We don’t know what the future holds, but one thing we do know is that time flies. It’s so easy to get caught up with the day-to-day hustle and bustle that we often forget to press pause for just a bit. Taking much needed time to recharge our own batteries never seems to be the right moment. That’s exactly how I felt when our family scheduled a visit to Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. In the midst of the busiest season of them all, we embarked on a four-day getaway. The timing wasn’t the best, but it ended up being a much needed and welcomed respite. Unusually, the days we spent at Hammock Beach actually felt slower as we made the conscious decision to be present.
Hammock Beach is at the heart of Palm Coast, a laid back coastal gem located in northeastern Florida between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. The pristine resort, situated on a mile of unspoiled private beach, offers something for everyone; so much so that there is no real need to venture off premises. It’s the ideal location for easy trips with your family, golf buddies, friends, or even a solo retreat.
Golf lovers rejoice because Hammock Beach offers two award-winning golf courses nestled along the shoreline and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. I’ve personally heard rave reviews about both golf course experiences from friends who are avid golfers. The Ocean Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and the Conservatory Course by Tom Watson. Each is distinctly different yet equally breathtaking. For the racquet sport enthusiasts, tennis and pickleball courts are plentiful.
With that being said, having two sons (ages 10 and 4), the majority of our days were spent at the 90,000 square-foot Fantasy Pool Complex going down the twisting water slide, floating on the lazy river for hours on end, and building poolside sandcastles. With two levels boasting multiple pools that are separate from one another, kids can be kids in the family-friendly pools while adults can peacefully disconnect at the adult-only pool. The food and cocktails at Ocean Bar Café were great so it was the ideal spot to settle for some fun in the sun.
For me, a big bonus and selling point when traveling with young kids is finding a resort that offers a type of children’s camp for a portion of the day so that my partner and I are able to share some quality time together. At Kids Crew at Hammock Beach, our boys did not want to leave when we showed up at the scheduled pick up time. They had a blast swimming, practicing on the nine-hole putting course, crafting, eating s’mores and playing with new friends. Getting that break from entertaining the kids allowed me to squeeze in some time at the fully-equipped fitness center and, most importantly, enjoying a wonderful date night at Hammock Beach’s excellent restaurant, Delfinos Italian Chophouse. The ribeye steak we ordered was cooked to perfection!
Speaking of dining, Stix Authentic Sushi’s freshly prepared varieties of sushi, sashimi and signature rolls satisfied all of our family’s taste buds. To top it all off, the housemade gelato at Hammock Beach Pizza & Gelato transported us back to Italy. To get the right consistency in gelato is not easy, so kudos to them for that and, admittedly, we overindulged our sweet tooth.
As for the accommodations, featuring sophisticated coastal-inspired décor, they were spacious and beyond comfortable. We stayed in one of the resort’s three-bedroom condominiums with an oceanfront view. The oversized balcony made early morning coffee even better, and having a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator was a nice amenity to keep snacks and beverages fresh.
Last but most importantly, everyone on staff greeted us with a smile, wanting to make our stay genuinely enjoyable.
Ultimately, this trip to Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa was a reminder to take quality time for ourselves and with our loved ones. So, with that mindset, this is a friendly reminder to not put off getaways in 2025, especially when it’s super hectic. Pause, enjoy, recharge, and create new memories to last a lifetime and, if you’re looking for the ideal spot, you now know where to visit.
hammockbeach.com
Instagram: @HammockBeach
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