Florida advise

[bayerische]

Can I wear my Rolex?

No but seriously, I've been many times, it's one of our favourite places to go.

We are still not sure we'll spend the whole 2 and a half weeks just in Florida or if we'll jump on a plane to the Caribbean...

We always have Ft Lauderdale as our "base", done Miami, done the Key's, done Orlando etc...

I'm thinking we should spend a week or so on the Gulf Coast? Never been on the west side of Florida, besides Tampa once many years ago.

What would you recommend? Clearwater? Sanibel?

We also thought about taking the Ferry over to Bahamas, is that worth it for say 3-4 nights?

We are travelling with our daughter who will be about 4 months old at the time, so comfort is of the essence!

[Art 1]

Sanibel is very nice. We go to Lido Key several times each year and have a trip coming up. Any of the keys off Sarasota are very nice. Longboat Key Club is a nice place to stay. I highly recommend that area.

[Etschell]

siesta key, marco island or naples as well. st pete is nice too.

[bayerische]

Thanks, I'll look into these. We're visiting november/december. Plane tickets booked, but no accommodation yet, as we like to keep our options open.

[crew]

I spend most of the winter in Naples FL and highly recommend it. We have beautiful beaches, tons of great restaurants and a decent night life for those so inclined.
Naples is a less than 2 hour ride from Fort Lauderdale so it’s easy to get to. I fly in to either Fort Myers (30 minutes north) or Lauderdale when I go.
Also, as mentioned above, the small keys off the west coast of Florida offer great beaches (Siesta Key is my favorite) along with Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
I’ve not been to St. Pete’s Beach but I’ve heard good things about it as well.

[bayerische]

From what I know these are all chill of the grid places, we "hate" South Beach, just as an example....? Well not Hate it, it's a cool place to spend a day, but that's enough for me.

[Old Geezer]

We enjoy Sanibel. IMO, the other cities along the west coast are fine but similar to the east coast. I like sanibel and captiva for their degree of isolation.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by Etschell

siesta key, marco island or naples as well. st pete is nice too.

This^^^

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by bayerische

From what I know these are all chill of the grid places, we "hate" South Beach, just as an example....? Well not Hate it, it's a cool place to spend a day, but that's enough for me.

south beach is a trash beach. i would say more but i dont want to offend anyone. let me put it this way - i would never take my kids to south beach.

[austinp]

Marco Island or Sanibel. Both are great.

[rolexinfl]

Good suggestions

I would ass St Pete/Longboat Key, as well as Cedar Key if you want a small fishing village type place with no hotels. 'Old Florida'

Also try Destin and the panhandle, very nice change of scenery in FL.

And yes, wearing a Rolex everywhere is fine.

[Ferdelious]

Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, St Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach would be my suggestions. Sanibel is good if you like isolation but there's not much to do or eat there. If you are in the 4 places I recommended you're still close to bigger urban areas with great food and activities.

[.brian.]

Originally Posted by Art 1

We go to Lido Key

St. Armands Circle! Columbia Restaurant! Unfortunately, I have only been here when traveling for work and only get to pass through, never vacationed here, but it is a really nice area.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Etschell

south beach is a trash beach. i would say more but i dont want to offend anyone. let me put it this way - i would never take my kids to south beach.

South beach is similar to 47th street NYC. Lots of rudeness, and lots of people trying to separate you from your money

[wantonebad]

In order of preference for me... YMMV

1. Caribbean
2. East Coast FLA
3. Gulf Coast FLA

My in laws used to be in Boca, so for the last 18 years we've been going to the east coast and staying with them or somewhere close and my heart is always with the Atlantic it feeds my soul.

They've moved an hour southeast of Tampa and Clearwater and I'm not a huge fan of that area so I'm biased. Take my opinion with at least three grains of salt.

As for the Caribbean, twice a year on Paradise Island and the occasional jump to Jamaica or Mexico. Couldn't love it more.

[bayerische]

If we go to the Caribbean it will most likely be one of the French islands, because of the food.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by .brian.

