The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort Website (800) 536-8477 (386) 254-8200 100 N. Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Map
The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort features 742 guest rooms, beachfront cabanas and suites, offering spectacular views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and breathtaking sunrises. A full 41 of those rooms are handicapped accessible, 7 have roll in showers, and 34 have grab bars.
Arrival: The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort has two entrances, a north entrance and a south entrance and both offer automatic doors.
Parking: The Hilton offers valet parking only, so you cannot park your vehicle yourself. Parking is however, half-price for people with disabilities (YEAH!). I asked them if they could park a car with hand-controls, and they assured me someone trained to drive using hand-controls would always be on duty. If your vehicle is one with hand-controls and no driver's seat (because you stay in your chair when driving), the valet people will direct you to the north entrance. The north entrance has room right next to the doors where you can leave your vehicle. I would strongly suggest making arrangements by phone before arrival to keep this process as smooth as possible. During my visit there, I got the feeling they were more than willing to help in any way.
On the lobby floor, there is a restaurant, a bar, and a coffee/pastry shop, and there are lots of little seating areas inside and outside where you can enjoy a refreshing beverage. The outside seating areas offer a beautiful view of the beach and ocean.
The elevators are roomy, and the buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to press. There is Braille under the elevator buttons and under the room numbers.
Room Amenities: The rooms are spacious, and the furniture can be moved if necessary. If the bed is not high enough for a Hoyer Lift to fit underneath, the front desk will be more than willing to find something to raise the bed so that it will fit.
The bathrooms are spacious and accessible, with railing installed next to both the commode and shower. The shower has a shower seat and a long hose with a showerhead attached. Some of the wheelchair accessible rooms have roll-in showers, and a wheelchair can easily fit underneath the sinks.
The rooms offer high-speed Internet access, and speakerphones are available from the front desk upon request. Room amenities include in-room movies, coffeemaker, iron/ironing board, Sony Playstation®, Hilton Family Clock with MP3 connectivity, room service and a complimentary USA Today delivered to your room daily.
Property Features: The pool is accessible by a long, gently sloping ramp with plenty of room on the deck. The spacious deck is great for maneuvering around or just stretching out under the hot Florida sun.
A beach approach is only one block south of the Hilton, and it allows easy access to the beach for a wheelchair. Even though many parts the local area allow cars to drive on the beach, this particular section in front of the Hilton does not. It's perfect for families to take a leisurely stroll or roll along the shore. *Warning! Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. You might want to try Surf Chairs, provide by Volusia County for disabled visitors. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon For more information, click here: Beach information for the disabled.
Be sure to take the hotel elevators to the bottom floor so you can cruise down the boardwalk (South) to get a soda, a hotdog, some pizza, an ice cream cone, or all of the above! There you'll also find some crazy thrill-contraption. that will slingshot people straight up into the air. When I tried to do this, I was told I could not participate because of my condition (C 4/5 Quadriplegic). However, it is a lot of fun to watch.
If you do decide to cruise up the boardwalk (North), you'll end up at the Ocean Walk Shoppes. It is also connected to the HiltonDaytona BeachOceanWalkVillage, via covered walkways. This multi-level shopping, entertainment complex provides guests with a complete shopping, dining and entertainment center. Enjoy some of the following options: 10 screen digital sound movie theatres (wheelchairs have elevator access to top row of seats). Very cool!
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
Adobe Gila's Margarita Fajita Cantina
Mai Tai Bar
Johnny Rocket's - The Original Hamburger
Maui Nix Surf Shop
Cold Stone Creamery
Hog Heaven BBQ
Starbucks Coffee
Harley-Davidson Apparel
Bath Junkie
Planet Smoothie
Daytona Beach Candle Gallery
The hotel is also located directly across from the Ocean Center Convention Center offering over 60,000 sq. ft of meeting & exhibit space -- and tripling in size by 2009! On-Property Restaurants: There are several restaurants to choose from at the Hilton. For a list and descriptions of these, click here: Daytona Beach Hilton Restaurants & Lounges
Recreation & Activities: There is a lot to do while staying at this beautiful, large hotel. To find out more, click here: Daytona Beach Hilton Recreation & Activities
The Hilton is an elegant resort hotel that sits in a prime location with much to offer.
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Daytona Beach Website (800) 804-7851 (386) 255-5494 930 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Map
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites is a gorgeous hotel that sits right on the beautiful beach.
Arrival: You'll find five handicapped parking spaces very close to the automatic front doors of the Holiday Inn. Getting inside is a breeze! To check in, the Holiday Inn has a special lowered sign-in counter that pulls out like a drawer from the regular counter to assist someone in a wheelchair. The lobby is spacious and easily maneuverable. From the lobby, you can easily get to a restaurant, an indoor/outdoor bar, or a door that leads to the pool and an outdoor bar, which overlook the ocean.
Room Amenities: The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites has 123 rooms; six of them are wheelchair accessible and two of them have roll-in showers. Shower chairs are available upon request. The telephones are speakerphones, and TTY phones are available at the front desk. The furniture is movable if necessary, and there are no obstacles under the bed if a Hoyer Lift is necessary. The bed may have to be raised to accommodate a Hoyer Lift, but the staff would gladly provide assistance. Some of the rooms have balconies, and there is a 2-inch lip between the room and the balcony. If you call ahead, Holiday Inn will provide a ramp to get over the lip and onto the balcony.
