Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
372
WHERE TO STAY IN COCOA BEACH
Most of the hotels listed below are in Cocoa Beach, the closest resort area to the Kennedy
Space Center, about a 30-minute drive to the north. (For pop-culture junkies, Cocoa
Beach was where the TV show
I Dream of Jeannie
took place.) Closest to the space center
and Port Canaveral is the
Radisson Resort at the Port,
8701 Astronaut Blvd. (Fla. A1A),
in Cape Canaveral (
&
800/333-3333
or 321/784-0000; www.radisson.com). It isn't on
the beach, but you can relax in its landscaped courtyard, where a waterfall cascades over
fake rocks into a heated pool. The hotel caters to business travelers and passengers wait-
ing to board cruise ships (with free transportation to the port and free parking while you
cruise); it offers complimentary breakfast.
The
Florida Space Coast Office of Tourism,
8810 Astronaut Blvd., no. 102, Cape
Canaveral, FL 32920 (
&
800/93-OCEAN
[936-2326] or 321/868-1126; www.space-
coast.com), publishes a booklet of the area's “Superior Small Lodgings.”
The area has a plethora of rental condominiums and cottages.
King Rentals, Inc.,
102
W. Central Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 (
&
888/295-0934
or 321/784-5046;
www.kingrentals.com), has a wide selection in its inventory.
Given the proximity to Orlando, the generally warm weather year-round, and the
business travelers visiting the space complex, there is little, if any, seasonal fluctuation in
room rates here. They are highest on weekends, holidays, and during special events, such
as space-shuttle launches.
Tent and RV camping are available at
Jetty Park,
in Port Canaveral (see “Beaches &
Wildlife Refuges,” above).
You'll pay a 5% hotel tax on top of the Florida 6% sales tax here.
DoubleTree Hotel Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Although not as upscale as the
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (see below), this is the pick of the full-service beachside
hotels. All newly renovated rooms have balconies with ocean views, and 10 suites have
living rooms with sleeper sofas and separate bedrooms. A charming dining room serves
decent Florida seafood and pizzas; it faces the beach and opens onto a brick patio where
water cascades between two heated pools. Conference facilities draw groups.
2080 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931.
&
800/552-3224
or 321/783-9222. Fax 321/799-3234.
www.cocoabeachdoubletree.com. 148 units. Winter $124-$184 double, $194-$224 suite; off season
$199-$249 double, $259-$299 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; concierge-level
rooms; exercise room; 2 heated outdoor pools; limited room service.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer; compli-
mentary high-speed Internet.
10
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Damaged by Hurricane Frances, the Hilton
Cocoa Beach Oceanfront reopened in early 2005 after a $21-million renovation to the
guest rooms, pool area, restaurant, and lounge. The rooms at this seven-story Hilton lack
balconies or patios; instead, they have small, sealed-shut windows, and only 16 of the
rooms face the beach. These and other architectural features make this seem more like a
downtown hotel transplanted to a beachside location. Nevertheless, it's one of the few
upscale beachfront properties here. No doubt you'll run into a crew of name-tagged
conventioneers, since it's especially popular with groups. Despite their lack of fresh air,
the rooms are spacious and comfortable, especially since the renovations.
1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931.
&
800/445-8667
or 321/799-0003. Fax 321/799-0344.
www.hiltoncocoabeach.com. 296 units. Winter $149-$169 double, $249 suite; off season $119-$149
double, $219 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; 2 bars; concierge-level rooms; exercise
room; heated outdoor pool; limited room service; watersports equipment rentals.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair
dryer, Wi-Fi.
