51 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
Large beachfront resort with reasonable rates
Condo-style rooms with kitchens; some are spacious and have balconies
Large oceanfront pool, hot tub, and sundeck
Small indoor pool and hot tub
Gym faces the beach
Tiki-style bar
Mini-golf course, along with basketball and shuffleboard courts
Organized activities, including games and crafts
Free Wi-Fi throughout the resort
Rooms are in need of an upgrade
Extra fee for daily housekeeping
Time share sales pitches
Parking area fills up quickly
Lack of space and closet space in some rooms
Bridge to beach not suited for mobility-impaired guests
This large, mid-range beachfront resort has 168 condo-style rooms with full kitchens over two towers. It operates as a timeshare, but guests shouldn’t be bothered once they decline the sales pitch offer. The resort is filled with family-friendly amenities, including a massive pool overlooking the ocean, a mini-golf course, basketball and shuffleboard courts, and organized activities nearly every day. It’s a good choice for an inexpensive family vacation and large groups in Ormond Beach. However, the property and its lower-tier rooms have bland, dated decor, and guests complain of minor maintenance issues and lack of space in some units and their closets; parking fills up quickly and exterior construction is ongoing as of fall 2015. The mid-range Cove on Ormond Beach also offers apartments with kitchenettes, and while significantly more expensive, it has fresher decor and a pool with a waterslide.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Busy resort with family-friendly atmosphere and older decor
Royal Floridian is a large resort with a busy, bustling lobby. The building itself is a sprawling, beige concrete structure on the beach; there are green awnings out front, along with some tropical plants at the entranceway, but the overall feeling is pretty bland. Inside, the decor is a bit older looking, with yellow, sponge-painted walls, wood paneling, and slightly worn rattan furniture with green and orange floral and striped cushions. Outside is more inviting, with a long pool that curves toward the beach and a deck filled with green-and-white-striped lounge chairs and umbrellas. The vibe is family-friendly and casual, particularly with the mini-golf course and game room with old-style arcade games. Staff are friendly, though guests should expect to be offered a timeshare sales pitch in exchange for a gift.
Location
On the beach, within walking distance of restaurants and shops
The resort sits off busy South Atlantic Avenue, on the ocean and with easy access to the beach. It’s within a five-minute walk of several chain and local restaurants, as well as a shopping village, and there are a couple of grocery stores within five minutes' drive. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Daytona Beach boardwalk, which has an amusement park, a 20-minute drive to the Daytona International Speedway, and a 25-minute drive to Daytona Beach International Airport.
Rooms
Condominiums with full kitchens and a mix of older and more luxurious decor
Royal Floridian's 168 rooms are one- and two-bedroom condominium-style units. Units in the north tower may have full kitchens or just mini-fridges and microwaves, while units in the newer south building all have kitchens with full-size refrigerators, sinks and stoves, along with coffeemakers, cookware, and utensils. Some units have washer-dryer combos and balconies with partial or full ocean views. There are separate living rooms with flat-screen TVs in all units. Decor is a bit bland, with basic wood furniture, patterned bedspreads, and Formica counters. Premier Villas are slightly more luxurious, with granite countertops in the kitchens and white furniture. Some units have jetted tubs in the bedrooms. Large bathrooms have plain vanities with a good amount of room to store toiletries, and curtained shower/tub combos. There’s an extra fee for housekeeping services. Some units are cramped and lack closet space, and/or have minor maintenance issues, particularly in bathrooms.
Features
Large beachfront pool, indoor pool, mini-golf course, and family activities
The oceanfront pool is massive and curves toward the beach, and the surrounding deck has plenty of lounge chairs. The indoor pool is a no-frills space, but provides a place to swim in bad weather. A tiki-style bar offers drink specials. Sports facilities include a mini-golf course and basketball and shuffleboard courts. The gym is housed in a large windowed room and has several cardio and weight machines overlooking the pool area and beach. The resort organizes activities, including crafts, bingo, movie screenings, and ice cream socials. There's also a game room with a pool table and arcade games. Coin-operated laundry machines are available. Underground parking is free, but the lot fills up quickly. There's additional parking nearby for a fee. A small business center has two desktop computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.
