Journey: It’s Laborious Not To Rock In Daytona

Laborious Rock Resort opened its Daytona Seashore location within the spring of 2018, however to not be outdone, the pinnacle workplace simply carried out a large, multimillion-dollar renovation of the 200-room beachside resort.

Once I pulled as much as the resort for a keep a couple of weeks in the past, it was basically a monsoon exterior. Water was falling more durable than I did that one time I attempted curling. I saved searching for random bros and school college students to get washed down the road puffing on their vapes and sitting on big unicorn floats, however I settled for the view of random palm leaves and Large Gulp cups as an alternative. 

The self-parking lot was throughout the road within the aforementioned hurricane so I opted for the valet so I didn’t mess up my hair, threw my keys on the startled middle-aged lady with the useful high bun and sun-baked cheeks, and sashayed into check-in, which was simple and breezy due to the assistance of the (allegedly) Russian mannequin man on the entrance desk.

Foyer

Courtesy Laborious Rock Resort

The reworked lobby is bedecked with every part you’d anticipate from the Laborious Rock model, together with a be-glittered mural by Orlando-based artist Andrew Spear, a disco ball limousine that Madonna partied in on the best way to the forty third Grammy Awards, classic outfits, and a dangling sculpture created from outdated vinyl data. The entire thing appeared very Miami and smelled like cash. I cherished it. There was even a giant show case of mermaid tails from Bette Midler’s Las Vegas residency at Caesar’s Palace, which made it simply homosexual sufficient for me to really feel comfy and never so homosexual that households have been hiding of their rooms or to make husbands put on t-shirts within the pool so I wouldn’t have a look at them too lengthy. Goldilocks Homosexual, the right center.

Jonas Brother

Courtesy Laborious Rock Resort

The guestrooms have all been redone and my seventh-floor suite was simply what the physician ordered. Effectively, simply what the PR individual ordered, anyway. There was even a large photograph of one of many Jonas brothers over the mattress along with his arms outstretched, like he was welcoming me on behalf of the resort. 

It was the one married to Priyanka Chopra, not the one married to Sansa Stark. 

The view of the ocean from the non-public balcony was nearly utterly uninterrupted. Now it was time to move to the bar for a drink. 

Classes is the identify of the onsite restaurant which additionally contains a bar space overlooking the pool deck. I used to be a lone single male, so I made a decision to not sit on my own in line of the pool in case somebody thought I used to be creepy and stayed inside at a two-top the place individuals would simply really feel like I received stood up by a good-looking date who was most likely too good for me. The meals was easy, enjoyable, and recent and had me flashbacking to the times once I used to serve tables at Laborious Rock Cafe at Common Studios with objects like bacon and blue cheese-covered tater tots and grilled Mahi sandwiches. 

It was concurrently comforting and nostalgic, and had me tipping the servers a bit an excessive amount of, and making an attempt to choke again the phrases, “It’s cool, I used to serve too.” As a result of that’s condescending and I’m higher than that. The resort has 24-hour in-room eating too, so I simply did some small poke apps and issues on the bar to let individuals assume I don’t eat that a lot after which I gorged on room service later when no person may gasp at how briskly I eat a burger. For the document, it’s actually quick and a bit harmful. 

Facilities

Courtesy Laborious Rock Resort

The resort has added a couple of enjoyable facilities because the renovations to maintain individuals occupied and on-property, which I ought to point out. Their “The Sound of Your Keep” program permits you to take a look at a vinyl document participant and data to set the temper in your suite they usually even have Fender guitars you may take a look at and apply with in your room. I came upon concerning the latter as a result of there was an attractive man within the room subsequent to mine who saved strumming on his guitar on the patio. Shirtless. He wasn’t that nice at it, however gurl, he seemed the half and it made me wish to order one other burger.

The revamped Roxity Youth Membership on the underside ground of the resort is a enjoyable spot to ship your youngsters in the event that they don’t do solar that effectively. It’s stuffed with arcade video games and sportsball issues to maintain them occupied and out of your hair whilst you end your margarita on the bar, and it’s meant for teenagers of all ages. 

