The Salty Mermaid Ocean-Front Hotel

Who doesn't wish they could trade their legs in for a fin, toss that old bra out the window for a free seashell one and have long flowing hair that seems to always have perfect beach waves in it? No one. I have dreamed of being a mermaid my whole life. I even drank gallons of water when I turned 13 because I thought it would make me turn into a mermaid a la the Disney Channel Original Film "The Thirteenth Year". Well this weekend I got to at least pretend for a few days. 

This past week my girlfriends and I were invited to The Salty Mermaid Ocean-Front Hotel in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I have been following this adorable boutique hotel on Instagram and I was delighted to get to see it in person. I don't want to spoil the story, but it definitely exceeded my already high expectations. 

I don't know where to begin, the heavenly bed, amazing amenities, gorgeous view, yoga on the beach, breakfast by the ocean? 

The Salty Mermaid is on Buenos Aires Street, just off of the famous Flagler Street in downtown New Smyrna Beach. The one-story hotel has 5 luxury rooms and each one is dripping with charm. 

This is not the first hotel that has resided in this building.  The the owners made sure to keep the unique details to this old inn intact. In many of the rooms there are square cut outs with blue glass along the wall, it is almost like looking underwater when the light shines through. In the morning, the sun comes beaming in through your windows casting a gorgeous blue light and a natural alarm clock.

Checking in was like running into an old friend. Stephanie, the hotel manager, was one of the friendliest people I have ever been in contact with. We had to introduce ourselves with a hug because we have been communicating for so long it was like we were ancient friends who haven't seen each other in a decade. This girl is the life of The Salty Mermaid, she made sure our stay was beyond incredible and did the same for every other guest here. 

When you walk into the room you are hit with an incredible scent, I know this is a funny detail, but walking into a clean room is one thing, walking into a clean, amazing smelling, bright hotel room is a whole other ball park. 

Mermaid pictures hanging on the wall, flat screen TV, wifi, and a plush white bed  in the middle of the room: this place was paradise. The large, tile bathroom had plenty of room for us three girls to pile our makeup, straighteners, and various beauty sundries and, get this, it had a button where you could play music while you were in the shower! 

Now, before I move outside the room, this bed was something else. I pride myself on my own plush bed at home but this one really had me beat. The giant king bed swallowed me up like a marshmellow and had me snuggled up, fast asleep in no time after our very adventurous night on Flagler. You can't take the bed with you but you can buy the pillows in the lobby area, and I will be purchasing at least 4. 

If lounging on the beach with a good book is your idea of a beach trip then the only thing separating you from that is a sliding glass door which you can keep open all day long. Step out the back door onto soft grass, dozens of lawn chairs, tables and chairs, and even a relaxing couch or two you can rearrange around the fire pit. Put your feet up, make yourself a cocktail and watch the waves roll by.

I can see a few of you now thinking "wait, I can't do that all day." Don't worry, the Salty Mermaid has bike rentals, paddle board tours through the mangroves, and is just about a two minute walk from the bustling Flagler Street with shops, restaurants, and even a cheesy tourist shop where you can get a hermit crab if you are so inclined.

You can make this hotel as secluded or as busy as you want.

As a Lululemon employee, I love finding new ways to immerse myself in a community. Every Monday night, the Salty Mermaid hosts yoga on their lawn. This was such a fun way to meet locals and tourists alike, just joining in to relax and listen to the ocean. I'm not always with friends when I travel  so it is nice to find a place where you can mingle with people with similar interests. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, this is a great way to see a little bit of New Smyrna's newest hotel addition while also meeting some pretty rad locals and visitors.

I am a girl, if you didn't already know that, and most girls (me included) have started planning our weddings since we were about five-years-old so when Stephanie told me about the wedding capabilities of this hotel I was practically drooling. They transform the back lawn into an island wedding dream, as many tables as you need, plus a built in isle of pavers leading down to the stairs to the beach. Can you just imagine the pictures from a Florida wedding?  

I have this towel my mom bought me in Hawaii, it says: "Kinda pissed about not being a Mermaid."  Grab your girlfriends, significant other, plan you wedding or your bachelorette party or just pack yourself up and head to New Smyrna Beach and pretend to be a mermaid for the weekend. This adorable boutique hotel will be the highlight of your trip, but make sure to book an extra day (and far in advanced) so you don't feel too bad about laying inside all day on the heavenly bed.