In famous Daytona Beach, Florida, THE DAYTONA resort has set its mark as the flagship centerpiece of the ONE DAYTONA mixed-use center that includes hotels, luxury apartments, dining, and shopping options.

Landscape architecture firm Witkin Hults + Partners collaborated with Prime Hospitality Group, Shaner Hotels, and architectural firm Prime Design Associates to create the exterior areas of this prominent Autograph Hotel.

Surrounded by the energetic and vibrant entertainment area, THE DAYTONA resort provides guests the ultimate refuge in luxury, including balconies with views of the iconic speedway across International Speedway Boulevard. A pedestrian bridge now joins the two iconic sites and serves as an entryway for the city of Daytona Beach.

A Destination Resort

THE DAYTONA resort is part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. It is a full-service hotel completed in 2019 by Prime Hospitality Group from Hollywood, Florida in conjunction with Shaner Hotels out of Pennsylvania.

Witkin Hults + Partners designed all the exterior amenity areas as a retreat from the hustle of ONE DAYTONA and the excitement of the Daytona International Speedway across the street.

Design Elements

The porte-cochere at THE DAYTONA boasts a dynamic paving pattern in contrasting pewter and charcoal silhouettes.

A functional car lift allows race cars to be showcased on the upper-level terrace. Clusters of Florida native Sabal palms soften the adjacent building walls on each side of the car lift. The porte-cochere provides direct access to the ground level pool and courtyard.

WH+P designed the resort style pool along with other exterior amenities such as a fire pit lounging area for this motor-themed resort. The muted shades of gray on the arrival courtyard and pool deck are in pewter and slate. This 12″ x 3″ paver complements the geometry of the contemporary seating areas, with bright yellow cushions to add a pop of color, in the courtyard.

This courtyard garden contains an elliptical fire pit that was custom designed by WH+P. This fire pit was designed with safety in mind. The 11′-6″ wide basin contains a secondary level shelf within for the fire bowl to rest on. The design also included ground cover within the basin to further deter access to the fire bowl.

Curved concrete benches with cushions were built around the fire pit to provide a lounging area for day and night use.

As guests leave the intimate courtyard garden, the expanse of the pool deck opens to a stylish modern space with the same muted tones of grey. Three built-in cabana structures serve as a point of reference for the darker paver stripes that also define the pool features.

In the pool, slate color bands delineate the steps and swim out benches. The cabanas and perimeter privacy wall were designed by Prime Design Associates.

The wall pattern is interrupted by horizontal panels of grey wood that mimic the cabanas to create a cohesive appearance. White furnishings offer a clean, airy feel to the space. The planting palette is simple but effectively creates a haven with a series of tall signature date palms with colorful ground cover beneath.

Team List

Developer: Prime Hospitality Group

Architect: Prime Design Associates

Landscape Architect: Witkin Hults + Partners (Andrew Witkin, president / CEO; Kelly Ann Hults, managing partner; Chris Eaves, partner)

Interior Designer: Studio 11 Design

Civil Engineer: Zev Cohen & Associates, Inc.

MEP Engineer: Franyie Engineers, Inc.

Structural Engineer: De Los Reyes Engineering, Inc.

Food and Beverage Consultant: Atlantic Coast Fire

Life Safety Consultant: SLS Consulting, Inc.