If you loved the Don Cesar in St. Pete, you'll love the.......
 

I am travelling with the hubby and 2 boys (ages 4&7) for a very late spring break this year- April 16-24. Last year we visited the Don Cesar in St. Pete Beach for 5 days and had a great time. I've asked the boys where they want to go this year and all I get is "The Pink Hotel!!!" While I did really enjoy it, I'm not so sure I want to have the same vacation. Can anyone recommend another resort that would be comparable, as far as price and amenities go? It definitely has to be ON the beach, not across the street. I prefer the Gulf myself, but my husband surfs, so I would be open to the Atlantic as well. Thanks in advance for your input!

The same vacation means doing something you know you and your family enjoyed. Is that so bad, even if in the same place?

A few years back we went to Club Med Ixtapa for spring break.. We had such a great time we came home and cancelled our summer plans to go back three months later.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for new places and we do expose our kids to new things. But, if looking for something that is like The Don Caesar on a beach in Florida, why not just go to The Don Caesar?

Agree with Ryan here. The Don Cesar is arguably the best hotel that fits all your needs in the Tampa Bay area, and anything else will probably be a letdown. The Vinoy in downtown St. Pete is in the Don Cesar's class, but is close by the bay with no beach.

Am thinking you'll have to get someplace a good ways away from the Tampa Bay area to find comparable luxury Florida lodging on a beach. Maybe Miami Beach?

BTW, I have really no idea what the price is for the Don Ceasar.

But, if looking for something on the higher end on the Atlantic Coast check The Breakers in Palm Beach and the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan (Southern section of Palm Beach.)

I stayed at the latter in November with my wife and two kids for a few days. They loved the pool area, but the beach is fairly narrow in Palm Beach.

Yes, Ryan, I actually looked at The Breakers during my search, but 1300/nt. is out of the question. Maybe in my next life :)
$400/nt is more my budget. I found Lago Mar in Ft. Lauderdale, and it looks like it might fit the bill, despite those occasional cranky reviews where people have nothing nice to say. And I have given serious thought to returning to the Don. So I guess it comes down to determining if I'm in a gambling mood.... Your advice is much appreciated.

Well, I am sure I'll probably be sneered right off the board for suggesting this but if you want to be ON the beach in Fort Lauderdale rather than across the street from it at say the W or the Ritz Carlton there is always the Marrioo Harbor Beach. The rooms aren't as nice as those at the Don and it isn't that nice pink color but it is ON the beach and Fort Lauderdale is rather different from St. Pete Beach.

Now, if you want something comparable on the West Coast where they actually have surf worthy of the name you could always spring for the Hotel Del.

OR you could actually have alittle heart to heart with your kids and remind them of just how things work when you aren't paying for something yet and your Mother is actually going crazy trying to find a place to stay.

The Sandpearl in Clearwater beach would be about on par with the Don.

http://www.sandpearl.com/

I thought of the Sand Pearl, it is indeed very nice. I just thought maybe it w/b weird to see the Don every day and not be there, if you like it so much?? I think it makes more sense to try elsewhere in Florida. How about the Ritz on Amelia Island?

Such great responses! I've looked at the Marriot Harbour (I def. wouldn't sneer at it-I thought it looked very nice)But their photo tour couldn't be viewed correctly on my computer, so I got frustrated and left the site. The Ritz looks wonderful, but almost like a place the hubby and I could enjoy sans kids. After talking to him tonight, I think we might try the Lago Mar. I know its old, but I really can't be THAT picky for my price range. Nothing a couple cocktails can't cure! Plus the suites are large for todays standards. By April, I'll simply be glad that I'm outta Dodge city. Maybe I'll even write a trip report when we get back :) Thanks for all your advice. Jenn