Orlando's nearest beaches are less than 60 miles east on the Atlantic Coast near the former Cape Canaveral. This destination, now known as Space Coast, features budget and moderately priced accommodations. Nearby, Daytona Beach has the closest luxury ocean resort to Orlando. To the west, several more deluxe accommodation options are located along Florida's award-winning gulf beaches.
The Shores Resort and Spa is a straight 55 miles from Orlando on I-4 East, making it accessible for a day trip. This is Central Florida's only AAA Four-Diamond luxury hotel, and it's located on the barrier island's ocean shores. Terraced guest rooms and suites have waterfront views of the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Guests find plenty of distractions as the full-service resort has a heated outdoor saltwater pool overlooking the ocean, a well-equipped fitness center and a fine-dining oceanfront restaurant that will cater a candlelit supper in a private beach cabana. Snuggle up in a big Adirondack chair to roast marshmallows at the fire pit at dusk, sip a frosty drink at the straw hut Tiki Bar or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
Drive 73 miles from Disney World in Lake Buena Vista west to Tampa and a farther 30 miles west to cross Old Tampa Bay into St. Pete Beach, which is home to Don CeSar Resort. Known as the pink palace, this historic landmark resembling a Mediterranean palace has catered to discerning guests visiting the gulf since 1928. Beach days may be spent hopping in and out of the warm water and walking on white sand along the Gulf of Mexico. If the children are coming to Florida, Camp CeSar children's camp and Loews "We love kids" programs make for fun times. The whole family is welcome as the resort is pet-friendly.
It's 94 miles yet a world away from the savannah of Disney's Animal Kingdom to the gulf's turquoise water at Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater. The resort has a private, white stretch of sandy beach. With colorful cabanas, sun umbrellas and beach chairs, a day of relaxing may be just the ticket. For active individuals, a selection of jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks await. Spend a day on the water in a three-masted schooner. Caretta on the Gulf is Clearwater's top-rated restaurant and the casual Tate Island Grill has live entertainment. Expect the usual five-star amenities from morning-yoga studio to an afternoon dip in the heated lagoon-style pool and an evening spent beside the seaside fire pits.
When you're bringing the kids along, Sheraton's Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach has their beach fun all figured out. The resort's private beach is enormous at 13 acres, so guests can spread out. For those preferring to stay closer to home, the beach hut rents jet skis, chairs and umbrellas, and three tennis courts and a swimming pool are close by. For those who'd like to take their swings on the links, talk to the concierge, who can fix up a tee time at Belleair Country Club located 10 minutes away.
