Help - Florida is confusing me!

My wife wants to take a warm and relaxing trip in April (or maybe sooner). We will need to keep the trip short - 5 days tops. We have two kids (7 and 5). At the moment I have focused my attention on FL's south east coast.

I am looking for suggestions for some nice full-service resorts. They need to be kid friendly. Access to shops and resturants is somewhat important (we are not really into isolation). A nice beach is important. Golf is not important. Acces to an airport is important (don't want to spend a ton of time in the car).

Budget - is $400 a night realistic? I want the place to be nice but I don't want to drop $5K on this trip - $500 a night is as high as I would go.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Well the loews miami has a great pool and it is a beach front property. The beach there is very nice. It is in walking distance to lincoln road and ocean drive. There is definitely plenty to do within walking distance. The rates are definitely in the price range, if u are thinking of miami as a destination. It is about a 20min cab ride from airport

While I like the Loews in South Beach, you may have some problems with your 5 year old and 7 year olds seeing women topless on the beach.

Much better choices, Lago Mar Fort Lauderdale or Ritz-Carlton Biscayne Bay would be perfect for your needs. Ritz-Carlton in particular has fantastic kids programs however Key Biscayne is kind of spread out.

The Breakers in Palm Beach or The Boca Raton Resort would also both be good choices.

Thanks - good looking suggestions.

I'll be greedy and aks for more by bumping this.

Another vote for the Ritz Key Biscayne. Crandon Park and Bill Baggs are right down the road (in opposite direction). Some good restaurants on the island or 15 minutes away from Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, 20 from S. Beach.

I think the Loews or Ritz on Miami Beach are great kids friendly options. We live here and my kids go to the beach and never even notice the beach attire - they just want to swim and play. If oyu dont make a big deal about it neither will they.

The area is great because you really dont need a car and there is more to do than just the beach/swim. They are walking to distance to many restaurants, shops, a movie theater, parks, and a museums.

I am not sure of the prices in April - but check it out.

You might want to focus your attention on the southwest coast. RSW airport is really great and small and cheap. Naples is less than a half an hour drive or Ft. Myers beach is nice too as is Sanibel. It seems to be much more family than Miami Beach and you get the sunsets. Really nice beaches too.