tight. Valet is easier, but there is a self-park lot across the street. If you have a large SUV, the self-park lot is much less stressful.
- Timing: If you aren't a fan of crowds or loud engines, check the calendar for "Speedweeks" or "Biketoberfest." Unless you're there for those events, you'll want to avoid those dates entirely. The prices triple and the vibe changes completely.
Don't forget the sunrise. It sounds cliché, but because the hotel faces due east, the sun rises directly over the water. Even if you aren't a morning person, set an alarm once. Open the heavy curtains. Watch the sky turn that weird neon pink that only happens on the Atlantic coast. Then go back to sleep.
The Plaza isn't trying to be the future of hospitality. It’s holding onto a version of the past that is slowly being demolished elsewhere. It’s grand, it’s a little weathered, and it’s unapologetically Daytona.
Practical Next Steps
- Check the official Daytona Beach event calendar to ensure your stay doesn't overlap with a major city-wide event unless you specifically want that energy.
- Verify the current status of the pool deck renovations; while usually open, seasonal maintenance can sometimes limit access to certain areas.
- Compare the "Oceanfront" vs "Ocean View" room categories carefully; "Oceanfront" guarantees a direct line of sight to the water, while "View" might be angled.
- If traveling for a special occasion, call the front desk 48 hours in advance—this specific property is known for being more accommodating with room placement for anniversaries and birthdays when notified early.