7 Special Florida Hotel Stays

I enjoy discovering a excellent resort, and I’ve discovered quite a few considering that transferring to Florida. In this article are seven special hotel stays in Florida, some great for a private retreat, some with an abundance of luxurious, others suited for adventure, and even a single with a reside rodeo. I’m obtaining fantastic new qualities all the time, but these Florida hotels have genuinely stood out to me as delivering remarkable encounters.

Disclaimer: I have loved hosted stays at Westgate River Ranch, St. Francis Inn, Island Perspective Cottages, and La Siesta Resort. All viewpoints are my have.

1. Westgate River Ranch 

Did you know you can have an authentic dude ranch continue to be in the heart of Florida? My prime select for unique resorts in Florida is Westgate River Ranch Vacation resort & Rodeo in River Ranch, a town in Central Florida. You will not want to leave the home when you established foot on this sprawling loved ones-pleasant 1,700-acre wilderness. 

Choose from luxe teepees, Conestoga wagons, glamping tents for luxurious stays, lodge rooms, suites, or one particular- or two-bedroom cottages for right away lodging. And if that wasn’t plenty of, there are tents, platforms, and RV camping spots, much too. Westgate River Ranch lies on the Kissimmee River and has a substantial checklist of features. My favorites ended up the petting farm, airboat experience, swimming pool, swamp buggy journey, Saturday night street and dance party (possibly still on maintain owing to COVID), and riding a golfing cart around the wonderful grounds.

Westgate River Ranch has a standard keep for all of your tenting demands and wishes (with a deli, ice cream, and Starbucks espresso), a enjoyable saloon (for beverages), and an onsite cafe, Smokehouse Grill. I liked the toddler back ribs, baked beans, and coleslaw from Smokehouse. Saturdays are rodeo evenings, with barrel racing, bull using, and trick using as very well as a patriotic all-star overall performance.

Professional Suggestion: Although COVID halted it, Westgate River Ranch’s hayride and sing-along have been among the most fun pursuits I’ve completed in a prolonged time. A tasty buffet-design chuckwagon dinner adopted.

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 mattress and breakfast dripping in Previous World attraction and with a host of exclusive touches. St. Francis Inn is the best area for your pay a visit to to St. Augustine — you almost certainly won’t even will need to get in your car or truck at all. Rooms are a combine of antiques and modern day home furnishings.

The walled courtyard back garden is bursting with color, tropical flowers, and outstanding vegetation. There are seating regions nestled all through the courtyard, best for having fun with the wine and cheese night social hour, fire pit, and nightly do-it-yourself desserts. To say we ate perfectly on this pay a visit to is an understatement.

The heated (seasonally) swimming pool is gorgeous and a terrific way to relax on your family vacation. You will also adore the connoisseur breakfast buffet (the quiche was amazing) they are renowned for or the tasty breakfast packing containers they are at present supplying because of to COVID. 

Professional Idea: Take gain of the complimentary bikes and get to know the beautiful town of St. Augustine. You also acquire no cost admission to the St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum with your stay, and parking at the inn is incorporated.

3. Amelia Schoolhouse Inn

I picked the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn on an impromptu right away in Amelia Island. Just looking at the description of this premier boutique resort in the historic downtown Fernandina Seaside spot was sufficient to lure me in. The inn was built in 1886 as the initial school for Amelia Island. Right now, it is a charming location to remain and has 17 one-of-a-form rooms that strike a spark of nostalgia.

My partner and I chose a Quality Queen Room with tons of area and a colorful rug, hardwood floors, school materials and relevant decor, and a shower/tub combo. All rooms have desks, ceiling enthusiasts, and the cutest retro mini-fridges. 

In the foyer, a modern-day bar space termed The Principal’s Workplace serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer and is an excellent spot for networking and socializing. There is also a beautiful outside swimming pool and putting eco-friendly, furthermore a number of bicycles to lease. A seize-and-go breakfast is included with your keep at Amelia School Inn, as is 24-hour espresso.

We relished the effortless walk to downtown Fernandina Beach front the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn site could not have been improved. They even have free of charge parking. We browsed the local outlets, ate a tasty evening meal, and liked a wonderful espresso and dessert in advance of popping in a ebook store. 

