My stay was hosted by Hammock Beach Resort as part of my attendance of the We Grow Retreat. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa is probably not a secret if you’re an avid golfer. Who wouldn’t want a beautiful oceanside course with amazing weather year-round?
But if you’re not a golfer (like me), there’s a lot to consider when staying at Hammock Beach. And you won’t even care if you don’t play golf!
Where is Hammock Beach?
When I was planning this trip, friends would ask where I was going. I kept replying, “I’m not sure. Somewhere off the coast of Florida near Jacksonville.”
That’s mostly right. Hammock Beach Resort is located just over 80 miles from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and just under miles north of Daytona Beach. I flew into JAX for the best pricing and schedules.
The resort is located on a inlet in Flagler County known as Palm Coast. That gives the resort beachfront access up and down the coast and provided guests beautiful views and weather.
Where to Stay at Hammock Beach
You’re gonna want to pay attention here because you have a LOT of options.
Luxury Condos
Let me start with where I stayed and where I have first hand experience. I was attending a small retreat with 5 other women (yes, this is a great place for a girlfriend getaway!).
We were provided complimentary accommodations in two three-bedroom luxury condominiums. That means we each had our own bedroom and bathroom, in addition to shared kitchen, living room, dining room, guest bathroom, and large, beautiful balcony!
I am not a morning person but when my eyelids fluttered first thing, I rushed out to take in what was left of the sunrise over the golf course and ocean, both of which we could see from the condo.
Luxury condos are located on the main grounds of the resort and offer 3 and 4 bedroom options. They are privately owned but managed by the resort and all decor must meet the resort’s standards.
Villas
Villas are also located on the main grounds of the resort but are generally a little smaller (with 2 or 3 bedroom options available) and a tropical view, as opposed to a golf or ocean view.
Oceanview Suites
Oceanview suites are considered premium and are also located in the main tower. They are, as the name suggest, one bedroom suites with a view of the ocean.
The Lodge Hotel
Directly in front of the ocean in a separate but close building, you’ll find the Lodge Hotel. It’s a boutique hotel offering just 20 rooms and accommodates like a true hotel. So you’ll need to go out to eat for every meal (no kitchen!). Isn’t that how vacation should be anyway?
Vacation Rentals
What’s great about all of the options above is that everything is taken care of for you. But if you’re looking for a more traditional vacation rental, you can find 2 and 3 bedroom condo rentals on the grounds but driving distance from the main resort. Vacation homes are also available for larger groups.
Where to Eat at Hammock Beach
You don’t actually have to go anywhere to eat if you stay in one of the rooms that includes a kitchen (all but the Lodge Hotel). When I’m on vacation, I do NOT like to cook so kitchens are entirely relevant for me.
But since this was a retreat, we enjoyed spending time together every morning for a casual breakfast in one of the condos and a glass of wine in the evenings. We even had an evening of just wine an charcuterie for dinner (thanks to the lovely and talented Sarah from Savoring the Good!).
Here’s where we spent the rest of our meals on property.
Delfinos
Delfinos is touted as an Italian Chophouse which means it serves two of my favorite things: steak and pasta. But since I knew I’d have to fit into a swimsuit, I skipped the pasta and went for the filet mignon option and it didn’t disappoint.
Not only was the food top notch (and my steak was cooked to perfection) but the appetizers and desserts were up to par as well. The biggest bonus for me, though, was the outstanding service and great wine selection (I’m a bit of a wine snob).
Ocean Bar & Cafe
Ocean Bar & Cafe is designed for poolside dining. If you’re not a golfer, you’ll probably be spending most of your time by the pool (more on that below). So why get up when it’s time to eat or drink?
We were given a complete food and drink menu poolside and I waited for my cheeseburger and fries. I mean, it’s pool food, right? Except that it was absolutely delicious. I filled up on fries, tater tots, and this lovely gin and champagne drink called a French 85. That’s probably why I didn’t care about how I looked in my swimsuit!
