DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort has completed a $25 million renovation aimed at evolving and elevating the resort’s offerings for guests. Formerly known as the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village, the hotel is now operating under the name Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and remains the largest full-service beachfront hotel in Daytona Beach.
“One goal of the renovation was to create a true resort environment where our guests can unwind, and we’ve always felt that our prime oceanfront location is one of the most appealing aspects of the experience we offer,” said Jim Berkley, general manager of Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. “So, we decided to take one of our best attributes and make it an official part of our name. We sought a shorter, more concise identity that directly incorporates our oceanfront locale in order to better reflect the sense of place our property offers. With the newly redesigned spaces and upscale amenities brought about through our renovation, it seemed like the ideal time to make a change in how we identify ourselves.”
Started in 2016, the multi-million dollar project involved extensive enhancements to various areas of the property, including its meeting and special event spaces, dining and entertainment venues, pools and beachside cabanas, lobby and common areas.
The resort’s 60,000 square feet of meeting space has been refreshed with new wall coverings, carpet and high-end light fixtures. The aesthetic for the reimagined spaces incorporates a soft, modern color palette, offering a sophisticated and elegant setting for corporate events, weddings and seasonal occasions. Updates to the resort’s Ocean View Room, which offers floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean, include new furniture, lighting and access to the hotel’s North Tower deck for event scalability.
In addition to its meeting and special event spaces, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort’s 30 beachfront cabana suites underwent a ground-up renovation. The updated suites feature new beach-washed porcelain tile flooring, drapes, furniture and bathroom fixtures, as well as upgraded showers with rain showerhead fixtures, granite-topped TV consoles and semi-private patios overlooking the ocean.
The property’s expansive resort-style pool areas had new flooring and decking installed and now offer increased seating and lounge chair capacity. New furniture, landscaping, semi-covered loungers and a cascading waterfall were also added to create the ultimate relaxation experience. Further, the poolside Pelican Bar was removed in an effort to give pool-goers an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean. The newly reconfigured pool deck repositions the bar at the north end of the pool, allowing guests to lounge poolside while taking in one of the best views the resort offers. The new outdoor bar was named The Blind Turtle and offers an updated food and beverage menu featuring casual street fare-themed dishes and a variety of specialty cocktails, wines by the glass and local and imported beers.
In addition to The Blind Turtle, the renovation included an overhaul of the resort’s south tower lobby bar. Formerly known as Clocktower Lounge, the venue was renamed McCoys Rum Room and features inviting lounge areas with warm, plush seating, café tables and a large U-shaped bar in a space with sophisticated beach-inspired décor and a stage for live entertainment. McCoys Rum Room incorporates a rum-centric concept with a mid-century modern vibe and carries The Real McCoy® suite of three, five and 12-year-aged rums. It offers the largest selection of rum in east Central Florida and overlooks Daytona Beach’s Historic Clocktower.
Rebranding efforts for the resort’s food and beverage outlets will culminate with the opening of Don Ricos Fresh-Mex Grill on Oct. 19. Located in the space formerly occupied by Legends Sports Bar, the updated venue offers a menu inspired by fresh, local seafood and signature cocktails made from fine spirits in a setting with soft lighting, modern furniture and vivid colors.
Enhancements to the property also include a redesigned lobby area with a contemporary look that incorporates soft hues and tones, lush greenery, new tiling and beautiful artwork, complementing the aesthetic for the renovated meeting spaces. The resort’s exterior color scheme was updated with water blues and slate gray tones, and a new exterior signage package was installed.
Additional updates were made to the resort’s D-Dawg’s Kidzone, an on-site play area offering kid-friendly activities, as well as its Beach Emporium Gift Shop and The Spa at the Hilton. A new, life-size checkerboard was installed at D-Dawg’s Kidzone, along with the latest video game consoles, a foosball table, and arts and crafts in a freshly carpeted, fun environment. The Spa at the Hilton’s facial and massage equipment underwent a top-to-bottom revamp and the Pevonia Botanica® spa product line was added. Lastly, the resort’s Beach Emporium Gift Shop has a newly stocked inventory of souvenirs, beach fashion and accessories.
“This is a period of rebirth for our property, and we're excited to unveil all of the updates we’ve made as a result of the renovation to locals and visitors alike,” said Berkley. “Our hotel has a rich Daytona Beach history, and these latest updates celebrate that, while allowing us to evolve the quintessential oceanfront experience we offer all under one roof.”
