Beachfront luxury

Coming down near Memorial Day for a 4 day weekend. Have a 7 and 10 year old. Would like an un-stuffy but luxury beachfront accomodation. Any area is fine within 40 or less minutes from an airport. Any great suggestions? Not really sure what areas are better to stay in due to much hurricane damage over the years.

Thanks

Beachfront luxury

The Ritz Carlton Naples, Ritz Carlton Manalapan/Palm Beach, and the Four Seasons Palm Beach are Mobil 5 Star places, the only ones in Florida in fact. So they%26#39;re definitely luxury (thought the 4 Seasons doesn%26#39;t look like much from outside), but they could be a little stuffy at least, concerning their rating.

Others worth considering:

1. Don Cesar, St. Petersburg: the old hotel in St. Pete, the ';Pink Palace.';

2. The Breakers, Palm Beach: the old hotel in Palm Beach

3. Ritz Carlton Amelia Island: a Ritz, but since it is north of Jacksonville, probably a different feel there, maybe not as stuffy

4. Disney%26#39;s Vero Beach Resort (Disney Vacation Club): a timeshare property and inn. May be better for a 7 and 10 year old, depending on their attitude toward Disney stuff, but may be farther from a big airport

5. Marriott Ocean Pointe, Palm Beach Shores: not the typical luxury hotel amenities (no onsite sit down restaurant, etc.), but good units. We stayed in a 3 bedroom facing the beach (all 3 bedrooms face the beach) with granite countertops in the kitchen and 2 master bedrooms, as well as two balconies facing the beach (one was partially blocked by palm trees). A number of kids around, play area, volleyball courts, cabanas by the beach, and about 5 miles from Palm Beach Gardens, with some nice restaurants there, and 25 minutes from Palm Beach proper. Definitely not stuffy, is a timeshare, but if you skip the welcome desk next to the check-in, you%26#39;d miss solicitation (other than a few automated messages on the phone).

All of the above are oceanfront properties.

Beachfront luxury

There is a New hotel opening in May called

Acqualina by Rosewood, Five Star, will make its debute on national TV. It is located between Miami Beach and FT Lauderdale on the beach. It is 18mi and 14mi from Miami and Ft.Lauderdale airports respectively. There is nothing like it in all Florida. They have special kids activity programs and so called baby butler.

Family looking for April 17th break. Warm destination.

Any hotels to recommend in Ft. Lauderdale or St. Pete%26#39;s (apart from Pink Palace :))

Thanks and Happy Easter

That new place sounds nice, Sim. All things being equal, however, I%26#39;d prefer my butler to be at least 21.

I would suggest three possible Ft. Lauderdale hotels: Lago Mar, Harbor Beach Marriott or Best Western Pelican Beach. All are right on the Ocean and usually have organized activities for kids, while still being luxurious for the adults. The Best Western should be slightly less expensive but is a little less well located. There are many reviews of each in the Fort Lauderdale Forum. Almost all hurricane damage has been repaired in tourist areas about town- and these three facilities had none that I know of. The Fort Lauderdale Grande ( Formerly the Marriott Marina) is still in need of repair and the previous owners sold it rather than bear the expense. I don%26#39;t know how much repair/renovation the new owners are prepared to make, but at any rate it would not be among my first choices in any case.

I think you may find rates all over town rather high on a holiday weekend and I am not sure if accomodations at any of the spots mentioned are still available.