Three weeks in South Florida, hotel recommendations please

[Blues]

Hi chaps,
We fly into Tampa next week, and i'm looking for some inspiration for places to stay.

I fancy a week or so down on the gulf cost, Captiva, Sanibel, Naples...
Then a couple of days mid Keys, a couple of days Key West and finally a few days on the beach in Miami.
We'll also spend a day in the Everglades.

It's to be a romantic break, plenty of beach, sunshine, snorkeling; staying in some nice hotels and eating well So which quiet (no screaming children if possible) hotels would you recommend, and any restaurants, night life, "must see/do" stuff.

Hotel budget will be up to £150 per night

Would also appreciate any info on your experiences with cheap car rental from Tampa.

Over to the PH cognescenti

[tleefox]

Captiva you are very restricted on accommodation, purely because it is so small. The hotels that are there (we have stayed at South Seas Plantations in the past) are well above your budget.

IIRC there is a Marriott at Sanibel which is less expensive, but not sure.

Would you be better to consider renting a house? We did this last year and paid about £900 for a week on Captiva for a 3 bed house right on the beach?

[LHRFlightman]

Rent a house on Anna Maria Island. Or there is a Hilton on Longboat Key.

Enjoy.

I'll be there in less than a month.

[tleefox]

LHRFlightman said:

Rent a house on Anna Maria Island.

Having been to both, Captiva is nicer. Much quieter and much more exclusive.

Don't I sound like a snob!

[LHRFlightman]

tleefox said:

Having been to both, Captiva is nicer. Much quieter and much more exclusive.

Don't I sound like a snob!

Each to their own eh?

I've spent weeks on AMI and I've never, ever found it crowded.

[Blues]

Thanks guys. I have stayed on AMI a couple of times, and love it, but want to try somewhere further south.
Looks like it will be Naples, and need to get it booked today!

[The Moose]

Marco Island is great - Marriott there is quite nice (lovely beach-side restaurant - Quinns there for good cocktails).

Boat rentals aren't overly dear there and there's a couple of places on the Island that do them.

I find it fantastic place to relax - when you get on the Island, life seems to slow down. Some nice eateries there too.

That's where I'd head.

Half way down the Keys, try Marathon. If you want a pilot to fly you there in a light aircraft, PM me and I'll put you in contact with a buddy of mine there (he's a flying instructor, not just some random hill-billy!).

Edited by The Moose on Saturday 6th July 18:35

[tim0409]

Blues said:

Thanks guys. I have stayed on AMI a couple of times, and love it, but want to try somewhere further south.
Looks like it will be Naples, and need to get it booked today!

We go to Naples nearly once a year and really like it - the Naples Trianon is a nice hotel, really handy for Fifth Avenue and pretty cheap. if you like steak make sure you head to Chops Grill on Fifth.

[The Moose]

tim0409 said:

Blues said:

Thanks guys. I have stayed on AMI a couple of times, and love it, but want to try somewhere further south.
Looks like it will be Naples, and need to get it booked today!

We go to Naples nearly once a year and really like it - the Naples Trianon is a nice hotel, really handy for Fifth Avenue and pretty cheap. if you like steak make sure you head to Chops Grill on Fifth.

Can't argue with Chops!

My family have a place on Marco. I prefer the slightly more chilled atmosphere of Marco to Naples.

[Blues]

The Moose said:

Marco Island is great

Half way down the Keys, try Marathon. If you want a pilot to fly you there in a light aircraft, PM me and I'll put you in contact with a buddy of mine there (he's a flying instructor, not just some random hill-billy!).

Edited by The Moose on Saturday 6th July 18:35

Thanks M,
We will denitely chek out Marco, however a stay in Naples has now been booked. Good idea about a flight, however I have rented a Mustang for the holiday, and will just nimble down there.
Other than an airboat ride, is there much else to do in the Everglades as we pass brought?

tim0409 said:

We go to Naples nearly once a year and really like it - the Naples Trianon is a nice hotel, really handy for Fifth Avenue and pretty cheap. if you like steak make sure you head to Chops Grill on Fifth.

I'll be sure to try Chops Grill, thanks Tim