Sixty

Hello, this is my first post on this website. I have read most of the posts and still can't make a decision. I am planning a special mother-daughter trip to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday the second week of September. I would like to take her to a hotel that is right on the beach, a good spa in the hotel or nearby, walking distance to restaurants and shopping area (don't want to bother with renting a car), and overall a relaxing atmosphere, but not boring. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.

buckeyemom

I have stayed at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, near Tampa, Florida and it is very nice and not too pricey.

travelinfamily

I havent been to this place before but I saw it on the travel channel and I have put it on my list of places I must go. Little Palm Island. It is off of Little Torch Key. It looks fabulous, and better yet, no kids under the age of 16!!! (I have a 4 year old so you see why this would apeal to me) anyway, I don't know of a specific web site but I think you can get info by putting Little Palm Island in your search engine....have fun...I celebrated my mom's 60th in Vegas...this place looks a lot more low key!!

gyppielou

I responded last night, must have been inadvertantly deleted.....The Breakers in Palm Beach would be a great choice, such a grand old dame, elegant, lots of character, close to world famous worth ave, and a short cab from the airport...good luck

LilMsFoodie

Just a caution: Little Palm Island in the Keys is extremely expensive, extremely isolated, with very few of the things you are looking for.

The Breakers in Palm Beach sounds good. The Ritz in Naples is good although you can not walk to shopping areas, La Playa is also a lovely resort near the Ritz in Naples.

The new Ritz in South Beach would offer everything you are looking for. I'd look there before the others. Not boring, can walk down Lincoln for lots of shopping and restaurants, the hotel is on the beach and will have a very good spa as that is a new high priority (and profit center) for Ritz Carltons. I haven't been to this particular Ritz yet but I have seen the facility and it is excellent.

LilMsFoodie

GoTravel

While Little Palm Island is a fantastic place, it would be weird with mom. I love it there but it is more romantic than anything else. Firstly, while I've not seen all the rooms on property, I don't remember seeing two beds in any of the bungalows.

I think The Breakers is a awsome idea and would be a great mom and daughter trip.

By the way Sixty, what a great and sweet daughter you are!

Small tip, September is off season for South Florida so don't book too early. If you wait until July, you will find great bargains. Book a cancelable backup and then sit back and watch prices drop.

Sixty

Thank you for all the great recommendations. I will definitely look into the Ritz at South Beach and the Breakers at Palm Beach. I was also considering Fort Lauderdale, Bar Harbor Marriott or the Sheraton Yankee Trader. Any thoughts? I've only been to Orlando and Tampa area so I'm not familiar with the East coast at all. Thank you again for all the help!