Last summer we vitited Fort Lauderdale, which we really enjoyed. We thought this year we would try another location. We've looked into Pensacola Beach, but from the photos it doesn't look very tropical. We would like to stay close to the beach, shopping, restaurants, etc. Since we will be using our points, we have the choice of a Marriott, Hilton, Starwood Hotel, or Holiday Inn. Any suggestions on a pretty location would be most helpful. Thanks for your help.

I would look into Marco Island in Southwest Florida. Even though we live in Miami, we head over there to get away. It has great beaches and is great place to relax. If you want fine dining etc, you can head to downtown Naples which is 15 minutes away. We have stayed at the Hilton and the Radisson and both are great.

All beaches in Florida are tropical. Don't let the photos fool you!

I DONT KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE AT BUT THE GULF BEACHES ARE GENERALY THE BEST IN FLORIDA. IN THE PANHANDLE, DESTIN IS THE NUMBER 1! SAND IS VERY VERY WHITE AND WATER IS FAB!! I ALSO PREFER CLEARWATER BEACH AREAS AND SAN MARCO FURTHER DOWN AROUND TAMPA/FT MYERS AREAS. MARK MY WORD, DESTIN IS GREAT!

I would suggest...

- Sheraton Bal Harbour Resort (I think it's a Starwood hotel) in the northern part of Miami Beach. It's got a great pool, is on the ocean and is across the street from the shi-shi Bal Harbour Shops.
- Marriott or Hilton in Marco Island on the West coast (West of MIA). Marco is very relaxing and the water is calmer on the West coast, which is good for kids, if you have any. There are restaurants in the area, but if you want more sophisticated shops/restaurants, you can go South to Naples as someone else suggested.

Barb

GO to Destin - or S Walton County beaches - They are the Best!!!!! You may not have the palm trees lining the beaches - but it is hard to beat the white sand and emerald waters. We love it there and have been to many beaches of the Caribbean and Hawaii and Tahiti.

I agree with the posts above. The beaches in the panhandle are amazing! We rented a condo in Santa rosa beach which was right on the beach! One of the nicest areas I have ever been to.
santa rosa is located just a tad east of destin.

Do not go to Destin unless you want to be in traffic jams and with a million families who are irritable from the long lines and bad food due to the crush of humanity that descends on what used to be a wonderful place but has grown so much since Hurricane Opal that it has ruined itself. After 5:30 the wait for dinner at a restaurant can be up to 4 hours.

Definitely go to the Beaches of South Walton. Look at the rentals at www.beautifulbeach.com or www.rivardnet.com. Unfortunately, these are not chain hotels so you can't use your points but it is still possible to have some beautiful white sand beach to yourself, eat great food, shop, etc.

If you have to use your points, there is an upscale Hilton, the Sandestin Hilton, which is on the outskirts of Destin. But beware, it is also packed with humanity in the summer, and I mean packed. Or there is a Holiday Inn at Ft. Walton Beach on Okaloosa Island. That is a somewhat less classy locale, but because of that it is cheaper than Destin and less crowded.

Good luck.