FLA-Less expensive alternative to the Caribbean? Any suggestions?
 

Hello all,

This year we are contemplating to stay within the mainland and are considering florida as a 'closest' alternative to the carib islands. Any place in particular that is conducive or close to meeting the following criteria:
1) lodging unit with 2 bdrooms +1 or 2 baths, refrigerator, and full kitchen at a resort style hotel?
2) close by drive at least to shopping/supermarkets/ 'downtown' or local activities in general
3) clear shallow and calm waters for young children (ages 1-7).
4) staying for about 10 days and budget is approx. $1200 for lodging (but will accept higher if lodging is higher quality). Also, with lodging, cleanliness is a must.
5) close to car rental and/or airport (about 1 hour so drive from an airport)
Any suggestions for a place that meets this criteria?
Flying out of DC (IAD).
Thank you all in advance.

What month?

If you mean Feb - most of FL is not guaranteed each weather. If you're talking late spring or summer there are many more options.

ooops, sorry, forgot the timeframe...
travel will take place some time between June 18 through July 15....

You might want to look at the Florida Keys....will give the most "Carib" feel.

Sounded like Naples except for the budget. But with the clarification of the dates, I'm not sure that is still a problem. Condos particularly along Vanderbilt Beach (near the Ritz Carlton) could just be in that range. Actual resort? Hmmm. That's a little tougher at $120 a night for 2 bedrooms and kitchen in a resort -- even out of season that time of year.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Thank you lorijv, NeoPatrick, and nytraveler for catching my omission. Since I am getting somewhere with your help guys, I am thinking of adjusting a bit some of the criteria. While, I want to keep a decent budget, I am trying to avoid having to pay, say, $400+ a night like I did in Turks and Caicos, yet at the same time, have access to a beach that is clear and shallow and kid friendly. In addition, the kids will prefer the pool as they do usually, but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for...pool experience in the US. So, I am willing to go even $200+ a night for a resort style, but condos will suffice too, if they are close to other buildings as so to not feel isolated. So far specific areas/cities/towns, include...Vanderbilt beach, and florida keys...But any parts of them in particular? any suggestions for lodging? Thanks all again.

I was thinking of VRBO or HomeAway for condos along Vanderbilt Beach, Naples.

I came across this Hawks Cay resort...and on their website, they describe the waters....as aquamarine...what is that? It wasn't clear to me (based on what I was observing on their website) whether there actually a beach where you can go swimming in front of the resort...am I missing something? (sorry, has been a hectic morning at work...)
Anyone stayed at this resort?

Actually, I think the Gulf Coast is the closest equivalent to the Caribbean, with similar beaches to the Turks & Caicos and the kind of shallow, clear water you are describing. Your best bet might be Destin, where the Sandestin resort has that kind of Caribbean resort feel and offers several different lodging alternatives, from boutique hotel to condo-style units. There are LOTS of condos in the Destin area, but flying there is pretty expensive.

There are also some excellent beaches in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama, and they might be well within your price range. You might be able to fly into New Orleans to save money, but then it's a couple of hours drive to Mobile (I think ... that's a guess since I haven't done this drive in many years).

Doug: Thank you for your input. This is great info. I looked it up (only through yahoo though) and it does not even recognize the northwest florida regional airport. The closest it sees is the Pensacola Regional Airport...Having a family with 3 kids it is not that conducive to travel by car for more than an hour after a long flight....any ideas?

Pensacola is the closest airport. But you just don't have any other options if you want to go to the Panhandle; that's the airport. There are flights into Mobile itself if you choose to visit Alabama (United flies there, though not from IAD directly).

I'm not so sure that I agree with you that this area should be excluded just because it requires a drive after the flight. My parents used to drive me for 3 days to get to California every summer, and I survived. People routinely travel for 6 hours or more to get to their vacation spots. But that, of course, is a very personal decision

Even if you were going to the Florida Keys, that's a 3-hour drive from Miami (at least), though perhaps less than 2 hours to Islamorada. And Amelia Island is still a drive from Jacksonville. Sanibel might be an option for you, though, and it's only an hour or less from Fort Myers.

I think you have to weigh going to a great place that's a great fit for what you want, or having an easier trip and perhaps choosing a less great fit for what you want. I can't make that decision for you.

Go to the Gulf Coast! It is absolutely beautiful with blue waters like the Caribbean. You could stay in Lido Key, Siesta Key, or Longboat Key.

Doug: great pointers. Thanks. The problem we have is an infant who cannot stay in a carseat for too long. We either have to pull aside for a while, or one of us will go sit in the back seat with him in arms...I admit we have done it twice thus far....big no no...but only because we had to travel (go to the doctor) and had no option of pulling over and 'wait it out.' That is the main reason I want to minimize driving.

This link might be helpful, www.visitpanamacitybeach.com
Panama City Beach is about an hour from Destin as suggested by Doug Stallings. Panama City has an airport to cut down on your driving. They also have Pier Park, a nice open mall with all kinds of fun things, shops and restaurants. The link above gives all that information. The Calypso Resort is adjacent to Pier Park and directly on the gulf. Not sure about prices but your dates are in high season. You could check for other properties and the Calypso on www.vrbo.com. You would be close to Hwy. 30A which is lined
with interesting places to visit with Seaside being one not to miss. www.discover30a.com/

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate that took the time to provide all this valuable information. Now lets see what the rest of the family says :).

chris,

So sorry I missed this earlier - if it's not too late...

Here's a gorgeous 2BR vacation condo right on the beach with HUGE balcony. The first picture that shows here is the view from the balcony - http://nautibeach.com/

...and the rates ($160USD/night) for super-2BR w/ balcony for your dates: http://nautibeach.com/portfolio/delu...n-two-bedroom/

and info on the area - http://www.isla-mujeres.net/home.htm Prices to fly there will be a little higher (around $500/person) but the savings for a 10 night stay for lodging/dining/etc. more than offsets it - restaurants/take-out/groceries are CHEAP!.

In fact, you could even day trip to Xcaret one day (kids will be in HEAVEN) and still come out ahead over a Florida resort.
http://www.xcaret.com/

Just a thought....

ttt

bardo1: thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.
chris

Pensacola Beach. Gorgeous gorgeous sand and water. 30 minutes from the airport.

We have been to Hawks Cay and it is beautiful. Aquamarine is a color--gorgeous deep aqua. It's a drive from the airport, but I love the keys for the "feel" of an island.