St. Armands Circle! Columbia Restaurant! Unfortunately, I have only been here when traveling for work and only get to pass through, never vacationed here, but it is a really nice area.

Yes been there many times. We like Lido Key because we can walk to St Armand.

[GB-man]

If you want off the grid I’d probably head for the islands. The gulf coast is not all that different from the east coast in my opinion. Slower and older but there is still a lot of people around.

[Naples09]

I agree with some of the above. Naples is a wonderful spot to get away with great beaches and wonderful restaurants. I’d pass on st. Pete. The beaches are nice but the city not so much compared to other options on the gulf coast. Siesta key is fantastic though.

Enjoy your trip.

[Chewbacca]

Eliot should be able to help.

I’ll call him.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by bayerische

If we go to the Caribbean it will most likely be one of the French islands, because of the food.

Some great restaurants in the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands and don't sleep on Mexico either. Food is a major draw and resorts and community's that need to bring people in know it!

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Some great restaurants in the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands and don't sleep on Mexico either. Food is a major draw and resorts and community's that need to bring people in know it!

iberostar grand rose hall.

i like turks the best though.

[Watch This]

South Seas Plantation. Sanibel/Captiva.
The gulf beaches are WAY nicer than the Atlantic Ocean beaches.
The gulf people are WAY nicer too.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Etschell

iberostar grand rose hall.

i like turks the best though.

Jean George has a few on Paradise Island and in Nassau there is Graycliff, two of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had were at Graycliff, who want's turkey when you can have Stone Crabs and Pheasant! LOL

http://www.graycliff.com/dining/

and my second favorite Bahamian dinning destination DUNE by Jean George in the now Four Seasons owned One and Only Beach Club

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

John George has a few on Paradise Island and in Nassau there is Graycliff, two of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had were at Graycliff, who want's turkey when you can have Stone Crabs and Pheasant! LOL

http://www.graycliff.com/dining/

i like hog snapper too

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by bayerische

From what I know these are all chill of the grid places, we "hate" South Beach, just as an example....? Well not Hate it, it's a cool place to spend a day, but that's enough for me.

Also can’t recommend Siesta Key highly enough. Amazing quartz beach so doesn’t feel hot underfoot.

If you want chill out, that’s one of the nicest beaches I’ve ever been to.









And yes a Rolex would be perfectly safe there !

[bullsfan01]

To the OP, I live here in FL and the areas you mentioned in S FL are nice but IMO, and yes I'm a little biased, the Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater area are the best the time of year you are look to come down. Clearwater Beach is the best in the country, Sand Pearl Resort on Clearwater Beach is awesome. If you want to head south a bit to St Petersburg, the Don Cesar Resort is an historic landmark and a wonderful place to stay as well. And as one poster pointed out, we have the original Columbia Restaurant here in town and a cuban sandwich and a 1905 salad foot the bill with the scenery.

[jnelson3097]

We’ve stayed at the LaPlaya in Naples quite a few times in the past 5 years and love it there.

[crew]

Originally Posted by jnelson3097

We’ve stayed at the LaPlaya in Naples quite a few times in the past 5 years and love it there.

My condo is just down the beach from LaPlaya, just past the Ritz Carlton. Many, many people think that LaPlaya is the number 1 Hotel in Naples, even ahead of the Ritz.
I stayed at the Hyatt on Clearwater Beach and left somewhat disappointed in the area. I thought the area was small and congested. During that visit I also went to Siesta Key and had lunch at St. Armand’s Circle. LOVED both spots!

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by crew

My condo is just down the beach from LaPlaya, just past the Ritz Carlton. Many, many people think that LaPlaya is the number 1 Hotel in Naples, even ahead of the Ritz.
I stayed at the Hyatt on Clearwater Beach and left somewhat disappointed in the area. I thought the area was small and congested. During that visit I also went to Siesta Key and had lunch at St. Armand’s Circle. LOVED both spots!

pretty sure the ritz beach is closed right now for renovation?