What Gulf Coast resort would suit us best?

[KennethM]

Hi,

We're going to Florida this summer and planning to spend a week on the Gulf Coast, after a week in Orlando area. We plan to rent a villa and chill out a bit, after a hectic week or so at the parks [msncool]

We've been to Florida 6 times before and have mainly stayed in Orlando or on the Atlantic coast. We spent a few days at Clearwater once when kids were young and it was OK - very scenic but found it quiet and not for young kids at that time.

Kids are now teenagers. We enjoy activites (eg renting a boat, waterskiing, hiring bikes), shopping (outlet and mall) and sightseeing. We like to be based close to the coast but we're not beach people - nice to look at but not to sunbathe on [msnsmile2]

We also like a resort/town with a 'heart' to walk through, spend time in evenings and 'people-watch' etc. We like to eat out in evenings but prefer relaxed / value restaurants, as opposed to prestigious / expensive.

Any suggestions as to what area we should go to?

Thx.

[andrewmckay5]

Kenneth,

I am obviously biased but have to say that the Rotonda area suits all your criteria. Number 1 the area is fully liscensed for short term rentals of a week; this is not true for all parts of the Gulf.
All the activities you stipulate are very well catered for with a number of beaches only 10 to 15 minutes drive and shopping is available 15 minutes away at the Port Charlotte Mall:

Port Charlotte Town Center promises shopping success! Anchor stores, Beall's, Dillard's, JCPenney, macy*s and Sears, offer a wide variety of fashions for the whole family and for your home. Find everything you are looking for when you shop these anchor stores and the more than 100 specialty stores and eateries located in the mall. Port Charlotte Town Center features one of Florida's largest food courts located in an indoor shopping mall. The Regal 16 Cinemas features stadium seating and Dolby digital surround sound on 16 screens.

Also 40 minutes drive to a major outlet [website link edited]

Rotonda itself does not have the "heart" as it is residential with 4 golf courses but there is old Englewood and especially Boca Grande to visit, again 10 to 15 nminutes drive.

I would suggest you put a Gulf enquiry out on the link above http://www.orlandovillas.com/ and ask for more information. I'm 100% sure you will not be disappointed but I am biased . However I know there are a number of forum members who have stayed there and hopefully will post.

andrew

[Vanessa]

Kenneth,

I must agree with Andrew about Rotonda. Of course, I too am a biased owner of a home in this beautiful area. My family has stayed in various parts of Florida for many years and stumbled into Rotonda about 5 years ago. It has so much to offer- Luxurious homes, golf, close proximity to Fabulous Beaches and World Class Fishing. Boating, kayaking, miles of paved bike trails, hiking, close to several wonderful state parks (especially Myaaka River)


I have 2 teenagers myself and they absolutely LOVE the area! You can be as busy as you want to be or not. Its your choice!

Good Luck in planning your trip!

[Clare R]

As a Rotonda owner naturally I am biased towards the area and in fact it is not where you 'chose' to go but where Short Term Rentals are pemitted. There are very few Gulf Coast areas with STR permission, the main area being Rotonda, Englewood.

With respect to having a heart to a place the nearest you will find that is Venice, 20 miles north of Englewood, which has a one street almost High Street feel to it but short term rentals are at a premium if allowed at all.

Follow the link that Andrew has given you and I am sure you will come up with one, or all, of us Rotonda owners.

[KennethM]

Thanks folks, very helpful [msnsmile]

We'll do some research into the area and I'll certainly check home owners here for availability, rates etc.

One question re searching on this site ... do I select only "Rotunda West" in the Advanced search or is there many of the communities listed actually in the Rotunda area?

Thanks.

Ken

[KennethM]

Sorry ... "Rotonda West" [:I]

K.

[Clare R]

Rotonda West is one community. 8005 plots, half of which is developed and is mainly a residential area so you feel part of American life but with rental homes situated among the residents.

The area is divided up into segments, most of the rental properties are in Long Meadow, White Marsh and Broadmoor with a few in Pine Valley and Pinehurst.

[Ruth]

Cape Haze, Englewood and Port Charlotte are right next to Rotonda and I would totally recommend them as well as great places to stay[8D]They too allow STR of a week (or less) and we have stayed there and Rotonda many times

[Clare R]

I beg to disagree, Charlotte County stipulate a minimum of seven nights, I have queried this with our Management Company many times and they have always said that 7 nights is the restriction.

[Ruth]

I am fairly sure Charlotte County have no restrictions Clare as I looked into it when we were looking to buy. Perhaps your MC don't want the extra work that a short booking brings?