We are looking for an old-fashioned inn on a Florida beach for a family reunion. Ideally, this would be a place that served one or two meals a day. We want to be on the beach and definitely want to avoid condos or motels. Either the Atlantic coast or the Gulf is fine. Any suggestions?

Cheeca Lodge in the Keys (Islamorado)--nice, nice.

I'm looking for something less fancy than that -- more of an inn than a resort. Any suggestions? Thanks.

There are 10 B&Bs on Amelia Island. Some allow children, some don't. Two are oceanfront (Elizabeth Pointe Lodge and the 1735 House). There are a number of small mom-and-pop motels near the beach and a couple of family-friendly hotels (Best Western, Hampton Inn) on the island besides the Ritz-Carlton and Amelia Island Plantation resorts. Go to www.ameliaisland.org. That site has links to all of the B&Bs and hotels, along with info about the island.

Not exactly an 'old-fashioned' sort of place, but Amelia Island Plantation would be great for a family reunion, especially if you chose a cluster of their off-beach cottages. You could cook meals yourselves - each unit has a nice kitchen - or perhaps arrange with catering for one or more served meals - we've been there for smaller groups within a larger (state medical society_) convention when they did a beachside barbecue. You might get a group of cottages that cluster around a common pool; there is onsite transportation to the beach and the resort's multiple pools, and several restaurants onsite.

I should have added that there are no children involved -- or at least that the youngest will be about 17. Really what we would like is something that doesn't have a modern, condo or resort kind of feel. We're not interested in golf, tennis, spas, fancy food, etc., just swimming and walking the beach. Thanks.

You might find what you are looking for in Apalachicola, a kind of remote town east of Panama City that has a kind of "town that time forgot" feel. I wasn't staying there, but drove down for the day to lunch--I think it's a town that natives in the Destin area take people to or advise for those looking for "old Florida." The Chamber of Commerce has a website at www.baynavigator.com that lists accomodations. Apalachicola was referenced in a National Geographic guide I have called something like "25 great small coastal towns" or something like that. I'm sorry, I'm really bad at remembering names, but if you were interested you could email me and I could look it up.

Another vote for Amelia Island. We have enjoyed Elizabeth Pointe Lodge and it may well fill your bill; see its website at www.elizabethpointelodge.com. Amelia Island Plantation also would be a good choice- with the sports activities there, it may provide a more rounded-out opportunity if you have a really large group. Be sure to go shopping over at the little shops at Fernandina Beach. Enjoy!

Does anyone have any experience with Anna Maria Island? That seems like it might be a good choice.

I live in the area and love the island. It is typical of a traditional Florida beach town. The beaches are beautiful and not crowded. The pace is much more laid back. There is an excellent selection of restaurants and accommodations. The Harrington House is a very nice B&B. It's the former beach house of a local family. I know that you want to avoid motels, but you might want to consider the Rod and Reel. It's an older, well-kept property adjacent to the fishing pier and a favorite of many who like to weekend on the beach. Coconuts Resort is another good choice. Your best bet if you choose this area is to find a couple of rental houses side-by-side or one large home. I suggest that you start with Mike Norman Real Estate. They handle the majority of rentals in the area.