| Author |  Topic  |
Madabouttigger
 United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline |  Posted - 17 May 2008 : 14:33:59  
| Finally I've just got round to booking flights for next Years Florida trip. We have been so busy moving house I don't feel I've had a moment to call my own.
The plan is to spend a week in Orlando and then a week on the Gulf coast. We have spent a couple of days over at Tampa and St Pete's but didn't get any further south.
I'm looking for advise on the best place to stay on the Gulf Coast. I fancy somewhere on the beach, or pretty close to the beach, self catering. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Begining to feel excited already, coundown clock set..... 
Diane. | | Report this post to a moderator |
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Mo Green
United Kingdom
1205 Posts
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 15:38:21
| Diane
You will find some beautiful Gulf Coast villas through this site if you look at the Gulf Coast section most only a few minutes drive from beautiful beaches.
The villas are fully equipped for any catering you may wish to do and most have barbecues. If you choose an area like Rotonda West you will also fund there are many excellent restaurants within a short drive. Rotonda is also a good base for exploring other parts of the coast from Sarasota down to Naples although, after a hectic week in Orlando, you may just be happy to relax by your own pool or spend a few hours at the beach.
Mo
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Katys Grandad
![]() United Kingdom
1249 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 15:57:59
| If you want 'on the beach' a condo on Sanibel or Captiva would fit the bill perfectly (you can rent a house on either island but they're staggeringly expensive). I've just had 2 weeks in a beachfront condo on Sanibel literally steps from the Gulf of Mexico.
If you don't mind a drive to the beach each time you'll have the option of a house with a pool more or less all along the coast. The ones on this site are as good as any and more affordable. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Pookie
 United Kingdom
1080 Posts
Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 16:44:47
| Hi Diane,
I should think you need a break after house moving it is so stressful.
You will find lots of great information on the site re the Gulf Coast, you won't go far wrong looking at the Gulf Coast section on OV.
I too can recommend Rotonda West, it is mid way between Sarasota & Fort Myers so ideal for exploring north or south. But after a week at the theme parks you may just want to chill & this stretch of coastline is ideal, lots of quite often deserted beaches with just sea oats, dolphins & birds for company.
Enjoy researching.
Lynne |
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Madabouttigger
United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 16:54:34
| Thanks for all your replies, I have had a quick look at the Gulf Coast Villas on this site, they are all a little too big for just the 2 of us. I have found some beautiful 1 bed appartments on another site, I'm just not sure on the location yet. Sanibel sounds wonderful - I'll have to have a look around and see what I can find.
Thanks again,
Diane. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Mo Green
United Kingdom
1205 Posts
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Status: offline | |
mollymolly
 United Kingdom
441 Posts
Joined: 05 Jul 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 17:01:47
| Dianne you would be surprised about the number of times its just a couple in our 3 bed villas down on the Gulf Coast. Most of the time I just have 2 guests sharing and many of my fellow villa owners report the same. People enjoy the space and the fact they don't have to share a pool.
But I'm sure no matter where you choose you will enjoy the peace & quiet and the laid-back attitude of the Gulf inhabitants!
Enjoy!
Bernadette |
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-2248.aspx
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Madabouttigger
United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 17:07:32
| quote:
Originally posted by Mo Green
Diane
Just to give you some idea of the local beaches. These were taken at Gasparilla Island a week ago. Only a $4 toll to cross and about 25 minutes drive from Rotonda but worth it for almost a beach to oneself.
Mo
Mo - Thanks for the pictures, it looks fantastic, can't wait to go.
Diane. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Madabouttigger
United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 17 May 2008 : 17:11:23
| quote:
Originally posted by mollymolly
Dianne you would be surprised about the number of times its just a couple in our 3 bed villas down on the Gulf Coast. Most of the time I just have 2 guests sharing and many of my fellow villa owners report the same. People enjoy the space and the fact they don't have to share a pool.
But I'm sure no matter where you choose you will enjoy the peace & quiet and the laid-back attitude of the Gulf inhabitants!
