Hello, My husband and I are planning a week long trip the end of September to Florida. We are looking at Siesta Key or Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. I just can't decide. I have done alot of searching and reading but I am still confused. I have been to Florida many times and even lived in Miami for about 18 months while in college but I was always in the big city mode. We want quiet beachfront this time. I really want beautiful beaches, clear water, and would love to have a room right on the beach. I don't care about 5 star dining or accommadations but I want a clean place and decent food within reasonable distance.
I am pretty open on budget.

This is sort of an 15th anniversary trip, planned around a time my 12 year old daughter will be on a school trip.

I truely appreciate any help anyone can give me.

Thanks,
AprilA

Hi

You can't go wrong in choosing Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, or Siesta Key as each of them is just a little bit of heaven.

Anna Maria as the most northern is very family oriented and has many homes. Longboat Key has homes and condos and Siesta Key also has both. All three have the most beautiful talcum powder sand beach anywhere

If you need to look at some beachfront places on the internet try Veranda Beach on Longboat Key - it's a gorgeous place that offers two or four bedroom units. Another would be The Diplomat and recently someone stayed at Aquarius. These would all be condos and you could probably find many more looking through Google for Longboat Key properties.

On Anna Maria many love the Bungalow on the Beach.

I can't help with Siesta and I'm sure AAFrequentFlyer will soon help there.

One thing though - September is known for its rainy season so please be prepared.

There is also another discussion on Siesta Key here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=1&tid=34500508&numresponses=8&s tart=0&screen_name=AAFrequentFlyer

I'm little biased, but I do think Siesta Key is what you are looking for!

I used to love Longboat Key but then they built way too many high-rises there for my tastes. And the little cottages I used to stay at were painted pastel colors and cost four times what I'd been paying.

Anna Maria is still nice, and has a very un-touched feel to it. Siesta Key is a bit more lively -- you can walk to shops or restaurants if you're in the commercial district. So I'd pick between the two and bypass Longboat.

Hello
Anna Maria Island is the best place my family and I have ever been (we're norwegians). We were there 2 years ago and stayed in a clean, quiet, reasonable hotel/motel directly on the beach - "Blue Water Beach Club". Lots of nice restaurants in the neighbourhood.

It sounds like what you're looking for is Anna Maria. Here's another vote for Bungalow Beach--but only because I've stayed there recently. The cottage we stayed in was on the beach with a screened porch that was perfect for watching the sun set. Harrington House is very nice also. If it matters, it's unlikely for HH to have children staying there. Here are their websites.

www.bungalowbeach.com
www.harhousebb.com

These two are actually in Holmes Beach, but the island consists of 3 little towns and HB is in the middle. I usually recommend Coconuts (www.coconutsresort.com) for families with children. They also have several very nice beach front units.

There are plenty of good little restaurants. Most are casual but certainly several to choose from for a special dinner.

You'll find lots of info at the AM chamber site:

www.amichamber.org

I really like the Blue Water, too - that's where we stayed before we moved back home. It's a pretty basic '60s motel, but has really nice owners, a pool, and on a good part of the beach. If you want to splurge, the Harrington House B&B is wonderful!

April,
My wife and I just returned from a week in Siesta Key this past week. It seems like it has everything you're looking for - a beautiful beach(#2 in FL according to the Travel Channel), plenty of affordable accommodations, many good restaurants nearby. It was a great place to visit, and we can't wait to go back. And it was very affordable too!

Thanks everyone for all your replys and suggestions. I'm checking out all your leads!
Thanks again, AprilA