Atlantic Grille
Atlantic Grille hosted us for two meals – dinner and breakfast the following morning. If I had to tell you to pick one meal at Atlantic Grille, I’d say…
Never mind. I can’t pick. They were both so good for different reasons. For dinner, I enjoyed a meal on the lighter side choosing a Kale Caesar Salad with Salmon.
And I’m glad I did because they provided us with a complete sample of desserts. Trust me when I say you haven’t lived until you’ve had Boston Cream Churros.
The next morning for breakfast, this Maryland girl tried her luck at a crab dish when I ordered the Crab Benedict. Instead of giving you my thoughts, I’ll just let you know that I ended with a clean plate. They also have a lovely tea selection if you’re a tea snob like me.
What to Do at Hammock Beach
Let’s start with the obvious things to do at Hammock Beach: golf, pools, ocean, dining.
As I mentioned, I’m not a golfer but I do like the rest. There’s a lot to explore, some of which I didn’t even get the chance to do.
Pools, Pools, and More Pools
There are 9 pools at Hammock Beach and I think I visited them all. Here’s a quick list along with mention of my favorites!
The Fantasy Pool Complex has a pool for everyone. Because I was traveling without kids, I took complete advantage of the adult pool on the upper level of the pool complex. Conveniently, that’s also where the pool bar is.
You’ll also find a no entry pool, a family pool, a lazy river, a surprising fun water slide (that I rode about 10 times!) and a pool-sized hot tub.
If the sun isn’t or thing (or rain, depending on the day), you’ll even find a indoor pool with a little quiet alcove of hot tubs nearby.
Beach Time
Hammock Beach likes to joke that the biggest pool they have is the Atlantic Ocean (it’s a saltwater pool, of course). I like to look at the beach and swim in the pool. But if you want to spend the afternoon out at the beach, they have umbrellas and chairs and alert you to the weather and tide conditions.
Spa Treatments
I’m going to sound like a typical woman here and tell you I’ll take spa treatments any day over golf. And I did! Hammock Beach gifted me a pedicure at their Spa (which still look fabulous two weeks later!). And I opted for a mini-facial just before.
As you would expect, the spa is calm and refreshing and the staff was over the top.
Games and Fun
If you want more than golf, pools, beaches, food + drink, there’s still more to do. I didn’t get a chance to try these out but they have a lovely miniature golf course, tennis courts, bicycle rental, kids camp, gaming area, boutique, and lots of places to just sit, relax, and enjoy the view.
What’s Near Hammock Beach
The great thing about Hammock Beach is that you don’t have to go anywhere once you arrive. But if you are looking to go off-property for some fun activities, there are plenty of things nearby if you have a car.
Marineland
Have you ever wanted to swim with dolphins? I had mixed feelings about it but knew I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get up close and personal with dolphins. As a group, we headed to Marineland, an official partner of the resort and just a short drive away.
This historic site was founded in 1928 as Marine Studios and today it hosts free-swimming dolphins that can’t be released into the wild. And the pictures of our interactions? Priceless!
Flagler Beach
Also close by is the beachside town of Flagler Beach. We stopped in for lunch with a view at Funky Pelican, while we sampled some local brews and munched on alligator (it really does takes like chicken!).
In our effort to help stimulate the economy, we also hit up a few of the local shops. We found unique items and even a shop cat! If you have time, you’ll want to pay the small admission and take a walk out on the long pier.
St. Augustine
About a half hour north of Hammock Beach, you’ll find the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, founded in 1565. It’s known for its Spanish architecture and influence which you can feel just driving through. But it’s also full of cute little shops and restaurants and is home to Flagler College.
I literally had time to pass through so I made sure I checked out local attractions like the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Castillo San Marcos, a large Spanish stone fortress.
Daytona Beach
If you head 45 minutes south of Hammock Beach instead, you’ll find yourself in Daytona Beach, home of the famous motorway, Spring Break, and long drives on the beach. I didn’t head south on this trip but on a future trip, I plan to while checking out The Casements in Ormond Beach on the way.
Video Tour of Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa
If you really want a flavor for what’s at Hammock Beach, allow me to show you. Here’s a quick video tour of everything I could find at the resort!
