Help with Florida beach trip

[Frwinkley]

Asking for my DD and her husband:

Following 4 days in Disney in May, they'd like to spend 3 nights at a beach location. Here's the kicker: they don't really like the ocean, but would love a really nice hotel, beautiful pool, grounds, ocean views and plenty of food options. They'd like to limit the drive time from Disney to 3 hours, so Miami is out. Either coast would be fine. Although they've done Disney plenty of times, they know nothing (and neither do I) about Florida beaches.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Travel60]

On the gulf coast you have Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Venice. On the east coast you have St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Vero Beach. There are several smaller communities on each coast but, being smaller, might not have the amenities they are looking for.

My favorite of all these would be St. Augustine....wonderful historic town with great local markets and nice restaurants.

 

[Pyotr]

Siesta Key is the best beach I’ve ever been to. The sand is like baby powder. It’s about a 2 hour drive from Disney.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I'm going to tell you to go to the St. Pete's/Clearwater area, or just the gulf coast in general. We've done some Florida Atlantic coast stuff, but it's never as warm or pretty as the gulf. The people can be rednecks, but generally decent and kind. Maybe a bit weird, but in that people of walmart sort of way, not rude or aloof.

There's a fair bit of delightful, crotchety snow bird beach town deshabille going on in Pinellas county. All tank tops, cut off jorts and orthopedic shoes. The best fried seafood. Lovely water and sunsets. Fine flat sandy beaches. Of course, I've only stayed in RV resorts there.

DH and I are talking about retiring there..... I dream about a 60's 3 bed, 2 bath concrete block house painted mint green with a lanai out back.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Clearwater Beach is beautiful! It's Gulf side, so calmer water and beautiful white sand. Tons of restaurants and shops. About 2 hours from Disney, so not a bad drive. We are actually doing a 3 night stay in Clearwater following Disney for spring break. Can't wait!

 

[jump00]

We stay at the Marriott on Sand Key ( Clearwater) and love the hotel and pool area. Great customer service and restaurants in the hotel and in the area. Parking is free and no activity fees.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Clearwater Beach is beautiful! It's Gulf side, so calmer water and beautiful white sand. Tons of restaurants and shops. About 2 hours from Disney, so not a bad drive. We are actually doing a 3 night stay in Clearwater following Disney for spring break. Can't wait!

Right there with you. For spring break, my family is starting with 3 nights in St. Pete and then heading over to Disney for 5 nights. I like to start with a sunburn and then end with sore feet.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here: can anyone comment on Sarasota? They are leaning towards there because of a particular hotel. They are less about the town and more about a hotel with fabulous amenities.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

On the gulf coast you have Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Venice. On the east coast you have St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Vero Beach. There are several smaller communities on each coast but, being smaller, might not have the amenities they are looking for.

My favorite of all these would be St. Augustine....wonderful historic town with great local markets and nice restaurants.

The beach at Anastasia Park is amazing. That's where DD#2 got married. We like the beach better there than at Daytona, although that was better than the one at the Jax pier.
Anastasia:




Clearwater is amazing too.

I would not stay at the Sailport Waterfront Suites again. The view was amazing and tt seems like the place was built as apartments, so having the full kitchen was great. But...the elevator was scary...so bad that I took the stairs every time. The bedroom was on the open ended hallway....giant window, so the noise was ridiculous, as people were stumbling in at 2am. The place didn't feel clean either; I wiped everything down and we put down blankets from the car on the chairs/couches (and DS slept on the couch, not the pull out, because the pull out mattress was just ew...) The pool was small, and the bar/restaurant was decent but not worth it. No beach access. View from our room and Clearwater beach by the pier:








Side note: if anyone is in Orlando, and looking for Thai...Durian Durian Asian Thai. Best Pad Thai and Basil Fried Rice I've ever had.

 

[hertamaniac]

Although it's ~3 hours and about 9 minutes from Disney, I would choose Bellasera in Naples. Plenty of eateries nearby and you can walk on 5th Ave. The resort is our go to spot when we do a staycation from central Florida.

It's not on a beach, but can walk to it. Plus the resort offers free transportation to the beach.

 

[Pyotr]

OP here: can anyone comment on Sarasota? They are leaning towards there because of a particular hotel. They are less about the town and more about a hotel with fabulous amenities.

I live there. Sarasota is slower paced. Siesta Key, as stated before, is Fantastic. There’s also Lido Beach and St Armands Circle for shopping and dining.

Edit. Siesta Key is in Sarasota. Not sure if I made that clear.

 

[fla4fun]

We stay at the Marriott on Sand Key ( Clearwater) and love the hotel and pool area. Great customer service and restaurants in the hotel and in the area. Parking is free and no activity fees.

I also love this hotel and have stayed there many times. The hotel overlooks the intercoastal waterway, as opposed to the gulf, but the water is very wide there and we enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the boats go by.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

St Augustine. You have a pretty ocean views and then you have the historic area. Restaurants galore!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Have they looked at The Don Cesar resort on St. Pete Beach? I'd post a link, but I'm posting on my phone.

 

[AnnaS]

Following along.

This year - next month - we are adding Vero Beach with our WDW stay - but next trip/time around - we are definitely looking for some place new on the west coast/gulf.

 

[Lake183]

OP here: can anyone comment on Sarasota? They are leaning towards there because of a particular hotel. They are less about the town and more about a hotel with fabulous amenities.

May I ask what hotel? I've been to Sarasota seven times in the past 14 months, so I'm pretty familiar with the area but I am curious what hotel is that enticing? (We have family in the area.) We LOVE Sarasota but have struggled to find a somewhat high-end hotel that is beachfront that we are happy with. (We often stay downtown instead. Beautiful views from several hotels there.) Thanks and good luck to them!

 

[White Cat]

OP here: can anyone comment on Sarasota? They are leaning towards there because of a particular hotel. They are less about the town and more about a hotel with fabulous amenities.

We go to Lido Key 3 or 4 times a year. Spent the American thanksgiving there last. Quiet. Walk to St Armands. I would not to go to Clearwater for free. Stayed at Longboat Key club several times. It’s very nice.

 

[White Cat]

I also love this hotel and have stayed there many times. The hotel overlooks the intercoastal waterway, as opposed to the gulf, but the water is very wide there and we enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the boats go by.

Too touristy for me. I did once. Never again.

 

[Frwinkley]

They were looking at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Not sure if it’s beachfront. I don’t think that’s a top priority.

 

[White Cat]

They were looking at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Not sure if it’s beachfront. I don’t think that’s a top priority.

It’s nice but on the bay. Not too much to walk to. Lots of traffic. Longboat Key Club would have more to do. And a better view from up high.