Fort Myers area?

[jade1]

Not Orlando but was hoping to find info on FM area after leaving Orlando. 5 nights Orlando the head to the gulf friday AM and return Sun PM. We love Clearwater for the sand and active strip for the teenagers. Would want to be on the gulf and have activity near by, shops, lots of cool cars etc. Is traffic Easter weekend really bad that way and back. Any hotel recommendations would also be appreciated. Is Sanibel worth the extra time? Is it too quiet and shelly sand? Thanks in advance.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Your teenagers will not like Sanibel. There is nothing there for them to do. They will love Ft Myers Beach. I live about 30-40 minutes from there.... my teens go there when they can. It will be very crowed over Easter. I myself don't like Sanibel... I think the sand is toooo shelly. As far as hotels on Ft Myers Beach... I know that the Dimond Head Resort is very nice & the Pink Shell is fairly nice... there are many condo type places to stay....one place I would stay far away from is the Lani Kai! Hope this has helped you a bit

 

[CPM]

Sharon is so right! While Sanibel is beautiful, my kids hate it! I even get bored there. I like to go to FMB, we sit in front of the Pierside Grill and listen to the music. There are clean bathrooms, a playground, shops , restaurants and entertainment.
Diamond Head is a really nice resort (all suites), there is also the Pink Shell and a bit further down there is a nice Holiday Inn.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
We will be in FM Easter week and head for WDW on Friday.
Easter week is tough so res asap!
VERY EXPENSIVE time to rent.
Marriot and Residents Inn is in the business district.
Suggest you look at Country Inn and Suites, Sanibel, and Airport.
C I S Sanibel is just before the Bridge and causeway to Sanibel and near Sanibel Inn and Spa which is on the water but no beach, great pool and views.
It lets you also go to stores locally and Fort Myers Beach.
C I S Airport is a good just off I75 and is next to a Hampton Inn.
Rates may drop for Friday to sunday.
don't forget to visit City of Palms Park spring training ball park for the RED SOCKS and the Edison / Ford estate which is down the road from the CIS Sanibel.
HURRY ON GETTING RES.
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[CPM]

Just to clarify a few things.
The Red Sox are back in Boston Easter weekend, so there will be nothing at City of Palms Park.
The CI & Suites and the Hampton Inn near the airport are nowhere near the beach, you may as well go somewhere else if you have to stay there. There is another Hampton Inn on Summerlin, closer to the beach.
The CI & suites near Sanibel is not on the water & you cannot use the facilities at the Sanibel Resort & Spa. It isn't a bad drive to either beach though. There is also a Best Western across the street (formerly a Radisson).
The Edison/Ford estates are about 25 to 30 minutes from the beach w/o traffic down McGregor Blvd. A street I hate since I drive down it every day! Doesn't move very well during season.
There is also a Homewood Suites & a Holiday Inn at the Bell Tower shops if you consider staying away from the beach. Bell Tower is really nice, with shops, restaurants and a movie theatre. Maybe a 15-20 minute drive to the beach.
Good luck!

 

[jade1]

Thanks for the info. AAA tells me I can get the Outrigger for $150-is this in the action? Near the pier etc? Diamond Head for $275-looks a lot nicer but is it too far from everything? Pink Shell for $325. All still available-leaning towards Outrigger for price and hope its in a busy spot. After 5 days BCV 2BR we can suffer a little. Thanks all.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by jade1
Thanks for the info. AAA tells me I can get the Outrigger for $150-is this in the action? Near the pier etc? Diamond Head for $275-looks a lot nicer but is it too far from everything? Pink Shell for $325. All still available-leaning towards Outrigger for price and hope its in a busy spot. After 5 days BCV 2BR we can suffer a little. Thanks all.

Honestly, I don't know anything about the Outrigger. Diamond Head is not far from anything, smack on the beach and walking distance to Times Square & Pier (main beach area).
Have a great time!

 

[CPM]

Jade1,
Here is a recent review I read on another travel board about the Outrigger:

Regarding the Outrigger. Husband and I have stayed there numerous times. We always enjoyed it. It is quiet, very clean and well-kept. The sun deck and tiki bar are nice and the beach is beautiful. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. From your post, I'm sure it is just what you are looking for.

Still not sure where it is on the beach, fromthis review and a few others it sounds nice.

 

[jade1]

One last thing. We hear the traffic is dreadful on Fort Myers Beach(which we like in a way), but which resort will take less time to get back to Orlando on Easter Sunday? We have a 7PM flight. Thanks.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Like Cheryl, I have no personal info on the Outrigger. The closer the hotel to the bridge, the less traffic you will have. The traffic is usually bad on the bridge.... I know there has been times in the last month and a half where my kids have tried to get to the beach and the traffic is toooo backed up over the bridge.....so they end up comming home. When you head out for the airport....just leave yourself plenty of time.... you may want to leave the beach early and have an dinner in Ft Myers......that way you will not have to worry as much.....

