Looking for upscale hotel in Florida west coast
Nov 13th, 2003, 05:50 AM
#1
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Looking for upscale hotel in Florida west coast
My wife and I are looking to go away with another couple for an extended weekend to the west coast of Florida (probble somewhere south of Sarasota). Since we are going without our children, we would like to stay at an upscale hotel. We appreciate nice grounds and pool, good beach, clean rooms, good service etc. Would appreciate any recommendations.
Nov 13th, 2003, 07:16 AM
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I would say your best bets are the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort north of Bonita, the LaPlaya Resort at Vanderbilt Beach near Naples, the RitzCarlton also at Vanderbilt Beach, or the Edgewater Beach Resort right in Naples.
Both the Hyatt and the Ritz sit back from the beach, the Hyatt I believe requiring a shuttle boat to get to the actual beach. However if you want seclusion, the Hyatt would be the best.
You might also consider CasaYbel on Sanibel.
Both the Hyatt and the Ritz sit back from the beach, the Hyatt I believe requiring a shuttle boat to get to the actual beach. However if you want seclusion, the Hyatt would be the best.
You might also consider CasaYbel on Sanibel.
Nov 13th, 2003, 10:29 AM
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We're just back from a long weekend at the Hyatt Coconut Pointe - happy to answer any questions you might have. We liked it a lot - its more secluded but has nice grounds, pools and exchange privileges with their vacation club nearby - spa is fantastic; we didn't want to have high rise after high rise bordering us so this was perfect.
Nov 13th, 2003, 10:54 AM
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Hi
You might also consider "The Colony Resort" on Longboat Key. It is a lovely place and gives great service, special spas, and Longboat has one of the loveliest beaches around.
Or if you'd rather have a gorgeous two bedroom apartment with lots of room to spread out try "Veranda Beach" also on Longboat Key - they have some of the LARGEST apartments ever and they're right on the beach.
Ciao!!
You might also consider "The Colony Resort" on Longboat Key. It is a lovely place and gives great service, special spas, and Longboat has one of the loveliest beaches around.
Or if you'd rather have a gorgeous two bedroom apartment with lots of room to spread out try "Veranda Beach" also on Longboat Key - they have some of the LARGEST apartments ever and they're right on the beach.
Ciao!!
Nov 13th, 2003, 03:43 PM
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My favorite is The Resort at Longboat Key Club (www.longboatkeyclub.com)
Nov 13th, 2003, 04:03 PM
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The Hyatt at Coconut Point is a beautiful resort. We were there last year and really loved it. Great Place for kids or without kids. They have 3 pools, and a river pool at the adjacent Hyatt Time Share Condo complex. The Health Spa is really one of the nicest - great workout room. We enjoyed it so much we are going back again this year - can't wait. We went over to the Ritz - I think it smells a bit mildew in the lobby myself - could use a renovation - upgrade I think. Their pool and beach area are nice. We like upscale properties and I would choose the Hyatt over the Ritz. Check it out on their web site. It is a very relaxing atmosphere - especially if you don't go during a school vacation week like Christmas, or February or April vacation weeks.
Nov 13th, 2003, 08:37 PM
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There is also a Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. It's not on the beach, although they are in the process of setting up a private beach facility on Lido Key, just a short free shuttle ride for the guests. Not sure if the beach area is open yet.
Nov 14th, 2003, 02:30 AM
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Longboat Key Club is very nice. You could get a two bedroom condo with ocean view. The beach there is lovely and the pool service is great.
Coconut Pointe in Bonita Springs is also great but a little more isolated. You can go about 8 miles however to a great higher end outlet mall (beautiful outdoor fountains and courtyards: Brooks, Polo, Saks, DKNY, etc etc). Hotel is not on beach but has own private beach reached by launch. Beaches are not as beautiful imho as Long Boat and Siesta Key (which, alas, has no fabulous resort). LMF
Coconut Pointe in Bonita Springs is also great but a little more isolated. You can go about 8 miles however to a great higher end outlet mall (beautiful outdoor fountains and courtyards: Brooks, Polo, Saks, DKNY, etc etc). Hotel is not on beach but has own private beach reached by launch. Beaches are not as beautiful imho as Long Boat and Siesta Key (which, alas, has no fabulous resort). LMF
Nov 23rd, 2003, 08:50 AM
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Gator Girl is right. The Don Cesar is a great place to stay if you want nice rooms, great views, a good beach, grand food, and excellent service. It's a lovely sight, looking like a big castle right on the beach. It's so easy to get to, compared to most of the other places named. And it's in a good location for enjoying all the water sports. The only drawback is that there isn't a big shopping mall nearby, but most people don't go to Florida for that. There are many good restaurants all around. Good luck.
Nov 23rd, 2003, 09:38 AM
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If it was me, it would be the Ritz Carlton north of Naples, BUT....
Check whether it has any conference or convention booked for the days you want to visit.