Property Features: The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites has a very roomy restaurant and an indoor/outdoor bar where you can relax and enjoy a meal and a drink. The outdoor pool is surrounded by a fence and gate, and there is lots of room to stretch out under the sunshine.
Less than 1/2 mile to the south, you'll find the Seabreeze Blvd. beach approach. Here you can take your vehicle or your wheelchair onto the beach. *Warning! Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. You might want to try Surf Chairs! Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon For more information, click here: Beach information for the disabled.
Seabreeze Blvd. is also famous for its exciting nightlife! Packed into this area is a diverse conglomeration of restaurants & entertainment. If you're hungry, you can choose among seafood, Japanese, Italian, pizzerias & more. If you're ready to party down, you'll find bands, bars, dance clubs, and more. There are also many souvenir shops in this area where you can find Daytona Beach memorabilia to take home with you.
A little farther to the south, you'll find the Ocean Walk Shoppes. This multi-level shopping, entertainment complex provides guests with a complete shopping, dining, and entertainment center. Enjoy one of the following options:
10 screen digital sound movie theatres (wheelchairs have elevator access to top row of seats). Very cool! Showtimes
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
Adobe Gila's Margarita Fajita Cantina
Mai Tai Bar
Johnny Rocket's - The Original Hamburger
MauiNix Surf Shop
Cold Stone Creamery
Starbucks Coffee
Harley-Davidson Apparel
BathJunkie
Planet Smoothie
Daytona Beach Candle Gallery
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Daytona Beach is a beautiful hotel with a great staff.
Ramada Inn Speedway Website (800) 352-2722 (386) 255-2722 1798 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Map
The Ramada Inn Speedway is located across the street from the famous Daytona International Speedway and the DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE (formerly DAYTONA USA) attraction and Daytona International Airport. It is also on the very corner of the Volusia Mall property, Daytona Beach's largest mall. Shopping is at your fingertips, along with a long list of restaurants in every direction.
Arrival: For the disabled, Ramada Inn offers disabled parking that can be reserved, they offer luggage racks, and they have someone to help bring luggage to the room. It helps to call ahead with an estimated arrival time. When signing in, the counter at the Ramada Inn has been lowered to accommodate someone in a wheelchair.
Room Amenities: The rooms are spacious, and the furniture can be moved if necessary. The bathrooms are accessible with railing next to both the toilet and the shower, and the shower has a shower seat and a long hose with a showerhead attached. Some of the wheelchair accessible rooms have roll in showers, and a wheelchair can easily fit underneath the sinks.
The rooms offer computer access, and speakerphones are available from the front desk upon request.
Property Features: The Ramada Inn has an inviting pool with plenty of room on the deck for a wheelchair, and is equipped with a safety barrier around the pool's edge... great for wheelchair users and the visually impaired.
Hungry? Uno's Pizzeria is right next door with an entrance directly into the Ramada Inn lobby. Open for lunch and dinner, Uno's is a delicious and convenient choice for guests at the Ramada Inn. In addition, the restaurant is very accessible for wheelchairs.
The Ramada Inn is in the most convenient and centralized location that Daytona Beach has to offer. In addition to the being across the street from the famous Daytona International Speedway, DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE, and Daytona International Airport, it is only a couple of minutes from I-95, the Daytona Beach Kennel Club (Greyhound racing), dozens of restaurants, shoping galore and much much more.
Oceanside Inn Website (800) 224-5056 (386) 255-4492 1909 S. Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Map
The Oceanside Inn is a beautiful hotel located in the Daytona Beach Shores where every view is an ocean view.
Arrival: The Oceanside Inn offers disabled parking that can be reserved, they offer luggage racks, and they will gladly assist with bringing luggage to the room. For assistance with luggage, it helps to call ahead with an estimated arrival time. The lobby bathrooms have ample room, and the bathroom doors can easily be opened from the inside by simply waiting your hand over a sensor. A section of the front desk has been lowered so someone in a wheelchair can conveniently sign in. The elevator buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to use, and doorway widths are all adequately wide enough for wheelchairs. The hotel offers WIFI.
Room Amenities: Of the 178 rooms at the Oceanside Inn, seven are wheelchair accessible. The rooms offer ocean views and some offer refrigerators and microwaves. The furniture is movable if necessary, and there are no obstacles under the bed if a Hoyer Lift is necessary. The bed may have to be raised to accommodate a Hoyer Lift, but the staff would gladly provide assistance. Speaker phones, TTY phones, a vibrating alarm clock, and a vibrating door-knock system are available from the front desk upon request.
The bathroom offers adequate railing in the roll-in shower and by the toilet. The shower has a hose with a showerhead, and the bathroom sink is low with enough room for a wheelchair to fit underneath it.
Property Features: The Oceanside Inn is in a great location on the beach. It is just one block from a beach access ramp, which is used by cars and pedestrians. Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to easily be pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon
In addition to the great dinner-only restaurant in the hotel's lobby, some nearby restaurants include Steve's Famous Diner (home style cooking), Stavro's Original Pizza House, and an assortment of fast food, Oriental, pizza, breakfast, coffee, and tavern establishments.
Bahama House Website (800) 571-2001 (386) 248-2001 2001 S. Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Map
The Bahama House is a gorgeous hotel that ranks highest among those I've seen in terms of accessibility to the disabled. All rooms offer an ocean view and the disability accommodations are superior.
