Great stay!

Question

We stayed for almost a month in March. Our first trip here. Stayed at castle reef. Great property on non driving part of beach. Big pool and beach access. Quiet resort with lots of snowbirds. Great location. Less than five minutes to driving beach.

Went to lots of restaurants. Favorites were Norwood’s, corkscrew and Sonapa. We also liked ib’s fish camp, River Deck and Riptides in edgewsater.

Only bad meal was colts bbq. Food came out in five minutes and all meats were very dried out.

Went to chases twice. Lunch and drinks were good. Went back at night and they have a different menu. Drinks were very bad. Bad service (bartender was too busy talking to friends). Appetizer was cold.

Our last week was during spring break. We just avoided Flagler and it was all great!

Would definitely return.

Answer

It sounds like you had a great time during your month-long stay at New Smyrna Beach! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the quiet, relaxing atmosphere of Castle Reef and the surrounding area. It seems like you explored some wonderful dining options as well. Here’s a summary and a few thoughts based on your experience:

Accommodation: Castle Reef

Castle Reef sounds like an ideal spot for a beach getaway, especially with its non-driving beach area, big pool, and quiet ambiance. The close proximity to the driving beach and other attractions is a huge plus. If you’re looking for a peaceful stay with beach access, it seems like this property was a great choice!

Restaurants: Great Choices!

You had some great restaurant experiences during your trip! Here are your recommendations and a few thoughts:

Norwood's – Known for its seafood and wine selection, it seems like this was one of your favorites. A great spot for enjoying a meal with a cozy atmosphere.
Corkscrew – Another excellent choice! Their menu is often praised for its variety, and it’s perfect for those who enjoy a fine dining experience in a relaxed environment.
Sonapa – A favorite for good food and a nice ambiance. It’s great to hear you had a good experience here as well!
IB’s Fish Camp – Sounds like a solid option for seafood lovers! It’s known for its relaxed vibe and waterfront dining.
River Deck – Another great choice in Edgewater. This spot is perfect for casual dining with good views.
Riptides – Sounds like it was another favorite in Edgewater, offering a good variety of food and drinks.

Disappointments:

Colts BBQ – It’s unfortunate that your experience at Colts BBQ didn’t meet expectations. It’s a shame the meats were overcooked and dried out, as BBQ is often a highlight in Florida. It’s good to hear you had better experiences elsewhere!
Chases – It seems like the lunch and drinks were good, but the nighttime experience didn’t live up to the same standard. Bad service and poor drinks are definitely a letdown when you’re expecting a nice evening out. Hopefully, it was just an off night.

Spring Break Tips:

It’s great that you were able to avoid the crowds around Flagler during Spring Break. That can make a huge difference in how relaxing the area feels. It sounds like you made the most of your time and managed to find the quieter spots to enjoy your stay.

Would You Return?

It’s wonderful to hear that you would definitely return. New Smyrna Beach seems to have been the perfect place for a peaceful, beachside vacation with plenty of good food and relaxing activities. If you do decide to return, I’m sure you’ll be able to try out even more great spots and enjoy the same laid-back vibe that makes the area so appealing!

Thanks for sharing your detailed experience. Your insights will definitely help others looking to visit New Smyrna Beach. Hope your next visit is just as enjoyable!

Great stay!

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