Best beaches?

[deebee29]

Hi all!!! We're spending 7 days at the world and then 10 doing a bit of travelling around Florida. Wanting to spend a bit of time at the beach, which is the best? Probably thinking gulf side... Thanks!

 

[3floridarays]

Hi all!!! We're spending 7 days at the world and then 10 doing a bit of travelling around Florida. Wanting to spend a bit of time at the beach, which is the best? Probably thinking gulf side... Thanks!

Siesta Key in Sarasota has been consistently rated one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S. It's beautiful and the sand is like talcum powder. Seriously - it's that white and it's so soft it squeaks when you walk on it.

There's also Lido Key and Longboat Key in Sarasota. If you want to go farther south, there's Nokomis Beach, Venice Beach, Manasota Beach, Lovers Key, and for really great shelling, Sanibel.

This is just a short list - there are dozens and dozens of great beaches all along the gulf coast. If you do a search for Florida Beaches you will get some good sites to search through.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I used to live in Ft. Myers and one of my all time favorite beaches is Ft. Myers Beach. It has something for everyone. Busy and party time on one end, mid-way is a bit calmer but still active and down at the "end" it becomes very peaceful and quiet. We stay on the end and enjoy the daytime on the more active part (near the pier).

St. Pete's Beach is boring. Not a bad place, but boring if that makes any sense. Not much to do, and not a really great beach either.

I'm not a huge fan of Siesta Key (or Sanibel or Captiva).

Then again, I'm an Atlantic Ocean sort of person, so there you go!

 

[PavelB]

I would also like to know about some beaches. My husband and I have a weekend to kill in the end of June. We will be in Orlando both before and after and we wanted to try something different. Which is the nicest Atlantic beach within a 2 hour drive? We're not kids and I am looking for at least a 4 star hotel. How about the Gulf? Is it impossible to get St. Pete's on a Froday afternoon? Thanks.

 

[deebee29]

Thanks everyone! Any more suggestions?

 

[Upatnoon]

The gulf beaches are nicer than the atlantic beaches, so unless you are doing a Kennedy Space Center/Beach combo, I would go for the gulf.

 

[deebee29]

Any one in particular?

 

[sjanus]

We're staying at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, right on the beach, 3 nights in late May. We have a prime ocean view room with a balcony. Here is the link:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=914&language=en-US

This will be our first time staying there but have wanted to try it out for quite a while! I've heard good things about it.

Sandy

 

[jkelly86]

We fell in love with Anna Maria Island.
There are no high rises, no chain restauarants or hotels, and a free trolley that runs the length of the 7 mile island.
It is laid back, no nightlife to speak of, and it is not manicured/upscale... so it's not for everyone. HTH.

 

[sjanus]

We fell in love with Anna Maria Island.
There are no high rises, no chain restauarants or hotels, and a free trolley that runs the length of the 7 mile island.
It is laid back, no nightlife to speak of, and it is not manicured/upscale... so it's not for everyone. HTH.

Would love to go there sometime! Any recommendations of places to stay?

Sandy

 

[jkelly86]

Hi Sandy-
The last few years we have stayed at 3BR condos at the Bradenton Beach Club and loved it. (some of the condos are across the street from the beach FYI)
If we only needed 2BRs, we would consider La Costa and Hidden Cove. All of the condos mentioned are individually owned and furnished, so prices and quality may vary...
I can't really help with hotel recommendations, sorry!
jkelly

 

[Sammie]

The most beautiful beaches in Florida are in the Gulf on the Florida panhandle between Destin and Panama City.

It is a 5 hour drive from Orlando but if you are staying for an extended time it is so worth the drive.

Scenic 30-A, Beaches of South Walton, Seaside, Grayton Beach, and Rosemary Beach are so unbelieveably beautiful.

Sand like sugar and water that is Emerald green.

 

[sjanus]

Hi Sandy-
The last few years we have stayed at 3BR condos at the Bradenton Beach Club and loved it. (some of the condos are across the street from the beach FYI)
If we only needed 2BRs, we would consider La Costa and Hidden Cove. All of the condos mentioned are individually owned and furnished, so prices and quality may vary...
I can't really help with hotel recommendations, sorry!
jkelly

Thanks, that's helpful. My husband and I go to Orlando/Kissimmee about 3 times per year and love to spend some time at the beach. I'll check on Home Away and VRBO for specific condos then when we go. Especially, if we are able to spend a week, as I know lots of time private owners at the beach don't like to rent just a few days. We don't mind having a 3 bedroom for the space, even though there is just the two of us! We rented a 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome in February 2011 (5 stories with an elevator) in Clearwater Beach (about 2 blocks from actual beach but on the water) for a few weeks. We love space and I love having at least one extra bathroom--like to have one to myself!

Sandy

 

[lillygator]

Siesta!!

The Gulf beaches are much nicer than the Atlantic...!

 

[JBurke]

We're staying at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, right on the beach, 3 nights in late May. We have a prime ocean view room with a balcony. Here is the link:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=914&language=en-US

This will be our first time staying there but have wanted to try it out for quite a while! I've heard good things about it.

Sandy

We are planning on spending 3 nights in Clearwater after our August WDW trip.
We are debating between the Sheraton and the Hilton. Love to hear about your stay here afterwards. I cant decide!

 

[Art 1]

As others have said Siesta Key is very nice. We like the Longboat Key Club just north of St. Armands.

 

[sjanus]

We are planning on spending 3 nights in Clearwater after our August WDW trip.
We are debating between the Sheraton and the Hilton. Love to hear about your stay here afterwards. I cant decide!

Sure thing! We're staying there May 19th til the 22nd, so as soon as we get home, or even from down there as I'll have my lap top, I'll let you know! Can't wait.

Sandy

 

[minniebeth]

Does anyone know anything about the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater? It came highly recommended, looked on the website, but would love real world feedback. It looks really pricey and was just wondering if it is as nice it appears to be for the cost. Thanks!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Does anyone know anything about the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater? It came highly recommended, looked on the website, but would love real world feedback. It looks really pricey and was just wondering if it is as nice it appears to be for the cost. Thanks!

This is too funny...just today I read here on the DIS that you can use DELTA skymiles thru the marketplace to PAY for hotels and this resort is INcluded. I wound up being able to get it for FREE for several nights, we're still in deciding mode right now, but I have heard it is great. So, if by chance you have Delta miles sitting around, WooHoo!

 

[minniebeth]

This is too funny...just today I read here on the DIS that you can use DELTA skymiles thru the marketplace to PAY for hotels and this resort is INcluded. I wound up being able to get it for FREE for several nights, we're still in deciding mode right now, but I have heard it is great. So, if by chance you have Delta miles sitting around, WooHoo!

a1tinkfans, you are my hero!
Why, yes we do happen have a lot of Delta miles not being used!!!
I'm so glad I asked and that you happened to come along with awesome information! I soo appreciate it!
If you do happen to stay at this resort, PLEASE give a little trip report about it!! Thanks so much!!