Arrival: Four large accessible parking spaces are found close to the front door, and can be reserved upon request. There are two sets of automatic doors at the entrance allowing smooth and unobstructed passage into and out of the hotel.
Luggage racks are available, and the courteous staff will assist in bringing the luggage to your room. When assistance is needed, it helps to make prior arrangements with an estimated arrival time.
The elevators are large enough to allow a wheelchair to turn around, and the elevator buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to push. All of the doorways that I encountered are more than wide enough for a wheelchair. Braille inscription is found under elevator buttons and on room number signs.
Room Amenities: The rooms are spacious, and the furniture can be moved if necessary. The rooms include an easily accessible balcony large enough for a wheelchair to turn around. The bed is high enough for a Hoyer Lift to fit underneath.
The bathrooms are spacious and accessible with railing installed next to both the commode and shower. The shower has a shower seat and a long hose with a showerhead attached. Some of the wheelchair accessible rooms have roll in showers, and a wheelchair can easily fit underneath the sinks. The rooms offer computer access, and speakerphones are available from the front desk upon request.
Property Features: The pool is accessible by a long, gently sloping ramp with plenty of room on the deck. The spacious deck is great for maneuvering around or just stretching out under the hot Florida sun. The pool is equipped with a safety barrier, great for wheelchair users and the visually impaired. There is a beach access ramp directly next door for cars and pedestrians to easily get on the beach. Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering, however beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach.
Hungry? Try the daily continental breakfast or something from the nearby restaurants. These include Steve's Famous Diner (home style cooking), Stavro's Original Pizza House, and an assortment of fast food, Oriental, pizza, breakfast, coffee, and tavern establishments.
I love the serene location, the overall beauty, and the high quality accommodations found at this hotel.
Comfort Inn On The Beach Website (877) 424-6423 (386) 677-8550 507 S Atlantic Ave Ormond Beach, FL 32176 Map
The Comfort Inn on the Beach is a nice, clean, beachside hotel with 47 rooms -- and two of the rooms have recently been refurbished to make them wheelchair accessible. It is centrally located near grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, pizza houses, gift shops, and much more.
There are two accessible parking spaces close to the lobby, and these can be reserved upon request. The door to the lobby is not electric, so it is important to call ahead with an estimated arrival time.
Luggage racks are available, and the courteous staff will assist in bringing the luggage to your room. The lobby includes a table to make check-in easier for someone in a wheelchair.
The elevators are large enough to allow a wheelchair to turn around, and the elevator buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to push. All of the doorways that I encountered are more than wide enough for a wheelchair. Braille inscription is found under elevator buttons and under room numbers.
Room Amenities: The doorway is easily wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and the rooms are spacious. The furniture can be moved and, if necessary, the staff will gladly raise the bed to accommodate a hoyer lift.
The bathrooms are easy to enter, spacious, and I had no trouble making a 360° turn. The shower area includes railing installed next to the shower, a built in shower chair, a removable shower chair, and a long hose with a showerhead attached. One of the wheelchair accessible rooms has a roll in shower, and the sink is low enough for a wheelchair to fit underneath. There is no railing directly next to the toilet, but a counter is there to aid in transferring.
The rooms offer WIFI and speakerphones with cords long enough to reach the bedside table. You'll also find a nice, roomy work station, and the front desk will be glad to fax or copy documents. TTY is available upon request.
The Comfort Inn also offers smoking and non-smoking rooms. Small dogs are allowed for a nominal fee (seeing eye dogs are always welcome for free), and all rooms offer microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, and refrigerators.
Property Features: The pool deck is spacious and great for maneuvering around or just stretching out under the hot Florida sun. The pool is equipped with a safety barrier, great for wheelchair users and the visually impaired. There is a beach access ramp nearby to the north for cars and pedestrians to easily get on the beach. Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. However, beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click here:Beach information for the disabled.
Lilian Place Bed & Breakfast Website (386) 323-9913 111 Silver Beach Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Map
Lilian Place B&B is a quaint and beautiful 19th-century home nestled on the banks of the Halifax River. It has a big and beautiful, lush backyard with plenty of sunshine and shade. I have probably driven by there a hundred times, but I never realized what a charming place it was until I recently visited it. It sits right on the northeast corner of the Silver Beach Bridge, so it always has a beautiful view and plenty of fresh air. Arrival: When I arrived at Lilian Place B&B, I noticed a large house and a smaller one next to it. The smaller house has a wheelchair accessible parking spot right next to one of the two downstairs rooms. The wheelchair accessible room is right next to the parking spot. Before arriving, I would call the owner, Mike Riccitello, and let him know your on the way.
Mike is a really nice guy. He came out and greeted me, told me a little bit about the history of the house and showed me the room.
Room Amenities: Mike rearranges the room slightly for a wheelchair, and this really helps with maneuverability. It has a double bed, a large accessible bathroom, and hard laminate floors for easy maneuverability. If the bed is not high enough for a hoyer lift, he will gladly raise it for you.
The bathroom is spacious and accessible with railing installed next to both the commode and shower. It has a roll-in shower (nice), a shower seat upon request, and a long hose with a showerhead attached.
Property Features:There are walkways and ramps leading from the room to the larger house (it's not far at all), and lush foliage is everywhere. It really is beautiful. There is a nice back porch that wraps around the house and offers a peaceful place to drink coffee and enjoy a nice view of the river.