There was even a rooftop live performance space that featured performances on the Friday and Saturday nights I used to be there. The bands have been enjoyable and edgy and even had some Daytona Seashore grit to them that I appreciated and didn’t actually anticipate to see at a resort venue. And so they effectively, actually rocked it out for everybody in attendance. The vibe with the outside bar, the live shows, and the pool deck actually made the resort the best child on the block, so far as I may see. I even caught a couple of forlorn-looking friends at adjoining properties gazing up in any respect the enjoyable we have been having with out them.

Pool Space

Courtesy Laborious Rock Resort

There are two swimming pools and an outsized scorching tub accessible exterior, and certainly one of them is even formed like a guitar. As a result of, Laborious Rock. They’ve loads of seating exterior and an outside bathe, in addition to some non-public lounge seating with covers if you wish to really feel bougie or have an Instagrammable place to maintain your seashore bag. For those who favor your swimming with extra salt, you may simply pop all the way down to the non-public beachside by way of the ramp in the back of the pool space and tip-toe to the surf in only a few seconds. Giant pier-like pillars hinder vehicles from having the ability to drive by, so you actually solely want to fret concerning the seashore patrol operating you over, if you wish to spend your day within the sand as an alternative of by the pool.

Stuff to Do

Daytona Seashore correct is, as most know, fairly the celebration city. You’ll be able to throw a beer coaster and hit something from a school pupil dance corridor to a leather-clad biker bar. However exterior of the downtown touristy peanut butter heart are a slew of random facet quests simply ready to be unlocked.

The Holly Hill Gnome Tree 

Whereas some locals may discuss with this as “a dumb outdated tree {that a} loopy girl places gnome crap on,” I’d discuss with it as a shrine to whimsy, in a city that might use a bit of pixie mud. The tree is situated alongside the Halifax River and was began by Virginia and Dewey Morris in 2003. Now individuals convey little gnomes so as to add to the ever-growing assortment and any little notes and letters which are dropped at the gnomes are then dropped at the Holly Hill Historical past Museum the place they’re logged and saved.

Appreciating Mailboxes
For some unknown motive, Daytona Seashore residents have chosen to specific themselves via their mailboxes. All alongside State Highway A1A, mailboxes have develop into not solely priceless roadside landmarks and wayfinding gadgets for vacationers looking for their Airbnb and summer season leases, however testaments to residents who’ve made it via hurricanes and pure disasters. They scream “we made it via,” or “nonetheless right here,” simply by present curbside and the majority of them are bizarre and colloquial declarations of standing and sticktoitiveness. Hire a golf cart from the entrance of Laborious Rock Resort and take a spin. You received’t be sorry.

Brownie the Canine’s Tombstone 

Okay, so there are in truth two historic canine figures in Daytona’s previous named Brownie, however the one I went to search out was Brownie the Submit Workplace Canine, who was laid to relaxation on the stunning submit workplace constructing again in 1970. Brownie used to sleep on the mail baggage and assist the mailmen ship mail all around the space earlier than he handed away they usually buried him on the submit workplace with an lovely little grave. 

Ruins of Bongoland 

On the outskirts of city, within the ruins of an outdated plantation and sugar mill, you’ll discover the failed try and make a 1940’s amusement park known as Bongoland. It lasted for 4 years and you may’t discover a lot proof of it aside from a sequence of horrific hand-sculpted cement dinosaurs which are so ugly they’re stunning. The sugar mill itself has an attention-grabbing story, as Seminoles efficiently drove the plantation operators out of the realm throughout the Seminole Wars. 

Statue of Invincible Chief Tomokie
Native artist Fred Dana Marsh erected this 45-foot sculpture of legendary Timucuan Chief Tomokie within the fantastically derelict Tomoka State Park. On the very tip of the park, you’ll discover the chief standing atop a bit of mountain scene, tipping over a “sacred drink cup” and pouring its shocking quantity of water down a cliff. Apparently, the scene was only a bizarre fantasy story that Marsh got here up with, however the thought of a neighborhood tribe having a sacred chalice sounds very Indiana Jones to me and I’m right here for it. I noticed a gopher tortoise there too, so it’s clearly a magical place.