5 of the Top Places to Meet on Florida’s Historic Coast

It could be tempting to describe St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach on Florida’s Historic Coast as a hole-in-one for meeting and event planners. After all, there is everything a planner would want here—well beyond the golf for which the region is renowned.

But there are so many options for groups ready to have productive meetings while enjoying experiences that will be remembered for years to come. We also know there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to all meetings.

So, let’s ditch the cliché while celebrating the many options available to ensure your group’s next gathering will be aces. With a mix of history, beauty and modern amenities, Florida’s Historic Coast is a beautiful backdrop regardless of whether plans are in the works for an intimate executive meeting or a large association convention. Beyond the obvious, though, are the stellar venues that attendees will make their home away from home for several days.

Here, we share the details of five venues that are ideal for crafting an above-par meeting and event.

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

Home to one of the country’s truly iconic golf course, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is also a standout hotel for meetings and events. With 90,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, Sawgrass Marriott has a variety of excellent options, including the 16,000-sq.-ft. Champions Ballroom that is just as well-suited for a 1,600-person meal as it is for a trade show. Sawgrass Marriott’s location, access to championship golf courses and versatility make it easy for a planner to bring their A-game.

Like any great champion, the hotel is not resting on its laurels. New improvements are on the horizon and should be completed within the next few months. Highlights include:

• The resort’s meeting spaces will receive a full refresh, bringing a new modern ambiance to the ballrooms, breakout rooms and pre-function areas.
• A new upscale rooftop beachside restaurant at the resort’s Cabana Beach Club will open. Fresh seafood, small plates, and top-flight cocktails and wines will be blended with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. There won’t be a happier hour than attendees mingling and networking here.
• Cabana Beach Club’s dining options are moving to a new building with updated menus and the debut of Sea Porch restaurant.
• Incentive planners will be among those cheering upgrades to The Villas at Sawgrass, which offer resort-style accommodations and homelike amenities with room to relax.

The Yards

Tucked into the famed Sawgrass Players Club neighborhood in Ponte Vedra Beach, The Yards is a playful boutique option for private events. After a morning filled with meetings, attendees will appreciate the activities offered here.

• Pickleball, one of the country’s fastest-growing sports for the past several years, takes center stage with 12 new, lighted courts completed in May 2022. Whether for a charitable fundraising activity or a teambuilding moment, pickleball is a fun alternative to traditional conference tournaments.
• There are 10 Har-Tru tennis courts should you want up to serve up action on that front.
• A dozen holes of golf will satisfy any attendee ready for some tee time.
  Take advantage of a beer loop spread across three golf holes for a greater emphasis on the sport’s social side.
• Take a reception alfresco at The Yards’ outdoor patio pavilion that holds groups of 300 to 350.

Hammock Beach Resort

Hammock Beach Resort recently received recognition worthy of its reputation when claiming the AAA Four Diamond rating. The Four Diamond status is awarded to select hotels with upscale style, amenities and impressive guest service, according to AAA.

The beachside resort minutes from St. Augustine specializes in corporate groups. The 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across 11 acres, including a spectacular ballroom with more than 4,500 square feet, allow for myriad ways to construct memorable meetings and events.

Award-winning staff complement an excellent array of amenities, including:

• Stellar golf courses designed by legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson;
• A full-service European-style spa;
• A 91,000-sq.-ft. water park, complete with a lazy river and three-story waterslide;
• 15 meeting rooms;
• Six dining options;
• A marina for kayaking or fishing;
• and more.

A food truck adds another dining option, and on-site pizza and ice cream storefronts in the hotel’s lower levels are in the works.

The Sabrage Catamaran

Corporate groups and award winners on an incentive trip will enjoy a night aboard The Sabrage Catamaran. Private tours on this elegant vessel offer the chance to appreciate the region’s beauty while enjoying a glass of fine wine. Receptions for 10 to 80 attendees are ideal as the ship rides from Hammock Beach northward. Elegant and Instagrammable moments await any group on this excursion.

Hyatt Place St. Augustine - Vilano Beach

The newest hotel in the region, Hyatt Place St. Augustine - Vilano Beach, celebrates the history around it. The resort-style hotel features art deco elegance and ocean views to make guests feel like they are in the lap of luxury. Open in January 2023, Hyatt Place St. Augustine - Vilano Beach will have 120 rooms and just over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 7,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. The rooftop bar will be popular for a networking event or a place to relax at the end of the day.

Florida’s Historic Coast never ceases to update its options, and no two trips are ever alike. Come see what’s new here. These venues are the path toward a meeting or event that attendees will remember for years to come.