We just returned home from a three night, four-day adventure at Daytona Beach. It was a little more crowded than normal as it is peak season and tomorrow is the 4th of July, but we had a fabulous time.
We often do overnights at the beach so that we can enjoy different times of the day at the beach, plus we have a place to take breaks, cool off and the big one for me and the kids, SHOWER. Yes, I know showers are available out and the beach to rinse off after, but they just never seem to remove all the sand, making for a long ride home.
Although we normally stay just one night since we are only about an hour drive from the beach, this trip was longer thanks to an offer that Wyndham Vacation Club offered me. Yes, we had to spend 120 minutes of our life at a vacation ownership presentation, but it essentially made our room free and it was very educational. Eden even said it was fun. No, we did not buy a vacation club membership.
So because the room was a special deal, we were lacking a couple of things that I look for when we stay at the beach so I thought this would be the perfect time to share some tips for an overnight stay at the beach.
Location, Location, Location. I can’t stress this enough. I originally thought I was going to be staying at the Wyndham Ocean Walk right in the heart of the action of Daytona Beach, however, we were given a room at The Shores Resort and Spa. The Shores Resort and Spa is actually in Daytona Shores, a quieter area away from the action. No matter what beach town you go to this will be the case. There will be the action-packed busy beach side and the laid back quiet areas where you don’t have to pitch your umbrella right next to someone else. So depending upon what you are wanting out of your beach trip, be sure to research your location.
Resort Amenities. Every resort on the beach has amenities and with those amenities come varying daily resort fees that sometimes leaving you asking “For What?”. The Shores Resort and Spa would not have been my first choice of places to take 9-year-olds when staying more than one night. We did have a fabulous time roasting marshmallows with the S’ mores kit that was given to us and playing with the giant-sized Jenga, but there was no kid’s club, miniature golf, waterslides, or lazy rivers like there were up the street at Ocean Walk. In this summer heat, kids can only play at the beach for so long, so having other kid-friendly activities besides a pool filled with adults is a must-have and something we didn’t have this time.
Room Feature – Kitchen. If you are staying more than one night at the beach there are several features in a room that are necessary. The first and most important to me is a kitchen. At the bare minimum, you at least want to have a refrigerator and microwave. If you can find a place with a small kitchen where you can prepare meals as well, you can save a lot of money and could potentially apply that to an adventure on the beach instead of dining.
Bathing Suits. When staying overnight at the beach I can guarantee you will have multiple swimsuit changes between the pool and visits to the ocean so be sure to bring several suits for each person. No one likes to start off in a wet suit.
Room Feature – Swim Suit Drying Options. Even bringing three suits per person was not enough for us this trip when normally it is plenty. Our room had no retractable clothesline as many beach resorts do. We also had no balcony or a washer and dryer like the units in Ocean Walk have. So I tried hanging the suits over the shower rod and anyplace else I could find to hang them and they just wouldn’t dry so I ended up using a hairdryer to hand dry our suits. Be sure to keep this in mind on your beach trip so you don’t end up like me in the picture below.
Bring A Case of Water. It is very easy to get dehydrated at the beach. To avoid dehydration and possible heat exhaustion or a heat stroke you have to stay hydrated! The best way to make sure that you have ample hydration is to bring a case of water. I always pick up a case to take with me on our beach trips. The kids and husband still like to grab a cup of ice water from the bar from time to time but having that case of water means we always have our fridge stocked and I can monitor to make sure everyone is getting enough fluids.
Always use sunblock. This may seem like an obvious tip but I can’t tell you how many times I even see Floridians with a really bad sunburn. The Florida sun is hot and even when it is behind the clouds, you can and will still burn. We all know the sun is the hottest from 10-2 but it can still burn you early morning and evening too, so it is best to always use sunblock. I bring a ton of sunblocks with me on any beach trip including face sticks, lip sticks, lotions, and sprays. I always apply lotion before we leave the room and use the sprays for reapplication. Rubbing lotion onto a sandy body is no fun unless you were perhaps looking for an exfoliation treatment. One other sunblock tip is to be sure to apply it to your scalp and feet. Unfortunately, we have had both burns and it is no fun, but what sunburn is fun?
Watch the sunrise. I have to tell you there is nothing quite like watching the sunrise over the ocean. An overnight stay at the beach may be the only time you will have the opportunity to experience it. I know vacation is not one of those times you want to get up at the crack of dawn, literally, but it may be one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. No picture will do the sunrise justice.
I hope you find these tips for staying overnight at the beach with kids helpful. Remember, keep making those memories and celebrating what matters most.
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