FL Destinations / Hotels for lazy beach weekend away?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 10
FL Destinations / Hotels for lazy beach weekend away?
Looking for recommendations - destinations and hotels in FL for an affordable luxury weekend getaway. Beach, lounge chairs, beautiful views, do nothing but have drinks bought to us, kind of thing...great spa would be a bonus. Have points so help make affordable if needed. Never done a trip like this and am a novice when it comes to staying in hotels so any recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks!
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,238
Looking for recommendations - destinations and hotels in FL for an affordable luxury weekend getaway. Beach, lounge chairs, beautiful views, do nothing but have drinks bought to us, kind of thing...great spa would be a bonus. Have points so help make affordable if needed. Never done a trip like this and am a novice when it comes to staying in hotels so any recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks!
If I understand your requirements otherwise, you're looking for a single place to stay/eat/drink/recreate. Also prefer a chain where you have points. Which ones?
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 10
First thanks for responding guys!
ok...
Timeframe - pretty flexible. February would be nice, but we can also go later.
Pretty much yes on the single place to stay/eat/drink part - don't mind walking or uber, to dinner or another bar at night if we need or if there is somewhere excellent around, but our goal is a quick relax and rejuvenate weekend, so the less we "need" to do, the better.
As far as chains - doesn't have to be a chain.. but if I can use / earn points then that is always a good thing!
I am Gold at Hilton, SPG/Marriot. Most of my points are MR's so they can be used pretty much anywhere.
As for my definition of luxury... umm .. most of my hotel stays are pretty budget, and with the idea being to relax and rejuvenate a little more "comfort" seems great. A nice bview from room, an outdoor bar or bar service around the pool/beach would be nice, a decent breakfast, bar/restaurant on site. Being new to any kind of status I don't really know how much value executive lounges have, but the free drinks and snacks/breakfast was nice the last time we used one (although I feel there is great variation in quality here).
Maybe the best way for me to describe luxury is this.. a bed and a room that you would be happy to stay in all day if you had too!! lol
I'll give the Hyatt and Ritz a look!
Thanks!!!
ok...
Timeframe - pretty flexible. February would be nice, but we can also go later.
Pretty much yes on the single place to stay/eat/drink part - don't mind walking or uber, to dinner or another bar at night if we need or if there is somewhere excellent around, but our goal is a quick relax and rejuvenate weekend, so the less we "need" to do, the better.
As far as chains - doesn't have to be a chain.. but if I can use / earn points then that is always a good thing!
I am Gold at Hilton, SPG/Marriot. Most of my points are MR's so they can be used pretty much anywhere.
As for my definition of luxury... umm .. most of my hotel stays are pretty budget, and with the idea being to relax and rejuvenate a little more "comfort" seems great. A nice bview from room, an outdoor bar or bar service around the pool/beach would be nice, a decent breakfast, bar/restaurant on site. Being new to any kind of status I don't really know how much value executive lounges have, but the free drinks and snacks/breakfast was nice the last time we used one (although I feel there is great variation in quality here).
Maybe the best way for me to describe luxury is this.. a bed and a room that you would be happy to stay in all day if you had too!! lol
I'll give the Hyatt and Ritz a look!
Thanks!!!
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,636
As one who does similar, short weekend trips, I would start with considering the air component as a way of zeroing in on a location. Looks like you are maybe flying from BNA, so for a short weekend trip you would probably want a place you can fly nonstop. So for Southwest, you have FLL, TPA,and RSW in the south and JAX, ECP,and PNS in the north. For me, I would not plan a short trip to northern Florida prior to April.
So if I were you I would look at the locations I could get to and return from conveniently and focus my search on hotels there. A lot of chain hotels up and down the coast near FLL, Tampa has the Clearwater area and it is not too far to Sarasota. Ft. Myers puts you close to Naples, My only recent stay in these locations was the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort. Across the street from the beach.... as a Gold you would get breakfast... I wasn't overwhelmed with the place as it was a pretty large hotel and a little impersonal. Good luck on the search!
