<p>We (DH and I) are considering a long weekend trip to Florida in late February/early March. All we know for sure is that we don’t want to do Disney or tangle with crazy spring breakers. Looking for a warm spot–would like to walk on the beach, have a nice meal or two, take in some local scenery and relax by the pool. We’ll fly on one of the discount air lines, if possible and would rather spend less money than more. Beachfront lodging is not necessary, but would be nice, if affordable. We don’t typically stay in luxury hotels…Any suggestions about specifics or tips on the decision-making process would be appreciated…</p>
<p>The Ritz Carlton, Naples. They run specials and by far my favorite place in Florida.</p>
<p>I love Sanibel Island, near Ft. Meyers and Naples. Small island, known for its shells, interesting shops and restaurants, huge nature preserve with lots of birds, wonderful shell museum. I have stayed at Sundial and one of the other related smaller resorts. I would love to go back there.</p>
<p>Ditto on the above two recommendations. Also recommend the art deco and other hotels in Miami’s South Beach.</p>
<p>Sanibel if money is no object.</p>
<p>If you want to save a bit, try Fort Myers Beach, but stay south of the pier & boardwalk area, as it will be filled with college spring breakers. </p>
<p>Only warning is that it can still be quite chilly there at that time of year. A girl friend & I went to Ft Myers Beach from Mar 6-10 last year and it was chilly, so we laid by the pool most of the time. We rented a timeshare for a fabulous price - look on Craigs list for deals. (while it was across the street from the beach, this place met our needs: Tropical Sands Resort, 7785 Estero Blvd).</p>
<p>I would add a fourth vote for Sanibel.</p>
<p>Or if you don’t mind the drive, Key West. Fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and drive there. And if you’re a reader, visit Ernest Hemingway’s house.</p>
<p>Plane ticket to Miami might be cheaper than Fort Meyers.</p>
<p>I know very little about Florida. What about the Keys or are they just too crowded and too expensive?</p>
<p>Another reccomendation for Sanibel island. We did a long weekend there and it was the perfect amount of time.Not quite sure of weather at that time however. We stayed at Song of the Sea which is waterfront and smaller.request the frontmost building,upper level, which only has the water in front of it (other buildings surround the pool).View from the downstairs rooms are somewhat blocked due to the dunes. Beach is maybe 30 steps away. Enough good dining options to fill up the weekend and the Inn has a decent free breakfast. Also, free bikes. We did a ranger led bus/walk in the Ding Darling Nature Preserve (wonderful sightings of birds,flying fish).You can also drive through but much more informative with the guide. also did the speedboat dolphin tour.Not our usual indulgence but well worth it lots of dolphins (they like to play in the speedboats wake) and sightings of great homes.
We’re from NY and flew into Ft Meyers and drove (maybe 30 minutes?).H rented a Mustang convertible…he had fun! Lots of wonderful shelling on the beach there.You’ll be walking and looking down like everyone else even if you think you arent interested!
