Okay, I admit it. The first time I visited Daytona Beach on Florida's central east coast was in my junior year at the University of Minnesota.

Now that I'm a Florida resident of 20-plus years, I love to relive that same spirit of beach abandon and responsibility-escape that I felt in my college days on trips every time of year to Florida's ultimate beach. Daytona Beach and I have grown up together. As I've matured, so has it, into a destination for all ages, but now with resorts like the new Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort that appeal to my longing for a little luxury with my sand.
Today, the three-mile section of beach around the pier has been designated for pedestrians only, and it's still where it's happening on Daytona Beach. The Bandshell and historic clock tower stand in contrast to the beach's hip new scene, a pretty city park has sprung up at the pier's end and monuments and plaques pay tribute to the beach's early racers.


A Look Back

Early on, car-racing, surfing and beach parties put Daytona Beach on beachgoers' radar. The historic coquina-rock Daytona Beach Bandshell and Daytona Beach Pier anchored a wide lap of hard-packed sands where people of all persuasions came to drive their vehicles on the beach and spend a day soaking up rays and the good-time vibe.

Today, the three-mile section of beach around the pier has been designated for pedestrians only, and it's still where it's happening on Daytona Beach. The Bandshell and historic clock tower stand in contrast to the beach's hip new scene, a pretty city park has sprung up at the pier's end and monuments and plaques pay tribute to the beach's early racers.

Location, Location, Location

Ocean Walk Village brightens the Daytona Beach scene with its colorful huddle of shops, eateries, movie theaters and resorts. Because it covers six square blocks, it forms its own action-packed "district" right on the beach.

If you're looking to stay where you play, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is located right in the heart of Ocean Walk Village, and the property stretches along the prime, pedestrian-only beachfront. And the best part – there's a covered corridor along the oceanfront to take you from the patio deck outside the Hilton to the entertainment at the adjacent Ocean Walk Shoppes & Movies.

Luxury & Sand Do Mix

The Hilton Daytona Beach Resort's two towers focus their attention on the beach and its history with 744 renovated guest rooms, cabanas and suites, and most overlook the Atlantic Ocean in a breezy, truly Florida beach style. That doesn't mean skimping on the luxuries, as you'll discover the minute you sink into your cloud-cushy Serenity Bed.

Most of the Hilton's eight distinctive dining venues also let guests connect to the water and sand. Its fine dining restaurant, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, fronts the beach with a first-class operation that, besides its traditional aged cuts of beef, serves a selection of small plates, sandwiches, 100 wines by the glass and perfectly chilled, perfectly fun martinis. Doc Bales' Grill overlooks the historic clock tower and its Atlantic backdrop. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it concentrates on fresh seafood prepared to impress.

To pamper you to the utmost degree, the Spa at Hilton Dayton Beach is full-service, including a hydrotherapy tub and traditional treatment, facial and pedicure-manicure rooms. Indulge in such over-the-top treatments as a caviar and pearl facial or chocolate fondue wrap using all-natural Pevonia Botanica products. And there are many spa packages to choose from.

Kids & Sand Definitely Mix

Let the little ones loose to play in the sand in the traffic-free zone around the Hilton. You can find all manner of sports rentals on the beach – from body boards to Jet Skis. You're bound to see someone fishing, surfing or bicycling on the hard-packed sand.

Inside, the Hilton takes care of the family with kids menus at all of its restaurants, providing the perfect solution to picky and fidgety eaters. D-Dawg's Kidszone, a surfer-cool hangout for families, throws Parents' Night Out, a kids-only pizza night. A fantasy come true for kids, the club's activity center offers supervised and unsupervised options.

Kids and parents can also interact at the resort's two pools. For more splashy fun, Daytona Lagoon water park sits right across the street from the resort. Just one more way that Daytona Beach has grown into a vacation spot that keeps us coming back for more, in any season.

To learn how you can take a break at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront, call 1-866-536-8477 or visit www.daytonahilton.com. Thanks to the Hilton Family Plan, kids under 18 stay free if they stay in the same room with parents. Florida residents can take advantage of a special rate from $89 through Dec. 30, 2008 (rates based on availability with restrictions).