WHAT’S NEW IN FLORIDA’S NEW SMYRNA BEACH FOR 2023 From boutique hotel openings to dining debuts and new “surf’s up” experiences, the Florida gem has much to discover in 2023
New Smyrna Beach, a charming and eclectic beach town on Florida’s Atlantic coast, is known for its colourful streets, white sand beach and traditional appeal, and there’s plenty that’s new to entice holidaymakers in 2023, and to keep those already under its spell, coming back for more.
Located north of Kennedy Space Center and south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach offers a different experience to the Florida that many Brits are familiar with. An hour from Orlando, the quirky beach town offers miles of white sand, river and beach activities, thriving shopping and dining districts, boutique accommodation, natural wildlife encounters, a thriving arts scene and a refreshing absence of chain restaurants.
Accommodation updates
Luxury guesthouse and event venue Victoria 1883 has just joined the collection of high-end properties in New Smyrna Beach (opened Q4 2022). Exquisitely crafted from a home built around 1883, the main house at Victoria 1883 is the longest standing structure in the district. The property has been extensively renovated and reimagined, now offering a modern, refined place to unwind. Located in a waterfront location overlooking the Indian River, a chic B&B experience is offered across seven elegant, individually themed rooms and suites.
Every day starts with home-cooked breakfast favourites and guests will be enchanted by the gorgeous gardens, cosy and inspired gathering spaces, and even a hidden-away speakeasy which echoes with the property’s past. The new owners have meticulously researched the history of Victoria 1883’s namesake, Victoria Sheldon, daughter of one of New Smyrna’s pillar families and first residents, and how her family’s legacy lives on today with the opening of this gorgeous new guesthouse.
In other accommodation news, the existing Salty Mermaid oceanfront hotel, set in a prime location for both lively Flagler Avenue and beach access, will undergo a complete redevelopment spearheaded by an architectural design agency, with details to be announced in 2023.
New Smyrna Beach is renowned for its unique, historic and award-winning B&Bs. Black Dolphin Inn is a Spanish-style boutique inn, which gets its name from the Indian River’s dolphins that can be seen from balconies or the dock, is set to expand by adding two additional homes to its existing space. Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast is a pretty waterfront estate boasting rooms across two historic homes and a guest cottage. The Inn on the Avenue is an old French cottage with six colourful, individually themed rooms, located right in the heart of lively Flagler Avenue. And Anchor Inn Bed and Breakfast is an ocean-themed B&B in a Craftsman bungalow in the historic downtown area, where many local artists have contributed to the unique old Florida atmosphere.
And finally, for visitors who love the services of a branded stay, the ground has been broken on a completely new, 114 room hotel, opening under the Hyatt Place brand. The new hotel is coming to the Third Avenue area of New Smyrna Beach in 2023, and will be located close to the beach, shops and several of NSB’s most-famous eateries. Other branded hotels in New Smyrna Beach, including Marriott’s SpringHill Suites New Smyrna Beach, Hilton’s Hampton Inn New Smyrna Beach and Best Western New Smyrna Beach Hotel & Suites, have all been recently refurbished and will welcome guests to refreshed looks in 2023.
Dining updates
There’s much for visitors to New Smyrna Beach to explore in the two distinct downtown districts, Flagler Avenue and Canal Street, with independent restaurants and cafés, art galleries, unique gift and homeware shops, local distilleries and not a fast-food joint in sight.
In 2023, art-focused Canal Street will see a Jimmy Hula’s open, bringing its seaside flair, delicious dishes, good vibes and “food nirvana” to the area. On beachy Flagler Avenue, The Avanu on Flagler opened in Q4 2022, offering Polynesian favourites and cocktails in a stylish indoor restaurant or on the outdoor rooftop with an unrivaled view of New Smyrna Beach.
Port Orange, the neighbouring town to New Smyrna Beach, saw Fysh Bar & Grill open in late 2022, and this is now the largest eatery in the county, offering American, Japanese and Italian cuisine, and a gelato station. Fysh also features three bars, a large rooftop with outdoor dining, stellar views and live entertainment.
Activities updates
Construction planning has begun on “PerfectSwell Edgewater“, set to open in December 2023, four miles south of New Smyrna Beach in neighbouring Edgewater. Surrounded by natural resources and wildlife corridors, PerfectSwell Edgewater will unite exciting high performance surf technology with the serene natural environment. PerfectSwell Edgewater will feature a world-class Surf Pool, surf-inspired food and beverage, surf shop, surf training facility, clubhouse, meeting rooms, and cabana and day lounge areas. The development will also include a 125-room hotel.
For more information on New Smyrna Beach, please go to www.visitnsbfl.com.