Hi,

We are looking at a trip to Florida in early March '04 for 5 days. 2 couples, leaving our young kids at home!

-Where in Florida am I going to find the warmest weather?

-What resort would you recommend? We like a large pool area, restaurants and amenities, but not too many kids (since we are here for a break from ours). Willing to pay $200/night or more.

Thanks Fodorites!
Maui Marti

Stay south of Orlando and the weather should be jut what you are looking for this time of year.

Im my experience, Florida in early March is iffy in terms of being assured of warm weather. Key West or Miami would be the most "sure" bets. Places like Ft Myers and Tampa can be cool in early March, high of maybe 70 which is not that cool, esp if there is no sun.

You would be better off, IMO going into the Carribean esp further south like Aruba.

Take a look at weatherbase.com

We thought about Carribean, but travel time and connections make it so much longer to get there. We have a limited amount of time, and want to get to having fun quickly! Thanks for your ideas so far...anyone else?

The weather will be perfect during March in Naples, FL.

There are two beautiful Ritz hotels (one is Gulf, the other golf); but I would recommend La Playa. A lovely resort, and it wouldn't have the 'kid factor' going on that I often find at the Ritz Carlton Gulf.

Paul, please stop sending more people to us in the winter --traffic is bad enough here in Naples.

Seriously, Paul has it right. Naples is often the warmest in Florida at that time of year. The hotels mentioned will probably be quite a bit more than the $200 you mention, but are the cream of the crop. If you wanted to stay closer in for the restaurants and shopping of "downtown" Naples, the Edgewater Beach right on the beach is a nice, quiet, smaller resort. And the Escalante is a real charmer in the heart of Naples just a couple blocks from the beach.

I agree with Paul & Patrick, Naples is lovely then. We statyed at the Edgewater and loved it! They even gave gratis cocktail party one night while we were there. IMO, Naples will be wonderful. Judy

Another vote for Naples. Great weather, restaurants and shopping!

Another vote for Naples. La Playa was recently renovated and has a beautiful pool area and is right on the beach. Their restaurant Beleen is fabulous - the food and the sunset!

Another vote for Naples . You may be able to book a condo if you pool your money .

First $200.00 a night is doubtful for anywhere that is really desirable. Enough about Naples (although I vote for the Registry). Go to Kew West and stay at the Casa Marina. Naples has no night life whatsoever other than going out to dinner. The bar scene is suspect at best. I am not aware of any cultural events either. Key West is fun and more interesting.

What about The Marriott Resort on Marco Island? Just make sure it's not school vacation week.

And ANOTHER vote for Naples-

WE also love the Registry Hotel--on the gulf-great views..but the price will be rather "up there" like the Ritz....

La Playa may work for you though...

mrt, when was the last time you were in Naples? Not aware of any cultural events? Have you seen the listings for the 20 or more art gallery openings every week? Have you heard of the Naples Art Museum, opened a couple years ago at a cost of millions and pretty highly acclaimed. What about the Naples Philharmonic -- not only a beautiful facility, but an outstanding orchestra as well, and filled with performances of top opera, ballet company, and orchestras from around the world. Have you heard of the centerpiece to Fifth Avenue, the Sugden Community Theatre, one of the top community theatres in the nation with their 6 million dollar facility sporting two theatres and over 200 performances annually, not to mention being the winter home of the Philadelphia String Quartet? Did you hear about the new fine film series also held at the Sudgen? I could go on.

And while it may not be booming with nightlife, there are a number of active nightclubs, including an extremely popular one at the Ritz -- often featuring several bands in one night. And a stroll along 5th Avenue South about 11 PM any night or midnight on weekends is an ordeal. The various bars and nightclubs have people spilling well out into the street as they hop from place to place.

The Naples you describe is one of 10 to 15 years ago. It no longer exists!

Right on Patrick there is also a great club Zanzibar in the Registery Resort. also Naples & FT Myers has clubs with something every night .there are more Night Clubs in Naples than in Key West. Key West is fine if you want to sit in a over crowded bar with no AC. Also Key West beaches are not the greatest.Naples has on of the best St Patricks Day Parades and events .

This is the slowest part of the year in Naples. Yet in yesterday's newspaper "Showcase" which lists live entertainment schedules at the local nightclubs for the week, there were the following listings:
52 venues with "Variety/top40"
2 comedy clubs
5 jazz and blues venues
2 Latin music
1 magic
9 piano bars.

Quite a lot for such a small town out of season!

We enjoyed Key Biscayne this past March. The weather was great and there's golf, tennis and Miami Beach is close by. We stayed at a higher priced resort but you may want to check into renting a home??

Thanks for all this great advice!!
I need to clarify, I meant $200 or more per couple, not for all 4 of us, we're not really condo people, as we do prefer a hotel with amenities and nightlife.

Recommendations so far are wonderful, and we're closing in on a decision. Anyone else?
Thanks!
Marti

I'd say anything Tampa and South on the Gulf and West Palm Beach and South for the Atlantic. Went in early/mid-May to Ft. Lauderdale one year and it was low to mid-90s by then, so April would be a safe bet, probably well into the 80s by then.

Hi,
Naples is a great destination. I didn't care for the Registry , the new Ritz has some kind of a British Colonial flavor, ideal place if you love golf and can afford it, but of course La Playa is on the beach. While the Ritz offers a shuttle to go back and forth to the other Ritz on the beach.

I would not leave aside the excitment of South Beach.It is a place full of action and has a fantastic beach. There you do not have to be limited to a resort , the whole place is there to be enjoyed simply walking around.
It is an ideal place to be approached by two couples going out together.
Also there is an exciting Art scene in Miami centered in tthe Miami Design District.There you can discover new fantastic restaurants full or real people, artists, dealers, etc and outstanding art galleries.
If you are lucky to be in Miami when all galleries open at night it is an unforgetable experience.