bzymom

We are going to Florida at the end of June - it's our 20th anniversary. We're traveling with our two (well behaved and traveled girls) teenagers. I am looking for a luxury hotel/resort that has a nice beach (with kayak/waverunner rental),pool, shopping, and not too busy/noisy. We have gone to Sanibel annually for years, but would rather go elsewhere this time. I'm looking for a property that can host a "special occasion" dinner well - maybe one of the Ritz Carltons? I don't know if there's anything within driving distance of Busch Gardens (one of my kids would like to visit again), but that's not a deal breaker.

Thanks for your help!

girlonthego

I have been to the Ritz in Naples (oceanfront).It was a very nice hotel. Shopping is nearby as well. I don't remember rentals for watersports. There may have been. Naples is a beautiful upscale area. The restaurants are good and it is just a nice atmosphere.
On the east coast, the Breakers in Palm Beach has a good reputation.(We were supposed to go there once on business, but we opted out-it was a week after 9/11). Hope that helps a little.

GoTravel

Not too busy/noisy and wave runner rentals don't exist. Most places would rather not have the wave runners.

My picks would be:

Ritz-Carlton Biscayne Bay
Mandarin Oriental Miami (not on beach)
RC South Beach
The Breakers
Boca Raton Resort
St. Regis Ft. Lauderdale

kiwi2121

Clearwater Beach has some nice hotels on the beach, as well as waverunner/kayak rentals, but it's busy with tourists, shopping, etc. It's about an hour's drive from Busch Gardens.

granniem

The St. Regis just opened about 10 days ago so it must be nice, it is supposed to be a little "Nicer" than The Atlantic" a few doors down.

If you go please let me know how it is.

laurenzo

I have reservations for the St Regis the third week in June so if they don't go there, I will still let you know how it is. I expect it to be nice