Two centre holiday Florida. Ive sorted Orlando hotel- please suggest nice beach resort

[tiredemma]

We will be flying back from Orlando airport (would LOVE to do Florida Keys but cant get a flight back from Miami) - Just want a nice resort on Gulf Coast (or atlantic) - laid back, nice restaurants, nice accom.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Go a bit out of the typical resorts. Sarasota and beaches south of that are lovely. My island of Gasparilla is paradise, but mucho pricey to stay in. You could stay around the Englewood area and visit the island which is quiet and beautiful. There are loads of rental properties in the Englewood/Rotonda West/ Placida area or some smaller hotels in Englewood itself, although you'd want to get one nearer the beach as the town is on a v busy road. If you are interested in renting a house for a week, check out vrbo.com. Most have pools etc and as the market isn't great at the moment, it's a viable option for a family or group. It would take 2 - 2.5 hours to drive back to Orlando, which is doable. I'd steer clear of Clearwater/St Petes just because everybody goes there and Florida is so much better than the sum of it's big resorts.

thank you- I will have a look at those resorts you suggested.

I want a quaint resort, with a pier! lovely fresh fish restaurants..........that type of thing!!

Sanibel Island is utterly gorgeous.

I"ve had a lovely holiday in Naples too but I think that's too far down. WE probably flew into miami for that one.

St. Petersburg of Ft. Lauderdale are lovely.

Longboat Key - beautiful beaches, quiet stunning sunsets, choice of condos or villas...and we are heading off there first thing tomorrow morning - cant wait!

Annamaria Island - absolutely lovely. We self catered in a really cute cottage, there are some fabulous piers, great beaches, manatees swimming just off the beach etc.

We are staying here. Recommended on here by MadamCastafiore.

We want a quiet week on a beach before hitting the madness that is Orlando!

wow!! some amazing recommendations (South Seas is beautiful) thanks again.

Anna Maria island is fabuluous - nothing high rise, we've been several times.

Thanks all for your amazing, fantastic suggestions.

I spoke with Virgin and managed to get a two-centre (Orlando & Keys)

Staying in orlando for 10 nts and Duck Key for 4 nts

www.hawkscay.com/

OOo can you all report back, we are going next year

we are planning to go to florida for 3-4 weeks, were thinking of the keys but then saw that there are few beaches there.

we want to combine:

• disneyworld

-somewhere fab on the gulf coast -miami -everglades adn keys for a short while

any suggestions for itinerary?

tiredemma we went to Hawks Cay a few years ago - it is wonderful! As you approach though, it seems like you're going through miles and miles of scrubby 'wish I wasnt here' type scenery but once you are on the Cay its wonderful. We did the dolphin experience there which was nice and gentle for your then young kids.

And for all Florida fans, cna I suggest you look at thedibb .co.uk - a website of like minded florida lovers! you'll find everything you want to know about all things florida....