Tweet
We decided to split a week in Florida 3 nights in Tradewinds, 4 in Daytona. It was the first time we had been at the Tradewinds, and thought I would share my experience.
First, this is not (yet) your typical BG resort. The Bad:
1. The rooms are lower quality then I am used to. I would say EconoLodge quality. 2 queen beds, small tv, no kitchen ( we knew there was no kitchen). There was a small fridge (cabinet style), and a 4 cup coffee maker (about the size of a snowball!). Small bathroom, a chair, and a small table.
2. There are no luggage carts, if you want assistance, they will bell hop your luggage up, but I would expect they will be wanting a tip.
3. The parking lot is a walk from the room, unless you are lucky enough to get a close one (there are not many).
4. Its a convention center also, so while we were there, there were about ~800 convention ppl around, using up the parking lot..it usually took 4 or 5 trips around in circles in hope of finding something if you went out and came out.
The Good:
1. 5 pools! One (the one right in front of the BG building) is reserved for 21 and older.
2. Beach access is amazing. Walk out, and you are practically on the beach.
3. Free Cabana's. All you do is go online the day before, pick a beach cabana and its all set up for you in the AM. If you want the front row, its a $15 upgrade, but the rest are free.
4. Room service to the Cabana's, if you are so inclined (smartphone/IPhone app).
5. Even though the BG sites says they put a hefty hold on your CC on check in, they just looked at mine and handed it back, no hold, no nothing.
6. You are given a wristband that gets you the big slide and the paddleboats for free, and discounts on the other pay to play activities (jetskis, jet lev, floating water park, stand up paddle boats and a discounted "adventure" tour.
7. You have access to the sister resort, Guy Harveys. It has an outdoor bar, firepit, free smores every nite.
8. 5 or 6 places to eat. The prices are not totally outlandish, but they do add a small premium that enough that you notice. We ate at Brady o'Beefs and the deli, and ordered some tableside food from the tiji bar. It was all very good.
9. The staff is very friendly. Always helpful and smiling.
10. The tiki bar. Dang. There are a couple of pure bars, and again the prices are just a bit above what you would expect, but there can be deals to be had. Beef O'bradys had a happy hour 3 - 5 in the afternoon, bucket of 5 domestic beers for $10. For a 14 oz mixed drink its around $10, a 32 oz "souvenir" drink is $17, beers ran 5 - 7$. There seemed to be live music somewhere most of the time.
11. There was never a problem getting a chair to sit on, although towels got a bit scarce one nite.
Over all the amenities at this resort are top notch. It is designed to drain you wallet however, so plan accordingly. My wife drank her own wine, and I seen tables with beer from outside, and no one said anything at all. The bars are busy enough that they dont seem concerned. There is lots to do for a family, or a couple. We didnt explore the area too much, but there is a publix close by (10 min walk?), typical chain fastfood within a short drive, and a couple local restaurants within a 5 min walk.
Over all we enjoyed our stay. If BG figures out the room/parking situation, it could be one of the best resorts in the system
Greg
First, this is not (yet) your typical BG resort. The Bad:
1. The rooms are lower quality then I am used to. I would say EconoLodge quality. 2 queen beds, small tv, no kitchen ( we knew there was no kitchen). There was a small fridge (cabinet style), and a 4 cup coffee maker (about the size of a snowball!). Small bathroom, a chair, and a small table.
2. There are no luggage carts, if you want assistance, they will bell hop your luggage up, but I would expect they will be wanting a tip.
3. The parking lot is a walk from the room, unless you are lucky enough to get a close one (there are not many).
4. Its a convention center also, so while we were there, there were about ~800 convention ppl around, using up the parking lot..it usually took 4 or 5 trips around in circles in hope of finding something if you went out and came out.
The Good:
1. 5 pools! One (the one right in front of the BG building) is reserved for 21 and older.
2. Beach access is amazing. Walk out, and you are practically on the beach.
3. Free Cabana's. All you do is go online the day before, pick a beach cabana and its all set up for you in the AM. If you want the front row, its a $15 upgrade, but the rest are free.
4. Room service to the Cabana's, if you are so inclined (smartphone/IPhone app).
5. Even though the BG sites says they put a hefty hold on your CC on check in, they just looked at mine and handed it back, no hold, no nothing.
6. You are given a wristband that gets you the big slide and the paddleboats for free, and discounts on the other pay to play activities (jetskis, jet lev, floating water park, stand up paddle boats and a discounted "adventure" tour.
7. You have access to the sister resort, Guy Harveys. It has an outdoor bar, firepit, free smores every nite.
8. 5 or 6 places to eat. The prices are not totally outlandish, but they do add a small premium that enough that you notice. We ate at Brady o'Beefs and the deli, and ordered some tableside food from the tiji bar. It was all very good.
9. The staff is very friendly. Always helpful and smiling.
10. The tiki bar. Dang. There are a couple of pure bars, and again the prices are just a bit above what you would expect, but there can be deals to be had. Beef O'bradys had a happy hour 3 - 5 in the afternoon, bucket of 5 domestic beers for $10. For a 14 oz mixed drink its around $10, a 32 oz "souvenir" drink is $17, beers ran 5 - 7$. There seemed to be live music somewhere most of the time.
11. There was never a problem getting a chair to sit on, although towels got a bit scarce one nite.
Over all the amenities at this resort are top notch. It is designed to drain you wallet however, so plan accordingly. My wife drank her own wine, and I seen tables with beer from outside, and no one said anything at all. The bars are busy enough that they dont seem concerned. There is lots to do for a family, or a couple. We didnt explore the area too much, but there is a publix close by (10 min walk?), typical chain fastfood within a short drive, and a couple local restaurants within a 5 min walk.
Over all we enjoyed our stay. If BG figures out the room/parking situation, it could be one of the best resorts in the system
Greg