Enjoy!
Bernadette
I know what your saying, we have stayed in 3 bed villas several times, and will be staying in a 3 bed in Orlando. But of course you pay 3 bed villa prices. Now if I can get a stunning one bed villa on the beach front, and it costs me the same price as a 3 bed on a communtity, it will be the 1 bed beach front I opt for.
Thanks for the advice any way.
Diane. |
Edited by - Madabouttigger on 17 May 2008 17:12:35 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Benny24
 United Kingdom
154 Posts
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Status: offline | Posted - 21 May 2008 : 23:39:17
| | We're curently sat at MCO waiting for the flight home, after two weeks in a villa and one week in Sanibel. We stayed in a lovely little place called Sanibel Sunset beach resort. We had a room which had a small kitchen, oven, hob, microwave and fridge freezer. It was right on the beach, Fantastic. Reccomend it. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1522 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 08:52:07
| quote:
Now if I can get a stunning one bed villa on the beach front, and it costs me the same price as a 3 bed on a communtity, it will be the 1 bed beach front I opt for.
I doubt you will ever find a "stunning one bed villa on the beach".
Most property on the beach consists of condos or as stated above:
quote:
a room which had a small kitchen, oven, hob, microwave and fridge freezer. It was right on the beach, Fantastic.
Offered a choice between a luxury villa that requires a drive to get to the beach, or a modest room with basic facilities, but on the beach, I would opt for the latter every time.
To get out of bed, go for a walk down the beach, come back for breakfast and spend the day on the beach with all your own facilities - showers, toilet, food & drink, chairs, umbrellas spare costumes etc - to hand is what a beach holiday is all about.
Too hot? - pop back in and have a shower and rest for an hour or two.
Go fishing in the evening and watch the sun set
Location, location, location! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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gwensvilla
United Kingdom
312 Posts
Joined: 30 Aug 2002
Status: offline | |
Mo Green
United Kingdom
1205 Posts
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 16:49:42
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
[quote]Offered a choice between a luxury villa that requires a drive to get to the beach, or a modest room with basic facilities, but on the beach, I would opt for the latter every time.
To get out of bed, go for a walk down the beach, come back for breakfast and spend the day on the beach with all your own facilities - showers, toilet, food & drink, chairs, umbrellas spare costumes etc - to hand is what a beach holiday is all about.
Too hot? - pop back in and have a shower and rest for an hour or two.
Go fishing in the evening and watch the sun set
Location, location, location!
It all comes down to what your budget is and what your preference is. Personally I don’t want a modest room with basic facilities when I go on holiday neither do I want to be on a beach from dawn to dusk. I know from the number of couples renting 3 bedroom villas in Rotonda many like myself will go for a luxury villa option even if it means a 10 – 15 minute drive to the beach.
It is easy to drive down to the beach for a walk before breakfast (even take your own breakfast to cook on a beach BBQ) or, like many holidaymakers, go for an early morning walk round your neighbourhood watching the local wildlife.
Nearly all the beaches have showers, beautifully clean toilets and it does not take a minute to stow umbrellas, beach chairs etc into the car boot – we leave them in the boot for the entire holiday together with a box containing all essentials we may need on the beach. Come the weekend or Bank holidays if the beach is crowded with noisy families and parties villa renters can relax round their own private pool without having someone decide to sit a few yards away.
Fortunately on the Gulf Coast there is enough choice to suit all tastes and budgets. |
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1267.aspx |
Edited by - Mo Green on 22 May 2008 16:53:01 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Magical Dreams
 United Kingdom
4394 Posts
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 16:50:48
| We've just come back from 3 weeks in Florida.
First 2 weeks in our villa in Kissimmee then the 3rd week in Rotonda in a Villa.
(After reading threads on here regarding best places to stay)
I must say that it was a pleasure in staying in such a nice house.
It was just so nice after time at the beach to come home, shower and relax.
Having the space available to us was great as this adds to being able to relax without feeling cramped.
