Grandparents, daughter and 3 year old grandson looking for beach stay on Gulf Coast of Florida. Kitchenette or condo in kid-friendly area. Fodorites?

Pensacola Beach is a pretty nice area.
We've only stayed at the Springhill Suites (not a kitchnette or condo) and it was very nice.

In early 2006 we stayed at The Beachcomber Resort and Villas in Ft. Lauderdale - it was right on the beach, we had a small kitchen in our room and a patio looking at the water with two deck chairs.

You can walk forever on the beach and in one direction visit Pompano Beach - another fun one!

The pool was good to at the Beachcomber. All ages were there - I would really reccomend it.

Enjoy!

Wow. Pensacola Beach in late November is almost like the Arctic, so I'm not sure that's what the poster is looking for. And the last time I looked Ft. Lauderdale is nowhere near the Gulf Coast.

Obviously the further south you go the warmer it is likely to be if that is the thing -- and since you specify beach, I assume it is.

VRBO has tons of condo beach rentals all along the Gulf. Bonita or Vanderbilt areas near Naples would be great, or Marco Island. Ft. Myers Beach is another possibilty, as is Sanibel. After Thanksgiving and before Christmas you can also get "bargain" prices.

Thanks, everyone. Last year we went to Hilton Head, and although the water was cold--we couldn't keep the grandson out of the water. We will be driving from Atlanta--so looking for 5 -7 hour driving day tops.

Oh. So it looks like the Panhandle is your only bet.