So if I were you I would look at the locations I could get to and return from conveniently and focus my search on hotels there. A lot of chain hotels up and down the coast near FLL, Tampa has the Clearwater area and it is not too far to Sarasota. Ft. Myers puts you close to Naples, My only recent stay in these locations was the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort. Across the street from the beach.... as a Gold you would get breakfast... I wasn't overwhelmed with the place as it was a pretty large hotel and a little impersonal. Good luck on the search!
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
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Amelia Island near JAX is relaxing and IIRC the RC there is very reasonably priced for a RC.
I also like the Hyatt (renovated HR right on the water with boat docks, a boardwalk to see birds, a beach, two pools, etc.) They provide free shuttle service from TPA airport.
Miami South Beach is for those who want nightlife, not relaxation IMO.
I also like the Hyatt (renovated HR right on the water with boat docks, a boardwalk to see birds, a beach, two pools, etc.) They provide free shuttle service from TPA airport.
Miami South Beach is for those who want nightlife, not relaxation IMO.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TPA/SRQ
Programs: Hyatt Explorer, Marriott Titanium, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, Avis Plus, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,692
For east coast I like the Hollywood Marriott. It's right on the boardwalk. Plenty of food and beverage choices in walking distance. Great ocean views. Had a lounge last time I was there.
West coast would be the hyatt on Clearwater beach. Great views high end property and right in the middle of everything. Pool and bar on the roof.
I also really liked the RC on key biscayne too. Great spa wonderful views and great location to see KB and SOBE if so inclined.
West coast would be the hyatt on Clearwater beach. Great views high end property and right in the middle of everything. Pool and bar on the roof.
I also really liked the RC on key biscayne too. Great spa wonderful views and great location to see KB and SOBE if so inclined.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,238
Although WN to ECP may look tempting, do not visit until Spring Break is over. Honestly, PCB is mostly condos and the beach is the main attraction. I find Destin too crowded. But I like PNS. It’s historic, a smallish city, good food and Pensacola Beach is lined with decent chain properties.
#13
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
Also, I also agree with the Sandestin Hilton as well. It is a nice property with most of the usual "resort" amenities and the Destin beach there is beautiful, wide with soft, white, powdery sand. But I would suggest staying away from the Pensacola Beach Hilton resort. It is a dump and I'd rather stay at the Hampton Inn with few resort amenities next to it rather stay there.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TPA/SRQ
Programs: Hyatt Explorer, Marriott Titanium, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, Avis Plus, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,692
This is a good alternative if you don't want/need very many "resort" amenities. For a Marriott Gold/Plat, this is one of the few beachfront properties with a CL and the couple of times I stayed, as a Marriott Plat, I was upgraded to a nice oceanfront room. Don't go looking for an onsite SPA or even much of a pool, but it really is right on the beach with some great views.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 194
Hyatt Regency Coconut Pointe in Naples, FL
Just got back from here this past weekend, kind of did exactly what you wanted. Great category 4 property (free annual night with Hyatt cc) or 15k points (7.5k +$100 for points and cash, may also have to pay $30/night resort fee).
Rooms are nothing special and views aren't the typical beachfront views. The pool area is amazing and has a quiet adult area (was surprised when it was actually quiet). Jacuzzi and water slides along with a lazy river can be found. The resort has a private island which I did not go because it was a little too chilly for me (high 70s/low 80s this past weekend).
Best part of the weekend get away was the $50 champagne and jazz brunch. You get a choice of a plated dish as well as a seafood buffet (crab claws, shrimp, oysters, sushi, etc).
Didn't get a chance to check out the spa so can't comment on that.
Just got back from here this past weekend, kind of did exactly what you wanted. Great category 4 property (free annual night with Hyatt cc) or 15k points (7.5k +$100 for points and cash, may also have to pay $30/night resort fee).
Rooms are nothing special and views aren't the typical beachfront views. The pool area is amazing and has a quiet adult area (was surprised when it was actually quiet). Jacuzzi and water slides along with a lazy river can be found. The resort has a private island which I did not go because it was a little too chilly for me (high 70s/low 80s this past weekend).
Best part of the weekend get away was the $50 champagne and jazz brunch. You get a choice of a plated dish as well as a seafood buffet (crab claws, shrimp, oysters, sushi, etc).
Didn't get a chance to check out the spa so can't comment on that.