Best Family Beach Resort in FL?

[barefootMom]

I know this is probably not the right place to ask this but I have seen posts in the past about people inquiring about places to stay in Clearwater, etc. and am looking for some help. We love going to Disney but are thinking of trying a "beach" vacation the end of Feb. with our 2 kids (4,7). Any great resort recommendations on either coast that would be great for the kids? We would probably fly into Orlando or Tampa but really are open to anything, just want to find a great relaxing resort on the water to stay at. Thanks!

 

[denisenh]

www.sunsetvistas.com is nice for a family. we stayed there for a short trip and really enjoyed it. its on the beach, has covered parking and full kitchens. Also, a nice sized pool overlooking the beach and a splashy kiddie pool for your little ones.

loews is offering 2 rooms for the price of one at the www.Doncesar.com
i haven't stayed there but did walk down and checked it out when we stayed at the www.beachhousesuites.com (its sister resort) we loved the beach house suites but i gag when i look at the prices.

there are a lot of condos right on the beach. www.cyberrentals.com
and www.vrbo.com are good sites to search. also, sunset vistas has some listings on those sites.

 

[barefootMom]

Thanks for the suggestions. That area on the West Coast is where I am wanting to find a place I think. There is some place with a lazy rizer that looks huge and has tons of rentals available (the Destin Resort maybe?)...but I dont know if it is any good? Anyone else have a favorite family Resort with a great pool and on the beach? Anything down near Naples?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you plan to visit Clearwater I would go with the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key. That is where my family and I always stay when we go there and it's a great location.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpams-clearwater-beach-marriott-suites-on-sand-key/

 

[spiceycat]

this is where my boss stayed

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot.../en/hi/&xch=345295394,KUOTIBFOBNQ5OCSGBJC4LYQ

of course worked pay for it.

 

[denisenh]

If you plan to visit Clearwater I would go with the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key. That is where my family and I always stay when we go there and it's a great location.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpams-clearwater-beach-marriott-suites-on-sand-key/

we stayed there once and loved it! we had a water view room(maybe they are all water view?) but if recall correctly the beach is across the street.

it wasn't a bad walk ...across the street and though a parking lot and i think that we were the only ones at the beach that day!
also, as i remember, the rooms have exterior entry, not from a hallway, not that it matters really.

there are really so many nice places to stay. Tradewinds is nice too.

 

[denisenh]

this is where my boss stayed

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot.../en/hi/&xch=345295394,KUOTIBFOBNQ5OCSGBJC4LYQ

of course worked pay for it.

wow! we stayed there once too! the rooms look so nice! they must have redone it. another great location!
now that it is redone I will have to keep that one in mind. our kids were in elementary school when we stayed there, so its been a few years but we walked to a playground not too far away and had a blast. (a fun free thing to do)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

we stayed there once and loved it! we had a water view room(maybe they are all water view?) but if recall correctly the beach is across the street.

it wasn't a bad walk ...across the street and though a parking lot and i think that we were the only ones at the beach that day!
also, as i remember, the rooms have exterior entry, not from a hallway, not that it matters really.

there are really so many nice places to stay. Tradewinds is nice too.

All the rooms on the left side have a water view, the rooms right side have a water view and a pool view. Also there is Sand Key beach which is right next to Marriott which you can walk to and they provide free transportation when going there.

 

[denisenh]

Thanks for the suggestions. That area on the West Coast is where I am wanting to find a place I think. There is some place with a lazy rizer that looks huge and has tons of rentals available (the Destin Resort maybe?)...but I dont know if it is any good? Anyone else have a favorite family Resort with a great pool and on the beach? Anything down near Naples?

oh my gosh yes! hyatt coconut point is wonderful, a bit farther south than clearwater / tampa ( a couple hours drive) http://www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

and also the hyatt coconut plantation vacation club, which is just beautiful and does have a lazy river http://hyattcoconutplantation.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

we have stayed at both and neither is on the beach but they do take you to their private beach on a boat. we always saw dolphins when we went. beautiful but SO expensive!

there is another large resort with a lazy river in naples. if i run across it i will post the name. i haven't stayed there but i have looked into it in the past. it looks like a good place.

 

[denisenh]

All the rooms on the left side have a water view, the rooms right side have a water view and a pool view. Also there is Sand Key beach which is right next to Marriott which you can walk to and they provide free transportation when going there.

i think i have the right place....is there a sheraton across the street? and a public beach across the street? and a boardwalk type thing that goes along the water, like in back of the hotel to some shops and a parrot named "pucker lips"?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

i think i have the right place....is there a sheraton across the street? and a public beach across the street? and a boardwalk type thing that goes along the water, like in back of the hotel to some shops and a parrot named "pucker lips"?

That is correct.

 

[MattM]

The Breakers in Palm Beach.

 

[swilshire]

Normally I'd say you're about a year too late to book if you're talking about this February. The only thing that might save you is the lousy economy. I saw that even Super Bowl weekend was seeing big discounts in the normal rates and plenty of availability.

Sheila

 

[eileenrbl]

I like Melbourne Beach, just below Cocoa Beach, and about 45 minutes - 1 hour from WDW.

It is quieter than Daytona and prices are better. It's a great family place to go.

Stay on the beach at the Double Tree in Melbourne. They have a really nice staff and all ocean front rooms.