As a busy mom, it is very hard for me to find the elusive “free time” that I hear so many people talk about. Whenever I notice that my daughter has an extended period of time off from school, I start to think of a place we could go for a getaway. With a life that is busy enough as it is, on my vacation time I try and find places where I can relax with my feet up instead of more work.
One place that had always been in the back of my mind is the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra, Florida. My husband had stayed there once before and has been telling me for a while now that he knows it is a place I would absolutely love. Spring break was the perfect time for me to try it out and enjoy the experience.
Famous for its affiliation with golfing and its proximity to a famous course, it’s quite popular with that crowd, however my husband is no golfer and described it as an oasis nestled in between two of his favorite towns, Saint Augustine and Jacksonville. Moments away from the shopping, history and mystique of old Saint Augustine and an interstate ride up to the big city of Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra holds its own as a unique little city built just for relaxation.
We arrived at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa right before a rainstorm and upon entering into its impressive and grand lobby, my husband dragged us over to the Starbucks on site for a quick pick me up. Afterwards, the friendly and attentive staff gave us directions to our villa and a quick rundown of some of the amenities.
The Villa was the perfect place to relax, with a room for the kids to have their own bedroom and a rather large living room area, this was exactly the type of vacation I had in mind. I loved that it had a small kitchenette and a place to eat.
Our balcony overlooked a lake, and opening the windows allowed me to hear some of the local birds singing as the cool breeze lofted across my face. I loved sitting out there with my little family and I just took in the surroundings for a while. It was very peaceful.
After checking in, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the pub styled and family-friendly Alice & Pete’s where the food was exactly what we needed after a long drive.
My daughter spotted a foosball table and she quickly challenged my husband to a game. My youngest daughter was getting fussy so I decided to take the girls back to the room while my husband went to the gym.
On the way back to the room, I stopped to play a little table tennis with my daughter and noted how inviting the pool looked. My husband described the gym as well stocked and very clean as it was equipped with everything he needed for a full-body workout. Usually his biggest complaint is that gyms in hotels usually only cater to a crowd doing cardio. He was impressed with the weightlifting equipment at this facility.
One of the things my husband spoke most highly of was Vernon’s. I couldn’t wait to try their breakfast buffet and heard their dinners are equally as impressive. As we turned in for the night I was really impressed with how comfortable and cozy the villas work. Very quietly lots of room and perfect for a family.
The next morning my husband had 2 cups of coffee already before I had even woken up. The girls were still asleep so I sent him down to the breakfast buffet for a rare experience of him eating breakfast in peace. As he returned he excitedly told me about Chef Matt Sanchez and how they had a little time to talk about the offerings of Vernon’s and their specialties. Chef Sanchez made him what he described as “the worlds best poached eggs”, and couldn’t wait for me to get down there to meet him. It’s few and far between that you meet such wonderful people in hotels, but thankfully this is something I can say about everyone we encountered.
My oldest daughter and I strolled down to breakfast together after he returned and we really had the best time. It was just what we needed.
With such close proximity to Saint Augustine, we were able to leave the hotel at our leisure and spend some time in the beautiful historic city. Saint Augustine is a wonderful place but it is nice to leave the tourist areas and the busyness and return to what really was starting to feel like home. The grounds were immaculate in our hotel and there were more than enough things to explore.
Located at the resort’s Cabana Beach Club which is just a short drive down the road, 619 Ocean View offers a refined, oceanfront ambiance with a contemporary menu. This Ponte Vedra Beach restaurant is a popular dining destination at the Sawgrass resort. Enjoedy delicious food and attentive service. We met some of our family from Jacksonville and invited them over for dinner. We had a wonderful evening with a view unlike any other. The resort’s Cabana Beach Club offered access to the beach and also, had its own swimming pool and hot tub.
The Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa was not only a relaxing getaway in an oasis of a town, but it really felt like a home away from home. Certainly, if you wanted a jam-packed vacation you are close enough to all the major towns, but if you want to get away from it all, you really don’t even have to leave the resort.
Swimming, the beach, and some of the finest dining I have had to date, the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway for families. So many people might visit with golfing in mind, but you can most definitely take full advantage of the east coast of Florida whether it be surfing, many of the skateboard parks that Jacksonville has to offer, visiting St. Augustine or just enjoying your time at the resort. My daughters and I really love Saint Augustine and the shopping and history always draws us in.
With my Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Diaper Bag in hand… we strolled up and down the streets of St. Augustine prepared for what the day might bring. It was a perfect day! We had a lot of fun.
That said, staying in Saint Augustine can be a real hassle with the tourist nature of the environment. Ponte Vedra is the perfect spot and I am sure we will be back again soon. I highly recommend giving Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa a try if you are thinking of heading to the area. There is word of some summer promotions coming up and will be featured on their website June 10th.
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