I'd rather not stay in the midst of 200 heating and air conditioning company owners, fine folk that they most likely are.
The Ritz Carlton is, depending on your definition, sort of isolated. Other than a couple of nearby restaurants, there's no place to walk to, other than the beach. (great beach)
The Edgewater, on the other hand, is in town, and there's more to do outside the hotel, much closer.
That said, for just hanging around the hotel and relaxing, plus maybe driving a few mionutes for one good dinner outside the hotel, it is hard to beat the Ritz Carlton.
Fort Myers is the nearest biggish airport; Naples airport is closer, but probably not by much.
Casa Ybel on Sanibel has a completely different feel to it. It feels smaller and less elegant and fancy-formal, and if I had kids with me, that would be my choice.
But my father loved it, when he was 80, partly because he always felt truly welcomed, and partly becasue there were things going on for him to sit and watch -- kids playing, other younger folks being active, etc. On the day I win the littery and have to hide from people looking for loans, I'm heading the Casa Ybel.
Back to the Edgewater: my relatives in Naples choose it as their favorite palce to take out of town visitors for a drink, whether these visitors are in their 30's or 60's.
BAK
BAK
Check whether it has any conference or convention booked for the days you want to visit.
I'd rather not stay in the midst of 200 heating and air conditioning company owners, fine folk that they most likely are.
The Ritz Carlton is, depending on your definition, sort of isolated. Other than a couple of nearby restaurants, there's no place to walk to, other than the beach. (great beach)
The Edgewater, on the other hand, is in town, and there's more to do outside the hotel, much closer.
That said, for just hanging around the hotel and relaxing, plus maybe driving a few mionutes for one good dinner outside the hotel, it is hard to beat the Ritz Carlton.
Fort Myers is the nearest biggish airport; Naples airport is closer, but probably not by much.
Casa Ybel on Sanibel has a completely different feel to it. It feels smaller and less elegant and fancy-formal, and if I had kids with me, that would be my choice.
But my father loved it, when he was 80, partly because he always felt truly welcomed, and partly becasue there were things going on for him to sit and watch -- kids playing, other younger folks being active, etc. On the day I win the littery and have to hide from people looking for loans, I'm heading the Casa Ybel.
Back to the Edgewater: my relatives in Naples choose it as their favorite palce to take out of town visitors for a drink, whether these visitors are in their 30's or 60's.
BAK
BAK
Nov 27th, 2003, 11:07 AM
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Recently I wrote 4 articles pertaining to different resorts on the West Coast.
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-...island-NG.html
(this is a very luxurious resort)
Longboat Key Resort
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-...at-key-NG.html
(another luxury resort)
Colony
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-35/colony-NG.html
(Great for tennis)
If you are in the St Peterburg area you may want to check out the Vinoy
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-36/vinoy-NG.html
(This is a grand hotel-great property)
Marco Beach Ocean Resort
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-...island-NG.html
(this is a very luxurious resort)
Longboat Key Resort
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-...at-key-NG.html
(another luxury resort)
Colony
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-35/colony-NG.html
(Great for tennis)
If you are in the St Peterburg area you may want to check out the Vinoy
http://lovetripper.com/issues/issue-36/vinoy-NG.html
(This is a grand hotel-great property)
Nov 27th, 2003, 03:54 PM
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I would agree with earlier posts about the Don Cesar at St Pete Beach. It is one of the stately old pink Spanish style hotels. Very impressive.
As far as shopping, there is a nice new upscale mall very near the Tampa airport.
As far as shopping, there is a nice new upscale mall very near the Tampa airport.
Nov 28th, 2003, 07:57 AM
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Shopping at the Tampa airport is very expensive and the choices are limited.
May I suggest the outlet shops in Ellendale just over the Skyway bridge from St Petersburg. Another suggestion is the Tyrone Mall in St Petersburg.
The outlet shops are great and there are a wide variety of stores.
May I suggest the outlet shops in Ellendale just over the Skyway bridge from St Petersburg. Another suggestion is the Tyrone Mall in St Petersburg.
The outlet shops are great and there are a wide variety of stores.
Dec 15th, 2003, 06:55 AM
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Dec 15th, 2003, 08:30 AM
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I guess that was a "no" as to kitchens at the Grand Hyatt.
Do you want to stay in Tampa?
If so, try Embassy Suites on Westshore.
If not, then you might try the Tradewinds in St. Petersburg (www.tradewindsresort.com). This is a family place -- their suites are really nice. They have a moat that runs around the hotel -- with real swans!
Neither of these are really high-end but they are good for families.
Do you want to stay in Tampa?
If so, try Embassy Suites on Westshore.
If not, then you might try the Tradewinds in St. Petersburg (www.tradewindsresort.com). This is a family place -- their suites are really nice. They have a moat that runs around the hotel -- with real swans!
Neither of these are really high-end but they are good for families.
