Florida advise

[Art 1]

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!

My wedding reception was on St Armand's.

[77T]

Somehow I didn’t see what time of year. If it is Summer or early Fall, do your research on which beaches are having red ride or algae blooms.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/c...ide-algae.html

There are many Gulf beaches worth visiting. But any having that problem will take months to clear up.

Yes a Rolex & the Gulf go well together.






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[crew]

Originally Posted by Etschell

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

Apparently the Ritz is closed thru Labor Day for renovations. That’s ok, summer is definitely off-season, it’s hot, wet and muggy. I’m glad to be up north during the summer.

[goin camping]

Taking my first trip to Fla in January.

My Desert Rat buddy moved there when he retired so I'm off to visit and he lives thirty minutes from Siesta Key.

So if you see an old white guy in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and a California accent with a white faced SS Daytona. Say Hi.

[crew]

Originally Posted by goin camping

Taking my first trip to Fla in January.

So if you see an old white guy in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and a California accent with a white faced SS Daytona. Say Hi.

Based on that description you’ll hardly stick out in the crowd!

[Runner1975]

Some great suggestions here --- I definitely recommend Sanibel/Captiva (beautiful beaches, quiet get-away), Naples (beautiful beaches, more evening things to do but not really "late night"), and Siesta Key (beautiful beach, evening things to do).

Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater beaches/area are very nice, as well.

[Dyim]

Hop on a short cruise. Easiest way to travel when you have small kids.

[Headshrinker]

We have a home on LongBoat Key, a beautiful area with great dining and shopping nearby. The beaches from Anna Maria Island to Lido Key are also heavenly.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Hop on a short cruise. Easiest way to travel when you have small kids.

I'm not a fan of cruises. And with the epidemics of late onboard, there is no way I could convince my wife even if I tried.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

We have a home on LongBoat Key, a beautiful area with great dining and shopping nearby. The beaches from Anna Maria Island to Lido Key are also heavenly.

Been looking at pics online, and it does look great.

My wife was looking at the Dominican Rep, or Aruba yesterday for a week... I'm not so sure. Aruba looks to have beautiful beaches, but lots of resorts... You can buy a package deal from Finland to the Dominican, so I'm not too eager on that Island.

Been to; Cayman (loved it), St Martin (loved it), St Barths (loved it) Jamaica (not so much).

[travisb]

I've got a beach house on Palm Island. A true island away from everything. Not many know of this spot but it's like nothing else in my opinion.
Then take a drive up to Clearwater and take a tour of the AP service center!

[77T]

Originally Posted by travisb

I've got a beach house on Palm Island. A true island away from everything. Not many know of this spot but it's like nothing else in my opinion.

Then take a drive up to Clearwater and take a tour of the AP service center!

Know about that island and N. Captiva too. Admire your ability to manage life around the ferry/water taxi schedule. Isn’t there a resort on the island, too?

As a kid I recall Sanibel and Captiva before the bridges were built. Once the causeway was in place, it was like paradise lost.


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[travisb]

Originally Posted by 77T

Know about that island and N. Captiva too. Admire your ability to manage life around the ferry/water taxi schedule. Isn’t there a resort on the island, too?

As a kid I recall Sanibel and Captiva before the bridges were built. Once the causeway was in place, it was like paradise lost.


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There is a resort at the far end of the island. Only one restaurant and no grocery stores etc.
Anything you want you have to bring from the mainland. Very relaxing. Everyone gets around on golf carts and most roads are unpaved.
It’s not our primary residence so the ferry schedule doesn’t really affect us.


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[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Been looking at pics online, and it does look great.

My wife was looking at the Dominican Rep, or Aruba yesterday for a week... I'm not so sure. Aruba looks to have beautiful beaches, but lots of resorts... You can buy a package deal from Finland to the Dominican, so I'm not too eager on that Island.

Been to; Cayman (loved it), St Martin (loved it), St Barths (loved it) Jamaica (not so much).

I agree with you about the Dominican Republic, it's a very busy spot these days but it's all a mater of where you stay. The Amanera resort is fabulous!! Same people have a resort in the Turks & Caicos called Amanyara both top notch service and food. Jade Mountain in St. Lucia is also worth a look but to be honest as much as I love the Bahamas I would go back to the Cayman's just to eat at Blue a couple more times. Might be the best food anywhere.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by 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.

