Off to the beach

[wend]

Hi

Considering visitng the beach on the Gulf Coat this trip, in May, for 2 nights. Saw a good article in a magazine in the week for Anna Maria Island. Has anybody stayed there and can recommend a hotel that's right on the beach? I know villas are the best way to spend your holiday in Florida but we will be staying at our own one in Orlando and whilst some paint is drying want to disappear to the beach. I read that Anna Maria Island was about 15 miles from St. Petes so roughly how long would that take to get from Kissimmee?

Any advice welcome.

Thanks Wend

[Nostromo]

I am sure that you have already seen it Wend, but there is a superb official site for Anna Maria Island that gives you all the info that you need. Just check it out if you haven't already. Have a great time - it certainly looks good.

[Magical Dreams]

Hi Wend, St. Pete's is about 100 miles from Kissimmee

So it should take you about 2 hrs on a steady drive!

[Michele L]

Hi Wendy

I alsways go to Siesta Key or Sarasota

Siesta key is more laid back and fun, lots of nice bars/restaurants. I stayed ina little apartment which is Banana Bay Club, they have studios up to 2 beds. Not on beach but different (only 5 minutes to beach)
Or go to the other end and stay at Best Western or tropical Breeze (1minute to beach)

Sarasota is very up market with Armands Circle with lots of boutiques and nice bars/restaurants

Hotel are more pricey - Holiday Inn on Lido Beach is not bad. Helmsley Sandcastle is a fun hotel and is on the beach - I love it there. I have been to Anna Maria Island and it is much more quiet.

Hope this helps

Oh yeah from Kissimmee it is about 1 hour 45 to 1 hour 55 depending on roadworks traffic etc.

Michele

[E. Cosgrove]

What happened to Anna Maria Freak? She used to be on the forums a lot, don't think I've seen her post for ages unless she's changed her user name?

[imported_n/a]

hi
There are plenty on the beach so you should not any problam getting some where to stop on lovely anne marie.[msncry]
allenc

[Nostromo]

I have DMed the official site link to you Wend. If you check out the sublinks, you'll get all the info you want and more. have a great time.

[wend]

Thanks Nostromo and all. Will check out that site and have a look at that hotel on Siesta Key too.

Wend

[Cruella DeVilla]

We go to Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasotta on most of our trips for a couple of days. Siesta Keys is a very nice place. Our favourite is Naples.

[wend]

Hi all thanks to all the good advice we have booked 2 nights on the island Key Lido at a great looking hotel right on the beach called Helmsley Sandcastle. It has its own private beach which is also just a stroll away from the restaurants and shops and then a what I think is a stroll across the causeway right into the waterfront at Sarasota with its lovely restaurants and shops as well.

Will let you know what I think when I get back from Florida at the end of May.

Wend