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.
Sadly, you can nonetheless be topic to an undesirable bodily examination below the guise of “you’ve got been randomly chosen for extra screenings”. Yeah…okay, buddy…
Unavoidable TSA hassles apart, there are positively advantages to flying secondary airports. With usually much less hectic traces and low-cost carriers anchoring them, it is the best way journey must be: seamless and reasonably priced.
As Florida continues on a record-breaking tear, a new report revealed that one stunning Florida metropolis has turn into a brand new journey hotspot—and it isn’t simply because it has been remodeled into an sudden resort city.
Vacationers are utilizing its handy location to benefit from the stunning delights of the harbor over the jam-packed coast, all whereas being in shut proximity to other hidden gems overshadowed by Southwest Florida’s cluster of paradises, comparable to yr after yr ‘Greatest Seashore’ champ, Siesta Key.
Punta Gorda: Gateway To Paradise Or New Resort City?
Punta Gorda. Not precisely a family title, proper?
Punta Gorda Airport is seeing an almost 24% surge in vacationers, so there isn’t any denying it is gaining notoriety.
However what is the goal? 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 inexpensive distance, solely St. Pete was listed behind Punta Gorda with a notable improve of passengers.
However one key cause is how a lot of a circus Tampa (TPA) has turn into. It is America’s least reliable main airport with over half of all flights delayed, so after all vacationers will naturally search options.
That is the place Punta Gorda is available in. It serves as a base for considered one of America’s fastest-growing finances airways, Allegiant, which, in an unprecedented transfer, constructed its personal resort, Sunseeker Resort, alongside the scenic Charlotte Harbor moderately than considered one of many white-sand seashores to select from.
Earlier than the resort opened in December 2023, there isn’t any 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 id that is nonetheless being sorted out.
Spoiler alert: Sunseeker Resort is for sale, lower than 2 years faraway from the grand opening.
The Future Of Sunseeker
Only a yr 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 to be, the situation 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 largely for his or her low fares, the identical cannot be mentioned when reserving a room. A fast search reveals ‘Harbor View’ rooms upwards of $330 this summer time 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 available on the market for a brand new proprietor with a brand new imaginative and prescient, leaving Punta Gorda in limbo awaiting its subsequent chapter.
No person is asking my recommendation, however I say slap “Margaritaville” on the facade name it a day! It is 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 substances of a Jimmy Buffet music.
New Points of interest & Chill Vibes: Punta Gorda’s Enchantment Past Sunseeker
One factor you may discover immediately about Southwest Florida is that they love their tiki bars! Punta Gorda is not any totally different.
Past Sunseeker, arguably the largest 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 Middle was ravaged by Hurricane Ian 3 years in the past, and the comeback plan is to revamp the previous web site with a brand new tiki hut (bar included, after all), a efficiency stage, and different enjoyable facilities like meals vans and porch-like swings dealing with the waterfront to seize Punta Gorda’s well-known fiery sunsets.
However what’s already drawing in guests are ample harborside seafood eateries, particularly Fisherman’s Village.
Right here, you may discover over 30 retailers and eating places, plus an all-suites resort giving Sunseeker a run for its cash – actually!
A Village Suite goes for $192 this summer time, practically half the worth of Sunseeker with extra walkability, a vibrant marina should you befriend a yacht proprietor, and quite a few thrilling events all year long.
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Opinions expressed listed below 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, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.
