THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Beach, Hot Tubs, Saunas, Pool... what more does one need...

I was extremely skeptical of Fantasy Island Resort II, as I was told that the photo on their website did not depict the resort. I was wrong - the place was great!!! 

Poor Starr (Starr is the manager), I think I called her 12 times before arriving to confirm different information on the resort.  Fantasy Island II is a mid-range timeshare/condos, that is extremely neat and well kept.  This is due in a large part to the exceptional attitudes of the staff (Andy in maintenance, Starr and Jeanne).  No matter what we needed, they were there to accommodate.  The resort has fabulous decks for grilling, tanning and just for gazing over the ocean. The pool is small but nice and the outdoor hot tub was kept hot and had a fabulous view of the ocean.  All the resorts are a "staircase" away from the ocean as they are separated from the ocean by a retaining wall.

My condo was a two bedroom condo which was completely redecorated and furnished after the hurricanes.  The rooms were decorated in a bright tropical ocean theme of blues and yellows.  The bedrooms were large - you can't tell by my photo.  There was a kitchen area with a bar with three stools a table for additional dining and large open kitchen/living room. The deck looked out to the left to the ocean, to the right to the inland waterway and straight ahead to the Fantasy Island Resort I.  This is Ocean view vs. Oceanfront which looks left, right and center onto the ocean.  The condo came with everything, silverware, towels, even dish soap and dishwasher soap. We had a DVD/VCR in our room and the bedrooms each had a TV as well.  The bathroom has an old fashion tub with hot tub jets which actually worked! 

Fantasy Island Resort II is about five minutes south of the Boardwalk, which makes it a quiet area for families that just want a no fuss, beach/pool vacation.   We were happy to travel in Mid-November as it is a very slow week in Daytona.  Hurricane season is mid June through the end of November, so it is a risk but we felt it was one worth taking for the rates and the lack of crowds.

Disadvantage to this resort?  No indoor pool.  When the weather is not good, there is no indoor option.  Though resorts with indoor pools are hard to find in Daytona.

DINING

Friends who live in the area highly recommended Sweetwater's Restaurant which overlooks the Halifax River in nearby Port Orange - (386) 761-6724.  It was just 3 minutes from the hotel (over the bridge) and a fabulous find!  Even in the off-season, this place was packed and had a fifteen minute wait.   They were celebrating 22 years and had prices that seemed to fit that year - with dinner specials for $5.49!  The prices were excellent. We were told by our friends that they lowered their prices.  The food was abundant and delicious.  The atmosphere was bright but still intimate.  The portions were generous.  This is not a gourmet restaurant, rather - "a great American food restaurant". 

KID FRIENDLY

There always seems to be something special going on in or around Daytona Beach.  When we went there were multiple fairs going on.  We chose one and the children enjoyed the rides.  There is also Florida's tallest lighthouse nearby - The Ponce De Leon Lighthouse .  The boardwalk is north of the condo and has lots for kids to see and do, however, most of the shops were closed this time of year.  We had fun at the many parks and playgrounds nearby.