Ft Meyers to Sarasota to Naples; Ideas please!

[DawnCt1]

DH and I are taking a week's vacation to the gulf coast area. We are flying into Ft. Meyers, will rent a car, drive north to Sarasota, and down to Naples. We might plan a side trip to Busch Gardens. Any suggestions for beach locations to stay, hotels, etc. Thanks.

 

[redzinner]

What kind of beach vacation do you want? Just sit and relax at the beach with a unit that has kitchen facilities or an area you can walk to restaurants that might have stores/shops nearby?

 

[DawnCt1]

What kind of beach vacation do you want? Just sit and relax at the beach with a unit that has kitchen facilities or an area you can walk to restaurants that might have stores/shops nearby?

Hotel, pool, bech, eating out, walking to shops and stores.

 

[wilderness01]

LaPlaya in Naples in right on the beach and beautiful.

 

[redzinner]

I think I get it now ... you won't be in one place very long. All the beaches on the gulf are a good distance from I-75. I guess you could travel US 41 but that's really a slow go.

Starting in Ft. Myers - Ft Myers Beach is loaded with beach resorts. Actually there aren't too many hotels on beaches, they are mainly 'motel' like resorts or condominiums.

Going north - Boca Grande - very nice and secluded - very $$

Venice - Inn at the Beach - very walkable to the beach, shops and restaurants.


Siesta Key (Sarasota) no hotels but lots of accommodations. Always rated one of the top 10 beaches in Florida because of its white sand.

Lido Key (Sarasota) I know of a couple hotelsSandcastle and a Holiday Inn. Very close to a very upscale shopping area St. Armand's Circle.

We have always rented little places, not stayed in the hotels because there aren't that many.

Naples has lots of hotels.

 

[Mas17]

Siesta Key is the most beautiful beach I have ever been too. If you want to relax and not do much. This is your place. Very quiet and laid back. Did I say beautiful beach and waters?

 

[DawnCt1]

I have deposits on Lido Beach in Sarasota for 3 nights and the Edgewater in Naples for 4. If something comes up at a good rate for LaPlaya, I will switch my reservation. Right now we have a gulf view at the Edgewater. Thanks everyone.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you can take a strong dose of testosterone, walk out onto Naples pier in Naples just around sundown, when the sharks are biting. It is a VERY interesting scene. (And the sunset isn't bad, either.)

 

[Spinning]

we like the beaches in Englewood and Caspersen Beach. Not the most beautiful beaches but wonderful for collecting sharks teeth. Once you start to pick them up and you can't stop! Or at least I can't!
No clue about hotels in the area we stay with my mom.
Also Punta Gorda (sp) is a nice area with hotels and shops. Fisherman's warf has some nice resturants.