Help Us Resolve Our Differences - What's Your Vote?!
Jan 7th, 2015, 04:13 PM
#1
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Help Us Resolve Our Differences - What's Your Vote?!
We've seen a $145 rt flight from Phila. to Tampa, and we're going to book it. This is for a trip checking in late the night of Wed. Jan. 29, and checking out Mon. Feb.2nd. So it's a 4+ day vacation, with the goal being relaxation, hopefully with a waterfront room with a balcony or front area that allows for lots of just sitting and gazing, and reading/writing with a view.
One of us thinks we shouldn't book lodging ahead, and that way we can play the weather; and if it's not going to make a difference as to whether we can lie out on beach or even perhaps swim, then we can go somewhere closer to Tampa such as Anna Maria, and have less driving than heading a little further south such as Sanibel or Marco Islands. This line of thought includes maybe even getting a good last minute deal.
The other of us thinks we need to book ahead somewhere or we're risking not getting a waterfront view at all and that's an important part of this vacation.
We agreed to post about this both here and TA and see what people say, so those of you with experience about these things and about Florida lodging, which do you vote for?!
One of us thinks we shouldn't book lodging ahead, and that way we can play the weather; and if it's not going to make a difference as to whether we can lie out on beach or even perhaps swim, then we can go somewhere closer to Tampa such as Anna Maria, and have less driving than heading a little further south such as Sanibel or Marco Islands. This line of thought includes maybe even getting a good last minute deal.
The other of us thinks we need to book ahead somewhere or we're risking not getting a waterfront view at all and that's an important part of this vacation.
We agreed to post about this both here and TA and see what people say, so those of you with experience about these things and about Florida lodging, which do you vote for?!
Jan 7th, 2015, 04:53 PM
#3
In Jan/Feb? In high season? And you want a waterfront room?
Book.
If you want to split it, book for the first two nights and then wing it for the next two. That way you've at least met your expectations re waterfront and the other person gets to do what they want to do too (re being flexible).
Book.
If you want to split it, book for the first two nights and then wing it for the next two. That way you've at least met your expectations re waterfront and the other person gets to do what they want to do too (re being flexible).
Jan 7th, 2015, 05:30 PM
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You are pretty limited here. Only 3 days with a late arrival and - presumably - a flight on the last day that will dictate you being close to Tampa airport. And high season.
Given that, my vote it to book now. It's already 11th hour.
Best wishes!
Given that, my vote it to book now. It's already 11th hour.
Best wishes!
Jan 7th, 2015, 05:55 PM
#7
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After flying on a plane for a few hours, the LAST THING I want to do is schlep around with my luggage, hoping to find a room -- and doing so with the fear that I won't be able to find the room I want at the price I want to pay. Or possibly spending two hours to find even ONE VACANCY (this happened to us). For me, the only thing I want to do is get to my room, dump my luggage, and relax for at least an hour.
Reserve at least your first night there -- you'll save time, aggravation, and (almost certainly) money.
Reserve at least your first night there -- you'll save time, aggravation, and (almost certainly) money.
Jan 7th, 2015, 07:25 PM
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Have you found any hotels you like that have availability for your dates, in any of the locations you're considering?
Book multiple things now--if you can--and make sure you can cancel the one you don't want a week or so out. That way you'll have time to check the weather and leave your options open. I agree with everyone else, there is no way I'd arrive late in the day during high season without any room at all.
Book multiple things now--if you can--and make sure you can cancel the one you don't want a week or so out. That way you'll have time to check the weather and leave your options open. I agree with everyone else, there is no way I'd arrive late in the day during high season without any room at all.
Jan 8th, 2015, 05:16 AM
#12
I checked travelzoo's last minute deals to see if anything popped up in that area (no) and there was a Tripadvisor search box on the page for your dates. I entered your dates, and there wasn't a lot to choose from. There was one beachfront option for $800/night but even the small chain hotels not near any water were well over $100.
I would not show up during high season looking for a place to stay. Book something for the first night(s) and maybe book something else for the next two nights that you can cancel if you find something you like better as you wander.
I would not show up during high season looking for a place to stay. Book something for the first night(s) and maybe book something else for the next two nights that you can cancel if you find something you like better as you wander.
Jan 8th, 2015, 06:24 AM
#13
Book now, especially with a late check-in, and arriving mid week, during a period when most stays are weekend to weekend. Don CeSar in St Pete has partial Gulf view from $309, full view from $349. It's a beautiful hotel, but rooms are small!
It's a 2.5 hr drive from Tampa to Sanibel and you will spend time getting a rental car. That puts your arrival anywhere in that area very very late. AMI is closer, but so small waiting would really be risky. Much of the rental in that area is small homes or condos which will normally rent for the week at minimum. From that standpoint, you'll find the same situation in Sanibel with the preponderance of rentals being condos, which will rent by the week, minimum in high season. I just plugged your dates into VRBO in Sanibel and came up empty.
Book something now! I think you'll have better luck in St Pete or Sarasota where there are more hotels.
It's a 2.5 hr drive from Tampa to Sanibel and you will spend time getting a rental car. That puts your arrival anywhere in that area very very late. AMI is closer, but so small waiting would really be risky. Much of the rental in that area is small homes or condos which will normally rent for the week at minimum. From that standpoint, you'll find the same situation in Sanibel with the preponderance of rentals being condos, which will rent by the week, minimum in high season. I just plugged your dates into VRBO in Sanibel and came up empty.
Book something now! I think you'll have better luck in St Pete or Sarasota where there are more hotels.
Jan 8th, 2015, 07:03 AM
#14
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"Risking" getting a waterfront view vs. being able to afford it? Or because of your good fare, are you willing to pay? Just curious.
My limited experience in making reservations in FL in high season say it will cost a lot, and you need to book now in order to minimize your probability of even finding something. If you don't make reservations, what is your plan--drive around looking?
My limited experience in making reservations in FL in high season say it will cost a lot, and you need to book now in order to minimize your probability of even finding something. If you don't make reservations, what is your plan--drive around looking?
Jan 8th, 2015, 07:38 AM
#15
The only time I'd fly to Florida in high season is IF I would be happy with one of the chain hotels in Orlando and pulled off the expressway when I saw the LED sign list a great rate. The rates are great because there are thousands of rooms (all alike) available. Something nice on the coast? No way.
Jan 8th, 2015, 08:02 AM
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OK, this is probably piling on and also probably painfully obvious, but at this time of year, with a late arrival, OP will be driving around in the dark. Assuming that she and her SO are not familiar with the area, that just adds another layer of impossibility to the quest.
Jan 8th, 2015, 09:36 AM
#17
Book a one-bedroom bay-view with balcony at Sailport Suites, you can cancel until 3 days before arrival. Meanwhile you can continue to look around but you have a backup.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/sail...tes.en-us.html
http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/sail...tes.en-us.html
Jan 8th, 2015, 10:19 AM
#18
Not booking in advance only works out if you don't have your heart set on something. If a waterfront view is "an important part" of this trip, then you need to book in advance to be sure to have that.
Jan 8th, 2015, 12:01 PM
#19
Clark, have you ever been there? That is not a beach vacation unless you consider lying yards off Hwy 60, Tampa side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway, located on Tampa Bay a beach vacation! She needs to book her rooms now, someplace she really wants to stay and tnat place does not fit the bill.