The short drive to the beach was ideal, it gave you the excuse to call in to the supermarket for drinks and snacks and pop them straight into the cool box.
Diane was unsure about going to the beach for a week away from our own villa, but once we got there, she knew it was the right thing to do. It was just so relaxing. |
Andrew & Diane Moore
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Katys Grandad
![]() United Kingdom
1249 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 16:51:21
| The true test of desirability is COST. A condo on the beach will probably be worth 3 or 4 times the value a house inland and is actually likely to be more luxurious. I can see both points of view but if you want a 'Beach Holiday', surely you should be located as close to the beach as possible?
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thornton
 United Kingdom
3615 Posts
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 17:04:06
| | We had a few days away on the Gulf just recently and stayed in a villa and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Went down to the beach when we wanted, had a swim, walk and a meal sometimes if we were there at lunchtime and then in the evening a swim by the pool followed by a G&T and then a BBQ cooked by the boys. It was perfect and sooooooooooooo relaxing. If there is a choice villas now win everytime with us wherever we are. |
Jill and Brian
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Madabouttigger
United Kingdom
1084 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 17:05:48
| Just to throw a spanner in the works I'm having problems getting a mid week let - most of the beach properties I've contacted only want Sat - Sat or Fri - Fri 
All part of the fun of booking a holiday yourself.
Diane. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Mo Green
United Kingdom
1205 Posts
Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 17:17:25
| quote:
Originally posted by Katys Grandad
The true test of desirability is COST. A condo on the beach will probably be worth 3 or 4 times the value a house inland and is actually likely to be more luxurious.
Not always true. We have been coming to Florida for many years. Before having our house built we had stayed at Condos on the beach and villas. The privately owned villas were far superior to the Condos.
quote:
I can see both points of view but if you want a 'Beach Holiday', surely you should be located as close to the beach as possible?
The original posting to this topic was for quote:
the best place to stay on the Gulf Coast. I fancy somewhere on the beach, or pretty close to the beach, self catering. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Robert5988
United Kingdom
1522 Posts
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 19:20:49
| quote:
The true test of desirability is COST. A condo on the beach will probably be worth 3 or 4 times the value a house inland and is actually likely to be more luxurious.
quote:
Not always true. We have been coming to Florida for many years. Before having our house built we had stayed at Condos on the beach and villas. The privately owned villas were far superior to the Condos.
Not sure what you mean!
Are you saying that beach condos don't fetch 3 or 4 times the price of houses inland?
Or that they do, but houses inland are more desirable?
I live on the other side of Florida but there a 'direct ocean'(on the beach) condo, will fetch double the price of a nice house that is 100 yds from the beach.
A house on the beach will cost up to 10 times the price of a comparable house inland.
Location! Location! Location! Indisputable - all over the world! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Katys Grandad
![]() United Kingdom
1249 Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2008 : 19:55:10
| quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
quote:
The true test of desirability is COST. A condo on the beach will probably be worth 3 or 4 times the value a house inland and is actually likely to be more luxurious.
quote:
Not always true. We have been coming to Florida for many years. Before having our house built we had stayed at Condos on the beach and villas. The privately owned villas were far superior to the Condos.
Not sure what you mean!
Are you saying that beach condos don't fetch 3 or 4 times the price of houses inland?
Or that they do, but houses inland are more desirable?
A house on the beach will cost up to 10 times the price of a comparable house inland.
Location! Location! Location! Indisputable - all over the world!
Absolutely.
Even within a few yards of the beach the price can vary enormously. I stay on a property of condos on Sanibel. The ones at the rear which are about 200 yards from the beach sell at around $750k but a true beach front condo on the same property will easily fetch $1.25 million.
Beachfront houses start around £6 million. Drive 5 miles over the causeway to Fort Myers and the same style of house houses can be had for less than $500k. Surprisingly, the rental rates don't vary anything like that much. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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floridadreamvilla.co.uk
 United Kingdom
17725 Posts
Joined: 21 Jan 2002
Status: online | |
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Gulf Coast
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