PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – May 21, 2025 – Though it is only the end of May, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is already enjoying a banner year filled with prestigious awards and national recognition.
Sunsuites at Sunseeker Resort Receive AAA Four Diamond Designation
To start, Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor’s Sunsuites have just received the highly coveted AAA Four Diamond designation – a benchmark of luxury and excellence achieved by fewer than 7% of over 25,000 hotels inspected each year by AAA. The Sunsuites offer an elevated “hotel-within-a-hotel” concept, featuring 1- to 3-bedroom layouts, full kitchens with Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances, private balconies with harbor or sunset views, concierge service, and exclusive lounge access. With this award, Sunseeker becomes one of just 34 Four Diamond properties in all of Southwest Florida, and one of only seven between Sarasota and Fort Myers.
IceHouse Pub Named One of America’s Best Restaurants
Adding to the accolades, Punta Gorda’s beloved Ice House Pub has been recognized by America’s Best Restaurants as one of the top dining destinations in the country. Known for its authentic British pub atmosphere and food, and its expansive beer selection, the Ice House Pub is a local institution that both residents and visitors like to enjoy. Its inclusion on the national list reflects the area’s growing reputation as a destination not just for beautiful beaches and experiences, but for unforgettable culinary offerings as well.
Florida International Airshow a Finalist for USA TODAY’s Best Air Show
The Florida International Air Show, held annually at Punta Gorda Airport, recently won USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Air Show in the U.S. This is the second year in a row the event has been recognized as the best in the country by USA Today. This long-running event draws aviation fans from across the country and showcases everything from vintage aircrafts to state-of-the-art military flyovers.
Charlotte Sports Park: A Top Spring Training Destination
Charlotte Sports Park, the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, remains a crown jewel in the area’s sports scene. Known for its fan-friendly layout, family-focused activities, and up-close access to Major League Baseball action, the park has won Best Spring Training Facility by USA TODAY’s 10Best. This is now also the second year in a row Charlotte Sports Park has been lauded by the publication as one of the best-of-the-best.
“These honors affirm what locals and returning visitors have known for years – that Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach offers a truly unique and exceptional Florida experience,” says Public Relations Director of Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), Lois Croft.
With stunning coastal views, award-winning amenities, and a growing list of must-see experiences, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is proving itself as a standout destination in 2025.
For more information, visit www.pureflorida.com.
ABOUT PUNTA GORDA / ENGLEWOOD BEACH
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is Florida’s best-kept secret of a charming natural paradise located on the idyllic Southwest Gulf Coast. This coastal community surrounding the state’s second-largest harbor sits conveniently between Tampa and Naples. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of vibrant experiences in the sun-soaked oasis of the Southwest Florida islands, characterized by almost year-round sunshine and sub-tropical weather. Relaxation and discovery await in miles of waterways and inland exploration trails filled with unspoiled natural beauty. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature paths; to sun, shelling, and fossilized sharks’ teeth, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach immerses lively locals and active adventurers in a pure island experience. Most notably known for its 830 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve, and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda.
To learn more about Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, visit www.PureFlorida.com, call 941.743.1900 or discover the destination on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook @RealPureFlorida.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach VCB Media Contacts:
Lois Croft - Director of Public Relations
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
(941) 743-1900 | Lois.Croft@PureFlorida.com
Mady Dudley, Public Relations Director
Aqua Marketing & Communications
(727) 433-2435 / mady@welcometoaqua.com
