Report - Long Weekend in Bonita Beach
 

Just back from a 4 day weekend to Bonita Beach. Hightlights: stayed at the Hyatt Coconut Point. Very nice - old Florida style. huge veranda with comfortable chairs for an glass of wine and unwinding. Pools were very good - one for exercise/lap swimming, one much colder and another with a large waterslide, basketball hoop and volley ball net. Although we were told the hotel was booked, there were rarely more than a dozen people total between the three pools, no big crowds at the restaurants, etc. They share privileges with the Hyatt Vacation Club so we went there for a day as well - again, very well done with great pools, etc. Played golf twice at Raptor Bay. The rates begin at $125 per person at sunrise and slide down throughtout the day so by 2:30, its $45/pp to play - obviously, we did the late day golf and were able to get in up to 15 holes before it got dark. Used their spa twice for massages; again, the hotel looked pretty empty (one wedding and one medium sized group) but the spa was hard to schedule (only open from 9-5). Big push for the vacation club timeshares from all sides which did get old. We ate at the hotel's tarpon springs restaurant the first night. Good food, plenty of it - you could make a dinner from the appetizer risotto easily. Second night, we went to Vincenzo's for italian - huge portions, good service and fair prices. Last night was at Maxwell's just north of Naples. A little pricey - but the food was good. I was amazed that the shops closed at 5pm all around - had hoped to do some shopping between sunset and dinners but no luck. Dinners ran about $150 for 4 each night - no bottles of wine, no desserts, an occasional salad or appetizer so I can't say it was an inexpensive weekend. entrees at each restaurant were between $21-40 so we stayed near the low end. Great long weekend from the chilly midwest; good spot for families. We flew into tampa since the airfare difference was about $200 per person less than flying into Ft Myers....we did this on short notice. Questions?

Thanks for the nice report. We have stayed at Coconut Point in the past and really enjoyed it. We were curious if Coconut Plantation, the vacation club, is within walking distance of the hotel?
How do the two compare?

the plantation is not really within walking distance - we drove or you can take the trolley. its probably less than a mile. the plantation is a timeshare - more 3-4 story buildings, same type of lobby; small provisions store, no spa, outdoor patio type bar/restaurant. they have several pools with a playground, basketball hoop, shuffle board, pingpong, etc. extremely quiet as it only opened in June 2003. we saw both young families and older adults staying there and touring. the bartender told us that it was very slow so far but had only been open 5 months and the snowbirds hadn't arrived yet. didn't see inside a unit - the tours weren't timed well for us.

We are going to spend a couple of nights at the Coconut Point Hyatt in December, so was pleased to see your complimentary review. Now here is the thing, I have heard several sources state that the spa is great. I am female, 41 and have NEVER been to a spa in all my travels. I am usually going 90 miles per and have no time for it. Since this week long stay in FL is supposed to be about relaxation, I was considering a spa day. What does one actually DO in the spa? What treatments did you have, and which would you recommend? My Mom (62) will be with me (along with our husbands) so it would be a nice girl time for us to enjoy. I will just feel kind of stupid tho, not knowing what happens when we get there and what to ask for. Any advice about this particular spa?? Is it just massages? If you have any idea of the pricing, I would appreciate it too.

Here's the scoop from my perspective on the spa: you'll need an appointment for anything and try to schedule well in advance (not like within the hour) - it will appear empty but they can be booked. That is the mystique - you are very secluded. The massages are either swedish (basically a strong rub down) or theraputic which is a deep tissue/muscle massage. They run from 25 minutes to 2 hours and the cost varies accordingly. The other treatments sounded really good to me but I couldn't get an appointment. They do offer three packages that are from 2-3 hours in length. You can also create your own package and get 10% off the items. The attendent will take you to the locker room, show you around, explain the drill, etc. After the treatments, there is a little relaxing room with water and fruit as well as showers, steamrooms, etc. I would have loved to do more but the time was limited. They are open between 9 and 5 each day basically. For the first, time, I'd try to do a massage, facial and maybe a body polish or theraputic tub treatment. That would be totally relaxing and fun. You'd be spending under $250 for that trio. Its not cheap but I guess I compare it with a round of golf and I only do this once every couple of years! Their website might also have the complete list of options.

ooooooohh... A massage, facial and theraputic tub treatment sound especially good on this COLD and GREY Wisconsin day!! Thank you for replying. I will try to access a spa "menu" by looking at the Hyatt Website. I have to admit, since we got the room for $116 per night, it leaves a little "wiggle room" in the travel budget for extra treats. At least there are no calories in a massage! BTW, do you wear your street clothes into the spa?

yes, street clothes are fine; you can decide for yourself if you want to have the massage with a swimsuit on or nude - you're covered in any case. how did you find the room for $116????

Since we are lucky enough to be traveling during a low time, I got it thru Priceline. I know (from Biddingfortravel.com) that CP is the only resort PL lists in Bonita Springs, and I saw on BFT that someone else got it in Nov for $116. I tried up to $115 and PL did not accept til $116. I got the Venetian in LV last December for 75 per night that way too!