Flordia Beach Advice

[txtxyeha]

We are finishing up a week in WDW on Wed., May 24 (the week before Memorial Day) and are currently scheduled to drive down to the West Palm Beach area to spend a week with with/at a friend's house. We depart MCO on Tuesday the 30th at 4 p.m.

Something's up with the friend and staying at her place for Memorial Day weekend (Wed. - Tues.) might be off the table. Anyone have suggestions on where to stay? I'm thinking:

- a beach within 5 hours of MCO
- a place to sit on a porch and watch the surf and birds and drink beer
- a place where I can walk from my room to the beach in my bare feet
- a suite or cabin (after a week in a hotel room, elbow room might be nice)
- something that sets me back only $1,500 - $2,000 for the six nights

 

[rejobako]

- a beach within 5 hours of MCO
- a place to sit on a porch and watch the surf and birds and drink beer
- a place where I can walk from my room to the beach in my bare feet
- a suite or cabin (after a week in a hotel room, elbow room might be nice)
- something that sets me back only $1,500 - $2,000 for the six nights

If you're not tied to the east coast, there are several areas on the gulf where you might be able to find what you're looking for. If cost is a factor, you might try looking at the Englewood area south of Sarasota. There are still places on Manasota Key where you can rent a true "beach house", and the prices are going to be as inexpensive as you're likely to find on any oceanfront property in the state. Englewood's a bit old-school funky -- if you want any nightlife it's not the place for you -- the real attraction is the gulf, the sun, and some of the best boating/fishing venues in the country.

I googled "Manasota Key Beach Rentals" and came up with a lot of options that sound like what you're looking for.

Manasota Key rentals

If you want something a bit swankier and are willing to shell out some extra dough, you could try Boca Grande or Anna Maria Island (the latter is closest to Orlando).

All of these places are within 2 1/2 hours of Orlando.

 

[lillygator]

Two words......


Siesta Key!

 

[goofie4goofy]

You can try one of my favorite's Southseas Plantation in Captiva.

Very laid back, beautiful beach, the Harborside rooms are right on the water and are about 250.00 per night. We are going in a few weeks. The resort is finally reopening after a hurricane a few years ago. They did a huge multi million dollar renovation. It's also a 3 1/2 hour drive from Orlando. There is also lots to see and do and the food is inexpensive and relaxed with many places having live entertainment. The sunsets are beautiful.

We always split a vacation with USO or WDW by going to the gulf coast. When Sanibel/Captiva were out of commission due to hurricane damage we went to Naples, which is also very beautiful (more upscale and much much more expensive). It's an easy drive and we like the sunsets and water of the GOM.

 

[CPM]

South Seas has some great special rates for it's re-opening. Take a look.
https://reservations.synxis.com/opb...0&group=&arrive=&depart=&adult=&child=&step=1