Please, help me narrow it down. I thought I knew where I was going, but now I haven't a clue!

What I don’t want: a high-rise hotel that feels like a business trip.

I do want charm and white, fine sandy beaches, watersports and a hotel room with at least a fridge and microwave.

I hope you can assist!

Thank you!

Well, friends of mine stayed at the Alden Beach Resort recently, on St. pete Beach, and their two-room suite had a wee little kitchen that was very handy. It is a high-ish rise hotel;I wouldn't call it charming, but doesn't feel corporate. The sand there is very fine and white. Don't know about water sports, sorry!

Where did you think you were going to go? Are there some hotels you were considering as fitting your idea of charming?

I thought I was going to Ft Lauderdale or Ft Myers but now I don't know. I didn't find anything "charming" in either location.

Thank you for the information I will look up this resort.

The best resorts on St. Pete Beach are the Loew's Don Cesar and the Sand Pearl--they are both much pricier, and fancier than the Alden, and they are very nice indeed. But I have no idea if any of the rooms have kitchenettes. I think the Don has villas... it's a beautifully refurbished historic property, very charming.

The Don is, IMO, much more "charming" than anything here in Fort Lauderdale.

Have a look at the Pink Shell beach resort in Ft Myers... www.pinkshell.com They have several types of accommodations so you can choose your room type...

"The Don" lacks microwave and fridge. More of a girls' weekend place than a place for teens, which is what I've got.

Still not sure which destination is best for me.

sharon, I was thinking of these suites:
http://www.beachhousesuites.com
They are affiliated with the Don, so you get to use all the facilities, but they're down the road a bit.

Thanks, NewbE I'll check it out.

Here's a silly question; does one snorkel at St Pete Beach?

I've never been to the Gulf so I've no idea what's in it!

The only place with interesting snorkeling in Florida is the Keys. What time of year are you going and does airport matter?

With teens, I would definitely consider renting a condo instead of staying in a hotel.

With teens, I'd consider Captiva/Sanibel and the South Seas resort:

http://www.southseas.com/

It has a broad range of activities and an assortment of accommodation types.

Also, for Sanibel (across bridge from Ft. Myers,) check out VRBO for condo rentals.

You dont say when you are going, but in March, Sarasota has opera, Ft Myers has Major League Baseball.

No, no snorkeling in the vicinity of St. Pete Beach, but kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are popular. Plus parasailing and all that other motorized stuff teenagers like

Sanibel/Captiva does not have your fine, white, sandy beaches. A lot of tiny shells making walking not fun.
While in Ft Myers, we passed the Best Western every day as we walked the beach to the little town square. It is very clean looking and a place I would love to stay, it has kitchens or kitchenettes. It has great reviews on Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html

PS Signed off to soon. Meant to add you can do a day trip to Sanibel/Captiva from there

Here's a place that we really like in Treasure Island (Between St. Pete beach and Clearwater).

Sunset Vistas

http://www.providentresorts.com/suns...hfront-suites/

Rooms are actually condo type rooms with full kitchens. Can walk to Johns pass for any type of watersports kids may want. Beautiful white sandy beach with spectacular sunsets.

www.turtlebeachresort.com