If you are planning a vacation to the Daytona Beach area one of the first things you will consider is where to stay. There is quite span to choose from, ranging from down in Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach and up to Ormond-by-the-Sea and Ormond Beach. Along that expanse you will find a variety of options to choose from to help you create a great vacation.

Deciding where to stay in the Daytona Beach area isn't as challenging as it may seem, if you know a little about the areas. Here are a few tips on choosing where to stay:

• Ormond Beach area. This area is just north of Daytona Beach, so there are fewer tourists than there are in Daytona. It's still a great beach city that offers a laid back atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and plenty of things to do. Choosing a hotel in Ormond Beach is good if you are looking to avoid some of the tourist crowds, but still enjoy the beaches of the Daytona Beach area. You will be within 15 minutes or so of activities in Daytona.

• Daytona Beach. There are plenty of hotels in Daytona Beach to choose from. It's going to be more crowded in this area, especially during peak times, but there is also a lot to do. There are plenty of hotels along A1A to choose from, both on the beach and across the street from it. The best hotels are generally on the beach, rather than across the street from it. Most across the street are older and do not offer ocean views. Along here there are hotels, as well as condo rentals.

• Daytona Beach Shores. This area is just south of Daytona Beach and offers beautiful beach areas and plenty of nice hotels to choose from. There are less tourists that stay here, so if you are looking to get away from the crowds some this will be a good choice. There are plenty of hotels on the beach here to choose from.

• New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet. These areas are about 15-20 minutes south of Daytona Beach. The beaches have many locals, so they are not as busy, and there are not many hotels.  Most of the rentals are condo rentals or off beach hotels. It's a beautiful, laid back area, that is a beach community. In New Smyrna Beach a great area to stay in is Flagler Avenue. There are places to stay, including bed and breakfasts, that put you in a great area that has a shopping district with unique stores, great restaurants, and more.

There are plenty of areas and hotels in the Daytona Beach area to choose from. There are also many condos to consider. If you choose to stay away from the beach, such as on the mainland, there are hotels that will put you within a 10-15 minute drive to the beach. If you will be staying longer than  a week or so you may want to consider getting a condo or hotel that offers a kitchenette. If you like the idea of staying in a touristy area that offers a lot to do, consider the hotels near the Ocean Walk. The Ocean Walk offers restaurants, entertainment, and it is near the Boardwalk. There is a lot to do and see and it's right on the beautiful beaches of Daytona Beach!