Winter Break Ideas: Florida

I'm always desperate to get away to somewhere warm for the February break...but really, who isn't? Which is why pretty much every year we end up going somewhere that isn't warm, but maybe has an indoor pool, and lots of good indoor activities in close proximity. (Last year it was Philadelphia.) Because as much as I like to plan, the proximity of holiday planning to winter break planning is just too close, and the holidays win out. Will I ever learn that you book winter break trips a year in advance? Anyway, here are some places that look good to me, in Florida. I'll try to post a couple of other winter break roundups this week, in other warm-weather states.

Postcard Inn, Islamorada (The closest key to Miami!) Last year I recommended their place in St. Petersburg, and several families I know went and loved it. This looks pretty fantastic.

The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club, Delray Beach

The Pelican Inn, Dog Island (Panhandle)

The Gasparilla Inn and Club (Gulf side, near-ish to Fort Myers)
Yes, this one is the most expensive one I will list. I am dying to go here.

Seaside (Florida Panhandle)

Casa Marina in Jacksonville, Florida

Everglades Rod and Gun Club ( Everglades City--a backwater fried-fish type of place. You can take fan boats around the Everglades and see alligators and giant snakes and beautiful migratory birds.)

Hawks Cay
This is a resort with a capital R. Normally I'm not a fan of places like this, but I have friends who went there, and don't like resorts, and were crazy for it. Not cheap.

Nonchalant Mom checks out the Postcard Inn

I did a post last week about a Times article that wrote up the Postcard Inn in St. Petersburg Florida...and I recommended it to a friend, who booked her family spring break there.  I always get a little nervous when someone takes my recommendation for a place I haven't actually been, so when I read that Nonchalant Mom just went there, and loved it, I was very relieved. No, I don't know Nonchalant Mom, but everything I read about her, I like.  Check out her post--her pictures (I'm only showing two of her many here) are also so much better than the Postcard Inn's website--I would book a trip just based on her pics and her comments.

(pictures from nonchalant mom)

Spring Break Idea: St. Pete Florida

I loved this Sunday's piece in the NY Times by Jane Margolies, on last minute winter getaways. She had tons of great ideas, but the one I immediately looked into is the new Postcard Inn in St. Pete.  It looks perfect.  It's right on the beach (Gulf Coast--which usually has the prettiest blue, calmer water), has a pool, and a Wildwood BBQ & Burger restaurant. The property is a former 1957 Travelodge, and they redid it in a smart way--it seems modern, not fussy...just what you want if you are looking to stay in sandy flip-flops all day.  Even better, it's cheap.  For a room that has two queen beds, it's under $200 a night.  And it's a half hour from Tampa, so there are plenty of direct flights there. I think I have to get there fast...I haven't had a sunny warm day since October.