I appreciate obtaining a excellent hotel, and I’ve discovered quite a few since moving to Florida. Listed here are seven exceptional resort stays in Florida, some fantastic for a non-public retreat, some with an abundance of luxurious, others suited for experience, and even just one with a are living rodeo. I’m finding superb new properties all the time, but these Florida lodges have seriously stood out to me as furnishing extraordinary ordeals.
Disclaimer: I have liked hosted stays at Westgate River Ranch, St. Francis Inn, Island Check out Cottages, and La Siesta Vacation resort. All views are my own.
1. Westgate River Ranch
Did you know you can have an authentic dude ranch keep in the heart of Florida? My major choose for exclusive inns in Florida is Westgate River Ranch Vacation resort & Rodeo in River Ranch, a town in Central Florida. You won’t require to go away the property as soon as you established foot on this sprawling household-friendly 1,700-acre wilderness.
Pick out from luxe teepees, Conestoga wagons, glamping tents for luxurious stays, lodge rooms, suites, or one particular- or two-bed room cottages for right away lodging. And if that wasn’t sufficient, there are tents, platforms, and RV camping places, way too. Westgate River Ranch lies on the Kissimmee River and has a huge record of facilities. My favorites had been the petting farm, airboat journey, swimming pool, swamp buggy ride, Saturday night time street and dance celebration (maybe continue to on maintain thanks to COVID), and riding a golfing cart all over the stunning grounds.
Westgate River Ranch has a general retail store for all of your tenting needs and needs (with a deli, ice product, and Starbucks coffee), a enjoyment saloon (for drinks), and an onsite cafe, Smokehouse Grill. I beloved the child back ribs, baked beans, and coleslaw from Smokehouse. Saturdays are rodeo evenings, with barrel racing, bull using, and trick using as well as a patriotic all-star performance.
Professional Tip: While COVID halted it, Westgate River Ranch’s hayride and sing-along were being amongst the most exciting routines I’ve done in a extended time. A delicious buffet-type chuckwagon dinner followed.
2. St. Francis Inn
Nestled on the brick-lined streets in St. Augustine’s historic district is the St. Francis Inn, a circa 1791 pet-helpful bed and breakfast dripping in Outdated Environment appeal and with a host of unique touches. St. Francis Inn is the best place for your visit to St. Augustine — you probably will not even want to get in your car or truck at all. Rooms are a blend of antiques and present day furnishings.
The walled courtyard back garden is bursting with colour, tropical bouquets, and extraordinary crops. There are seating spots nestled all by way of the courtyard, best for having fun with the wine and cheese evening social hour, fireplace pit, and nightly homemade desserts. To say we ate effectively on this check out is an understatement.
The heated (seasonally) swimming pool is attractive and a great way to relax on your getaway. You will also enjoy the gourmet breakfast buffet (the quiche was magnificent) they are well-known for or the tasty breakfast boxes they are currently providing due to COVID.
Professional Suggestion: Consider advantage of the complimentary bikes and get to know the gorgeous city of St. Augustine. You also obtain free of charge admission to the St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum with your keep, and parking at the inn is integrated.
3. Amelia Schoolhouse Inn
I picked the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn on an impromptu right away in Amelia Island. Just reading the description of this premier boutique hotel in the historic downtown Fernandina Beach front spot was enough to entice me in. The inn was built in 1886 as the initial faculty for Amelia Island. Currently, it is a charming position to continue to be and has 17 just one-of-a-kind rooms that strike a spark of nostalgia.
My husband and I chose a High quality Queen Place with heaps of area and a colourful rug, hardwood floors, faculty provides and associated decor, and a shower/bathtub combo. All rooms have desks, ceiling supporters, and the cutest retro mini-fridges.
In the foyer, a fashionable bar area referred to as The Principal’s Business serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer and is an fantastic location for networking and socializing. There is also a pretty outside swimming pool and placing eco-friendly, moreover a number of bicycles to hire. A seize-and-go breakfast is provided with your stay at Amelia School Inn, as is 24-hour coffee.
We enjoyed the effortless walk to downtown Fernandina Seaside the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn site could not have been improved. They even have absolutely free parking. We browsed the local stores, ate a delicious evening meal, and savored a incredible coffee and dessert just before popping in a e book store.
