Hotel Review: The Daytona, Autograph Collection – One of My Top 5 Stays!
Hey, I’m Mateo from This Teen Travelz, and if you’re a teen looking for hotel recs that actually get you, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m talking about a hotel that’s easily in my Top 5—The Daytona, Autograph Collection, located right across the street from the legendary Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
I’ve stayed here twice already, and every time I leave, I’m asking my parents when we can come back. Here’s everything you need to know.
First Impressions: NASCAR Vibes From the Start
Pulling up to this hotel is like pulling into a car lover’s dream. There’s an actual NASCAR car parked out front, and the race theme only gets better once you head up to the second-floor lobby. There’s a full-sized race car right in front of check-in and a giant spinning race wheel above you.
But the best part? The staff was super welcoming, especially to me and my sister. A lot of hotels ignore kids and teens—not here. It made the whole experience feel extra cool.
Rooms & Tech: Top-Notch All Around
Before we even talk about the room… can we talk about the room key?! It’s all black and shaped like a car key. So creative.
Both times, our room had a private balcony with chairs and a table—perfect for relaxing. The rooms were clean, and the showers had amazing water pressure. And the Molton Brown soaps? Best hotel soaps ever. No joke—my dad even bought some to use at home (the scent is “Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel,” and yes, he tells us that all the time 😂).
On the tech side:
- Wi-Fi was fast and easy to connect on all my devices (laptop, phone, iPad, Nintendo Switch).
- Switch hooked up easily to the huge TV—zero issues with gaming or streaming.
- Oh, and the notepads were designed like traffic tickets, which led to some hilarious “tickets” between me and my sister.
Pool Vibes: Chill + Cozy
The pool area isn’t massive, but it totally works. There are plenty of loungers, free cabanas, and a firepit lounge area that lights up at night. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to hang out.
Food & Restaurant Vibes
We ate at the hotel’s restaurant, Blue Flame, for both breakfast and lunch. The food was awesome, and the race theme continued—there are cars inside the restaurant, and the menu is designed like a garage. My dad’s Philly cheesesteak? Served in a toolbox. Yes, really.
Pro tip: Don’t miss Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, which is right outside the hotel. It’s now one of my favorite dessert spots ever.
Nearby Activities: So Much to Do
You’re not stuck in your room here—there’s a ton of fun stuff just steps away:
- GameTime Daytona: Mega arcade + bowling alley. We got unlimited play during a promo day and it was epic.
- CMX Daytona Luxury Theatres: Catch a movie right across the street.
- The Beach: About 15 minutes away and the hotel loans you free beach chairs and umbrellas. Bonus: You can drive ON the beach in Daytona. Wild.
- Daytona International Speedway: Right across the street. You can visit the shop, book a tour, or check out the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
- Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach: A 10-minute drive if you’re in the mood to shop.
- Buc-ee’s Daytona Beach: My favorite road trip stop. It’s across from the outlets and worth the visit.
Bonus Moment: Rocket Launch From Dinner?!
On my last trip, I was lucky enough to see a Falcon Heavy rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center—while sitting on the Blue Flame balcony. No filter. Just an insane experience I’ll never forget.
Final Thoughts
The Daytona, Autograph Collection checks all the boxes: amazing theming, teen-friendly vibes, great food, fun tech setup, and cool nearby activities. No surprise it’s one of my Top 5 Hotels—and I’m already hoping to stay here during a real NASCAR race someday.
If you’re heading to Daytona Beach, this is the spot. Trust me.
Catch you in the next review—peace!
– Mateo / This Teen Travelz