Donna

I know this is probably so stupid - but noticed low season is May -Dec for southwest (Naples, Fort Myers, Marco Island etc) but seems to still be the high season for Destin (Northwest Florida) etc. So my question is -is vacationing in Naples area in June or July out of the question? Why are property rentals there so low then? Is it too hot for humans? We are looking at 1st week of June. I know rates are high in winter because of snowbirds but is summer time a possibility? I was thinking we would rent a house with a covered pool - do some swimming or boat trips during the day - beaches in evening but I want to make sure the costs aren't so low because everyone knows something I don't! Thanks.

Chuck

Destin gets a lot of summer vacationers and it is close to major cities. As for the Naples area, that is considered low season and yes it is hot with high humidity in the summer months. But, everything is air conditioned, you get a breeze off the water, you can swim etc. Personally, I don't think it's any hotter than the Midwest in August. If you like it hot, go for it.

Patrick

The above poster is right. No one would go to Destin area in the winter for a beach vacation, it is far too cold, so their season for the beach is summer. It is actually likely to be just as hot there is the summer as Naples, but Naples has the advantage of often being the warmest spot in the nation in the height of winter. That's one reason they get the big bucks for winter, and because there is so much housing, much owned by "snowbirds" who only come down in the winter, there are great rentals available in the summer at super prices. For years growing up in Ohio our family came to SW Florida every year in August -- it was my father's vacation time. Now that I've lived in Naples for 25 years I can't wait to leave in the summer. But although it will be hot and humid in the summer, everything is airconditioned except the beach. But the water is great, the restaurants (Naples has more great ones weekly) are easier to get into, and a lot of people actually prefer the summer (June is probably better weather-wise than July through September) because there is less traffic. I know a lot of smart people who own places here to use in the summer and rent out in winter season because that's when they can get the high prices.

Brian in Atlanta

Agree with the above. We always plan our south Florida trips (Ft. Myers, Miami) in May or June to take advantage of the low rates. It's hot, but it's supposed to be on a beach vacation.

Donna

Thank you so much for the info -- My husband attended a conference in Naples last April. We tagged along and rented a house -- most relaxing vacation we've ever had.

Patrick

I was just reminded of one thing to watch for. Beware that Naples has recently become quite a "destination". As a result you are likely to encounter rentals of all types that say they are in the "heart of Naples" or "near the beach" which are actually well East of town, in the middle of nowhere, and not even close to the beach. I have actually seen ads for a motel that is on what we call a drainage ditch about 12 miles from the Gulf and the town advertise that it is "right on the water". Well, I guess they aren't exactly lieing. With fame comes scams, so make sure you know where you are renting.

Helpful

Donna, we've found that renting someone's home or condo is really the way to go -- over just a hotel room. It's usually not that much more expensive, you get all that added room and having a kitchen saves money because you don't have to eat every meal in restaurants.
Finding them is relatively easy by using a Search Engine. Mine is "Google." So, do this:

1. www.google.com

2. type in search words:

naples florida vacation rentals

brings up a lot of websites offering same. Just substitute city + state for any destination you are interested in.

Donna

Last year we did rent a house in Naples through one of those internet sites you mention -- I was so scared -- just knew is was going to be a disaster -- turned into the best vacation we've ever had --thanks for the warning about location -- I will be careful about that -- But to anyone who hasn't tried it -- I can't imagine staying in a hotel or condo in south florida anymore. Long live the internet!