irishk

As an older (newly singled) lady who loves Florida, where to go for a two week Christmas/New Year vacation alone? Am on a reasonably strict budget and would be interested in self catering accommodation. Am looking at Sarasota as there is an airport locally, so I would not need to rent a car. Any suggestions? Have been looking at Gulf Beach Resort Motel on the web - anyone any opinions on same? Would like to be walking distance from the beach, but also able to walk to a restaurant in the area and feel safe and not stand out as being "lonely"!!! Any advice/opinions welcome

irishk

Should probably add that I will be travelling from Ireland so am not familar with Sarasota at all.

qwovadis

www.sarasotafl.org

Siesta Key is nice

booking.com priceline.com for nice hotel.

carrentals.com car rental.

irishk

Any recommendations for accommodation in that area?

Ackislander

I don't think Sarasota is sufficiently dense that you will be very happy without a car. It is also a very expensive time to go.

Siesta Key _is_ nice but a bit spread out. St Armand's Key is pretty compact and has lots of restaurants etc.

irishk

Thanks you Ackislander. Any hotel/motel recommendations?

KayF

Hi, we had a week in Sarasota in January one year and loved it. At the time we were living in the UK so desperate to escape the cold and have some sun! I started looking for a cottage or apartment but we ended up at the Hotel Ranola and I'm so glad we did. We loved the room and liked the location. We hardly saw the owners at all but they are there each morning I think if you wanted to ask questions or needed help.

http://www.hotelranola.com/

All the rooms have a small kitchen and we found the whole room well equipped. It's a few minutes walk from the main street with shops and restaurants and you can walk all the way down to the marina if you like. We did have a car and drove around exploring up and down the coast so am not sure what the bus system would be like to get around.

We found the area safe and had no problems at all but from reading up before we left, it seems there are some areas nearby you would not want to wander into. If you stick to the main street and down at the waterfront I would think you'd be fine. Maybe you could have a week at the Hotel Ranola and a week somewhere else in the area?

Kay

Ackislander

There is a Holiday Inn on St Armand's Keys, just across from a public beach. Sunset views.

Perhaps this could be your other week, if you choose the Ranola above.

irishk

Thanks to all for your replies. Any opinions from anyone on Gulf Beach Resort Motel? And to anyone who comments on car hire, my plan is to avoid that. If I were to stay in Gulf Beach Resort Motel, can I manage without a car (hopefully yes!)?

irishk

Advice anyone, please???

LindainOhio

I have been looking into visiting Anna Maria Island. I think it is about a half hour drive from the Sarasota airport. Once you get to Anna Maria Island, there is a trolley system to get you around the island so you wouldn't have to worry about driving. I am not sure how you would get to Anna Maria Island--perhaps another poster would know if there is airport trnasportation.

There are a lot of condos and small places to stay that are fairly affordable. They have a beautiful beach. I think Christmas/New Years can sometimes be cooler. We stayed on Sanibel Island (which is south of Anna Maria, near Fort Myers) one year, the week after Christmas and lucked out with the weather--but you need ot be prepared for cooler weather.

irishk

Thank you LindainOhio. Coming from Ireland, cooler weather in Florida can seem like amazingly hot weather!! It's all relative. (I accept you know all about winter if you live in Ohio!!)

Anyone with any opinions on Gulf Beach Resort Motel? Need advice here as I will be vacationing alone. This motel caught my eye as I want to be near the beach and want self-catering facilities. I also want to be on the first floor and be able to grill for myself outdoors. This motel has all these facilities, but need someone to tell me whether it is a good choice or not, and if not, some other recommendations please?????

rbud87

If you stay in the "Pinecraft" part of Sarasota it is the "Amish" part. Very safe and bus transportation to the beach and surrounding areas. You will see more 3 wheeled bikes in this area than anywhere ever and good Dutch cooking too.