A friend of mine is looking for a 20th Anniversary 3 night weekend getaway. She prefers a beach location, would like to drive from the Tampa area so not much longer than 4 hours.

Where would you go?

One of the prettiest areas is the Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, or Siesta Key. It can't get much better than that for me. I know others will have ideas too.

The Ritz Carlton Naples.

How about St. Augustine?

Sanibel or Captiva -- about a 2-hour drive.

These are great suggestions. If you can provide specific romantic Hotels along with the location - that would be great.

Why don't you check each location's city website or tourism board and see what hotels they list. They might have separate listings for B&Bs or romantic inns/hotels. After you've found a few, then people here might have specific feedback and comments about them. But with the cities listed by the posters above, that should give you a good start to helping your friend find something.

Don CeSar in St Pete Beach, directly on beach.
Ritz Carlton Naples, separated by mangroves from their beach.
Registry in Naples, separated by mangroves from their beach.
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs--on the water, but a 10 mintue water taxi ride across Estero Bay to their island for beach.

Definitely the Ritz Carlton Naples- on the beach...FABULOUS place- great food-make sure you have a room facing the gulf....

Just to clarify, there are now two Ritz Carlton hotels in Naples. The older is in Vanderbilt Beach; the newer features golf (I'm not familiar with that one). The older one is simply gorgeous and romantic. The website has some good photos.

The Don Cesar is another wonderful place, smack dab on the beach. We just had brunch there on Sunday and it was lovely! The food was sumptuous and the views superb. The mimosas flowed like water and a trio of musicians came by the tables and played whatever song you wanted (Begin the Beguine for us!).

Of these two hotels, I'd say the beach neighborhood surrounding the Don is a little more laid back than what you'd find in Naples. Equally nice in a different sort of way, so it depends on personal taste. Both hotels are stunning.

if you drive 1 more hour you can visit the beautiful florida keys and stay in Islamorada at the Mooorings it is an exclusive place and beautiful and super romantic with lots of things to do or just do nothing.

Either The Don CeSar in St Pete Beach or Ritz Carlton Naples (my personal fav being the Don)

The Ritz Carlton that I am talking about is the older one on Vanderbilt Beach-- NOT old at all- just the older of the 2...

AWESOME!!

Here's another alternative seldom mentioned: La Playa in Naples. It has been exquisitely redecorated and feels like a very elegant caribbean resort.

They have a lovely spa, and a superb restaurant: Baleen. You can sit outdoors on the terrace and watch the sunset with no mangrove barrier rising up to block your view. The Baleen motif is monkeys and the effect is charming and the food is some of the best I've had anywhere. Superb service without the Ritz type grovelling. Don't get me wrong. I love Ritz Carlton hotels but for what you've described I think you should try this small intimate hotel in Naples.

One dinner at Baleen, one dinner at Campiello in the Third Street South area of old Naples and maybe room service one night.

Look at: http://www.laplayaresort.com/
Lil Ms Foodie