Have been researching places to stay on the beach for a two week period and have found many to choose from. Some seem to be set up like an apartment. Rates seem to be reasonable and get better the longer the stay.
My problem is which to choose. Originally started looking at Pensecola but would also be interested in other destinations along the Gulf. Prefer to stay as far North as possible.
Any suggestions would be helpful. No children would be along and would prefer a quiet surrounding.

Hi Kim,

I know you said "as far north as possible",
but.......
Naples, on the lower west coast, is really nice, IMHO, and while it may be a bit pricey, the area is beautiful, and interesting. Good restaurants, hotels, shopping, fine beaches. Not as crowded as the more touristy areas, but I guess it depends what you are looking for. Might have a look at the website for Naples and the SW Florida area.

bj-21.

------------------
'Tis better to have played and won, then never to have played at all.

I like the Tampa/ST. Petersburg area myself.

Fort DeSoto park, the Dali Museum, Jai-Alai,
Ybor City, Lots to do or do nothing at all.

Article about Naples in The New York Times:

... Naples has always been
extraordinarily pretty, with bright
green St. Augustine grass, tall
hedges, banyan trees and those
palms that lean at 45-degree
angles. But now it has a new look
� money. Only Palm Beach can
compare

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/14/travel/NAPLES.html

Another alternative a "little" father north than Naples on the Gulf side is Sanibel Island...an excellent choice for warm waters, great beaches for shelling, quiet/natural surroundings, great restaurants, and lots of relaxation time.

If you want more details, just Email me. I've been there many time as a kid, and just a few weeks ago with my own family. I'd be happy to chat about it.

Good luck with your quest.

It was my first time at Sanibel a few weeks back. ( Missed E by a few days ).

I'll second E's reccomendation. It is a great place.

Well, I'm sort-of a Florida native, and I can tell you that there is a not-very-flattering term South Floridians use for the vacation spots in northern Florida. I won't repeat it here, but let's just say its initials are RR. (some of you will surely know what I'm talking about)

In general, if you don't have kids, and are looking for peace and quiet, I would not recommend northern FL.

Tampa and Naples in the SW are perfect. White sand beaches! The Keys are a perfect secluded getaway (sometimes difficult to believe you're still in the US), although not that much of a "beach" destination, surprisingly enough. Key West is one of the few places in FL that has its own sort of cultural vibe.

What would I do in your position? My hometown bias shows: I'd stay in Ft Lauderdale. It gives you easy access to Ft Lauderdale's beach/tourist stuff, Miami nightlife (I hate South Beach, but I'm in the minority on that), small towns along the coast like Jupiter Island and Stuart, and day trips to the Keys. The Doubletree Ft Lauderdale beach has reasonable rates (although higher in peak season), great location, nice rooms, but truly atrocious service (last time, I had to call Hilton World Headquarters just to get housekeeping to clean my room -- I kid you not!).

Kimmie, If you want to stay as far North as possible, have you considered the Maritime Provinces?

If you really want north Florida, Amelia Island just north of Jacksonville is really quite nice. I don't think the negative comments about northern Florida apply to this area.

North Florida beaches that will put south Florida to shame:

St. George's Island (80 miles from Tallahassee and near Apalachicola).

Destin - many times voted one of best beaches in north America.

Amelia Island - see above post

A little further north, I think Sarasota is a great area, with powdery white sand beaches, a cute town, an small but excellent art museum, etc. Sorry I can't recommend a resort as I always stay with friends.

KIMDOESIT:

You are lucky - October is a very good month for a Florida vacation. It's still off-season and the weather is O.K. Remember, when you go from Dec. to February go better to Sarasota or South of Sarasota. Tampa Bay or North Florida can be pretty cold.

Regarding the beaches read this - it's brand new from today's Florida Real Estate Headlines, a weekly newsletter:

The doctor's report is in and there's some good news for several Florida
coastal communities. Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, (aka "Dr. Beach"), director
for the Laboratory for Coastal Research at FIU in Miami, named seven Florida
beaches to his 2001 "America's Best Beaches" list. St. Joseph Peninsula
State Park ranked second, followed by Caladesi Island State Park (5); Fort
DeSoto Park (6); Cape Florida SRA (9); Siesta Beach (13); St. George Island
State Park (16); and Perdido Key (17). More info (including where these
beaches are located), go to: http://planetrealtor.com , keywords "Dr.
Beach."


[This message has been edited by USAFAN (edited 06-04-2001).]

If you do decide on NW Flirda, and want to avoid the crowds, go a little past Destin to Blue Mountain Beach or Seaside area.

Plenty of rentals, some B & Bs, and hotel if you prefer nearby, but not right THERE. Really good restaurants...Criolla's, Bud & Alley's, etc.

If you go thru Seaside (Where they filmed The Truman Show if you want to see what it looks like), stop at Modica Market and get some good chow to take across the road to the beach and sit in the sand and have a picnic.

Pensacola's nice, but more hustle and bustle, though not as bad as Destin. Just depends on what you want.

You could also consider Navarre. It's halfway between Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach. Miles of white beaches across the bridge, gulfside, and not as busy as the Pensacola Beach end of the island.

Any questions or further advice, feel free to email me.

-Harry

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 06-04-2001).]

I'd have to second the suggestions for Sanibel Island. I've been there with my family a number of times now over the past few years, and find it very relaxing.

There's also some pretty good restaurants and interesting shops on the island and up on Captiva Island if you're so inclined.

As well, you're fairly close to Naples which has also received a few votes here.

YES, I know this is SOUTHWEST Florida, not North Florida...but a recent thread mut be interesting to readers anyway:

Sanibel Island Restaurant Recommendations

RAD

[Edited to fix the URL]

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 06-04-2001).]