The Sunshine State continues to be a raging success, and no one is happier than smaller airports serving as secondary choices to keep away from the lots.
Unfortunately, you might nonetheless be topic to an undesirable bodily examination underneath the guise of “you’ve been randomly selected for additional screenings”. Yeah…okay, buddy…
Unavoidable TSA hassles apart, there are undoubtedly advantages to flying secondary airports. With sometimes much less anxious traces and low-cost carriers anchoring them, it is the way in which journey must be: seamless and reasonably priced.
As Florida continues on a record-breaking tear, a brand new report revealed that one shocking Florida metropolis has turn out to be a brand new journey hotspot—and it isn’t simply because it has been remodeled into an surprising resort city.
Travelers are utilizing its handy location to benefit from the shocking delights of the harbor over the jam-packed coast, all whereas being in shut proximity to different hidden gems overshadowed by Southwest Florida’s cluster of paradises, reminiscent of 12 months after 12 months ‘Best Beach’ champ, Siesta Key.
Punta Gorda: Gateway To Paradise Or New Resort Town?
Punta Gorda. Not precisely a family title, proper?
Punta Gorda Airport is seeing a virtually 24% surge in vacationers, so there is no denying it is gaining notoriety.
But what is the function? As talked about, there are a mess of close by coastal getaways worthy of being screensavers, but a noteworthy variety of guests to Southwest Florida are choosing Punta Gorda.
With Tampa, St. Pete, Fort Myers, and Sarasota all inside an affordable distance, solely St. Pete was listed behind Punta Gorda with a notable improve of passengers.
But one key motive is how a lot of a circus Tampa (TPA) has turn out to be. It’s America’s least dependable main airport with over half of all flights delayed, so after all vacationers will naturally search options.
That’s the place Punta Gorda is available in. It serves as a base for one in every of America’s fastest-growing finances airways, Allegiant, which, in an unprecedented transfer, constructed its personal resort, Sunseeker Resort, alongside the scenic Charlotte Harbor reasonably than one in every of many white-sand seashores to select from.
Before the resort opened in December 2023, there is no denying Punta Gorda was solely a springboard to Siesta Key, Naples, and quite a few pristine islands, however Sunseeker branded this underrated hideaway with a brand new identification that is nonetheless being sorted out.
Spoiler alert: Sunseeker Resort is on the market, lower than 2 years faraway from the grand opening.
The Future Of Sunseeker
Just a 12 months and half after opening, Sunseeker Resort has struggled with occupancy charges with no assist from Hurricane Milton.
As hyped because it was and as superior because it seems, the placement and worth factors appear to be the issue going ahead.
Allegiant took on a grand endeavor, even naming the resort after their allegiant flyers who they name solar seekers, a nod to the airways’ community of routes to sunny locations.
Given how the airline is understood principally for his or her low fares, the identical cannot be mentioned when reserving a room. A fast search exhibits ‘Harbor View’ rooms upwards of $330 this summer season and the views are nice for sunsets, however the brackish water is not any comparability to aforementioned white-sand shores in shut distance.
Now it is in the marketplace for a brand new proprietor with a brand new imaginative and prescient, leaving Punta Gorda in limbo awaiting its subsequent chapter.
Nobody is asking my recommendation, however I say slap “Margaritaville” on the facade name it a day! It’s all the time 5 o’clock someplace and that is a attract and of itself alongside Charlotte Harbor, a spot that has all of the components of a Jimmy Buffet tune.
New Attractions & Chill Vibes: Punta Gorda’s Appeal Beyond Sunseeker
One factor you may discover straight away about Southwest Florida is that they love their tiki bars! Punta Gorda is not any totally different.
Beyond Sunseeker, arguably the most important attraction is TT’s Tiki Bar, a preferred gathering spot for locals and guests to absorb the harbor views with out having to fork over $300+.
They even provide a free shuttle to get right here!
There’s one other tiki hut on the horizon, although. Bayfront Center was ravaged by Hurricane Ian 3 years in the past, and the comeback plan is to revamp the previous website with a brand new tiki hut (bar included, after all), a efficiency stage, and different enjoyable facilities like meals vehicles and porch-like swings going through the waterfront to seize Punta Gorda’s well-known fiery sunsets.
But what’s already drawing in guests are ample harborside seafood eateries, particularly Fisherman’s Village.
Here, you may discover over 30 outlets and eating places, plus an all-suites resort giving Sunseeker a run for its cash – actually!
A Village Suite goes for $192 this summer season, practically half the worth of Sunseeker with extra walkability, a vibrant marina when you befriend a yacht proprietor, and quite a few thrilling occasions all year long.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.