we ate at the Mad Hatter(try for a sunset timed reservation) and Sweet Melissa’s (looks like a nothing place…excellent food!).we had lunch at Grandma Dot’s (good grouper sandwhiches) after the boatride at the Sanibel Marina</p>
<p>Another vote for Sanibel. Back in the day when we made more money, my family spent a week there every March. Great beaches, really cool shells, good food… The only problem is the unreliability of the weather this time of year.</p>
<p>we always rented a condo for the week…</p>
<p>On Sanibel - try the Lazy Flamingo for peel and eat shrimp. It looks like a dive, but the food is wonderful.</p>
<p>another vote for Sanibel Island. One of my favorite places in the world is not far away: the Audubon Sanctuary at Corkscrew Swamp. [Corkscrew</a> Swamp Sanctuary](<a href=“http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/]Corkscrew”>http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/).</p>
<p>Try and stay at least as far south as Ft. Myers, otherwise February can be chilly. It even can be chilly that far south but your odds are better. We love to tour the Ding Darling Nature Reserve on Sanibel. It is also fun to bike but make sure to take water. There was a fun little restaurant with outdoor seating on Sanibel near the bridge to Captiva. I also like the Corkscrew Swamp.</p>
<p>Sanibel’s weather is often better than the mainland (Ft Myers). I don’t know why, but have been there when it’s sunny and you could see the rain clouds hugging the rest of the coast. </p>
<p>Check out the weather patterns they have right now. last year was a very cold winter for them (just like it is this year in the northeast, but not the same magnitude!)</p>
<p>We loved to eat at the Hungry Heron with our kids.</p>
<p>This is so timely! I just planned a short getaway to Sanibel starting next Monday (while my husband is out of town). I got a great airfare on Southwest to Ft Myers ($185 round trip from Chicago). That airfare is the main reason I’m going; never dreamed I could get to Florida in the winter for under $300, let alone under $200! I’m just waiting to book my hotel until I make sure it isn’t supposed to rain all four days, but I’ve already confirmed there are plenty of rooms at my top choice. Also car rental seems to be very reasonable.</p>
<p>I do have to caution that the lodging is not cheap - very difficult to stay under $200/night during the high season. I couldn’t find anything less than $161, and that was for a studio with no view at all, and not quite the prime season. There isn’t much other than beachfront, although I think there are a few B&B’s. Much of the island is condos which rent by the week. But it is a fantastic place to go based on what you’re looking for. In March, you won’t run into spring breakers, but you will run into families!</p>
<p>For just a long weekend I probably wouldn’t try to get all the way down to Key West; the Keys in general aren’t really beach vacations and it’s a long drive down from Miami. But I do agree if you’re looking for warm weather you need to go to the southern end of the state. Last year was exceptionally cold; it doesn’t look so bad this year.</p>
<p>Another area you could consider is the stretch between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach - there are a string of towns with hotels, motels, and VRBO’s.</p>
<p>We’ve been to Sanibel and liked it, but we also like the Keys. Note that there isn’t really a beach in Key West. We enjoyed staying in Key Largo, which isn’t as far a drive from Miami.</p>
<p>I was in Naples 2 weeks ago - it was lovely. Day time temps in the low 70s then - perfect in my book.</p>
<p>I also stayed here a few years ago when I went to Ft Myers Beach on my own to warm up for a few days:</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to The Neptune :: The Neptune - Fort Myers Beach](<a href=“http://www.neptuneinn.com/index.php]Welcome”>http://www.neptuneinn.com/index.php)</p>
<p>Half of the place was renovated and has gone quarter-share, the rest is still a motel. The sourth wing has not been renovated, so it’s much cheaper (only a kitchenette - stove top & mini-fridge - no microwave). If you can holdout, you can probably score a room very inexpensively close to your departure date. Just call & tell them you’ve been there before and you get a return rate. It’s just south of where the sping breakers stay and the beach is very nice.</p>
<p>A friend just began working here: [Omni</a> Amelia Island Plantation Resort | Amelia Island Resort](<a href=“Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island Hotels”>Omni Amelia Island Resort | Amelia Island Hotels)</p>
<p>If you decide to come east, try Breakers in Palm Beach or the Boca Raton Resort. Both are luxory, but have specials.</p>
<p>Costa d’Este at Vero Beach. Owned by Gloria Estefan. [Vero</a> Beach Hotels: Gloria Estefan’s Costa dEste Resort Vero Beach Central Florida FL Luxury Oceanfront Hotel Rooms Packages Spas Suites Specials Romantic Getaways Family Vacations Discounts Weddings Meetings Events](<a href=“http://www.costadeste.com/]Vero”>http://www.costadeste.com/)
Luxurious, a little funky, smaller and less crazy than South Beach. Gorgeous beach. great restaurant. Nice pool. And they’re running good specials now ($159 oceanfront).</p>