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge
Walt Disney World has quite a few exceptional resorts, but 1 stands out in my thoughts as the most unique — Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wherever else can you appear out your bedroom window and look at giraffes, zebras, kudu, and gazelle, frequently consuming correct beside exactly where you are standing? The image-ops are outstanding, and the working experience memorable. There are several swimming pools, as well, and a person (Uzima) demonstrates your preferred Disney videos in the evenings.
You are going to uncover award-successful delicacies at the Animal Kingdom Lodge dining places. Indian foodstuff is my favorite cuisine, so I am primarily in heaven taking in my way as a result of Sanaa for breakfast, lunch, or evening meal.
I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge with my parents and my daughter for a Touring Mother party. I’m not guaranteed which just one of us beloved the lodge the most — my parents for the animals, my daughter for the safari-themed area, or me for the delicious dining places and tremendous awesome foyer adorned with distinctive African art.
Pro Suggestion: If you are visiting the parks, get the free transportation from the hotel or park at the concept park no cost of cost (because you have now compensated at the lodge).
5. Island Perspective Cottages
The Island View Cottages, tucked away on the Indian River in Sebastian on the Treasure Coast, are a real Florida gem. Pick from 12 skillfully adorned rooms that incorporate hand-painted murals, personal porches, or nautical bunk beds. Irrespective of which cottage you decide on, the clever decor, artsy themes, and comfortable furnishings will gain you over. This place is the excellent retreat for getting absent from it all and comforting.
Considerate specific touches at Island Watch Cottages consist of a welcome snack (area fish dip and orange juice), fresh new-roasted coffee, and clean fruit. A social space is at the back of the assets for accumulating, video games, yoga, looking through, and looking at the large monitor Television. The marina, with boat slips and a fish cleaning station, is an exceptional put for fishing or just having fun with the check out. Take a nap in the inviting hammocks, grill/barbecue your supper, make s’mores by the fire pit, or sit exterior your room in the offered outside home furnishings.
Exciting Actuality: Seven of the cottages are canine friendly, and the residence has a doggy operate and not too long ago added a pet dog station, finish with a (fake) fire hydrant. Beds, bowls, and treats are put in the rooms prior to arrival.
6. La Siesta Vacation resort And Marina
Throughout a Florida Keys journey, I finished up at the La Siesta Vacation resort and Marina in Islamorada, the Sport Fishing Funds of the entire world. This vacation resort is on the historic Overseas Highway, and trust me, you will not be upset. La Siesta has this kind of a friendly team furthermore complimentary Wi-Fi and parking, and you can remain in a lodge home (spacious and tastefully adorned), cottage, or household.
I loved my room’s subtle decor and earth tones. The grounds are immaculate and sprawling you can chill out at the gorgeous infinity pool or chill in one particular of the complimentary chairs along the non-public beach front. Have a kayak journey or go paddleboarding, snorkeling, or bike driving — it’s all provided in the vacation resort charge. Then, take pleasure in tropical beverages and a mild lunch from Wild & Lime, a poolside snack bar.
La Siesta Resort is part of 4 hotels (Amara Cay, Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, and Pelican Cove Resort & Marina) in the same resort family. A cost-free shuttle operates in between them and to close by restaurants inside the exact mileage. I suggest going to each and every 1 to look at out the facilities and dine at their eating places.
Professional Suggestion: La Siesta Vacation resort provides hero, AAA, Florida resident, and senior special discounts. You can also help save by purchasing your lodging a minimal of 14 times in progress.
7. Really hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach front
The Difficult Rock Resort Daytona Seaside, with 200 rooms, is a rocking fantastic time, start out to end. The classy lodge sits oceanfront and has one of the most attractive pools on Florida’s east coast. If you can find the money for it, splurge on a cabana and take pleasure in the surroundings in higher design. And speaking of substantial design and style, get pampered at the award-winning Rock Spa & Salon.
The Daytona Beach front Hard Rock Resort has a excellent restaurant, Classes, with fantastic food stuff — you will want to take benefit of the content hour promotions, too. Of course, it would not be a Tough Rock expertise without the need of dwell new music — and loads of it!
When you initial action into your lodge home, the tunes genre of your alternative will greet you. The rooms are remarkable and so comfortable! You’ll “sleep like a rock” in the signature beds, and the a person-of-a-form new music features are a serious treat. My most loved aspect are the flooring-to-ceiling home windows, ideal for watching the waves on the Atlantic Ocean. Pro Suggestion: If you are traveling with a pet, ask about Challenging Rock’s VIP pet software.
