Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason it needs to be Florida vs other warm locations near water?

We have limited time for a vacation in December so between the short non-stop flight and the fact that my kids have never been to a Florida beach makes it appealing. Definitely want something where we can swim in the ocean so we may need to go to the Caribbean instead.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason it needs to be Florida vs other warm locations near water?

Not OP, but we go there in December since it's an easy flight. Caribbean doesn't have a lot of close directs from here except Bahamas, and it can be cold there in December too. They also don't heat the pools at Atlantis. The nicer resorts would be boring for teens.

Is there a reason it needs to be Florida vs other warm locations near water?

My DCs enjoyed the Ritz in Naples

Anonymous wrote:When are you going? Summer?

We like
Sandpearl
JW Marco Island
Omni Amelia Island
Hyatt Coconut Point
Ritz Naples


Not beach, but amazing pools and great gym:

Ritz/JW Orlando Grande Lakes

+1 to Sandpearl and Ritz Naples, though I must admit I didn't use the gym at either...

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone, this is for December and I'm realizing we may need the Caribbean to reliably swim in the ocean. But I still appreciate these recommendations, might shift the Florida idea to March.

South of Lake Okeechobee you should be fine in December. Even March north of that could be chilly for swimming IMO.

Thanks everyone, this is for December and I'm realizing we may need the Caribbean to reliably swim in the ocean. But I still appreciate these recommendations, might shift the Florida idea to March.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.watercolorresort.com/

Watercolor Resort on 30A - there's the beach, pool, plus a lake for paddleboarding, bike rentals, plus lots of teens that walk to Seaside shops and restaurants.

A lake? In Florida? Don’t go in lakes in Florida. Come on people.

When are you going? Summer?

We like
Sandpearl
JW Marco Island
Omni Amelia Island
Hyatt Coconut Point
Ritz Naples


Not beach, but amazing pools and great gym:

Ritz/JW Orlando Grande Lakes

https://www.watercolorresort.com/

Watercolor Resort on 30A - there's the beach, pool, plus a lake for paddleboarding, bike rentals, plus lots of teens that walk to Seaside shops and restaurants.

LaPlaya in Naples
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point (Bonita Springs)

Camp Creek Inn on 30a. Great gym, pool complex, golf and access to Beach Club.

See if they have a webcam or find a Facebook group for the area to check the sargassum situation—as well as red tide.

Marco Island JW Marriott
Ritz Key Biscayne
Boca Beach Club
Don Cesar St Pete’s

Title says it all, the choices are overwhelming and we haven't been to any of them. Happy to pay for a great one - any recs? Thank you!