When you hear “Daytona Beach,” what’s the first thing you think of?
For me, it’s spring break (the GenX spring break hot spot), but other people most likely think Bike Week or NASCAR. Maybe some people think of Bethune-Cookman University or Mary McLeod Bethune (check out my Submerged Stories podcast episode about her).
For the most part, though, you probably don’t think “tranquility and relaxation,” but that’s exactly what I found on my trip to the Ambros.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
The Ambros is the antithesis of Daytona Beach’s party reputation. Granted, it’s technically in Daytona Beach Shores, but let’s be honest, it’s essentially still Daytona Beach.
On its website, the Ambros talks about its focus on wellness. That still didn’t prepare me for what a quiet respite this is. From AIA — now the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway — the Ambros doesn’t look like much. We drove past it because it’s an unassuming three-story building, painted in a modest beige, and we didn’t realize it was actually not a private residence but a boutique hotel until we drove right past the sign.
Which is OK; people don’t come here to stare at the road or the walls. People come here to stare at the ocean. And, although only a few rooms directly face the Atlantic, each room has lovely low-slung, wood-frame rope chairs so each offers an ocean view.
Inside the rooms, though, is where Ambros shines. The rooms are studies in sea grass and other natural fibers, with fluffy bedding and even fluffier towels (seriously, I don’t know what they do to their towels, but I badly wanted to steal one, which I assure you, I did not). A kitchenette, double-vanity sink, and cozy sitting area completed our suite.
The pool and pool area fronts the ocean. The overstuffed pool couches entreat you to sink into them with a book, but the pool deck at Ambros has more traditional pool loungers, too.
Daytona Beach Shores Dining
Photo by Cathy Salustri
The only on-property dining, The Counter, wasn’t open when we arrived, so we struck out on our own. Crabby Joe’s was a short beach walk from the Ambros, and a recent rain shower meant we didn’t have to wait for a table. The food was serviceable (I had the mahi reuben and Barry had the fish sandwich), but the really cool thing about the restaurant was the floor. Well, dock. Pier. I’m not sure how to classify it. Crabby Joe’s is at the end of a pier over the ocean, and the floor is actually planks. Those planks have enough space between them that you can see the water, but even better, you can hear the waves crashing on the beach underneath you. Probably horrible during a hurricane, but soothing at all other times.
Because our room at the Ambros (we had a king suite) had a kitchenette, we didn’t eat out much after that, but we did have breakfast at The Counter. Like the resort itself, The Counter places an emphasis on wellness. And the portions are huge: I couldn’t finish my smoothie or my açaí bowl (this made me sad; the bowl felt more like dessert than breakfast).
On our way out of town, we stopped at Casual Bird. Although it had a wider selection of breakfast and lunch entrees, my avocado toast couldn’t quite compare to the açaí bowl of the day before.
Ambros Daytona Spa
While I didn’t partake in the yoga or spa treatments, Paige — the massage therapist — gave me a tour of the spa, across A1A from the Ambros, sandwiched between the Cracked Egg and what appears to be an historic dive bar, the Metz Lounge.
The overall effect of the spa is exactly what a spa should be: You can feel the tension easing once you walk into it. While guests use the spa, Paige told me it’s popular with Daytona locals, too — especially the yoga. And it makes sense: If I lived there, this would definitely be my go-to yoga studio, too.
Forest Bathing at Ponce Preserve
Photo by Cathy Salustri
As we talked, she mentioned we might enjoy Ponce Preserve more than Lighthouse Point Park at neighboring Ponce Inlet. We drove down to the end — you have to return to the mainland here to keep following A1A South, then turned around and took Paige’s advice. We parked and walked out to the beach. It was a short dune walkover and for a moment I was confused: Where were the trails Paige mentioned?
Across the street, turns out. Once we realized that, I had one of the nicest walks in the woods I’ve had in a long time.
Ponce Preserve includes more than 40 acres of urban wilderness. Grand oaks, saw palm, and coral bean line the trails, and the vegetation swallows any road noise. I knew A1A was right there, but from inside the saw palmetto, it felt miles away.
While legions of tourists head to Ponce Lighthouse and Lighthouse Point Park, when you’re in the area, head to Ponce Preserve before either of those places. It’s not that you shouldn’t do those things, but Ponce Preserve is an overlooked gem.
It offers you a glimpse of how Florida’s barrier islands looked before, well, its namesake and the legions of conquistadors and invasive creatures (human and non-human alike) that followed him came to La Florida.
It, like the Ambros, offers a tranquil, unexpected experience. Both are beach treasures that, all too often, people bemoan the loss of in Florida.
That sort of Florida is out there. You simply need to know where to look for it.
Recommended Things To Do in Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet
I mentioned a few places in the above article, but the only two I can whole-heartedly tell you I think are absolutely worth doing are listed below. Your mileage may vary.
The Ambros Daytona*
The Ambros is ideal for people who don’t want a mega-resort, a bunch of kids (I think they’re allowed but we didn’t see any), or a cover band that has “Margaritaville” on repeat. It’s an unexpected treasure; an oasis in the midst of what can be a noisy, crowded stretch of A1A. Bear in mind not all rooms have a full kitchenette, so if that matters, make sure yours does.
Ambros Daytona, 3247 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. ambroshotels.com; 386-347-5574.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
Ponce Preserve
Ponce Preserve is ideal for people who want to take a walk in the woods. It’s hard to get lost in the trails, and it’s definitely one of the more peaceful experiences you’ll find along the beach. Hardcore hikers might be disappointed in how challenging the hike is not, but bring your Seek or iNaturalist app to ID the plants you’ll see.
Ponce Preserve, 4401 S. Peninsula Dr.., Ponce Inlet. ponce-inlet.org; 386-236-2150
*The Ambrose Daytona sponsored my stay, but if I didn’t love it I wouldn’t have written about it. We paid for all transportation, food, and other incidentals. You’ll never see anything on this website that is “pay to play” so if I tell you it’s worth it, please know that I truly believe it is. Staying here was a joy and a reminder why I worked so hard for so many years… to be able to write about hidden gems like this one.
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