Hey, I’m Mateo from This Teen Travelz, and this is my original The Daytona Autograph Collection review from Daytona Beach, Florida. If you’re looking for a hotel near Daytona International Speedway with awesome NASCAR theming, balcony rooms, solid tech, great food, and plenty to do nearby, this stay easily landed in my Top 5.
I’ve stayed at The Daytona more than once now, but this post is all about my original review — the stay that made me realize this hotel was one of my favorite Autograph Collection hotels so far. Here’s what stood out.
Update: I later returned to The Daytona and posted a full revisit review. If you want to see how the hotel held up on a return stay, check out my latest Daytona revisit review here.
First Impressions at The Daytona Autograph Collection
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 at The Daytona
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 at Blue Flame
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.
Things to Do Near The Daytona Autograph Collection
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.
Map: The Daytona Autograph Collection & Nearby Things to Do
Here’s a map of The Daytona Autograph Collection and some of the nearby spots I mentioned in this review, including Daytona International Speedway, ONE DAYTONA, GameTime Daytona, CMX Daytona Luxury Theatres, Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach, Buc-ee’s, and Daytona Beach.
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: Is The Daytona Autograph Collection Worth It?
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
FAQ: The Daytona Autograph Collection Review
Is The Daytona Autograph Collection good for teens?
Yes, The Daytona Autograph Collection is a great hotel for teens because it has strong theming, balcony rooms, easy tech setup, solid Wi-Fi, a fun pool area, and lots to do nearby at ONE DAYTONA.
Is The Daytona Autograph Collection close to Daytona International Speedway?
Yes, The Daytona is located across from Daytona International Speedway at ONE DAYTONA, making it a great hotel choice for race fans, NASCAR weekends, or anyone wanting to stay near the speedway. Marriott lists the hotel at 1870 Victory Circle in Daytona Beach.
Does The Daytona Autograph Collection have a pool?
Yes, The Daytona has an outdoor pool area with loungers, cabanas, and a firepit-style lounge area. The hotel’s official site also describes a resort-style pool area with cabanas and a fire pit.
Is The Daytona Autograph Collection good for a family stay?
Yes, this hotel works well for families because it has a fun motorsports theme, nearby restaurants, entertainment at ONE DAYTONA, and easy access to Daytona Beach attractions.
What restaurants are near The Daytona Autograph Collection?
The hotel has Blue Flame on-site, and it is also located near restaurants and entertainment at ONE DAYTONA. The official hotel site mentions nearby dining options including Blue Flame, Sir Malcolm, BUILT, P.F. Chang’s, and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery.
Would I stay at The Daytona Autograph Collection again?
Yes. This original stay was one of my Top 5 hotel experiences, and I liked it enough that I came back for a revisit review later.
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Autograph Collection Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews