EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2018 | Page 31

know us by name and they’re almost like family now,” said they were mostly independent owner/operators and it’s certainly
Smith. “They’ll ask for specific rooms or cottages because they’ve changed over the years,” said Brown. “I don’t fear the chains
always been coming. We try to personalize everything and they coming in, I welcome them. If we have ten new hotels on the
like that,” he said. beach they’re all chain-affiliated, that’s ten new properties that
“The wonderful and terrific staff and ‘Old Florida’ laid back
are marketing Daytona Beach, so that’s a lot more people beating
type of resort is what my family and I love,” said Bebe Burnett, the drum to get people to Daytona Beach. The tide rises all boats,
who’s been coming to Coral Sands with her family since 1982. that’s my philosophy.”
“The welcoming, the kindness, the thoughtfulness and the
New ownership
happiness that we receive here makes us feel like we are coming of independent hotels
home to a wonderful family.” has also provided a
chance to save those
that had fallen into
disrepair, such as the
Streamline Hotel,
while revitalizing the
Daytona Beach area.
Few things define
Streamline Hotel
Daytona Beach like NASCAR and the Daytona International
Speedway, but very few people know the iconic Streamline Hotel
is the location where it all came to life in 1947. A recent $6 million
renovation by Eddie Hennessy brought to life the picturesque 44-
Sun Viking Lodge
South, along A1A in Daytona Beach, visitors can experience
room property. Paying homage to the class and style of the 1940s,
while treating guests to luxurious 21st century rooms and service,
featuring dining at Oliver’s Hideaway and a rooftop bar with a
a different type of welcome at the Sun Viking Lodge. Owned by stunning view of the Daytona Beach skyline and Atlantic Ocean,
Gary Brown and his wife Barbara, the couple have seen their the Strealime Hotel provides guests the best of both worlds in an
share of families since becoming hoteliers 47 years ago. intimate setting.
Encouraged by Barbara’s parents, Karl and Carmela
Hennessy saw the opportunity to restore the Streamline as a
Evensgaard, hoteliers in Volusia County, Gary, just 21 years old way to preserve a part of Daytona Beach history while leaving
and Barbara 19, decided to take a chance on their hometown in a legacy for his daughters. “Once I saw the view, that’s when
1971. Since then, the couple has grown the family business from my vision kicked in,” said Hennessy. “We are the World’s Most
an 11 unit hotel to a 91 room destination that welcomes guests Famous Beach and I’m leaving a legacy for my two baby girls. It’s
with their signature Viking and langskip (Viking ship) as they all about the community and revamping Daytona Beach. This is
enter the Daytona Beach property, where Brown’s son Greg is what my vision is all about, restoring the whole corridor of the
currently the general manager. World’s Most Famous Beach and starting a new trend,” he said.
Three generations in the hospitality industry have translated
into a thriving family-owned business that treats its guests as
part of the extended family. “We are very fortunate here to have
built our business on repeat customers,” said Brown. “Most of
them have come back every year since 1971, some of them for five
generations and bring their kids, grandkids, great grandkids,”
said Brown. “That is very rewarding. It’s like old friends and it’s
been the key to our success.”
Over the years, he’s seen locally owned hotels bought out by
national brands and says he welcomes the marketing benefits
the national brands bring to the Daytona Beach area. “Years ago
we didn’t have very many brand name hotels in Daytona Beach,
Wilhemina Anderson is a recent graduate of
Flagler Palm Coast High School, class of 2018. As
a Dual Enrollment student, Wilhemina received
her Associates of Arts degree from Daytona State
College in May 2018 before receiving her high
school diploma. Continuing her education at
Daytona State College, Wilhemina plans to transfer
to the University of Central Florida in the fall of
2019 to pursue a career in the medical field as a
physician. Her passion for helping the community
has extended to volunteerism with the Friends
of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, the
United Way Women’s Initiative Flagler, Habitat for
Humanity and the Flagler Film Festival.
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