I followed Mike into the house and saw a large dining room to my left, a parlor to my right, and a stairway and hall in front of me. I easily went into the dining room where Mike serves breakfast. He is a versatile cook, and he offers delicious breakfasts. After seeing the dining room, I went into the parlor and through to the front foyer where I found another wheelchair accessible bathroom. This one is a little smaller, but it is accessible and it has railing. Mike had to move a chair for me to get through the parlor, but I had no problem moving in and out of the dining room and porch area.
Lilian Place B&B is in a great location. Just on the other side of the bridge (West) is BeachStreet where you'll find an assortment of restaurants, gift shops, antique shops, and even a chocolate factory where you can tour and receive some free chocolate! It is a lot of fun.
If you go the other direction from Lilian Place (East), you'll go straight to the beach. Remember, beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click herefor Beach information for the disabled.
Hawaiian Inn Website (386) 255-5411 2301 S Atlantic Ave Daytona Beach, FL 32118-5321 Map
The Hawaiian Inn offers a charming Hawaiian flavor. It has 208 rooms total. Five rooms and five parking spots are available for the disabled. If you call ahead with an arrival time, Hawaiian Inn staff will gladly have someone available to help you with bags and the lobby door.
Arrival: The lobby is large and roomy, and it offers wireless Internet and a pretty good-sized restroom. The lobby restroom has rails, a raised sink, and a private toilet for those in wheelchairs.
The elevators are spacious enough for a wheelchair, and Braille can be found under both the elevator buttons and the room numbers.
Room Amenities: The Hawaiian Inn's rooms are nice, and they have ocean views and balconies. The doorway to the balcony is 28-1/2 inches wide, plenty wide enough for my 27 inch-wide chair. A speakerphone is available and has a cord long enough to reach the bedside table. Staff is more than happy to raise the bed upon request. (I've had that done to accommodate my Hoyer lift, which requires an 8-inch clearance.) The bathroom is equipped with rails and a high sink, and shower benches are available upon request.
Property Features: The hotel offers several amenities. There is a large outdoor pool and deck, as well as an indoor pool. Other fun extras include shuffleboard, putt-putt golf, a Hawaiian gazebo, and even some hammocks. Also at the Hawaiian Inn, you'll find a breakfast buffet, a coffee shop, a laundry room, a poolside bar/grill called the Tiki Room, and an authentic Luau show Tuesday through Sunday nights.
The Hawaiian Inn is in a great location on the beach. Some of the local restaurants in the area include Italian, Chinese, pizza, and home style cooking. The hotel is just one block from a beach access ramp, which is used by cars and pedestrians. Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. Surf Chairs are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to easily be pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information on Surf Chairs, just click here.
Quality Inn & Suites Website (386) 672-2651 295 S Atlantic Ave Ormond Beach, FL 32176 Map
The Quality Inn is a nice medium-sized hotel located in Ormond Beach. It sits on a fairly quiet stretch of beach, but it is still surrounded by several restaurants, parks, grocery stores, and shops.
Arrival: The Quality Inn has 54 rooms total, and four of them are handicapped accessible. The hotel is four stories high, with an accessible room on each floor. Of the 57 parking spots, four of them are designated for handicapped vehicles. Before checking in, be sure to call the front desk with an estimated arrival time, and the staff will be happy to help you with baggage and doors.
When entering the lobby, you'll find a lowered counter to help someone in a wheelchair during check-in. The elevators are large enough to fit a wheelchair, and Braille can be found under both the elevator buttons and the room numbers.
Room Amenities: The handicapped rooms the Quality Inn are nice. They are roomy, and furniture can easily be moved to accommodate a wheelchair. The bed can be raised upon request for someone with a Hoyer lift. A speakerphone is available upon request, the phone cord is long enough to reach the bedside table, and TTY/TDD is available from the front desk. The room also offers a microwave and a lowered refrigerator.
In my opinion, what defines a good handicapped accessible room most is the bathroom, and the ones here are very nice. All four are roomy and include roll-in showers, railing in the shower area and behind the toilet, shower benches, long shower hoses, raised sinks, and hair dryers with long cords. Very nice!
Property Features: High-speed Internet hookup is available in every room, and the lobby has two computers with Internet access, a printer, and a scanner. The desk clerk will gladly make copies for you. A complimentary breakfast is served from 7 -10 a.m., and there is a ramp outside that goes into the dining room for breakfast. Don't forget about the swimming pool overlooking the beach.
Beach access ramps can be found just north of the property, so cars and pedestrians can easily get onto the beach. Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. However, beach driving is permissible in this area (tide permitting), and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click here: Beach information for the disabled.
Extended Stay Hotel Website (386) 257-4311 255 Bill France Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Map
The Extended Stay Hotel is a new hotel that is only about a 1/2 mile from the front entrance of Daytona International Speedway and DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE (formerly DAYTONA USA). It's also less than two miles from Daytona International Airport - right on the edge of the Volusia Mall property, Daytona Beach's largest mall. Shopping is at your fingertips, along with a long list of restaurants in every direction.
