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Suggestions for places to stay in Florida in September

mrs-b

mrs-b

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Aug 18, 2013
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So in the spirit of having something awesome to look forward to - DH has a conference in Orlando in September, and has suggested we stay a few extra days for a small vacation of our own. We definitely don't want to stay on in the same hotel as the conference (a Walt Disney something-or-other), and we'd prefer really beautiful ocean views and direct ocean access, and some kind of apartment so we can prepare our own meals, tho the apartment part is optional.

Does anyone have anything worth recommending? We really need a vacation.
 
@mrs-b so happy to see you posting! I hope you are feeling better. To your question, do you have a preference for the ocean side of Fl or the Gulf side? I know you said ocean views, but not sure if you meant just either side of FL? That might help narrow it down a bit. Also, how long are you able to sit driving?
 
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mrs-b said:
So in the spirit of having something awesome to look forward to - DH has a conference in Orlando in September, and has suggested we stay a few extra days for a small vacation of our own. We definitely don't want to stay on in the same hotel as the conference (a Walt Disney something-or-other), and we'd prefer really beautiful ocean views and direct ocean access, and some kind of apartment so we can prepare our own meals, tho the apartment part is optional.

Does anyone have anything worth recommending? We really need a vacation.
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You do need a vacation!! I hope you find something spectacular! We rented a house a few times..but not in Florida..Since it’s just the two of you it would make sense to rent a condo there..I think you would need to book for at least a week.Hopefully someone will know of a great place..
 
I‘ve lived in Orlando for longer than I’d like to admit and spend time at a lot of the area beach towns. New Smyrna Beach is a favorite for locals. It’s about an hour from Orlando (a bit more from the Disney area) and is a quaint “Old Florida” beach town mostly free of national chains and high rises with a fun downtown scene. Definitely worth looking into. Also on the Atlantic coast are Flagler Beach and Palm Coast (pretty sleepy areas, but nice) and St. Augustine, which is another favorite with a super cute and lively downtown and nice beaches (St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach). On the Gulf Coast, Clearwater/St. Pete is fun, but busier/more touristy. We prefer to go South of there to Indian Rocks Beach, Redington, Madeira and Treasure Island, which are cool spots. Even further South are Anna Maria Island, Longboat, Sarasota, Siesta Key, which are also really great. They are a bit further of a drive from the Disney area (and traffic going that way is more unpredictable), but good spots none the less. Sunsets on the Gulf Coast are fantastic. The water there is much more warm, calm and clear vs. the Atlantic Coast where you will get more surf and breeze. Enjoy your visit!

ETA: Definitely check AirBnB and VRBO in the places I suggested. We use them regularly for our beach trips. For direct ocean front, Flagler Beach and Vilano Beach probably won’t work. In Palm Coast, check out Hammock Dunes. There isn’t much else there, but if all you want is beach and/or golf it’s nice. They have suites with kitchens.
 
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Lookinagain said:
@mrs-b so happy to see you posting! I hope you are feeling better. To your question, do you have a preference for the ocean side of Fl or the Gulf side? I know you said ocean views, but not sure if you meant just either side of FL? That might help narrow it down a bit. Also, how long are you able to sit driving?
Click to expand...

These are great questions, @Lookinagain - and I wouldn't have thought of them, mostly because I'm not familiar with Florida at all! My guess is that I would prefer ocean to Gulf side because I want turquoise waters, sandy beaches and palm trees. If the Gulf side has those things, or even more of those things than the ocean side, I can easily switch! We'll be coming from Orlando, driving, and all I know if that I want a beautiful vista, warm turquoise waters, and palm trees. If there are any resorts that include semi self-contained accommodation, that would probably be our best fit.
 
Kaycee2018 said:
I‘ve lived in Orlando for longer than I’d like to admit and spend time at a lot of the area beach towns. New Smyrna Beach is a favorite for locals. It’s about an hour from Orlando (a bit more from the Disney area) and is a quaint “Old Florida” beach town mostly free of national chains and high rises with a fun downtown scene. Definitely worth looking into. Also on the Atlantic coast are Flagler Beach and Palm Coast (pretty sleepy areas, but nice) and St. Augustine, which is another favorite with a super cute and lively downtown and nice beaches (St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach). On the Gulf Coast, Clearwater/St. Pete is fun, but busier/more touristy. We prefer to go South of there to Indian Rocks Beach, Redington, Madeira and Treasure Island, which are cool spots. Even further South are Anna Maria Island, Longboat, Sarasota, Siesta Key, which are also really great. They are a bit further of a drive from the Disney area (and traffic going that way is more unpredictable), but good spots none the less. Sunsets on the Gulf Coast are fantastic. The water there is much more warm, calm and clear vs. the Atlantic Coast where you will get more surf and breeze. Enjoy your visit!

