The winter has been too long and too cold for my liking, so I�m thinking about surprising my wife with a long weekend in southern Florida sometime during May. I�m looking for recommendations on beaches in the Miami, Palm Beach or Key West areas. We never spent any time in any of those areas. My preference would be an area that has a lot of activity, rather than a quiet getaway. Since we will leave the kids home, I want to stay away from the �family-type� beaches. Nothing against kids, but we took a Carnival cruise once and there were way too many kids to compete with for lounge chairs and pool space. Thanks in advance.

Forget Key West if you're looking for nice beaches. I would suggest Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale.

The Marriot in Delray Beach is a good option - across the street from the beach, with a nice pool and pool bar that serves food and drinks. It's located on the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and A1A and well within walking distance to Boston's on the Beach (which usually has live bands) and many other restaurants, shops and bars. We live in West Palm Beach and sometimes go there just to get away - though not that far away.

Other Palm Beach County options include the Breakers, the Four Seasons, and the Jupiter Beach Resort, though none of those have nightlife that compares to Delray Beach's.

Best of luck!

I second the MARRIOTT in Delray right across from the Ocean- It is NEW and right in the swing of things.

Atlantic Ave ( of which the Marriott borders on) has tons of shops,restaurants, and even nitetime bands in the street on Thursday nites-when they block off Atlantic Ave from vehicle travel.

GREAT beach- great restaurants, neat shops--PERFECT in my opinion....

I third the reco for Delray Marriott and agree Key West is not the place for a great beach. Other options- people love Lago Mar in Ft lauderdale. The Ritz Carlton in Palm Beach (although it's not right IN Palm Beach) is supposed to be nice and there's some action in both West Palm Beach & Palm Beach. Ofcourse there's always South Beach where I think you'll find the most "action". If you do a search here for South beach hotels you'll get plenty of info.

Ritz Carlton in Manalapan (considered Palm Beach) is a GORGEOUS hotel with an awesome pool area--but it is in the middle of nowhere and you do need a car--to get into Palm Beach proper-

I have stayed here and it was wonderful but expensive-unless they are running any AMEX or VISA specials.

I still think the DELRAY MARRIOTT on Ocean Ave is your best bet...