gertyinoz

Hello,
We will be heading to Florida for the first time later this year and are taking the kids to the Kennedy Space Centre. We would like to stay on the coast nearby (no more than 50miles away) for a few nights but have NO idea where is good. Any suggestions or recommendations for great family friendly areas? Many thanks.

nlg

We have stayed at the Resort on Cocoa Beach several times and really like it there. All the condos are two bedroom,two baths. It is not very far from the Space Center and there are many restaurants in the area. The resort is right on the beach and the swimming pool area is great for kids.

Orlando_Vic

You could stay in Titusville, Cape Canaveral, but I think Cocoa Beach would offer more and better choices. Several possibilities include the La Quinta Inn and Suites Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach, Courtyard Cocoa Beach and a Hilton and a Doubletree. I'm sure that if 321go sees this, she'll have some specific recommendations. In the meantime, give us your approximate price range, preference for oceanfront (or not) and preference for breakfast included (or not). The main north-south street is highway A1A and runs parallel to the coast. There are many restaurant choices in Cocoa Beach, so it's not a bad choice.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

stumpworks73

The Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach is about 20 miles south of the KSC visitors gate on the beach. Ask for a high floor room for an ocean view. You will probably need connecting rooms for parents and children.

10 miles further south and also on a nice beach is the Doubletree Melbourne Beach. This hotel features two room layouts with a fold out couch in one room a Queen size bed in the other. All rooms have an excellent ocean view. The Hilton Melbourne Beach is also very good. You must request the ocean view at the Hilton.

Both Cocoa and Melbourne have good restaurants and family activities.

gertyinoz

Thanks so much for the speedy replies. We will be there July 8 and 9. We'd prefer a place with ocean views and a great pool for the kids (9,10). Happy to pay up to $250 per night inc taxes. But will pay a little more if it means we get a really nice place that will impress us. If we stay at Cocoa Beach then we will be happy to eat at nearby cafes if it means saving money by not getting breakfast at the hotel.

We were thinking of visiting Melbourne Beach for a few hours because we live in Melbourne Australia, and thought it would be fun to visit a place with the same name.

Thanks again for the speedy and valuable advice. It is really appreciated.

321go

Cocoa Beach would be the best place for you. I'd agree with any of the recommendations for Cocoa Beach hotels listed above. There are many oceanfront hotels in CB with differing prices and levels of amenities. Let us know what you're looking for (nightlife, peace and quiet, walking distance to restaurants, suites, pools, etc.) and we can give you more info.

clarkgriswold

www.theinnatcocoabeach.com

321go

Looks like we were posting at the same time!

The best pool in the area is at the Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort which is actually in the town of Cape Canaveral (just north of Cocoa Beach). It's not directly on the ocean, but is an easy walk to the beach. The pool is nice and there is a "lazy river" to float in.

In Cocoa Beach, the Resort on Cocoa Beach probably has the nicest pool. It is directly on the ocean. This property is in a more developed area than the Ron Jon property which is located between an industrial are (which you can't see - no worries there) and a very nice oceanfront park.

Melbourne, Florida calls itself "The Other Melbourne." ;-)

gertyinoz

Hi 321go, thanks for the information about Cocoa Beach and Ron Jon Cape. I think it is funny, in a good way, that Melbourne, Florida calls itself "The Other Melbourne". We can't wait to get to Florida. We know it's going to be hot and humid, but we are OK with that weather. And we love beaches, as you can imagine. Many thanks.