Thanks kindly Henrik! The 'where I want to stay' part (if you mean area) is flexible, but I STRONGLY want it to be on or adjacent to a beach. And, yes, I've thought about (and looked at) Clrwtr, etc., actually prefering the St. Pete end (or anywhere in between the two). We stayed there last year in a kind of quaint, verging-on-dumpy hotel/motel across from the beach (the view of which was blocked by tall hotels & condos on the beach side) in Treasure Island last year. I do not want to be across the street from the beach like that again. It sucked! Didn't like not having access to amenities directly on the beach there (i.e., pool, jacuzzi, hotel tiki bar, etc.). Don't recall name of motel where we stayed. Got a fair rate-not great--I didn't go thru HALF as much research as this year. --But it helped shape what I DO want this year. I'm also considering Ft. Lauderdale Beach, West Palm/Palm/Delray/Boynton Beaches, etc., in addition to Ft. Myers Beach (wd consider the Lighthouse in a pinch, but not the Shipwreck!), Bonita Beach, Sanibel, Captiva and Marco Islands. Travelling to the east Fla. coast is a longer drive and I'd rather avoid it unless I can obtain the ULTIMATE resort setting, ON the beach. Not really wanting Naples because the only thing I saw directly on the beach is the big resort, which is having a blues fest that Saturday (yuck) or I could've gotten a king rm for $99 a night on EasyClickTravel a couple wks ago. (Plus, it has what I consider exorbitant 'resort'-type fees: $15 PER PERSON PER DAY to use fitness equip, additional $20 PER PERSON PER DAY to access their jacuzzi -which is in the spa- or $25 PER PERSON PER DAY to access both!!) MY MUST-HAVE Hotel Amenities: king or queen bed/s (double too small; bf is a 6'3" bodybuilder!); refrig/coffee-maker; decent pool area w/sufficient sunning space/chairs; ON or ADJACENT (on the side of) to a Gulf or Atlantic beach (wd consider Bayside IF it was a stunning resort otherwise &/or provided beach shuttle/is on a small island). STRONGLY PREFERRED Amenities: jacuzzi or whirlpool tub; fitness room; on-site restaurant NICE-TO-HAVE: Outdoor refreshments; free breakfast buffet; blowdryer; bathroom amenities I'm now seeing AWESOME rates in Bonita Springs (~$69-80).... Tho nothing ON the beach, some are less than a mile away and on bodies of water. I must investigate further. I wanted to stay under $100 a night incl taxes/fees if I could (I know, I'm asking for a lot!), but might go as much as 25/night higher if I could get something SPECTACULAR for the price. Am I dreaming? And am I too scattered w/all this? I'm trying to give myself leeway since the rates are all over right now. I feel I should've come on here three weeks ago before I got within the two-week threshold of my date! Now, every price is significantly higher, altho I am noticing that both PL & HW hotels/prices/availability changes daily. Thanks for any help! Very sincerely dawn(zig)