carib_bean

Help - I am desperate to take my little and new family out of the near arctic winter here...it looks like our Sanibel option is out...and the Caribbean is too much for maternity leave income...so what do we do - Any creative US suggestions? We are desperate for a change of scenery and could even let go of the sunny dream for a stimulating trip away. Thanks?

GoTravel

Hollywood Florida is much cheaper than either Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. They also get a large influx of Canadian visitors.

Hollywood is between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

Really inexpensive is the Mirador Motel. Kitchenettes in all rooms.

wow

carib_bean, where are you in Canada? If you are near a border town... Niagara/Buffalo, Windsor/Detroit...consider flying out of the US instead of Canada. It is a lot less expensive. This may give you additional options that wld fit w/in your budget. Gotravel's idea is a good one. You might also consider Arizona.
When are you planning on travelling?

carib_bean

We are thinking we will be most desperate for a change of scene in January also it seems so destinations become cheaper then - however, in truth we could go when it is good to go and there is somewhere great to go to....we are in Oakville Ontario within reasonable distance of Buffalo...I have heard that makes options more affordable. Arizona would thrill my husband with the golfing - but itsn't it quite an expensive area - all the people I have known to travel there are shall we say - possessing plenty of funds....sadly we are NOT...Hollywood Florida...hadn't even heard of it...not trying to be uninformed Canadian...however, I did see a Ramada Inn on Hollywood Beach taht was cheap from here but TERRIBLE reviews on Trip advisor...is this the same thing?

GoTravel

I have also heard horrible reviews for the Ramada (I've never heard good reviews for a Ramada) Hollywood Beach.

Go to Sunny.org and click on Hollywood. Tons of links, much prettier beach than Ft. Lauderdale.

Again, the Mirador is clean, basic, no frills, heated pool, very close to the beach (50 feet maybe?), and cheap.

You would fly into FLL/Hollywood airport.

BuffaloGirl

carib bean: Just a suggestion....if you want to fly out of Buffalo to Florida in January, make your reservations ASAP. Everyone and their mother tries to get out of here between January and April. I'm one of them. But I don't take my mother.

Have fun!

P.S. Strange, but as I'm typing this my windows are open and my son is wearing shorts. And it's almost November.

BuffaloGirl

And another thing.....GoTravel knows what she's talking about when it comes to Florida!

Also, I know it's "vacation," but getting an efficiency or condo with kitchen facilities is not the end of the world. Even if you go out to dinner every night, you can buy a box of cheerios and a quart of milk and some lunch meat and enjoy your 1st two meals of the day on the balcony.

tracys2cents

Late January, very early Feb seems to have some good rates and plenty of vacancies in Fl.....not sure about Az.

clarkgriswold

Buffalo to Daytona Beach Fl is pricing at $218 round trip...Jan 22 to 29 were the dates that I checked. I can recommend DriftwoodMotel.com as a nice place for a family, in Ormond Beach which is a less hectic area north of Daytona. A car rental will cost you $150 to $200 for the week. These prices are in U.S. dollars, sounds affordable but I know the Canadian dollar doesn't go as far!

clarkgriswold

Buffalo to Jacksonville Fl is pricing at $178 round trip...you would have a nice 90 min drive down to Ormond Beach.

GoTravel

BuffaloGirl I STILL feel so bad about your stay at the Captain's Quarters!

I promise that as soon as I buy my motel in South Florida I'll give you a free week! It may take a couple of years but you can hold me to this promise!

Meesthare

Have you considered Mexico as an option? It might be cheaper than the US, and the weather is more likely to be warm. There are some good all-inclusive deals on the web right now; a friend of mine has been researching this because she's interested in going to Puerto Vallarta.

BuffaloGirl

GoTravel, don't worry about your recommendation. The motel was a nice little inexpensive gem. You had no way of knowing the owner was going to give me the run-around. I'm so desperate to get out of Buffalo during the winter I'll stay just about anywhere!

But, if it makes you feel better, then by all means give me a free week's stay in your future motel!!!

carib_bean

Wow - you lot are great - I now have so much hope that I wont be snow or rather slush logged here in chilly Canada. Our dollar is still not on par with the US dollar but we do seem to have a big jump lately and it make it more of a reality to make the trip - besides which whenever we go anywhere south we always convert to US as everyone takes US...

The Florida option is better than I realized I guess that it is so limited here in terms of representation - Orlando, Ft.L and the Keys is kind of what you get the most about...but I will look into these other options (I just have to print this thread off to no tmiss anything) I have also looked into Mexico as I have been several places there and do love and enjoy it very much - the only concern is...no brace yourselves as this seems ugly...but as I am a new first time mum with a 7 month old I am wanting to head somewhere with really solid reliable equal in stature to my medical facilities...eee that was ugly wasn't it. I am sorry and do hope it isn't a terrible hit against Mexico as it is a sensational place - even loved Mexico City. But if Gof Forbid anything were to happen it would feel better to panicy me to take my wee one to a US hospital and use my insurance and we could even get home fast if we need to. yuck. That was ugly...Am looking forward to the possibilities now....thanks!

Larry1

Well, on the track of bringing up a subject that some might find offensive, I think I should point out to Carib Bean that although Hollywood Florida is full of Canadians during the winter, specifically it is full of FRENCH Canadians. So if you are from Canada but not French Canadian, I'm not sure there is any real reason to choose Hollywood over any other South Florida area.....

Meesthare

I believe there is an American hospital in Puerto Vallarta - not sure about that, but I can check it out if you like! However, it sounds as though you've found some other possibilities. Have a great trip!

carib_bean

An american hospital in Peurto Vallarta is great...I will definetly look into it as an option now...I am just an over protective first time Mum - I gather that this subsides with subsequent babies....soon we'll be hiking with new babies on our backs throught the Amazon - in the meantime I am looking for all the quality emergency exits...thanks for the tidbit!! And with regard to French Canadians...I am not French Canadian - BUT in spite of some of the distaste many of them may have for me (Angolphone Canuck) I LOVE FRENCH CANADIANS!! So that is a bonus...this is turning out to be much more fun than I thought! thanks again

Meesthare

I checked with my friend who goes to Puerto Vallarta a lot. She says the hospital is called San Xavier and it's excellent. She has travelled there with her husband and 2 kids since the kids were little (they're pretty much grown up now) and says that the medical care there is top notch. We are nurses and she has a contact there, a nurse who works in that hospital - let me know if you need any more info. I totally understand your concerns! I would feel the same way if I were travelling with a young child.

GoTravel

Larry, the best reason to pick Hollywood over other parts of South Florida because it is much less expensive. During peak season, there are many hotels with kitchenettes under $100 which is a rarity elsewhere in South Florida.

The only exception is the Westin Diplomat.

wow

Hi, GoTravel! Do you know if The Westin Diplomat has any 2 BR suites? Or "connecting rooms" w/ small fridge & coffee makers (hate going out for Breakfast & don't like room service).
Alternatively, cld you suggest any properties that wld have 2 BR condos? Thinking of going Mid-March.