Two Championship Golf Courses and Family-Friendly Water Park at Sprawling Resort Overlooking Atlantic Ocean

Squeals and splashes ring out in the shadow of a spiraling water slide, while, not far away, a focused silence prevails as golfers line up shots on emerald fairways set at the very lip of the Atlantic Ocean. At the Hammock Beach Resort, the two scenes—one of frenetic activity, the other of relaxing quiet—are not incongruous. In fact, the palatial resort manages to encompass both tranquility and vibrancy within its sprawling expanse, producing a synthesis of family-friendly aquatic adventure and championship golf on immaculately tended grounds overlooking the ever-rolling surf.

After checking in at the resort's seashell-pink entrance, guests travel to the stately Lodge building and settle into aptly named Oceanview rooms, where a private walkout balcony draws the eye to a majestic view of the Atlantic below. Dark wood furnishings, cool tiled floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows contribute to the air of opulence in each room. One king or two queen beds, swathed in luxurious, sand-colored linens, offer themselves up to tired travelers, with the soothing sounds of the ocean drifting in from low-set windows. In the bathroom, an enormous walk-in shower rinses off beach bods with a rain-style showerhead.

Once they've explored their temporary digs, guests can venture into the outdoors, where a multitude of activities awaits. The resort's two championship golf courses are the Ocean course, designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus to provide stunning views of the abutting sea, and the ultra-challenging Conservatory course, designed by Tom Watson and comprising undulating greens, vast lakes, and three waterfalls.

Nongolfers can splash their way through Hammock Beach’s Fantasy Pool complex, where inner tubers leisurely float down a lazy river and thrill-seekers zip down a winding water slide into one of many turquoise pools dotting the site. An indoor pool provides further diversion for aqua adventurers—and then, of course, there's the pink-shell beach, where sun-kissed vacationers can frolic in the surf or rest on chairs and towels provided by the resort. Additionally, kids’ activities, a host of on-site restaurants and bars, a spa, and Hydro-Grid clay tennis courts proffer plenty of action without requiring guests to set foot outside the resort.

Palm Coast, Florida: Marine Adventure Near Sites Rich with History

Hammock Beach lords over Palm Coast, close to St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, with the bright lights of Orlando a 90-minute drive away. At a famous nearby oceanarium, visitors can watch bottlenose dolphins and even swim with the playful, trained creatures for an unforgettable up-close encounter. A walking culinary tour of St. Augustine, which rewards amblers with mouthfuls of local specialties, offers a tasty and informative way of getting to know the historic city. Wanderers can work off the calories by climbing the steps of the striking St. Augustine lighthouse and marveling at views of the oldest port in America.

Also located nearby is the Kennedy Space Center, the world’s only public space-launch area, where NASA sent shuttles into the stratosphere in front of thousands of spectators. Rumbling stomachs, empty after a day spent sky-gazing, find themselves presented with plenty of restaurant options, from casual, laid-back tapas to fresh, local seafood artfully prepared in romantic spots close to the resort.