View Full Version : First trip to Gulf Coast
caroline
02-09-2002, 04:39
We're hoping to spend a week at the Gulf Coast next spring/Summer and as we've never been over there at all, wondered if there's anywhere you'd suggest or anywhere to avoid??
Caroline
We stayed at Longboat Key at Sarasota in January for a few days. Sarasota is a beautiful city and Longboat and Siesta Key are beachside and attached to Sarasota by a causeway keys style. There is a very good selection of what I will call posh shops and restaurants at St Armands Circle which is within walking distance of the Longboat Key hotels. Longboat Key also has a beautiful long white beach. Sarasota has loads to do, the Ringling Museum of Art and the Circus and the Ringling Mansion and grounds is a full day out. There is also Jungleland to visit in Sarasota and loads of lovely shops and a pelican Sanctuary and the Mote Aquarium on the keys. We stayed at the Helmsley Sandcastle on Longboat Key. It was $109 per night and is right on the beach. You can walk from there to the St Armands Circle restaurants if you fancy some vino with your evening meal.
Julie Carty
If you are looking for a beach place it has to be St Pete's the beach is clean and never ending. Great place for kids to play. We would also recommend Naples as a little different with some quite up market shopping available.
Mind you we personally prefer the Atlantic coast as we like the big waves rather than the gentler Gulf waters. we go to Daytona and coco beachs.
Jeff & Dallas Myers
3 Bed Crescent Lakes
www.harmonyvillaorlando.com
We went to Naples for a week and came back after 5 days because we had run out of things to do!! Fab shops but expensive designer stuff ( Versace rather than Calvin Klein) that you cant afford!!!! Other than that, there is nothing to do unless you make the 50 mile trip to the Everglades ( did that a couple of days, then could not face the journey!!)
I like St Petes and Clearwater also, but you can do those in a day trip from Kissimmee easily enough. The Sarasota Keys are two and a half hours away and really can only be done with an overnight stay which is why we picked that area for our short break.
Julie Carty
We have been to Sanibel twice, Marco Island and Naples.
Loved Sanibel - we never leave the island, and just go to chill out. You can do boat rides, fishing trips etc.
Marco Island we found a bit shantyish after Sanibel and Captiva, and Naples was masses of estates with a very expensive area for eating and shopping - though did also have a good shopping mall. But for me it offered nothing that Orlando doesn't, but it costs more!
Fiona
caroline
02-09-2002, 21:16
Thanks for all the tips - they all sound great, but varied.....think we might try Sarasota as a base for a few days and venture out to a couple of the others either as day trips.
Have to say I fancy Sanibel for a week of chilling without the children. There's a school ski trip in February.....so just maybe........<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Caroline
There is Anna Marie Island round the Sarasota area too. Thats another good place. Now I know Blottie sat next to some people with a condo there at the FBC in Oldham but dont know if she has contact details. Hotels are quite expensive on the Gulf and renting a condo might be an option.
Julie Carty
Edited by - esprit on 03/09/2002 15:06:37
athurstance
03-09-2002, 17:16
Anyone know what Fort Myers Beach is like. We are thinking of a couple of days next Easter and the Days Inn looked OK for a budget priced hotel. Anyone stayed there?
Angela
I have not stayed at that hotel but have been to Fort Myers beach. It is an OK beach resort, quite lively with some shops and restaurants, nothing special that stands out. The have jet skis to hire on the beach and that was fun.The main shops etc are in Fort Myers town itself which is nearby where you can visit the home of Thomas Edison.
Julie Carty
The home I take bookings for is 10 minutes from both Fort Myers beach and Sanibel Island. I've never been there but it looks really good. If you like fishing there's plenty of opportunity. On the beach you can collect lots of different shells, if that's your sort of thing.
All villas in that area have a byelaw of no shorter than 7 day rental, don't know if it also applies to condos.
Chris
imported_n/a
06-09-2002, 02:37
Can anyone recommend anywhere to stay in Clearwater or St.Petes?
Jamne
imported_n/a
12-09-2002, 16:02
Agree with Julie that the shops in Naples are expensive, particularly around the harbour (Tin City) but there are the usual Publix shopping complexes around, great Marshalls there! DKNY trainers for $12 last visit.
As for things to do - only ever managed to move from the pool to the beach and back to the motel so can't comment on things to do - we go for a rest after the hustle and bustle of Orlando. There is supposed to be a fantastic zoo and we always say we will go if it rains - luckily for us, always had great weather when there.
We stay at a very very modest model - the Quality Inn - during the USA High Seaon (October to April) it is expensive considering it is just a motel but during our High Season you can book a room for arond $50 per night - very reasonable for Naples. It is about 5mins walk from beach.
It has a pool and a poolside bar and bbq - it is just a family run motel with a lovely atmosphere - can be noisy at the weekends as the bar gets very busy with locals but friends of ours just came back and also enjoyed their stay.
Highly recommend eating in one of the many fish restaurants at the Harbour and then take your bread and go outside and feed the fish swimming in the harbour - some of them are huge.
Fantastic yachts to be seen here too.
SARASOTA
Try Sarasea Inn at the Beach - I think I put this on a thread a few months ago but fabulous place to stay - has two pools if you get sick of the beach (which you simply can't as it is so beautiful).
SANIBEL
Beautiful beaches, very quiet but you will get the Sanibel Stoop looking for shells. If you need a relaxing time, go to Sanibel.
Edited by - janesansom on 17/09/2002 20:40:02
quote:
We have been to Sanibel twice, Marco Island and Naples.
Loved Sanibel - we never leave the island, and just go to chill out. You can do boat rides, fishing trips etc.
Marco Island we found a bit shantyish after Sanibel and Captiva, and Naples was masses of estates with a very expensive area for eating and shopping - though did also have a good shopping mall. But for me it offered nothing that Orlando doesn't, but it costs more!
Fiona