A Frisbee defies gravity, hovering for what seems like an eternity against a greyish purple sky before it gently descends into a young boy’s hand. The sun has set moments ago leaving just an ethereal afterglow. A gleaming moon emerges from the horizon and ascends into the sky. Out on a vast green Bermuda lawn, families congregate, playing football, flying kites while the sounds of ocean surf provide a serene soundtrack to the moment. It’s about as idyllic of a beach scene as you can imagine, a home away from home. This is the 4-Diamond AAA Hammock Beach.
Located in the under-the-radar Palm Coast (south of Jacksonville and north of Daytona), Hammock Beach seems quite content existing as an undiscovered oasis for families along northeast Florida’s shoreline. The all-suite resort acts like a mini-beachside metropolis featuring seven dining outlets, two championship golf courses, a 10,000-foot spa and an impressive 6.5-acre pool complex that includes several pools (indoor and outdoor), a hybrid beach/pool, a lazy river and a twisting waterslide. Of course all with full food and beverage service.
And many elements of the resort are recently upgraded. The redesigned lobby feels like a stately, yet contemporary mansion; the newly opened Sushi Bar restaurant serves up, among other things, the colossal lobster tempura roll. And one of the resort’s towers which includes all one-bedroom suites just got refreshed.
But perhaps the biggest news was the recent reopening of the fabled Jack Nicklaus signature Ocean Course, known for its 6 ocean holes called “The Bear Claw.” After 2016’s Hurricane Matthew’s tidal surge and strong winds damaged it, the redesign now includes re-grassed fairways, greens and rough with the salt-tolerant Platinum Paspalum, as well as the reconstruction of each tee box, bunker and green complex. The Ocean course joins the waterfalls, babbling brooks and famous island green of the Tom Watson-designed Conservatory Course as Hammock Beach’s second championship course.
Besides the abundance of amenities, what separates Hammock Beach from just about every other resort in Florida are the accommodations; every room is a full-fledged suite—ranging from 1-3 bedroom suites and villas coming in a spacious 2350 square feet. Instead of cramming the clan into a tiny hotel room, Hammock Beach offers families space to breathe, relax and even cook. And after a long day of building sand castles, riding beach bikes, playing golf or floating in the lazy river, isn’t coming back to a home away from home what it’s all about?
Know If You Go
Driving from New Orleans to Palm Coast and Hammock Beach via I-10 will take you about 9 hours. You have 2 choices for flights: flying into Jacksonville Airport (JAX) and drive 80 miles south or of Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) and driving 36 miles north. Rates start at $189 for 1-bedroom suites, $239 for 2-bedrooms and $289 for 3-bedrooms. Your extra resort fees include internet access, complimentary 9-hole putting course, complimentary bike rentals and use of our driving range after 2 pm. For more information on Hammock Beach Resort, visit HammockBeach.com.
