We are in the Keys until March 5, then looking to visit a beachy area of Florida for a couple of weeks before returning to Michigan. I want to spend some time walking the beach (not with the dog) but don't want to be stuck in a hotel on a highway exit, which is where many of the dog friendly hotels are. Just DH and I and little pup. Any suggestions for any places? Thanks.

There are few places on Siesta Key and or near the Sarasota Bay that allow pets.

It's not cheap, as they charge a non-refundable fee of anywhere between $50-150 for the stay, but it's possible.

Tropical Beach Resorts are on the key. The new Hyatt at the south end of the key may also allow pets but call them first and find out for sure.

The properties on mainland, overlooking the Sarasota Bay, but close to beaches are: Ritz-Carlton(free shuttle to their private beach on Lido Key), Hotel Indigo(not overlooking the bay but close) and Hyatt Regency.

You just need to find out what their policies are.

Good luck!

Dogs are not allowed on beaches in Naples, so it is a good thing you don't want to walk the pooch on the beach. I am not sure about state parks, but it is worth looking into since there is a state park in Vanderbilt Beach, just north of Naples.

Change of plans. We have fallen in love with the Keys. When we leave we will spend some time looking for places to stay next year. On our way "up" we will visit some never seen before places in Florida.

Let me recommend Cape San Blas. It is located between Port St Joe Florida and Apalachicola Florida. It is a peninsula with the gulf on one side and the bay on the other. No crowds, no high-rises, no hotels, but plenty of dog friendly rentals. The beaches are dog friendly also, the sand is white and the water clear. The closest grocery store is 14 miles A way but we do have a gas station with convenient store and a trading post....it is old time Florida and we love it each winter! Oh, and did I mention the oysters? The best ever! We have restaurants in both towns that have full time shuckers.

This year a person at the pool where we stayed on Lido Key told us dogs are not permitted on any public beaches in Florida. There are some private ones that do. We sat pn the beach with our little black cocker spaniel each afternoon 3 years ago when we stayed at Castaways Cottages in SAnibel. What a lovely place to vacation with a pet.

We stayed at those cottages years ago with our grandkids. It was lovely! Thanks for reminding me. Our little dog is a happy camper. We loved the Keys and now we are working our way up the coast of Florida. Went to the Kennedy Space Center yesterday. They have wonderful free kennels for animals, while you tour the facility! I also read where it's against the law in Florida to leave a dog in a car! They don't make it easy to travel with pets. Not supposed to leave them in the hotel room, can't take them to the pool deck, and now can't leave them in the car while we eat???

The reason you can't leave your pet in the car is because idiots leave them in there and they die from heat exhaustion!

And I'm sorry if it looks like I'm calling you an idiot. Definitely am not...it's obvious you love your baby.

I don't get it, why would you want to leave pets in the car when it's 80 degrees outside and about 100+ degrees in the car within minutes if the A/C is not running?