Florida, being a peninsula, has approximately 1800 miles of coastline. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean, to the south is the Caribbean and to the west is the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, there are about 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and lakes. Florida's waterfront hotels are a top draw.
The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach is minutes from Worth Avenue, a street full of upscale shops such as Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. During the heyday of The Breakers Hotel in the early 1900s, the Kennedy clan held private functions there. Built in 1896, The Breakers has retained its old-world decor while keeping up with modern amenities. The Breakers Hotel offers waterfront suites as well as standard single rooms, and rates begin at about $300 a night, as of September 2010.
Breakers Hotel
One South County Road
Palm Beach, Florida 33480
561-273-2537
thebreakers.com
The Casa Marina Resort in Key West is a property of the Waldorf Astoria hotel group. Built during the 1920s, the Casa Marina is on the National Register of Historic Places. Within walking distance of the famous Hemingway House, home to legally protected six-toed cats, the Casa Marina Resort is one of Key West's most upscale hotels. The guest rooms overlook the ocean, and the town's nightly sunset celebration is blocks away at Mallory Square. As of 2010, rooms begin at $250. The resort honors Honors Rewards Club members.
Casa Marina Resort
1500 Reynolds Street
Key West, Florida
888-303-5717
casamarinaresort.com
The Breakers may be a leading hotel on the east coast, but a top draw on Florida's gulf coast is the world-famous "Big Pink," the Don Cesar Hotel. The Don Cesar has over 250 guest rooms, two pools and suites with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Many rooms have private balconies and terraces. On the Gulf Coast of Florida, Saint Petersburg beach is well-known for shelling and snorkeling, and there are a wide variety of opportunities for sunset cruises, dolphin watches, catamaran sailings and private charters. The Don Cesar's rates begin at around $250 for a basic room as of October 2010. However, it offers special rates throughout the year, particularly during Florida's off-season, the summer months.
Don Cesar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel
3400 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, FL, 33706
727-360-1881
loweshotels.com