4. Animal Kingdom Lodge

Walt Disney World has quite a few special resorts, but a single stands out in my intellect as the most exceptional — Animal Kingdom Lodge. The place else can you glance out your bedroom window and observe giraffes, zebras, kudu, and gazelle, frequently consuming ideal beside in which you are standing? The photo-ops are incredible, and the knowledge unforgettable. There are several pools, way too, and one (Uzima) shows your favorite Disney videos in the evenings. 

You will discover award-profitable delicacies at the Animal Kingdom Lodge dining places. Indian foodstuff is my favourite cuisine, so I am specifically in heaven having my way as a result of Sanaa for breakfast, lunch, or evening meal.

I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge with my dad and mom and my daughter for a Touring Mother celebration. I’m not absolutely sure which a single of us beloved the lodge the most — my mother and father for the animals, my daughter for the safari-themed space, or me for the tasty dining establishments and super interesting foyer adorned with special African art. 

Pro Tip: If you are visiting the parks, take the free transportation from the resort or park at the theme park absolutely free of demand (considering that you’ve already compensated at the hotel). 

5. Island See Cottages

The Island Look at Cottages, tucked absent on the Indian River in Sebastian on the Treasure Coastline, are a real Florida gem. Choose from 12 professionally adorned rooms that contain hand-painted murals, non-public porches, or nautical bunk beds. Regardless of which cottage you select, the intelligent decor, artsy themes, and comfortable furnishings will acquire you about. This spot is the ideal retreat for finding absent from it all and soothing. 

Considerate distinctive touches at Island View Cottages consist of a welcome snack (local fish dip and orange juice), clean-roasted coffee, and fresh new fruit. A social area is at the back again of the house for collecting, games, yoga, looking at, and observing the large display Television. The marina, with boat slips and a fish cleansing station, is an excellent place for fishing or just enjoying the perspective. Just take a nap in the inviting hammocks, grill/barbecue your meal, make s’mores by the fire pit, or sit outside your area in the furnished out of doors furnishings. 

Fun Fact: 7 of the cottages are doggy helpful, and the home has a doggy operate and not long ago added a pet station, full with a (pretend) hearth hydrant. Beds, bowls, and treats are positioned in the rooms prior to arrival.

6. La Siesta Vacation resort And Marina

All through a Florida Keys excursion, I finished up at the La Siesta Vacation resort and Marina in Islamorada, the Activity Fishing Funds of the planet. This resort is on the historic Abroad Freeway, and belief me, you will not be disappointed. La Siesta has this kind of a welcoming employees as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and parking, and you can continue to be in a lodge space (spacious and tastefully embellished), cottage, or household. 

I loved my room’s subtle decor and earth tones. The grounds are immaculate and sprawling you can loosen up at the attractive infinity pool or chill in 1 of the complimentary chairs together the private seaside. Have a kayak experience or go paddleboarding, snorkeling, or bike driving — it is all bundled in the vacation resort charge. Then, delight in tropical beverages and a mild lunch from Wild & Lime, a poolside snack bar.

La Siesta Vacation resort is component of 4 hotels (Amara Cay, Postcard Inn Beach front Resort & Marina, and Pelican Cove Resort & Marina) in the exact resort spouse and children. A no cost shuttle operates involving them and to close by places to eat inside the same mileage. I endorse checking out every single one particular to look at out the facilities and dine at their dining places.

Pro Idea: La Siesta Resort gives hero, AAA, Florida resident, and senior bargains. You can also preserve by obtaining your lodging a minimum of 14 days in advance. 

7. Hard Rock Lodge Daytona Seashore

The Difficult Rock Resort Daytona Beach front, with 200 rooms, is a rocking good time, commence to complete. The classy resort sits oceanfront and has a person of the most attractive swimming pools on Florida’s east coast. If you can afford to pay for it, splurge on a cabana and delight in the scenery in significant fashion. And talking of high model, get pampered at the award-profitable Rock Spa & Salon. 

The Daytona Seashore Really hard Rock Resort has a wonderful restaurant, Sessions, with fantastic food stuff — you are going to want to acquire advantage of the joyful hour promotions, as well. Of class, it would not be a Difficult Rock encounter without reside songs — and loads of it!

When you to start with move into your lodge room, the audio genre of your selection will greet you. The rooms are wonderful and so comfy! You are going to “sleep like a rock” in the signature beds, and the just one-of-a-variety new music amenities are a authentic address. My favored portion are the flooring-to-ceiling home windows, fantastic for watching the waves on the Atlantic Ocean. Professional Suggestion: If you are touring with a pet, request about Difficult Rock’s VIP pet application.