The Daytona, A Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel — My Very First Booking as a Travel Advisor

When you're brand new to anything, there's a moment where you just have to stop researching and actually do the thing. For me, that moment came shortly after I became an independent travel advisor with Fora Travel. I had access to a whole new booking system, a back office I'd never navigated before, and one very simple question: how does this actually work?

So I made my first booking. And I made it for myself.

The property was The Daytona, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. I was already planning a trip to take my son on a college tour at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, so it was the perfect opportunity — learn the system, experience a property firsthand, and make a memory with my kid all in one trip. Here's what I found.

First things first — when I walked in, I was briefly confused. There is no check-in desk on the ground floor. You take the elevator up to the second floor to check in, and if nobody mentions that to you ahead of time, you will absolutely spend a few minutes looking around wondering what you're missing. Ask me how I know. Once I figured it out, the staff was warm and welcoming and the whole process was smooth — but consider this your heads-up so you walk in with more confidence than I did.

The hotel's personality really comes through once you start exploring. The Daytona leans fully into its identity — and that identity is racing. Throughout the lobby and common areas you'll find actual race cars on display, positioned almost like works of art. Not replicas. Real race cars. It's one of those design choices that could easily feel gimmicky but absolutely does not. It feels authentic, because it is. This hotel knows exactly where it sits — directly across the street from the Daytona International Speedway — and it celebrates that in the best possible way. My son thought it was incredible. Honestly, so did I.

Our room was spacious and modern — clean lines, a relaxed but elevated feel, nothing fussy. It looked out over a courtyard area, and beyond that we had a clear view of the Daytona International Speedway right from the window. For a Daytona 500 trip that would be an absolutely surreal thing to wake up to. For a college tour trip it was just a really cool bonus that neither of us expected.

Even the in-room minibar leaned into the racing theme — Daytona-branded products, race-inspired snacks, and energy drinks that made us smile the moment we walked in. It's a small touch, but it's exactly the kind of detail that shows how much thought went into this property.

The pool area is modern and well-designed — a spa, cabanas available for rental, clean and resort-like in feel. We didn't get to enjoy it on this visit because Embry-Riddle campus tours don't leave much room in the schedule, but I grabbed a photo and it looks like a wonderful spot to unwind if you have the time.

We didn't make it to the restaurant, but we did stop at the Blue Flame bar — and it ended up being one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. We grabbed drinks and found a spot on the outdoor patio and just sat. No agenda, no schedule, no rush. Just good weather, a good drink, and a quiet conversation with my son in the middle of a busy few days. The bartenders were genuinely warm and friendly, and that carried through every interaction we had with staff throughout the stay. Everyone was accommodating and kind.

As for the location — The Daytona sits directly across the street from the Daytona International Speedway, right in the middle of a large entertainment district. It's walkable and lively, with a wide variety of restaurants, a movie theater, and an arcade all within easy reach on foot. One thing I want to be upfront about, because honest details matter: this hotel is not on the beach. It's about a 15-minute drive to the coast. For families visiting Embry-Riddle or attending a Speedway event that is a complete non-issue — the location is ideal. But if a beachfront stay is what you're after, this isn't that hotel, and I'd rather you know that going in.

As a Marriott Bonvoy member I also received a $5 credit for the market and a $15 credit toward the bar or restaurant during my stay — small perks, but a nice touch on top of an already solid experience.

My very first booking as a travel advisor was this hotel, made for myself, because I needed to learn how everything worked. It turned into so much more than a practice run. Great property, wonderful staff, a room with a Speedway view, and a patio drink with my son that I'll remember long after I've forgotten everything else about the schedule.

Not a bad way to start.

If you're planning a trip to Daytona Beach — for an Embry-Riddle visit, the Daytona 500, or anything in between — I'd recommend The Daytona without hesitation. And I can say that now not just as an advisor who did her research, but as someone who has actually been there.

Ready to start planning your next trip? I'd love to help. Reach out anytime — let's make something unforgettable