Arrival: For the wheelchair-bound, the Extended Stay Hotel offers four disabled parking spots that can be reserved. They also offer luggage racks, and they even have someone to help bring your luggage to the room. The check-in counter in the lobby is staffed from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily and there is always someone available if you call ahead with an estimated time of arrival. Since there are two sets of manual doors to get through when entering the lobby, you can call from your cell phone -- or if visiting after hours (when the second set is locked), just go through the first set of open doors and use the house phone in the foyer. When signing in, the Extended Stay Hotel has a clipboard to accommodate someone in a wheelchair.
Room Amenities: The Extended Stay Hotel has one room designed to accommodate a wheelchair and they also have seven rooms for the hearing challenged. The wheelchair room is spacious, and the furniture can be moved if necessary. The bathroom is accessible and includes railing next to the toilet. And while the property offers no shower chairs or benches, the shower does have a long hose with a showerhead attached. Also, a standard wheelchair can easily fit underneath the sink.
For the hearing challenged, the rooms have lights that flash when the doorbell is pushed, and TTY/TDD units are available from the front desk. Each room also has two phone lines, one for normal usage and one for the Internet.
The whole hotel is WIFI equipped. Each room has a DVD player, satellite connection for the television, a room clock with MP3 capabilities, and an ironing board with iron.
Property Features: The Extended Stay Hotel offers a swimming pool with an accessible bathroom and an outdoor gas grill. They also offer a vending area, a laundry area, a fitness room, a print station next to the lobby, a lowered water fountain, and an accessible lobby bathroom. The elevators are large enough for most wheelchairs to turn around, and the elevator buttons and room numbers have Braille underneath them.
Hungry? Uno's Pizzeria is right around the corner. Open for lunch and dinner, Uno's is a delicious and nearby choice for guests at the Extended Stay Hotel. In addition, the restaurant is very accessible for wheelchairs. The Volusia Mall has several delicious restaurants from which to choose in the food court. You will also find tons of restaurants in the immediate area.
The Extended Stay Hotel is in a convenient and centralized location in Daytona Beach, especially for race fans. In addition to being close to the famous Daytona International Speedway and Daytona International Airport, it is also minutes from I-95, dozens of restaurants, shopping and much, much more.
Hilton Garden Inn Website (386) 944-4000 189 Midway Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Map
The Hilton Garden Inn is just a really classy and new hotel. It is literally situated next door to the Daytona Beach International Airport and Daytona International Speedway. It has 115 rooms total, and six disability-equipped rooms.
Arrival: The parking lot has five oversized wheelchair accessible parking spots, but the first thing I noticed when entering Hilton Garden Inn was the set of automatic sliding glass doors. It's a shame that these are not required in all hotels! It was a good first impression of a hotel. Sliding glass doors allow a smooth and unobstructed passage into and out of the hotel.
There is always someone at the check-in counter, and the check-in counter has a convenient lowered section for someone in a wheelchair. Luggage racks are available, and the courteous staff will assist in bringing the luggage to your room. When assistance is needed, it helps to make prior arrangements with an estimated arrival time.
The elevators are large enough to allow a wheelchair to turn around, and the elevator buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to push. All of the doorways that I encountered are more than wide enough for a wheelchair. Braille inscription is found under elevator buttons and on room number signs.
Room Amenities: The rooms are spacious. The particular room I saw was HUGE. The furniture can be moved if necessary, and there is a workstation. There are two speakerphones, one next to the bed and one at the workstation. The smoke detectors are equipped to alarm the hearing-impaired (they flash), and TTY/TDD is available from the front desk. The bathrooms are nicely equipped for someone in a wheelchair. Each bathroom comes with a rail next to the toilet, a rail in the shower area, a long shower hose, a sink raised high enough to allow a wheelchair to fit underneath, and a shower chair which is stored in the closet. Some of the rooms have roll-in showers, and I was able to turn my wheelchair around in the bathroom without any problem.
Each hotel room is equipped with a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board.
All of the wheelchair accessible rooms on the second floor or higher are located directly beside the elevators to minimize the distance to the elevators. Nice feature.
Property Features: The Hilton Garden Inn has a pool, a children's pool, and a very spacious pool deck that is great for maneuvering around or just stretching out under the hot Florida sun. The lobby is huge; it even has a fireplace. There is a vending machine, an icemaker, and the lobby bathrooms are handicapped equipped. There is also a beautiful lounge. It looks less like a lounge and more like a room in a mansion! It seems that everything is wood, marble, brass, and glass. There are lowered tables that will accommodate wheelchairs, two televisions, and a fully stocked bar. Very, very nice.
Hungry? The lobby serves breakfast and dinner six days a week, and only breakfast on Sunday. There are also plenty of great restaurants and fast food eateries in the immediate area. The Volusia Mall, which is only about 3/4 of a mile away, has its own food court where you'll find a variety of dining options.
Technology: There is WIFI available throughout the hotel, and if you don't need WiFi, there are jacks for your computer. A business center is on the ground floor where you'll find a copy/fax machine, a computer and a printer.
The Hilton Garden Inn has one of my highest recommendations. It's close to the Daytona International Airport, Volusia Mall and Daytona International Speedway -- and the beach is only a few miles away. If you are in town for the races or any other event at Speedway, this is where you'll want to stay.
Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach Website 1605 Richard Petty Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 255-3388 Map
The Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach is about as nice as it gets. I found it to be a beautiful hotel with a courteous and helpful staff. It is situated close to the Volusia Mall, the Daytona Beach International Airport, and Daytona International Speedway, and it's only a few miles from the beach.
