Lollie3

I'm hoping someone can help me out...I'm hoping to spend a weekend (probably in May) in Florida and my hope is to stay in a nice hotel (for me that would be $200-300 a night) that is either on, or a short walk to, the beach as well as have a nice pool area. I'd prefer a direct flight from Boston or Providence as well since I'm only staying 2 nights (therefore a short'ish distance from an airport would be great so we can get there and not dilly dally) The goal is to just have a short getaway and lounge on the beach or by a nice pool. No nightlife needed really either - we'll probably do dinner and that's about it.

In poking online I've stumbled on a few...would what I'm looking for be Sunny Isles? Bal Harbour? Coral Gables? Coconut Grove? Ft. Myers? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

rungirl2002

Although I haven't been there yet, I have many Fodorites to thank for helping me plan my trip in the fall....similar requirements as we are flying from NYC direct to Tampa (must be direct flight for you, too). About a half hour from Tampa is St Pete Beach where we are staying at the Don CeSar.

Good luck!

Lollie3

Thanks for that suggestion - keep em' coming!

Thanks for that tip rungirl...I checked it out and it looks beauuuutiful - exactly what I'm thinking of...now to find a cheap flight. The site says they are 30 minutes from the airport in Tampa - how do you plan on getting from there...taxi? Does the hotel have a car service? We wouldn't need to rent a car so I'd want to find a fairly inexpensive way back and forth. Enjoy your trip!

rungirl2002

I am only renting a car b/c I will have my Mom and my two little ones with us. Taxi or car service would be best...contact the hotel for rates and suggestions. It is my understanding that there is a trolley running up and down the beach so you could hop on to go to another restaurant.

Airfare shouldn't be too bad, is it?

Although I am taking a quick trip to MCO, I cannot wait for the Don in the fall!

OO

You'll need the Super Shuttle or cab from the airport. They don't have hotel transport.

lxrytravlr73

Hollywood Beach Marriott, literally RIGHT on the beach. 10-15 min from Ft. Lauderdale Airport. AAA Rate of $229/night weekend of May 23rd to 25th (as example). AAA 4 Diamond property and a relatively new, smaller Marriott hotel. Nice little breakfast buffet. 30 min or less from South Beach, Coconut Grove, Ft. Lauderdale Beach and it is, of course, on Hollywood beach. A little quieter. Walking or quick cab from a bunch of tasty restaurants (Capones, Le Tub, Taverna Opa where they belly dance on the tables during the weekend, Billy Stone Crabs).

Spirit and Jet Blue fly non-stop from Boston to FTL ($330 per person) and Southwest flies non-stop from PROV to FLL is about $300. Miami is not much, if any, cheaper to fly into then FTL.

Marriott Harbor Beach is fantastic in Ft. Lauderdale if you went early June (6th - 8th) it would be $250 ($295 for ocean view) and they have a fantastic pool.

You could also look at Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne ($294), Ritz Carlton South Beach ($375 but worth the stretch), Diplomat Country Club (nice but isolated, 15 min airport, right on beach), Del Soil Miami Beach, Four Seasons Miami.

Careful around Mothers day and Memorial day - everything is higher. June 6th to 8th you will find much better deals.

Use Skoosh.com, hotels.com