ETA: Definitely check AirBnB and VRBO in the places I suggested. We use them regularly for our beach trips. For direct ocean front, Flagler Beach and Vilano Beach probably won’t work. In Palm Coast, check out Hammock Dunes. There isn’t much else there, but if all you want is beach and/or golf it’s nice. They have suites with kitchens.
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SO helpful, @Kaycee2018! Thank you! I'll take some time and look up all these places. I do think a resort would be our best bet, as our lack of local knowledge would probably make it difficult to find exactly what we want. As well as ocean, we definitely want big swimming pools within where we stay and preferably a choice of restaurants. And I apologize if this sounds like a moving target, but what we want is evolving as we think about it, and my DH is sitting next to me and the more we chat, the more we're narrowing it down.
 
mrs-b said:
These are great questions, @Lookinagain - and I wouldn't have thought of them, mostly because I'm not familiar with Florida at all! My guess is that I would prefer ocean to Gulf side because I want turquoise waters, sandy beaches and palm trees. If the Gulf side has those things, or even more of those things than the ocean side, I can easily switch! We'll be coming from Orlando, driving, and all I know if that I want a beautiful vista, warm turquoise waters, and palm trees. If there are any resorts that include semi self-contained accommodation, that would probably be our best fit.
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NP! We almost always do AirBnB or VRBO, but I edited my reply to note Hammock Dunes resort in Palm Coast. They definitely have suites with kitchens, ocean front, palm trees (and ocean front golf if you are into that lol) and beautiful sandy beaches. They even mini-golf on site. No downtown scene or much else going on, but if all you want is beaches, palm trees and sandy beaches it’s a solid spot. I’ll act be there for a weekend in June again. My husband’s firm does stuff there pretty often.
 
i just remembered another fantastic spot on the Atlantic coast! Vero Beach! The water is magnificent (think South Florida beaches with clear, blue-green water and beautiful soft sand). Its a total gem of a beach town. We’ve stayed at Costa d’este resort, but I’m not sure they have suites with kitchens. Prestige hotel in Vero isn‘t a resort, but it’s a cute old school ocean front beach hotel that has rooms with kitchens and some really nice restaurants within walking distance.
 
The Villas at Amelia island. Oceanfront fully equipped condos. You can rent oceanfront condos and also have the benefit of the omni resort. Fernandina beach is a sleepy shrimping town (about 15minutes away). It’s a barrier island off the north eastern coast of florida. Love it.
 
We would choose the Gulf of Mexico over the east coast of Florida in a heartbeat. The water is prettier and weather is balmier on the whole, IMHO.

I found The Resort at Longboat Key Club when perusing different accommodations and it appears to be very nice with a beach location. Someone in the reviews suggested rooms in the Lagoon View building as best because the view is wonderful, peaceful with great viewing for wildlife. There are manatees and ospreys which are seen here frequently.

This resort would be located in Sarasota. Good luck searching for your getaway and may it renew you two after the health ordeals with which you've been dealing.
 
I was going to suggest Amelia Island and Vero Beach too. But I am one who prefers the east coast of FL over the west coast. I think Vero would be a shorter drive if sitting too long is an issue.
 
Yes to Amelia Island/condos at Omni. :love:
I’d go back there over any other Florida beach area for a repeat trip. Just something about that area of its type of natural beauty (and low key vibe) soothes me.

But if white powdery sands and turquoise waters are the criteria - then it’s out, and I’d aim for siesta key. Totally different vibe.


Good to ‘see’ you ma’am!!!!
 
Glad you are feeling better! We are partial to our little area of FL which is the Southwest area. I can't advise coming here though due to reconstruction from Hurricane Ian. If you want something not too far from Orlando I would suggest the Crown Plaza hotel in Melbourne Beach, FL. It's one of the best beaches, very quiet but beautiful. The hotel has suites that are right off the beach and they include kitchens where you can cook your own meals. There is a Publix not far from the hotel. We have stayed there several times and enjoyed it very much.
 
Rfisher said:
Yes to Amelia Island/condos at Omni. :love:
I’d go back there over any other Florida beach area for a repeat trip. Just something about that area of its type of natural beauty (and low key vibe) soothes me.

But if white powdery sands and turquoise waters are the criteria - then it’s out, and I’d aim for siesta key. Totally different vibe.


Good to ‘see’ you ma’am!!!!
Click to expand...

We are partial to Amelia. My family and close family friends have had beach condos there for 30 years. It’s a magical place. Upscale, but not fancy.
 
Agreed on Amelia Island. The Omni and Ritz there are both lovely.
 
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