Arrival: The Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach is a 122-room hotel with eight wheelchair accessible rooms and six accessible parking spots. It's a very new hotel so it has electric doors to allow easy access in and out. I really wish all hotels had these. On my way in, I noticed a lowered counter to accommodate check-in for someone in a wheelchair. Someone should always be at the desk, and they will have someone available to help with baggage. Remember, it always helps to call ahead of time with an estimated time of arrival.
Room Amenities: The rooms are nice and roomy, and the furniture can be moved, if necessary. Some rooms have one bed and some have two, and speakerphones are found on the bedside tables. Each room has an oven, a microwave, a full-sized refrigerator, a stovetop, a dishwasher, and an accessible sink. Some of the bathrooms have roll-in showers, and shower chairs are available on request. The showers and toilets are equipped with rails. The showers have a long shower hose with a sprayer attached, and there is a phone in the bathroom. Also, the bathroom is large enough for a wheelchair to turn around. And, of course, each room has a coffee maker. Thank goodness!
Property Features: At the Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach, you'll find laundry facilities on the first floor, elevators with accessible buttons and Braille, and enough room for a wheelchair to turn around. You'll also find a swimming pool, propane gas grills, a basketball court, a weight/exercise room, and a Jacuzzi. There is also a business center with a computer and printer, and the entire hotel is wireless. Faxing is available at the front desk. There are meeting rooms with projectors, LCDs, and computer hookups. Two TV's can be found in the lobby, and there is a free hot breakfast bar seven days a week. I like the fact that they offer Starbucks coffee! There is also a snack area that offers drinks, candy, chips, batteries and much more.
Hungry? You'll find scores of restaurants of every type. Just ask someone at the front desk, and they'll help you find a restaurant that you're in the mood for.
If you're thinking about heading to the beach, you're in luck. While sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering, beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click here:Beach information for the disabled.
Residence Inn by Marriott Website 1725 Richard Petty Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 252-3949 Map
The Residence Inn by Marriott is a very nice, new hotel. It's smoke-free, as are all Marriotts, and it's right across the street from Daytona International Speedway, next door to the Daytona Beach International Airport, and about 1/2 mile from Volusia Mall.
Arrival: In the parking lot, I counted six handicap spots. The next thing that got my attention was the set of sliding glass doors. Because I'm in a wheelchair, I always have to ask someone to open the door for me. It's nice when I don't have to! The next wheelchair-friendly feature is the lowered section of the front desk. This makes registration easier for little people and for those who can't stand.
I noticed that the elevators are easily large enough to turn around in, and the elevator buttons are low enough for me to push. And for the visually challenged, both the elevator buttons and the room numbers have Braille underneath them.
Room Amenities: The Residence Inn by Marriott has four accessible rooms for the disabled. They are very modern and roomy. You'll find a closet with a lowered bar for someone in a wheelchair, an ironing board and iron, a work center with a speakerphone, and another speakerphone next to the bed. TTY/TDD is available upon request.
The bathrooms have great amenities such as rails in the shower and next to the raised toilet, a long shower hose with a sprayer attached, a high sink that wheelchairs can slide under, a hair dryer, plenty of room to turn around, and fold-down chairs in the shower area. Two of the bathrooms have roll-in showers. Just a note: access to these bathrooms requires a chair that is no more than 26 inches wide.
These rooms are also equipped with extremely loud smoke detectors that also flash brightly to alert the hearing impaired.
Property Features: On my tour of the Residence Inn by Marriott, I learned there is a computer center with two computers and two printers, and there is a fax machine available the front desk. The entire hotel is WiFi, there are two lobby TVs, accessible lobby bathrooms, a lowered lobby water fountain, and a great fireplace. On a cold day, that's where you will find me! Other features include a fitness center, pool, Jacuzzi, breakfast buffet, full liquor bar, coffee area featuring Starbucks, and a courtyard area with several tables and a covered gazebo.
Are you hungry? You can easily wander over to Volusia Mall and visit their Food Court, where you'll find a variety of eateries that are quick and inexpensive. Also, there are literally dozens of restaurants in this area. Ask someone at the front desk for some suggestions.
Destination Daytona Hotel & Suites Website 1635 N. US Highway 1 Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (877) 498-1500 (386) 944-1500 Map
The Destination Daytona Hotel & Suites is 30-room hotel situated right next to the gigantic Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona Harley-Davidson dealership complex which features a food court, restaurants, bars and shopping.
Arrival: Driving around the hotel, I noticed one handicapped spot in the front and one in the back. However, there are several more situated near the end of the hotel. There is a buzzer on the wall next to the front door to alert the front desk clerk, and the clerk has a full view outside. It always helps to call ahead with an arrival time so someone can be there to help if necessary. I was happy to see a lowered counter for signing in. This assists little people or someone who cannot stand.
Room Amenities: Out of 30 rooms, two are wheelchair accessible. The rooms are nice, new, clean and roomy. The refrigerator and microwave are both placed in a low position for easy access, and the furniture can be easily moved if necessary. The staff will raise the bed upon request to accommodate a hoyer lift. A speakerphone is available upon request, the rooms have computer access, and the front desk has a fax and copier. Each room is also equipped with a coffee maker, a safe for your valuables, an iron and ironing board, and a hair dryer.
The bathroom has a roll-in shower and a shower chair is available upon request. The bathroom has plenty of railing, plenty of room to turn around, an accessible sink, and a large doorway.
