matkat

We are looking to travel with our 2 young children in May to somewhere in FL. Our main priorities are a really great pool area, a kiddie pool, some sort of 1 or 2 bedroom suite, lots of restaurant choices, and some other things to do at the resort or in the surrounding areas. A beach would be nice but not a necessity. We are looking at Orlando just because they seem to have the hotels with the best pool areas and obviously there is lots to do there. Our kids are very young though so we don't have much interest in Disney so I'm not sure if we're paying a premium for a hotel when we're really not there for the parks. Some hotels in Orlando we were looking at were Old Key West in Disney, Marriott Cypress Harbor, and the Villas at Grand Cypress. We were also looking at the Hyatt Coconut Plantation in Bonita Springs. Any other ideas out there for us? Price is not too much of an issue.

Tandoori_Girl

I enjoyed the Radisson Resort on Lido Key awhile back. And it seemed very family-oriented. We had a 2-bedroom 2-bath suite and it was terrific. There were two pools, three hot tubs, and a kiddy pool. The Orlando Grand Cypress is also great for kids because of the pool.

Another place to consider would be Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island, Tween-Waters.com. They have a great pool for kids, another for adults, some suites, and the beach is just across the little street. There is a very simple kayak trip there that would be ideal for you (I had never kayaked and it was a breeze). There is a little downtown with a slew of restaurants. you could rent bikes and bike around Captiva.

How long will your vacation be? how old are your children?

Juldie

My husband and I stayed a few weeks ago at the Hyatt Coconut Plantation. We were not with kids but I selected to stay here because I am like a kid, and just love great pools. This place is fabulous. I highly recommend it. They have 3 very large pools - a lap pool, one beautiful one with falls and another geared for kids. The best thing is the lazy river. I love lazy rivers so if your kids love that sort of thing they will have a ball.They also have shuffleboard, basketball court, barbeque grills, a workout room, steam, sauna. There was an alligator hanging out on the other side of a large pond which was fun to see in "the wild".

The units are so nice. Beautifully appointed and very comfortable. It had a very large screened in porch. The bathroom was just lovely. The resort is clean and well maintained.

We took a walk over to their sister property, the hotel, and although nice I thought it was a bit stuffy and think Coconut Plantation is so perfect for families. Instead of the lazy river they have a slide into the pool, but they are just hotel rooms.

The location is very close to a main road that has everything you would want. Not sure if you would be flying into the Ft. Myers airport but it is very close and a breeze to get there, due to a new road they just completed. Our flight wasn't til night so we had the entire day at the pool. You can use the facilities to shower and change.

There is also a restaurant by the pool which is great if/when you don't want to cook. In addition, they have a very nicely stocked store with deli, food, sundries..

The resort does have a shuttle that takes you to a marina and then there is a ferry that takes you over to an island. We didn't do this - unfortunately we weren't there long enough. They have umbrellas and chairs over there. The deli/store will also pack you a picnic lunch to go.

I can't wait to go back there. It is fun, new, clean, spacious, quiet and self contained, yet close to everything.

matkat

Thanks so much for your replies and your detailed description of the Hyatt Coconut, it sounds great. Any other ideas would be appreciated as well. Tandoori- Our kids are 1 1/2 and 2 1/2/. Might do a half day in the Magic Kingdom and maybe Seaworld but that would be about it. We've been to Disney several times before the kids but have always stayed on the property. But we haven't really been anywhere else in FL except for a couple of quick business trips. Where would we fly into for Captiva Island or Lido Key?

Patrick

Closest airport for Lido is Sarasota. Closest for Captiva is Ft. Myers (RSW).

Gee, I had no idea the pools were so great at the Hyatt. I've been there and nosed around the beautiful hotel and property, but didn't see the pools. Sound wonderful.

Tandoori_Girl

For kids that age, you need to concentrate on the pool. Sometimes at that age they're afraid of the beach and so it's of little use. They don't like the salty water, they don't like the sand, it gets in their eyes. But...they love the pool. And they'll love the lazy river. In May, Adventure Island will be open in Tampa. It has a terrific lazy river, and a great kiddy area. Busch Gardens also has a large kiddy area. But I'd not recommend any hotels in that area as you want something more upscale. In that case, for beach you would go to St. Pete, or any of the little cities along the SP coast, and that would be 30 minutes drive time. But you will also have the benefits of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Tampa Aquarium. And St. Pete has a children's museum at Sunken Gardens. As for places to stay at SPB, I'd recommend the Alden, although I'm not familiar with its pool. But the hotel gets lots of praise. The Tradewinds also has a winding river which you can ride on gondola style but not like a lazy river.

So, as you know by now, it will come down to what's best for the kids. And I'm sure they will get lots of fun out of a pool, especially one like that Coconut Plantation one. I'm getting on my water wings and heading over right now ><

OO

Patrick, I'm not sure if you realize it, but she is talking about the timeshare built on property adjacent to the hotel, and not Hyatt Coconut Point, the hotel. Coconut Point's several pools are beautiful too, but no lazy river there, nor screened porches etc.

The similarity in names is going to create confusion, and fact is, they are under two separate companies...Hyatt Coconut Point being a hotel in Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Hyatt Coconut Plantation being a timeshare under Hyatt Vacation Club.

kathieT55

We own a time share at Cypress Harbor Marriott in Orlando and we have stayed at the Marriott's Horizons timeshares in Orlando. Both of these properties are wonderful vacation destinations. The timeshare units are beautifully decorated and well-maintained. They are comfortable, classy and well-stocked -- with high quality furniture, appliances, carpeting, beds and up-to-date bathrooms. The location of these propertiers is ideal. They are a fast and easy drive to Walt Disney World, Seaworld, the Florida Mall and the fabulous Orlando outlets. However, you could have a wonderful vacation in Orlando, even if you never left the property, because the grounds and pools are a quiet, private, lush tropical paradise. Surprisingly, all of these things are not the main reasons we love our time share so much. We love our timeshare primarily because of the wonderful people who work at all levels of the Marriott Company. These people are flexible, professional, courteous and they always aim to accomodate their owners. Way to go, Marriott!

Neopolitan

kathie, welcome to Fodors. If you look at the posts you responded to you will see they are a year old, so if your intention was to give advice, then it is a bit late.
On the other hand you make some nice points.
If you wanted to post a rave for the Marriott Timeshares, however, starting a "new post" would have been more appropriate.

bethsmall1

About 5 years ago we took our kids to the Disney Resort in Vero Beach. It's a great Resort for kids. There is an Awesome pool area. Tons of activities even for little ones. And best of all everynight they offer Kids programs, so the parents can head out for a few hours on there own. It's also right on the beach. You are also an hour from Disney World if you wanted to head over. Have Fun!

ellene

check out the JW marriot/ Ritz Carlton at Grande Lakes. It has its own lazy river pool area and kids club.