Gentlemen, start your engines!
Zoom off to Daytona Beach, the World Center of Racing, home to the International Speedway and, now, The Daytona, a six-story boutique hotel directly across the street.
Home to the famous Daytona 500 race, the track and the racing-themed hotel are a perfect pairing, especially – but not exclusively – for NASCAR fans.
At the track, you can experience the rush of speeding around the iconic raceway either by going on a NASCAR ride-along with a professional driver or getting behind the wheel to put the pedal to the metal yourself.
Regardless of how fast you choose to go at the racetrack (a tram tour may be more your speed), you’ll find a more relaxing pace at The Daytona, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Opened in April 2019, the 144-room property, designed with the city’s rich racing history in mind, is part of One Daytona, a 300,000-square-foot shopping, dining and entertainment district complete with a movie theater, live musical performances and synchronized fountain shows.
As soon as you walk into the hotel on the ground floor, you’ll see a dazzling and Instagram-worthy mural, “Future 1933,” a modern interpretation of the achievement of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird car, which broke five land speed records on the Daytona shoreline in 1933.
Historic cars and photographs can be found on the second floor, where the lobby, gift shop and restaurants are located. Mounted displays of speedometers can be viewed in the Sir Malcolm restaurant, and every floor showcases original artwork derived from historic racing images.
As grand as The Daytona is, a getaway here isn’t truly complete without one of the aforementioned speedway experiences. The ride-along – where you sit shotgun in a NASCAR stock car as a professional driver takes you on three heart-pounding laps – is well worth the time. The experience is thrilling, with cars zooming at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour. Helmets are provided, and you can buy a video of your ride to take home or post on social media. Hotel guests can save on any of the NASCAR experiences, which also include learning to drive a race car, via special package deals. Although the track is within walking distance of the hotel, tram rides to and from are complimentary.
Daytona’s famous beach, one of Florida’s few shorelines where cars are allowed to drive on the sand, is just a few miles away. But you don’t need to leave the premises for a swim because there’s a refreshing pool at the hotel. You’ll find it next to a firepit, perfect for toasting marshmallows on cooler evenings.
Accents and furnishings in guest rooms follow the theme, too, including desks that resemble the tri-oval shape of the speedway. Even the notepads have a racing theme, cleverly designed to resemble speeding tickets with a twist: notices are for “impeding traffic” by “driving too slowly.”
Thirty-one premium rooms have balconies overlooking One Daytona’s Victory Circle, and four luxury suites offer views of the speedway. Guests order room service via provided iPads.
While dining options abound at One Daytona, guests won’t want to miss the hotel’s signature restaurant, Sir Malcolm, inspired by the British racing legend. The contemporary menu showcases classic American comfort food, like the not-to-be-missed cornbread with moonshine butter, chili shrimp corn dogs and Chislehurst roast chicken (named after the town where Sir Malcolm was born).
Carve out some time to check out the Blue Flame Bar, named after the rocket-powered land-speed racing vehicle driven by the legendary Gary Gabelich. More than 16 craft beers are on tap as well as signature moonshine cocktails like The Checkered Flag or The Intimidator, served in copper cups. Both are guaranteed to rev up guests looking for a good time.
You may even see a moonshine ritual at Blue Flame. Just as it was during Prohibition, moonshine is lit to determine drinkability. A yellow flame means it isn’t potable, while a blue flame indicates it’s good to go.
If you’re good to go, reserve your need for speed for the racetrack and your thirst for a fun hangout (and some moonshine) for The Daytona. O
The Daytona is located at 1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach. For more information, call 386-323-9777 or visit thedaytona.com.