Abbie

We will be taking a much needed vacation in November for a week. We are visiting family in Florida, but would love a recommendation on a place to stay for a few days right on the beach. Any suggestions?

Karen

My suggestion to you if you're going to Florida in November is to as far south as possible in order to have warm weather. I have been to Marco Island in November for the past 3 years and the weather has been gorgeous -- 85 degrees and sunny during the days, and usually into the high 50's low 60's at night. Very nice.

There is excellent beachfront property on Marco Island. I suggest a condominium community called the Eagles Nest. It is right on the beach, has two hot tubs, a very nice pool, and isn't too crowded. The sand is soft and white and just a hop skip and a jump from the pool.

Whatever you decide, have a great time!!!

Betty Ann

Marco Island is a great place for beach front hotels/condos. Just be aware that several of the condos are time share resorts. They will probably try to *sell* you. Eagle's Nest is a time share resort.

You might take a look at Naples. It's a small town, about a 3 hour drive south of Tampa. A very nice, all suite hotel is The Edgewater Beach Hotel. Right on the beach, nice pool, casual dining/bar in the courtyard, elegant dining on the 6th floor (GREAT sunset views), fitness center (small but OK), excellent massages.

My husband and I were married there last November.

Their toll free # is 800-821-0196.

Enjoy Florida, November is the perfect month - families are back home (up north) for school and snow birds (traffic blockers) haven't arrived yet.

E mail me for more info if you're interested.

connie baumeister

Which part of Florida will you be in? Florida is a very large state. From where I live, the W PALM Area, it takes 6 hours to get out of the state.

I liked SANIBEL ISLAND - had a cottage right on the beach! There is absolutely nothing to do.

Connie

Abbie

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I wish I could leave tomorrow. I did fail to mention which city we would be flying into. We have family in Orlando, so one option is to fly there, visit family and then drive to the beach (I realize this could be a long drive.) We could also fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Where is Sanibel Island?

Hal

Sanibel Island is reached by Ft.Myers, which is about 35-40 miles north of the Naples/ Marco Island area. Sanibel has many private cottages and houses to rent, a few resorts such as "South Seas", and a few high-rise condominiums. Fort Myers is about a 3 1/2 hr. trip from Orlando by interstate. Sanibel is famous for its shelling and wildlife sanctuaries. Not too many "touristy" things there. Weather is great in this area year round. Although the beaches are more "touristy", Daytona Beach is only about 1 1/2 hours from Orlando. Weather will be cooler, water on Atlantic will be cooler, rates will also be less expensive than further south (Ft. Myers, Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami). Having visited and later lived in Florida, there are so many different kinds of beaches, climates, wildlife, water, and attractions statewide that it kind of depends on what you prefer...

Abbie

Sanibel Island sounds wonderful. I looked at a couple web sites and there are so many places to stay, and many vacation rentals. Does anyone have a recommendation on where to stay on Sanibel? Thanks.

mids

Sanibel Island is wonderful to get away and unwind. Palm Beach Island and a bit further north is too. Peaceful and just..paradise!

Have fun. Email if you need help!

Warren

Abbie:

Just beyond Sanibel Isl. is Captiva Isl. which you might also want to consider. We stayed at the 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva in November 1994 and, while I would not recommend the Inn, the island has a lot to offer. As you have learned there are quite a few options for condo rentals. The South Sea Plantation looked like a very nice, but pricy resort. I recommend if you go to Captiva or Sanibel, to explore the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge for bird watching and anywhere for incredible shell collecting. If you want a condo recommendation e-mail me. We picked up information on a nice looking place while we were looking around. Have a great trip wherever you go!

Shelley

For the best relaxing vacation you can find, try the Half Moon Beach Clob on Lido Beach in Sarasota. Friendly staff, great restaurant, white sand beach. Entire area is the best of Florida.
Hotel number is 800-358-3245.

Shelley

Abbie:

That's Half Moon Beach Club. Sorry for typo.

Mike Miller

Abby, if you have family in Orlando, I would suggest staying at New Smyrna Beach - a nice little "secret" of a beach town which has a wonderful downtown area, good restaurants and very light on the traffic.

Bud

We love Venice. It's on the Gulf Coast. It's not fancy like the other suggestions. It's a real town, very quiet, has a beach, reminds you of old time Florida. We will retire there.