We'll be in Florida last two weeks of January. Would like to stay at funky, but clean, small resorts on great beaches.

We're trying to fit in as many beaches as we can.

We're flying into Tampa and out of Orlando. We plan to go as far north as St. Augustine and as far south as Key Largo. D.H. hasn't been back to his home state in well over 30 years, so I'm doing the planning.

I would appreciate any suggestions for places to stay with that 50ish style or newer, or small restaurants that the locals enjoy.

If you want beach weather you better stay way south of St. Augustine.

Hollywood Beach and Ft. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea (not Ft. Lauderdale) are very 50s funky.

More trendy 50s funky is South Beach.

Key West is also a wonderful town but there aren't beaches there.

Singer Island, which is near Palm Beach, is also fun. Stay on the back side of the island. Very 50s hotels.

The Fountainbleu in Mid Beach on Miami Beach was the hangout of many famous people during that time period. Think Desi Arnez singing Bubbaloo.

Try Superior Small Lodgings.
http://www.visitflorida.com/destinations/ssl.php. Read that page, and then click on the link provided. OR, just go to www.superiorsmalllodgings.com.

It's an affiliation for small hotels and B&B's that have to meet a certain criteria. There are a lot of hotels in Florida that belong to this organization. Many, if not most, are small mom and pop motels from the 1950's and 60's that have been revitalized, but still maintain their original 1950's feel.

We stayed in one south of Daytona a few years ago but cannot remember the name. They are all reasonably priced and most have a small pool and many have small kitchenettes.

I hope this helps. Have a great trip.

Thanks GoTravel and BuffaloGirl for the great suggestions. I checked out the websites and it looks like there's more good beach locations than I thought. I'll have to narrow our stay down to maybe 5 and research those further.

So far I think St. Pete's Beach, Naples, somewhere by south beach, Ft. Lauderdale by the sea and Daytona or St. Augustine.

We really didn't want to commit ourselves and make reservations until we saw the places. Do you think that will be a problem in Jan? We like to be flexible. Read elsewhere on this web that a lot of places are being rented by people waiting for their homes to be rebuilt.

Also, is there any one beach or motel/cottage, etc., that we shouldn't miss?

granny, I understand wanting to be free to pick up and go when the mood strikes, but I would not come to FL without reservations in late January. That is prime time, hard to find good places even if many aren't out of commission with residual hurricane damage, or taken by displaced residents. That aspect will be more of a problem around the Naples/Ft Myers area, and the southeast FL coast, by the way, not so much here in the Tampa Bay area, although there are several hotels here that are housing elderly people still, and will be through February. These are folks that were displaced from the Ft Myers area and had to come this far for long term acommodations.

You need to find places to stay now if you have any hope of staying on or near the beach, and the further south you go that time of year, the more likely you'll find "Florida weather". It can get pretty nippy in northern FL and even here in Tampa, I had to hunt down my parka the other day. It's rare but it happens. Wish I could help with names of places to stay, but from what you describe, I think you'd enjoy St Pete Beach, Anna Maria Island in this area, and the Indiatlantic vicinity on the east coast. Hurry though...do reserve!

Granny, even though they're all different, I've never met a Florida beach I didn't like.

Even though it can be cool in January, St. Augustine is quite beautiful, so if you can fit it into your schedule I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Also, if you've never been, Daytona (to me, anyhow) is a beach you should at least visit once in your life. Not for the beauty...there are better beaches for that, but there's something about the cars, ice cream trucks, bikes, and carnival atmosphere that is hard to describe. A good place to eat is Julian's on AIA.

But as GoTravel and OO said, you will have to probably go a lot further south for warmth. But you never know how the weather will be anywhere in the US in January, so it could be warm in St. Augustine too!

Have a great time.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I guess we will make a few reservations. There's a couple places I've been researching, and would be disappointed if they are not available.

Check out Treasure Island where RatPack Architecture is abundant. Here is a site about this 1950s spot:

http://recentpast.org/groups/treasure/

I agree that reservations are important for the last two weeks of January.

I live in Tampa. Go to Caladesi Beach it's an island in which you take a walk on ferry to. You leave from Honeymoon Island in Dunedin. Very pretty and not crowded. Also south of Dunedin is Tarpon Springs. This is a Greek community which is fun. You can take an hour boat ride for about $7 each. You can't beat the price. They look for dophins while out.
Don't waste your time with Daytona Beach on the East coast. I think it
is too dirty and cars are on the beaches, I think the worst beach in Florida (Sorry Daytona). Clearwater beach is nice but crowded. If you like crowds go there. If you have time you could drive from Dunedin to Clearwater to get the best of both worlds. Have fun
Have fun.