SOS- Beach Help Please!

[JennCa]

Long story short... change of my plans and I now need to figure out where to go for end of May/ early June. Am looking to stay at a resort type place, nice pool, jacuzzi, close to beach that is under 200 a night. We are picky where we stay so am only willing to stay at a Marriott/Sheraton/Hampton Inn type place where the rooms will be clean, updated, etc. No Days Inn or vacation house rentals type places.

I have been looking at Siesta Key, Captiva, Sanibel, or Marco Island. Am open to anything on the gulf side. Does anyone have an experience with these? How do the beaches compare? Do they look upscale, touristy, casual?

We are travelling with a high maintenance 18 month old and an 8 year old.

Please provide candid info as I am really stressed about this. (we just got back from our Spring Break trip where my hubby said he wished we had just done a staycation because he was unhappy with it so I want to do better this time!)

Jenn

 

[swilshire]

Some of the places you mention don't have the chains you list. I don't recall ANY chain hotels on Captiva and there are probably none on Sanibel either. That doesn't mean you can't find lovely places to stay there. It's just going to take a little research.

And sticking to those chains doesn't guarantee you a perfect stay either. I love Hampton Inns, but stayed in one in Tennessee a few years ago that was a real dump. It didn't even look like your typical Hampton. Most units are franchises. We also stayed in a Residence Inn in Columbia SC a year or so ago that was the WORST ever. They later lost their franchise.

You need to do research wherever you go.

Personally, if I had only a month to plan and everybody was that picky, I'd probably just stay home too. Our standards are not so high, but we have great vacations with only a blip here and there.

Sheila

 

[osprey6]

It's not one of those chains, but we did a stay in the Tradewinds Resort complex on St. Pete Beach and were very happy with the place. Loads of recreation right there and walking distance to shops and nightlife.

If you really want an island, I'd suggest Anna Maria or Longboat Key, but you won't much in chains there, and prices will be sky-high.

 

[DSLRuser]

Marriott/Sheraton/Hampton on the beach in south forida (south of sarasota to miami) are more like $250-$300 a night.

 

[Danibelle]

Marriott/Sheraton/Hampton on the beach in south forida (south of sarasota to miami) are more like $250-$300 a night.

There is a Marriott Suites at Clearwater Beach that usually runs between 200-300 per night. I don't know about any other gulf side locations personally but have heard great things about Captiva.

 

[JennCa]

Thanks for the ideas! Normally I have more time to research and this time, it's a bit of a crunch.

Jenn