Closing out 2020 on a good sane note, with a hopeful return to normalcy by the new year, is my holiday wish for all. The past months have been draining and downright depressing. We are desperately in need and deserving of holistic healing escapes, where our minds, bodies and souls can find serenity and safety in a truly special place.

Sadly, a charter to a private island paradise or remote castle is not within reach for most of us. But, do not dismay. There are bountiful sanctuaries closer to home now welcoming the weary and disheartened.

Just south of Historic St. Augustine I uncovered an oceanfront oasis for a heavenly escape.

A visitor to Northeast Florida could easily miss Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, a gem hidden amidst the exclusive residential beach communities of Flagler County.

Seek and you shall find.

The oversized two- and three-bedroom condo units feature a full gourmet kitchen, separate dining room and all the comforts of a well-appointed home.

Nestled on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Coast Florida, the resort’s expansive grounds, sandy beaches and luxury condo accommodations set a new bar for Social Distancing.  

The setting is picture postcard. Soothingly surreal. Guests are mesmerized by a canvas of green manicured fairways, sandy beaches and blue ocean skies.

Hammock Beach Resort has evolved over the years, but has always showcased a unique hybrid resort model.

The prevailing theme is accessible luxury.

The resort manages 300+ privately owned suites and villas units, all with balconies and amazing views. The décor, furniture and amenities of each adhere to strict design standards, but no two units are the same.

“Far superior than my humble abode and most definitely featuring the finer comforts of someone else’s home”  

The Ocean Tower three-bedroom condos are huge, over 2100 square feet and can comfortably sleep 10, perfect for a family vacation, reunion or girlfriend getaway.

Quarantining can be truly magical when you feel like a Queen in a private oceanfront mini-mansion.

And surprisingly, these 5-star accommodations are an affordable reality.

Rates are within reach during off season which for Hammock Beach Resort runs September thru May. Say bye-bye to the cold and snow and enjoy the Florida sunshine at a savings. You can secure a three-bedroom condo for under $500 per night (excluding holiday weeks). Split the cost with a few friends and it works out less than a room at roadside motel. Incredible!

Standard One Bedroom rates start at $189 plus tax and 10-12% resort fee. Active and Retired Military receive 15% off their entire stay. Florida and Georgia residents will save up to 12%.

The resort also has a myriad of experience packages for the romantic, golfer and tennis aficionado in mind.

If you want to bring Fido along for the fun, Hammock Beach Resort offers a limited number of rooms in the resort’s boutique property, The Lodge. The Lodge, which has full access to all amenities, also houses the Atlantic Grille restaurant and the Golf Pro Shop. Guests are permitted to bring up to two small pets, dog or cat, with a combined weight limit of 50 pounds for a nightly per pet fee.

Traveler Tip: Book direct for the best available rate guarantee.

Hammock Beach Resort exudes exclusivity. The privacy of guests is a top priority. Don’t plan on popping in for a tour without a scheduled appointment. The resort is gated and not open to the public.

The lush grounds and open space to give guests plenty of room to roam and relax with greater level of safety in these COVID times.

You won’t find the long lines at check-in or crowded public areas.

It is easy to go incognito for your entire stay. Just stock up the bar and the fridge; guests have the convenience a full-service supermarket located less than a mile away.

If you want action, you don’t have to go far to find it.

When on Vacation, Recreation Always Rules!

Hammock Beach Resort has so much to offer beyond the sun, sand and surf.

  • Indoor and outdoor pools, including a spectacular Lazy River Fantasy Experience complete with water slide, hot tub and so much more.
  • Putt-Putt Golf
  • Bike Rentals (1 hour complimentary)
  • Fitness Center. Check out the Peloton Bike workout at no additional charge.
  • Kids Crew: scheduled sport and creative activities designed for Youth 4 to 12 with parents’ need for free time and sanity in mind.
  • Spa offering massages, hair and nail services, sauna and steam room.
  • Golf: Two challenging courses with breathtaking views. The Jack Nicklaus Ocean Course and the Tom Watson Conservatory Course.
  • A Tennis Center featuring eight lighted Hydro-Grid clay courts overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
  • Hammock Beach Marina , a 209-slip marina accommodating yachts of 60′ or longer.

Dining options will delight even the most discerning palates.

  • Delfinos: Regional Italian dishes and seafood specialties. Dinner only.
  • The Atlantic Grille: Sweeping ocean views with a South Florida vibe. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include She-Crab Soup, Bang Bang Shrimp and Fresh Catch of the Day.
  • Sushi Bar: Finest grade fish and signature rolls served up with your favorite sake

Loggerheads Gastro Pub and the Ocean Bar & Café are popular watering holes also serving burgers, salads, appetizers and light fare.

Best Bet Area Attractions:

Marineland Dolphin Adventure: The world’s first oceanarium celebrating 80 years of educating and enchanting visitors. Hammock Beach Resort Guests are treated to 50% off any in-water adventure. Crazy savings! The ultimate incentive to book your resort stay today.

Washington Oaks State Park:  A beautiful coastal oak hammock with colorful gardens of native and non-native plants species including azaleas, camellias and birds of paradise. No visit is complete without a yoga pose and photo op on the funky coquina rock formations on the park’s ocean beach extension on the ocean just across A1A. Admission: $5 per vehicle.

Flagler Beach: Best known as a retro beach town with salty style. A fisherman and biker favorite. Laid-Back Atmosphere 24/7. Check out the pier and the roof top bar/restaurants offering live music and ocean views.

Historic St. Augustine: A scenic 30- minute drive north of Hammock Beach Golf and Spa Resort. The Oldest City in America. History and attractions galore.

The Florida Agricultural Museum: A Florida treasure that transports visitors back in time. The museum sits on 400+ acres and features a restored 1890s pioneer homestead, a dry goods store, several Great Depression-era buildings and a dairy barn. Enjoy horseback trail rides, heritage tours, workshops and livestock encounters with resident Florida Cracker cattle, horses, and sheep.

Celebrate the Season with Savings by Booking your Vacation Early!

Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers 15% off the best available rate when booking your dream vacation at least 21-days in advance.

“Plan Ahead & Prepay” Promo Code: ADVPUR

Information and more special offers at the Hammock Beach Golf & Spa Resort website.

Photos Courtesy of S. Gaspers and Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa.