Tabernash2

We are looking for a hotel/resort on a gorgeous private beach to spend the first week of June, for our family of two parents and two young adult children.

We don't want a cottage or a condo. We prefer two hotel-like rooms, and I don't want a kitchen.

The most important aspect is gorgeous blue, clear water where we can snorkel and/or scuba. Going out of the country won't work for this trip, unfortunately.

Can we find this kind of water in the Keys? We know nothing about Florida, and are getting confused with all the Keys. Assuming we couldn't snorkel on the Gulf Coast areas? Or should we consider there, too?

We would also like easy day-trips to see historic areas, natural wonders, nice restaurants, etc. Don't want a string of high-rise resorts lined up along a beach.

Thank you!

garyt22

Sounds like Islamorada... Cheeca Lodge is located halfway down the Keys, a two hour drive to key west one way, and Miami airport the other... lots of side trips and restaurants

Tabernash2

Thanks, gary. I'll check it out.

stumpworks73

A word of general advise about the Keys. All beaches in the Keys are man made. Some are beautiful, but all are small. Nothing like the mainland.

Cheeca is a great spot and I agree Islamorada has lots to do.

Snorkeling in the Keys is most famous at Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Bahia Honda and the Dry Tortugas. Most likely you will be driving to a snorkeling destination.

Sombrero Beach in Marathon is the largest beach in the Keys, but does not have a hotel on the beach.

Other spots to consider are Hawks Cay, Casa Marina Key West, Pier House KW has a tiny but nice beach. Also the Hampton Inn in Islamorada has a surprisingly pretty small beach.

suze

I love the Florida Keys!! I've only camped at Bahia Honda State Park and day-triped to Key West. I'm not sure what you mean by "historic areas"?

The water in the Keys is not quite like in the Caribbean islands, although it is really pretty. I'm not sure about snorkeling, but there are boating opportunities certainly. We rented rowboats on Marathon, for example.

Rather than focusing on which key to stay on, I'd start with looking for resorts/hotels that fit your stated criteria. I did a quick google on "florida keys resorts" and dozens of places popped up, even All-Inclusives like you were originally looking for.

ekscrunchy

I know you don't want a kitchen, but The Moorings at Islamorada is on a long, gorgeous white sand beach; the water is aqua (but not great for swimming, but you can snorkel). There is a great pool.

Accommodations are in private houses that replicate the charming Keys style of architecture. There are houses with two bedrooms, and houses that are larger. In my opinion, it is much nicer than Cheeca Lodge, which is a sprawling golf resort that attracts lots of conventioneers.

Unfortunately, The Moorings is very expensive, but I think it might be the nicest place to stay in The Keys, along with Little Palm Island.

http://www.littlepalmisland.com/

Kathva

We stayed here a few years ago. What a beautiful place.

http://www.deerrunfloridabb.com/

Tabernash2

Thanks, all! suze, you've helped on my other threads, so you know I've been looking at (too) many destinations.

It's all about the clear, aqua-blue water for us. To swim, snorkel, sit under an umbrella and watch waves, hear it at night, see it from our rooms, not need a car for much. All the things we crave.

Not requiring an AI anymore, but would consider. A breakfast buffet included would be nice.

I guess we'd fly to Miami and drive? It's a pretty drive?

Tabernash2

Forgot to ask about proximity to the underwater coral Park.

starrs

I love the Keys but it's not really what you are looking for.

Two ideas - for water the color you are looking for, the Ritz at Naples.

On the other side, Atlantic Coast, the Breakers and/or the Four Seasons at Palm Beach.

starrs

Another idea that has everything you describe, except the snorkeling/scuba -
http://www.watercolorresort.com/

If you stay at the Breakers or Four Seasons (mentioned above) you can take a day trip to the best snorkeling in the Keys - Pennekamp State Park

Fra_Diavolo

Or you could do what we did when foreign travel was out and visit St John, U.S. Virgin Islands. It has a lot more of what you seem to be looking for than the Florida Keys (which I love).

Ackislander

I love the Keys also, but no offense, I am not as picky as you are. The water in the Keys is sufficiently blue for me, but you really may need to do what Fra_Diavolo suggests and go to St John.

If you are basing you ideas of what color the water should be on magazine photos, you should know that they are photoshopped like crazy. The women in those pictures never have big hips and the men have tight firm bellies but never six packs

You are going to have bright blue water where there is a sand bottom and sunshine, even in Maine.

Stumpworks73, you mentioned a certain beach that I hate to see mentioned publicly, so I won't! But it is great and thank god no hotels!

Tabernash2

I wrote an entire response last night, but it vanished when I hit Submit. aaaarrgh.

St John is attractive, but we need a place that's relatively easy to get to. I'll take another look at it.

DD has an 'identity crisis' right now. Her DL was stolen, so she only has her soon-to-expire passport for ID. She has to fly a fair amount this month. Which means she can't mail in her passport for renewal, until she gets her DL in the mail. So I decided to take that stress out of the equation, and travel within the US or a US property, like St John.

Can you recommend a place on St John?

But for ease of travel, the Keys are still a priority right now.

suze

I also don't think The Keys are what you are looking for. The area is fantastic (imo) but really doesn't match with your desires and description of what you want from your trip.

Yes the drive is gorgeous, there's one long stretch of it is the "7 mile bridge" (Google to see photos).

It has a very end-of-the-line nautical feeling in that area. I think more of old-school Ma & Pa road-side motels and trailer parks rather than high-end resorts (but yes I know both exist).

Places in the Caribbean you can get without passport include Puerto Rico and the USVI.

Fra_Diavolo

We stayed at Gallows Point http://gallowspointresort.com and were well satisfied with it. It's a short walk to Cruz Bay for restaurants and shopping. They have a pool and a rocky beach with so-so snorkeling, but renting a car gives you access to all the island's beaches and attractions.

Caneel Bay has its own beaches, but you are farther from town and it is quite pricey. http://www.caneelbay.com/

starrs

If you want fabulous snorkeling go to St Croix and go to Buck Island. Much better than Pennekamp. If you want fabulous beaches you don't want the keys. If the passport is the problem pay an expediter to get in back in 2-3 days. Try visa lady.com. Highly recommend.

Tabernash2

Thanks, folks. You are truly helpful. Sounds like you're all saying the Keys won't do it for us, regarding aqua blue water. I was afraid of that. Thanks for your patience and hanging in there with me on this search, suze and starrs and all.

starrs, I think we'll avoid the whole passport issue. DD is graduating Med School the end of May, (which is one reason our family is celebrating), so she's very busy and one more detail might just push us all over the edge! haha

I just looked at the Buccanneer on St Croix. It looks great, so far. Prices around $300/night, per double room, which includes full breakfast, snorkel gear, kayaks, etc. I've e-mailed to see if they have specials going for early June.

Anyone know the Buccanneer? Caneel Bay and Gallows Point look nice, too, but I think more pricey and no breakfast.

Will look up Buck Island.

Thanks! Keep 'em coming.

suze

Have you check the air routing for getting you to St. Croix? Will you have to fly thru St. Thomas? Or can you get flights directly to the island?

(I'm asking because I know for St. John you go thru Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas then catch a ferry.)

Tabernash2

Thanks for asking, suze. You know I'm particular about a complicated travel itinerary.

JetBlue does have good flights, with one-stop in San Juan, PR. It's 4 hours nonstop to San Juan, a 1.5 hour layover, and then a 40 minute flight to St Croix.

Seems like less trouble than flying to Miami and driving down the Keys.

I assume we don't need a car on St Croix?

Buck Island looks gorgeous, starrs. I'm now getting excited that maybe we've found our spot.