Hi Ya'll!
I have a question I could really use some help with. I have to be out in the Miami area on March 20-21 for a meeting, and since it is also the kids' Spring Break week, I thought I would take them along for a little vacation during the week prior (approximately 3/17-3/20). The problem is, I am really, really on a budget this year and Spring Break in Florida is definitely peak season! I've managed to find affordable airfare flying into Ft Lauderdale (it was a little cheaper than flying into Miami), but now I need a hotel or resort. I have only spent a small amount of time in the area, so I don't know where the good beaches, resorts, etc. are. I have some flexibility....we could stay as far south as the Keys, or as far north as West Palm Beach and still easily get back to Miami for the first meeting on Friday afternoon. (We could theoretically even go as far as Sarasota, but I prefer the Atlantic side.) I'd love to hear people's suggestions for booking zones where I might have the best luck and the best prices, and where the best properties are located. Here is what would be ideal:
- Beach front hotel/resort (or very, very close). We like to be able to easily walk to the beach from the hotel.
- Nice clear water, sandy beach.
- Jet skis or other water activities close by.
- Touristy area where there will be other kids and families (I don't mind if partying young adults are around, but I'd like to see families there too!).
- Nice hotel that doesn't feel run-down (but it doesn't have to be a 5* resort either).
Just a quick preliminary search shows these types of properties running about $300 and up per night. I'd be thrilled to get something like this for around $200 per night, as we are only going to be staying 3 nights due to the budget. (Though we do have time to stay an extra day if it was affordable!) I do realize that resort fees, parking fees, etc are common at these types of properties and I'm prepared for extra charges.
If anyone has any ideas of where I should be looking/bidding I'd be super grateful!
:)