A hurricane/tropical storm can hit anywhere on the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico in August. It's more likely in Florida and anywhere on the Gulf. But even Virginia and New Jersey shores aren't immune. Just the chance you take going to the ocean during peak hurricane season.

That being said, the Jacksonville area is the part of Florida that gets hit the least.

We've stayed at the Doubletree in Melbourne Beach where our boys have loved the great surf for boogie boarding. It is the best Atlantic surfing beach, there around Cocoa and Melbourne. The hotel is nothing special, just useful for a couple of days at the beach, and there's not much else to do but the beach and the Kennedy Space Center. But it is an easy drive from Orlando so you can do beach and Orlando stuff on the same trip.

I've stayed at the Hilton Key Largo Resort (which is actually closer to Islamorado) a few times now in the winter, and I am looking forward to taking my grandsons of similar ages this summer. They have a small beach with shade and rental of kayaks, jet skis, paddle boards and what have you. The water is gentle and not over your head for a long way out, which will be great for the boys with the kayaks and paddle boards. If you want to snorkel, you can join a snorkel or scuba excursion at the John Penobscot (sp) State Park out to the coral reef. There is also a swim with the dolphins place in Key Largo, and you can drive to Key West for a day trip in about 90 minutes.

Hilton Key Largo to Key West is closer to a 2 1/2 hour drive. Almost 100 miles with speed limits as low as 40 and traffic lights as you drive though Marathon and other towns. You could split the trip and stay in each, Reach and Casa Marina are in the quiet part of town.

That's right, it is a longer drive than I remembered.

We were at the Boca Beach club right around New Years. We stayed on points and loved it. Good for the family and if you take the shuttle over to the sister resort the kids can do the FlowRider or they can do regular surfing at the Beach club.

We stayed at the GalleryONE (Doubletree) in December and really liked it - very modern, on the intercostal waterway, and easy drive to Hollywood Beach (which has a good boardwalk). The breakfast was in the restaurant and was good.

I like GalleryONE as well (all suites, restaurant Breakfast, next to the Gallery Mall and short walk/drive to beach), but the mandatory valet parking fee should be taken into consideration as well.

Wrapping up a visit here now. As a gold, upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite with lanai. Room furnishings looked recently renovated and turndown service at night was solid. The bar near the pool was a little pricey and slow, but that's the Conch Republic. My only complaint is the shower head needs to be upgraded as it is a little small and the jets beat you. Never stayed at the Doubletree, but it sounds like room type is huge here.

We ended up booking the Crown Plaza on Duval, using a combination of IHG Chase free night (anniversary) and award points from 2 credit cards. It is really unfortunate that with all of the Hilton properties in the area, all seem to miss the mark for one or more reasons - undesirable location, poorly maintained / managed property.

They had it all until it became a Westin. The HI and HGI openings are now a year behind schedule but they are in new town.

CM gets my vote

HI and HGI are in the same general area as the DT, same location concerns.

Siesta Key Florida....Sarasota
 

Hello hello! We are taking a family trip to Siesta Key this summer and it looks like the closest Hilton property would be Sarasota. We looked at Longboat Key as well, however that location is closed to renovations. By chance has anyone visited Siesta Key and stayed at any of the locations in Sarasota or boarding towns and have any recommendations?

Thanks!!

Monday AM "bump" for booking

bump for any potential help