For the hearing-impaired, they offer a TTY/TDD, an alarm clock that vibrates your pillow, and a door knocker that vibrates your pillow, flashes a light, and produces an extremely loud alarm sound.
Property Features: The hotel elevators are equipped with Braille and low buttons, and the first floor bathroom is accessible. The hotel has a pool, vending machines, complementary pastries in the morning, and even an ATM machine.
Hungry? On the backside of the hotel is a food court with plenty of outdoor seating. You'll find pizza, subs, hotdogs, rotisserie chicken, doughnuts, ice cream, coffee and much more! There are also full service restaurants including Houligans Sport Pub and The Daytona Pig Stand BBQ. They also have a very courteous staff and lots of room. If you're thirsty, try Saints & Sinners Pub offering a full liquor lounge.
The Best Western Castillo Del Sol is a beautiful hotel that just completed a total hotel renovation in 2007. It is located on the beach in Ormond Beach. Ormond Beach is just north of Daytona Beach, and if there weren't a sign telling you that you were leaving Daytona Beach and entering Ormond Beach, you probably wouldn't know. The pace is a little slower, but that's about it. This is a good spot for a hotel, because there are countless restaurants nearby. It is also about one quarter of a mile from Granada Blvd., which is one of the roads that directly connects the beach to I-95.
When I got to the hotel, I noticed four handicap parking spots across from the lobby. I later learned that there are four more underneath the parking garage next to the elevator. This could be a good feature during one of Florida's infamous rain showers. The hotel does not have electric sliding doors, so I had to call the front desk on my cell phone to have someone open the door for me. I met several staff members, and everyone was very polite and helpful. I asked if they had a clipboard to assist in signing in, and they showed me a feature I have not seen before. It is a shelf that slides out of the front desk so someone in a wheelchair can sign in. When all of the paperwork is finished, they simply pull it right back in and it disappears!
To get to the rooms, I had to leave the lobby and go outside. I visited the first floor accessible rooms first. I was glad to see two peepholes; one for someone standing and one for someone at wheelchair level. Upon entering, I noticed there is plenty of room for my chair. The rooms either have one king sized bed or two queen size beds. A cordless phone was on one side of the bed, and a regular phone was on the other. It is rare to see a cordless phone in a hotel, but what a nice touch! Some of the rooms' amenities include a lowered hair dryer, a safe, an iron and ironing board, a lowered refrigerator, a lowered microwave, a DVD player (in most rooms), and a balcony. The door lip to the balcony is too large for my wheelchair to get over, but it is nice having an ocean view.
The bathrooms are easily accessible, and I can turn around in my wheelchair. It has a high sink, raised toilet, rails, shower hose, and a shower chair is available upon request from the front desk. Just let them know. The smoke alarm flashes for the hearing-impaired, and a TTY/TDD system is available from the front desk. The rooms on the fifth floor were equally as nice. Some of them used to be efficiencies with kitchenettes. But without the kitchenettes, there is a lot more room. Room 106 still does have a kitchenette if you want to eat in. All of the rooms are nice, new, and clean.
Having seen the rooms, I took the elevator back downstairs. The elevators have enough room for me to turn around, and they have low buttons with Braille. The area next to the elevators has an ice machine, snack machine, laundry area, and water fountain. For business travelers, there is a meeting room that can hold up to 40 people, complementary wireless high-speed Internet access, a business center, and many security cameras throughout the hotel.
After seeing the rooms, I decided to take a look around the outside. First I was shown a large shaded beach-viewing area with lounge chairs. Since there is usually a breeze, this would be a great spot to watch the beach on a hot day. I don't want as much sun as most people, so I enjoy the shade. This area also has a uni-sex (men/women/family) handicap bathroom. From here, there is a nice big, sloped walkway that leads down to the swimming pool area. Before I got to the pool, I saw a large fire pit made of rock overlooking the ocean. It has plenty of seating area and lots of room for a wheelchair. I could really enjoy that! Past that are the swimming pool and pool deck. The deck has plenty of room and a four-inch barrier around the edge of the pool.
Next I saw a sundeck where several sunbathers were tanning before my eyes. This deck had plenty of room. Both decks have gates and fencing around them, and I had to have someone open them for me. But it is a good law that requires them and protects children from falling into the water.
Hungry? Visit the in-house restaurant that serves breakfast from 7-11 a.m., or you can go to several restaurants within walking/rolling distance in the immediate area. Within a half of a mile, you'll find an IHOP, TGI Friday's, Lulu's, Genovese's Italian Restaurant, Bonefish Grill, Stonewood, Outback Steakhouse, Peach Valley Cafe, Billy's Tap Room, and Le Crepe en Haute. In addition to these restaurants, there is a Larry's Giant Subs and a Starbucks Coffee.
Ready for the beach? Go north a few hundred yards, and you will find the Granada Blvd. beach approach. This is a beach access ramp for cars and pedestrians to easily get onto the beach. Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. However, beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click here: Beach Information for the Disabled.
The Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center is one of my favorite resort properties in the Daytona Beach area. It is located on the beach, across the street from Bel Air Plaza, and it's within walking distance of a countless variety of restaurants. And that's just the beginning!
