News

Jim Abbott

The Daytona Beach News-Journal

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Published 5:30 a.m. ET June 10, 2022

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES — Stepping out on the private balcony of a spacious three- room suite on the 9th floor of the new Max Beach Resort, Libby Gallant surveys the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

“This makes me love our beach every time I come up here,” said Gallant, the inaugural general manager at the newly completed Max Beach Resort, a gleaming 12-story, 72-room hotel that officially celebrates its grand opening with a private ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning.

“We have reservations coming in this weekend and we’re happy to see them,” said Gallant, a longtime veteran of Volusia County’s hospitality industry who has held leadership roles at Perry's Ocean Edge Resort in Daytona Beach Shores and the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center in Daytona Beach.

Although the hotel doesn’t officially open its doors until Friday, some guests started arriving as early as Wednesday as part of a soft opening of the $45 million property that originally was slated to be a beachfront luxury condominium tower when the project broke ground in 2019.

That plan changed in January, when Bayshore Capital, the project's Toronto, Canada- based developer, confirmed that it would instead be a vacation rental property with 72 one-, two- and three-bedroom vacation residences.

On an exclusive advance tour of the resort ahead of Friday’s grand opening, it was evident that the Max Beach Resort’s accommodations boast an array of amenities that reflect the initial condominium plan.

In the most spacious rooms — the three-room, 3-1/2 bath suites that all face the ocean — the 2,300-square foot space includes two master bedrooms with king beds and private bathrooms as well as a third bedroom with a twin bed as well as its own bathroom.

In one of the master bathrooms, a soaking tub offers the opportunity to relax with a breathtaking ocean view from one of the many floor-to-ceiling windows that dominate the building’s architecture.

Additional amenities include a 65-inch TV in the suite’s main living space and 50-inch TVs in the bedrooms, a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, state-of-the-art oven and a private balcony with sliding glass doors that open across the width of the living room.

Room rates for the 3-bedroom suites are expected to range from $900-$2,400 a night, depending on the time of year, Gallant said. The suites would make an ideal setting for extended families or larger groups that otherwise would be split into separate rooms, she said.

“We’ve already seen multiple bookings for multi-generational families who want to come and stay together, to bring the grandchildren,” Gallant said. “Here, they would have a living space to gather and have meals together, which makes for special family time.”

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The larger suites also would be ideal for wedding parties, a segment of group business that Gallant said already is being courted by Laura Radford, the hotel’s director of sales.

“It (the three-bedroom suite) would give them a special space, a fun atmosphere for them to be together for the occasion,” Gallant said.

Smaller two-bedroom and one-bedroom suites also are available at the hotel, with rates starting at $369 a night, Gallant said.

To celebrate its official opening, Max Beach Resort has announced a special limited-time offer that includes a two-night stay and a $50 food & beverage credit, with rates starting from $369 per night. Use promo code MAXGO to inquire about the promotion at the hotel’s website, maxdaytona.com.

Rooftop diversions include games, fitness, beautiful views

Beyond the suites, guests also have access to the hotel’s 12th-floor rooftop, home to an array of diversions including matching outdoor sunrise and sunset terraces on the east and west side of the building, as well as games such as pool and table shuffleboard at the indoor Beacon Lounge.

There's also the 24/7 Blue Zone fitness center, where workouts unfold against the backdrop of yet another beautiful ocean view.

Back on the ground, there’s guest dining at the outdoor Venn Bar, only a few steps away from an oceanfront saltwater pool and Jacuzzi.

The Venn Bar's name is rooted in the geometry of the hotel's approach to hospitality, Gallant explained.

"It's the connection of the ocean with our guests and fantastic service," she said.

Cabanas also are available for rent, each equipped with overstuffed cushions and accessories including a fruit and cheese platter, bottled water and a cooler.

Max Beach Resort still hiring employees

The Max Beach Resort is managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts, a Fairfax, Va.-based hotel management company that operates more than 100 hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada.

Crescent's other Florida hotels include the PGA National Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Hilton Inn Miami Beach Oceanfront, Mayfair at Coconut Grove, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld, Sarasota Modern Tribute Portfolio Hotel and the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort.

The hotel has hired 27 employees, but is still seeking additional staff members, Gallant said. In addition to Radford, the sales director, new hires include executive chef Sarah Mankie, who previously worked at the CorkScrew Bar & Grille in New Smyrna Beach.

“We’re still finishing up our hiring,” Gallant said. “We’re looking for the best of the best. That’s how we want to represent hospitality for our guests.”