Need recommendation on where to stay in Florida with a 5 and 2 year old
 

My wife and I are looking to take our 5 year old and 2 year old to Florida anytime February through May in 2018 and need a recommendation on what city and lodging to stay. We love staying at Mitchell's Sand Castle in Sanibel right on the ocean (units #1 and #2)
(here's a link to check them out if your unfamiliar: http://www.mitchellssandcastles.com/accom.cfm ). Unfortunately they are booked up through May so we are looking at alternatives that check the same boxes:

1. Directly on the beach so we do not have to get in a car
2. 2 bedrooms
3. Nice pool option for the boys and us to swim together
4. A kitchen in the unit so we can make most of our food and don't have to eat out for meals (we like to go out maybe two times
5. We much prefer smaller places than a big giant behemoth but I would still be open to those too if it checks the first 4 boxes!

We will be going for 5 to 6 nights. We are considering Sanibel, Captiva, Anna Maria, St Petersburg and Siesta Key but are really open to anywhere that it's warm enough to be in a swimming suit all day.

Budget isn't an issue but you can see with Mitchell's that we like "simple, safe, clean and comfortable" over a luxury style place (we save that for the two of us!) :) We can fly into either Tampa, Ft Meyers or Orlando.

Lastly, if you know of a place outside of Florida that checks these same boxes we are open to that too.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Maybe the Atlantis in the Bahamas?

I'm going to add a couple more requirements that I thought of that we get with sanibel:

6. It's a private cottage disconnected from other units
7. We have an outdoor patio that overlooks the ocean

Gretchen: thanks for the suggestion but I'd like to stay on the continental US and not splurge on that place until kids are older.

Topping this for you. We have stayed at Mitchell's several times and enjoyed it so I understand your requirements. Unfortunately we have never stayed in any other places on Sanibel but hopefully someone will see this and comment further.

Happy New Year! We always stay in a regular room at Sanibel Inn which doesn't have a kitchen, but I believe they rent condos that are on their premises, that do. They are right on the beach and offer bikes, kayaks and paddle boards with their daily fees. They also have a small Tiki Bar that offers lunch. We love the laid back, small town feel of the Inn, and look forward to visiting every year.

I thought maybe it wouldn't be a splurge.

Maybe something in the Keys--Islamorada?