Beachfront hote/resort in FL to celebrate 20th anniversary
 

Usually plan a Caribbean trip for our anniversary but just want to make it a long weekend this time so the Caribbean is too far to go to from PHX. Are there any hotels/resorts anywhere on the FL coast, with hotels where you can walk right out of your room and onto the beach? This would be in early May. We prefer smaller hotels and our main interests would be going to the beach, casual seafood dining, and just relaxing. Open to your suggestions.

I think you'd really like the Four Seasons Palm Beach. It's exactly as you describe.

My best friend just spent a week at Ponte Vedra and loved it. They rented a house but loved the pools, etc. at the club. There are rooms just like you describe at the inn.
http://www.pontevedra.com/inn-and-club/index.aspx

A place on my bucket list is the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge in Amelia Island.
http://www.elizabethpointelodge.com/

Another friend loves the Ritz on Amelia Island.

I'll check out the websites for your suggestions, Starrs. We might go to Amelia Island in March for a car show so probably wouldn't want to go back there in May, although I do love it there.

On second thought, only a few rooms at the 4S PB step out to the ocean, but it is a small hotel with a beautiful pool, pool bar, beachside restaurant and beach - all just steps away from the hotel. It's one of my favorite hotels. Great service. Quiet elegance. A taxi ride away to the shops and resturants (or a short drive). Love it.

The Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach fits the bill, and being on the Gulf side it offers white sand and calm waters. It is right on the beach. And very romantic!

www.seasidefl.com one of my favs for vibe beautiful beaches

www.sandestin.com more of an upscale hotel vibe golf etc.

www.sobee.com for more action... more expensive

Palm Beach have stayed at the Breakers there nice at super price

http://www.expedia.com/Miami-Hotels-...aissance-Miami

missed the SoBe link somehow but my fav there above

Joes Stone Crab best seafood in the known universe for me

At Seaside all the accomadations are on the dune side. You can walk out over bridges to the beach but none are beachside (that I am aware of).

If you are interested in the gulf, check out www.30a.com. Lots of places on gorgeous beaches.

The Breakers is nice but bigger than the Four Seasons and it's a longer walk to the beach (down the hill).

If you have deep pockets, look at Little Palm Island.

Our pockets are not deep enough for Little Palm Island.

Consider the Sand Pearl, on Clearwater Beach, as well.

Thanks for your suggestions. Will do some googling today.

Add this one to your list:
La Playa in Naples on Gulf side.
http://www.laplayaresort.com/
Not sure if they have rooms where you can walk directly onto the beach, but the hotel is located on the beach. There is a great dining room from where you can watch spectacular sunsets. When you walk into the lobby, you have that "old Florida" atmosphere.

Ritz Carlton at Pelican Bay in Naples. Everyone I know who has ever stayed there didn't want to leave.

There is another RC specializing in golf, but this one is right on the beach, maybe fifty feet from the door to the sand.

I recommend Sanibel Island.
Great beaches, shells, restaurants and bars.
It is laid back.
We stay at the Song of the Sea Hotel which caters to adults. (Its quiet)

I can verify that you can get a 1st floor gulf front room that lets you step right onto the sandy beach from your cement patio steps at the Dolphin Beach Resort on St Pete Beach. (ask for first floor, of course) I've been doing it for years... returning in early October to do just that!

But, that said, I don't know that the DBR is the kind of place I'd go for an anniversary, especially a 20th... congratulations! The DBR isn't romantic. It isn't fancy at all. It has been around for a long time. I started staying there in the early 1970s! It's a bit tired looking. BUT you CAN step right into the sand, which is something your original post indicated you would like to be able to do! My DH always mentions that fact about the DBR. It is still his favorite beach place on the FLA gulf.

The Don Cesar is just down the beach a pleasant stroll (nice breakfast terrace dining, evening cocktails in the bar) but you can't step into the sand at "The Don" as it is one of those pink spanish (?) type structures... very stately, elegant, and very well known. I've never spent the money to stay at The Don because I prefer to step into the sand, just as you do!