Arrival: When I first visited the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center, I quickly noticed the valet parking. Yes, I was impressed. Sometimes it is such a hassle finding a parking space ANYWHERE near the front entrance of a hotel. With a smile on my face, I rolled toward the front door and noticed the electric sliding doors opening before me. Hallelujah! This resort was really off to a good start for me. As I entered, I noticed the beautiful tile work in the spacious lobby. Maybe I watch a lot of redecorating shows, but I was impressed by all of the marble, wood, brass, and glass that surrounded me in this beautiful lobby. It was classy.
The first items on my list were the lobby bathrooms. They were very nice and had all of the normal handicap-accessible features; large stall with a high sink, high toilet, and ample railing. The women's bathroom was also nice and even had a diaper changing station.
After evaluating the bathrooms, we started on our tour of the resort and I could not help but notice how great everything smelled! Usually, that's not something I notice. I asked my tour guide, manager Carol Cullen, about this and she told me about scented fans throughout the resort that blow different scents. Some are scented with mango, some with coconut, and some with other exotic scents. It's a very nice and subtle touch!
The elevators are large enough to allow a wheelchair to turn around, and the elevator buttons are low enough for someone in a wheelchair to push. All of the doorways that I encountered are more than wide enough for a wheelchair. Braille inscription is found under elevator buttons and on room number signs.
Luggage racks are available, and the courteous staff will assist in bringing the luggage to your room. When assistance is needed, it helps to make prior arrangements with an estimated arrival time.
Property Features: The bottom floor of the property has much to offer. There are three huge salons, a.k.a. conference rooms, that make up about 7400 ft. They can be broken up into three rooms or opened up into one large one. There are also several smaller conference rooms, some overlooking the pool area, and they are all accessible. There's also a huge hallway connecting these and it is equipped with several different groups of seats, couches, and tables for smaller consultations and gatherings.
The entire resort is WiFi accessible, and the lobby floor has a business center equipped with two laptops, a printer, a fax machine, a shredder, and a copier. These are all accessible with a quick swipe of your credit card. I had not previously seen this feature, but I think it's a great idea! Many people never carry cash anymore. Outside of the business center are a few house phones, and an ATM for quick cash, if needed. Every floor also has an ice machine.
On the right side of the hallway, there are oversized wooden blinds that allow the property to somewhat shield the view of a large indoor swimming pool. The blinds are nice because it keeps swimmers from feeling self-conscious about being in bathing suits, while allowing hotel guests and meeting attendees to get a peak at this beautiful facility. You will also find two indoor Jacuzzi's on the property.
Down the hall a little farther is an in-house convenience store that offers a little bit of everything. This includes hot coffee, hot tea, sodas, snacks, sandwiches, salads, ice cream and much more. Again, this is all very accessible. Next to the convenience store is the restaurant. It is open and roomy, and almost all of the tables are easily accessible. The restaurant overlooks the pool and the beach, and it offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you would rather eat outside, they are more than happy to accommodate this.
Next we went outside to a huge area between the resort and beach where I found several swimming pools. All of the pools have brick barriers on their edge that help prevent someone like me accidentally rolling into the water. There is also an outdoor kid's area with jet streams squirting out of the side of the pool, mushroom shaped waterfalls, and a gently sloped shallow end that allows a child to simply walk into the water.
Outside, you will also find a large deck that can accommodate 180 people for a gathering, and infrared grill capable of cooking 200 steaks in four minutes (WOW!), a complete pool bar, a pool deck for bands, and several umbrellas for shade. There is also a fire pit for those chilly nights with plenty of room for a wheelchair and plenty of seating room for others.
The pool deck has an accessible bathroom with an electric paper towel dispenser that uses a no-touch sensor. Pretty fancy. Just off of the pool you'll find a sauna and a fitness room.
Room Amenities: I learned that the facility has 13 handicapped accessible rooms. The one I saw had the bedroom separated from the living room. Next to the bed was a phone, alarm clock, and TV remote control. The room had lots of space, a good view, and a large living room with a couch in front of the flatscreen TV. The kitchen was equipped with a low microwave.
The bathroom has room to turn around, a high toilet and sink, and grab bars. The roll-in shower has a long shower hose and a built-in shower seat. It's a good bathroom, and it has a door connected to the living room and one connected to the bedroom.
After looking at the room, I was shown that some of the rooms directly facing the water are connected by one long common balcony. It's a pretty cool idea that I have not seen, and it's very roomy. On the north end, there is an area where you can look out over the ocean on one end, and then you can go to the other side and see out over the peninsula toward the river. It's a pretty cool view of the city. Next to this viewing area is one of four laundry areas. There are also six floors of parking garage.
Hungry? Aside from the delicious restaurant in the resort, you'll find several eateries in close proximity. At Bel Air Plaza, diagonally across the street, you'll find at least seven restaurants in addition to a Starbucks, grocery store, bowling alley, and several retail stores. Just across the street is a Denny's, and to the north about 1/2 mile, you'll find a row of five local and national restaurants bunched together.
Activities: There is a beach access ramp directly next door for pedestrians to easily get on the beach, and there is another for vehicles about 1/4 mile south and another 1/2 mile north. Sometimes the sand is too soft for a wheelchair to have easy maneuvering. However, beach driving is permissible in this area and Volusia County offers Surf Chairs for the disabled. These are large, maneuverable chairs made from PVC, with large wheels that allow them to be easily pushed on the sand. They can be delivered and picked up anywhere on the beach upon request. For more information, click here: Beach information for the disabled.