Can you recommend a resort in the Bahamas? Kid friendly. Thanks.

[CalSRQ1]

Originally Posted by 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

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!

Season starts down here beginning of November- so things start getting busy...still much better than Jan-April. Look into Palm island, Sanibel and also a visit to Cabbage Key. Siesta key is here in Sarasota and is wonderful. South end of the key is very quiet. North end is near the village and is pretty busy.

[enjoythemusic]

Siesta Key beach for young and young at heart. Party fun...

Longboat Key for older or more quiet adult / formal luxury. Key Club is verrrry nice, our fam has been members for many years. Good golfing. Great drinks.

Sanibel for quiet luxury-ish.

Anna Maria Island is a great mix for young and old. This could be great for your specs..

Jmho ymmv



Panhandle is said to be Redneck Riviera, never been there personally..

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by austinp

Can you recommend a resort in the Bahamas? Kid friendly. Thanks.

Atlantis is all about family fun, your kids will be exhausted from all of the activities they have for them. More than a few are catered towards letting kids do kid things and then letting the adults have their own time, but most are for the whole family to do together.

[dkg1616]

Definitely!

[Cru Jones]

I love Florida. Currently in Key Biscayne before heading to the Northeast to see family and friends, and loving every second. :-)

[pallindrome]

Florida is an interesting Rolex-y town. I see a higher percentage of Rolex watches being worn compared to other states. I’m basing that for my time spent in Fort Lauderdale n Miami.


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[Protour2003]

Someone else mentioned the algea bloom going on. The west coast (Tampa-South) of Florida is experiencing on of the worst red-tides in recent memory. No telling when things will be back to normal. The last one this bad lasted for 16 months! DO your homework before booking anything. Red-tide will shut down all beach activities!

I'm not a huge fan of South Beach, but there are some other nice options in South Florida. If you've never been, the Breakers in Palm Beach is worth seeing. Also, it's a short hop to the Bahamas. We can get to the Bahamas in under 2 hours on a mid size center console boat!

[CamSLC]

Originally Posted by Protour2003

Someone else mentioned the algea bloom going on. The west coast (Tampa-South) of Florida is experiencing on of the worst red-tides in recent memory. No telling when things will be back to normal. The last one this bad lasted for 16 months! DO your homework before booking anything. Red-tide will shut down all beach activities!

I'm not a huge fan of South Beach, but there are some other nice options in South Florida. If you've never been, the Breakers in Palm Beach is worth seeing. Also, it's a short hop to the Bahamas. We can get to the Bahamas in under 2 hours on a mid size center console boat!

httphttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-...-angry-n897181

Good advice. Miles of dead fish would really ruin the vacation. What a shame

[enjoythemusic]

How about Coco Beach and watch a rocket launch?

[Art 1]

We had Lido Key in Sarasota booked for Labor Day weekend. Just canceled and moved it to Vero Beach. Not going to wait any longer, I've been through a red tide. It's awful.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by travisb

I've got a beach house on Palm Island. A true island away from everything. Not many know of this spot but it's like nothing else in my opinion.
Then take a drive up to Clearwater and take a tour of the AP service center!

Well, that would be cool indeed.

[bayerische]

Wife now wants to go to Aruba for a week... (While visiting Florida) Looked at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean, is that a good hotel? Anyone stayed? Or what do you recommend?

[Headshrinker]

The Aruba Hilton is a wonderful hotel. The grounds are beautiful with their own gardens filled with black swans, tropical birds, fish, and other colorful creatures. It is also close to shopping areas and not far from the scenic lighthouse where wild donkeys and other wildlife can be seen. The rooms are nice and the food isn’t bad either.
My wife loves Aruba for its safety and friendliness, as it lacks the natural beauty of a true tropical island.

[bravetony]

Siesta Key is nice! Start doing research in regards to the beaches as there are warnings in many areas right now. Red tide and algae blooms are common on Gulf coast beaches and warnings are sent out whenever they're in effect.

www.visitBeachs.org tracks beaches up and down the Florida coast and provides you with current conditions like rip current warnings, water temperature and even the amount of beach debris, dead fish, and jellyfish.

The ferry to Bimini is a great choice too!

Originally Posted by 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!

[Cru Jones]

Hello Florida fans!

I’ve been checking out the Acqualina Resort near Miami. Anyone have any experience with this one?