 

[lionqueenest]

We vacation at Ft. Myers Beach twice a year and our favorite hotel is the Edison Beach House. It is a small hotel directly on the beach. As you come over the bridge, it is immediately to the right, with Times Square a minute walk away. As most of the traffic goes to the left, mid and south island, it is much quicker. All the rooms are suites and all front the Gulf. It may be sold out for Easter though..... www.edisonbeachhouse.com

 

[dvc_john]

Just FYI:
The Outrigger is NOT near the Times Square/bridge/pier area. It is closer to the south end of the island. There are a lot of condos down there. Some restaurants, and a movie theater. The best beach area is at this end. Check out the location of the Holiday Inn - the Outrigger is in the same general area.
Never stayed at the Outrigger - but it looks nice enough.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by dvc_john
Just FYI:
The Outrigger is NOT near the Times Square/bridge/pier area. It is closer to the south end of the island. There are a lot of condos down there. Some restaurants, and a movie theater. The best beach area is at this end. Check out the location of the Holiday Inn - the Outrigger is in the same general area.
Never stayed at the Outrigger - but it looks nice enough.

Ahh, that's where it is! That is a nice area. I try to get a parking spot on that end when I go to the beach. The dolphins seem to hang out down there a bit more. The movie theatre is one that serves food and drinks, very cool!

 

[jade1]

Thanks for the info. We booked the Diamond Head for $275. That Edison looked like a possibilty also. Now we have a driving question-mapquest has us come down 681 and 75 along the coast from Tampa, should we take a short cut through central florida down to Port Charlotte, or just stay with 75?

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by jade1
Thanks for the info. We booked the Diamond Head for $275. That Edison looked like a possibilty also. Now we have a driving question-mapquest has us come down 681 and 75 along the coast from Tampa, should we take a short cut through central florida down to Port Charlotte, or just stay with 75?

You're coming from Orlando, right? I always stay on the highways. I-4 to 75. People say the other way is quicker, I just don't see it. It takes me exactly three hours from the BW to my house and I'm only about 10 minutes to FMB, at most you're at 3 1/2. It's an easy (boring) drive if you don't hit traffic.
Wow, $275.00 a night!! I hope you have a wonderful time. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
RTE 75 will have more eateries along the road and if you go to your favourite chain, search for the locations on RTE 75.
I know that there is a BJ's in the Sarasota area, Nice town to visit, and other Chains. Try Walmart's Website!
"ENJOY !!!"
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[jade1]

Diamond Head was very nice. Weather last week was perfect. Liked the living room and kitchen and all rooms (we had 911) had a view of the gulf. Walked down to the pier each night. Snug Harbor was very good seafood and Tetly's? grill your own was pretty good. Going down and back was not bad either being so close to the bridge seemed to help. Not sure we would drive 3 hours when Clearwater is less than 2 again but nice to try something different. All in all very happy and appreciated the advice from everyone.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by jade1
Diamond Head was very nice. Weather last week was perfect. Liked the living room and kitchen and all rooms (we had 911) had a view of the gulf. Walked down to the pier each night. Snug Harbor was very good seafood and Tetly's? grill your own was pretty good. Going down and back was not bad either being so close to the bridge seemed to help. Not sure we would drive 3 hours when Clearwater is less than 2 again but nice to try something different. All in all very happy and appreciated the advice from everyone.

Glad you had a good time! It was a beautiful week here, actually I was in Miami but I heard it was good
I have been wanting to try Tetley's, what was it like?
I agree with you about driving the three hours, not worth it when there are many other nice beaches closer to Disney. You might try Sarasota or St. Pete next time, Loews just took over the Don Cesar in St. Pete, I heard it's very nice.
Welcome back!

 

[jade1]

We had lunch at Don Ceaser a couple years ago and that is one nice hotel. Best in that area so that is good news. Once again a little far from the "action" though. Tetleys was not busy Friday night at 6Pm-a little spendy and dressier to just walk off the beach and go in I suppose, but shorts and tee shirts were everywhere inside. They had a 600 degree hot stone with 4 sauces for each person to watch there own food cook which was fun but we are not great cooks and so I dont know if we would do it again. It was easy and took little effort though, you kind of just eat off the stone or pull the food on your plate if it is getting too done. I had filet, chicken and salmon (each 3 oz) for $26 which included potato, bread and salad. 8 oz filet alone was $31. Our 2 kids split 2 filets (3 oz each) and 2 jumbo shrimp for $28. They liked it but could have eatena few more shrimp (better seafood at Snug). It was $110 for 4 of us, couple drinks, tip etc. Fresh food and pretty healthy, probably wont do it again though. Would have helped to see the ocean from the restaraunt, although it was pretty nice inside.

 

[CPM]

Thanks for the info, sounds interesting. I may just try it. I doubt that's something i would do on vacation either.