Allegiant's new Sunseeker Resort spreading its wings

02.04.2024 - 22:57 / travelweekly.com

In years gone by, railroads planned resort hotels along their routes hoping to stimulate more tourists to ride their rails.

Something like that is behind the new Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, the first resort developed by the discount airline Allegiant.

The 700-room property at the mouth of Florida's Peace River is just a bit north of Fort Myers and a 10-minute ride from the Punta Gorda Airport.

"That's one of the key reasons the company chose this location," said Deidre Villeneuve, executive director of marketing at Sunseeker Resorts. Las Vegas-based Allegiant carries passengers from 56 destinations to Punta Gorda, which hosts only one other airline (Sun Country).

The midrise, $615 million resort opened in late December and has the potential to put sleepy Punta Gorda on the map for many more tourists. I had a chance to take in the Sunseeker's amenities on a two-night hosted stay last month.

Poolside Reflections

Among the most eye-popping of those amenities is Reflections, the resort's Vegas-scale pool that stretches as far as the eye can see. The 2.7-acre pool deck features 350 loungers surrounding a free-form, 500,000-gallon pool.

On the brisk day I visited, swimmers were scarce, but I could imagine families camped out poolside in force during the summer.

Alternatively, there's Level Blue, the boomerang-shaped, adults-only pool on the rooftop of the main hotel tower. In a separate world 127 feet in the sky, Level Blue provides a more rarified pool environment for those willing to shell out $20 for the experience.

It may not be a daily habit for the average guest, but I expect anyone on more than a brief stay will want to at least try living the rooftop life.

Another outstanding feature is the half-mile Promenade that spans the length of the resort and overlooks the expanse of the Peace River. The waterside promenade is the thread that draws the resort together and provides a fun social experience.

As strolling guests explore, an array of shops and restaurants beckon. We tried four of the eight on-site food outlets. The premium steakhouse Maury's had the appropriately masculine design notes (dark wood paneling, banquette seating, leather-bound menus) and a dedicated lounge. We had a delicious small steak and a halibut fillet, with some sides and drinks, for $200 before tip.

The Allegiant Stadium sports bar features a row of reclining theater-style seats that are an almost irresistible place to watch your game of choice.

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