We are thinking about going to Florida for a week in February. I have never been to Florida so I need suggestions for town/area where to stay: non-Disney, on or close to a beautiful beach, quiet, prefer smaller hotel/condo with a pool, moderate budget.
Is the weather in February generally warm enough for beach or pool? Which part of Florida will have warmest weather?

Saint Augustine is quiant and beautiful (if you avoid the tourist traps). It is pretty far north, so I am not sure about the weather in february, but it is worth a few days of romance. Be sure to check out the restaurant on the square that looks out over the draw bridge if you go! the food is great as is atmosphere, etc.

Florida has SO many great and different areas, it is hard to know where to start! The two coasts are so different and the Keys are an entity unto themselves. I prefer the Gulf side-I think the water and beaches are prettier. The northwest area, the panhandle will be cold in February, but further south is usually very nice. They had an unusual cold snap last week, but that should pass. Tampa-St. Pete is gorgeous, as is Sarasota, Naples, Captiva Island,& Sanibel. Bear in mind, this is high season and prices are at their highest. There are THOUSANDS of hotels and resorts--the computer will be a great tool for searching out just what you are looking for. Have a great trip!

I would go to Naples!!!

Anyplace on the Gulf side. The sand is white and fine and the waters clear and blue..Not so on the Atlantic.

Definitely near Sanibel (loads of shops, restaurants& Captiva(the most beautiful teal water and crystal clear!).If you go, eat at the Bubble Room It's great food with lots of nostagia. I'ts much cheaper to stay in the Cape Coral or Fort Myers area. Fort Myers also has a beautiful beach.It has more shops & bars . If you would like to be served alcoholic drinks at your blanket on the beach, go in front of the Launi Kai(sp?). It's also a hotel on the beach . But, you don't have to room there to share the great service and live music. It's usually 75 degrees in February. Unless there's a cold snap.

You have just described the Escalante in Naples. A block (to two blocks) from the beautiful beach. Walking distance from top restaurants and shopping. An elegant upscale small hotel with beautiful landscaping and quiet pool area, and normally the highest temperatures in Florida in February. The only part missing might be the "modest budget" which is hard to find in relation to Naples.

The Keys would have a better chance of being warm in February.

Sanibel Island - I can recommend the Song of the Sea (fits the "Smaller hotel with a pool" but in February it might be a bit over your budget) - maybe a condo at somewhere like the Sundial Resort. Beach, shelling, bicycling, golf, Wildlife Refuge with lots of birds.

if you want isolation...but not too much isolation try the beaches between vero bch, north to melbourne bch. theres sebastian inlet state park and my favorite watering hole sebastian beach inn. there aren't any modern/new hotels or motels..there are several condo's in that area but i don't know if they're rentable. the best looking motel is the turtle run oceanfront suites and i think they run only about $400+ a week. i've never stayed there but they do have a website.

Stay away from the "HOMOS" in Key West.

Iza:

I'd say Fort Lauderdale is cheaper. You want quiet, go to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL. It's 5 miles north of Ft. L. and it's way less crowded. Go to South Florida for warmer weather. Miami and Fort Lauderdale have 1-3 temp variations. It will probably be in the 80s there by then as the whole Southern U.S. starts warming up in Feb.