Newport or Destin?

[pcgirl54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcgirl54]

It won't be warm in Newport but I would chose that based on the short drive otherwise I would pick Destin.

Mansions

Christmas at the Newport Mansions - Newport Mansions

The 38th Annual Christmas in Newport Celebration

Christmas Feast in Newport - Astors' Beechwood Mansion, Newport RI The Astors is not part of the Newport Historical Society. They have actors that portray life as it was in the heyday of Newport.


Rough Point is Doris Duke's Mansion in Newport. Doris Duke Clothing Exhibit at Rough Point - Doris Duke Mansion Newport Rhode Island

Inexpensive but good places to eat

Terrific Fried clams at famous Flo's-cash only
Flo's Clam Shack Seafood Restaurant in Middletown, RI.

I have not been to Becky's BBQ but heard it is good and it is across from the Christmas Tree Shop in Middletown.
Becky's Barbecue Restaurant in Middletown, RI

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sanibel ....Go for it!

[x3skier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close x3skier]

I vote for Newport unless you enjoy driving through some possibly horrible weather for a Loooooonnnnnnngggggg time.

I have toured some of the manisions and they are spectacular.

Cheers

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Tough choice, warm or short drive....
If you choose Newport you will have a good time, lots of events going on, although many of the concerts etc are over before that week. The weekend still has quite a bit going on according to the schedule.
As Frank said Castle Hill Inn is a great restaurant and has super view also. If you go there and are up for a short hike there is a trail right off the Castle Hill Inn's parking lot that takes you to a point with a small lighthouse on it that also has a great view and the lighthouse setting is great for photos.
Canfield House on upper Memorial Blvd is also a very nice restaurant with great food (we just ate there last week when we were there). One of many restaurants offering season deals of 2 dinners plus bottle of wine for $28. The deserts (if you partake) add about $9 a piece to the bill but they are really super. lol
If you have any other questions about Newport this time of year, let me know, we were just there last week.
Also, if you can see any of the Wyndham places actually in Newport I would take one of those instead of Jamestown. (I can't see any available tho)
The Jamestown place is a great TS but the ones right in Newport allow you to walk to the downtown and warf areas. You still need to drive to Bellview where the mansions are tho, although only a couple of blocks.
There is plenty of parking this time of year tho so just a drive across the bridge from Jamestown, about 10 minutes.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Well, you couldn't pay me to drive to FL, especially for just one week.

BUT, since you would obviously consider it, go to Sanibel, you know you love it there!

Newport would be lovely, but I think a week would be a long time up there in the winter. Still, if it were me, the long-drive-hater, I'd take a long weekend in Newport over the week in Sanibel.


eta: I've been thinking about this, changing my vote to Newport.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

My comments in #10 in this thread still hold. If Sanibel, when will you leave home and will you be driving I-95? We are leaving Dec 25 so that we will miss most of the traffic. We hope to make a big day of 25th and then a shorter day on 26th which can be back roads.

I do love Sanibel and have never stayed overnight there.

Nancy

[tonik Member Find all posts View Profile Close tonik]

well the decision just got tougher and the drive a little longer because I just put Caribe on Sanibel on hold with a 12/28 check-in...

I would give anything be somewhere warm right now! If I was going to a beach, I would definitely pick a warm place like Sanibel. The airfare is probably outrageous as tis the season but would highly consider it.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

and now we are back to Newport. I think that is where we will end up.

Exchange Details
Wyndham Inn on the Harbor
Resort ID 0770
Check-In Date 12/27/2008
Unit Type 1
Max Occ / Privacy 4/4
Kitchen P

So many choices! The resort info says this one is walking distance to everything?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

and now we are back to Newport. I think that is where we will end up.

Exchange Details
Wyndham Inn on the Harbor
Resort ID 0770
Check-In Date 12/27/2008
Unit Type 1
Max Occ / Privacy 4/4
Kitchen P

So many choices! The resort info says this one is walking distance to everything?

I stayed here. It is right in the heart of Thames street, walk to everything (but not the mansions). For just three of you, it's fine, but it's not large for a 1 bedroom (living room is on the small side, but fine for one kid to sleep). Kitchen only partial. Most units have a water view from the living room, but beware that the bedroom may not have a window, it's a "railroad" type layout with the bedroom in the back, living room in front. Some units vary, but it looked like most were set up that way. Everything was new when I was there two or three years ago.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I stayed here. It is right in the heart of Thames street, walk to everything (but not the mansions). For just three of you, it's fine, but it's not large for a 1 bedroom (living room is on the small side, but fine for one kid to sleep). Kitchen only partial. Most units have a water view from the living room, but beware that the bedroom may not have a window, it's a "railroad" type layout with the bedroom in the back, living room in front. Some units vary, but it looked like most were set up that way. Everything was new when I was there two or three years ago.

Thanks GB!

It's on hold until tomorrow night. Sounds like it will suit us fine as I really don't expect us to be up there all week and you know I'll be watching for something better to come up between now and Sunday.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Well,

I guess you weren't going to be in Destin while I was there. So, okay, go to Newport.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Well,

I guess you weren't going to be in Destin while I was there. So, okay, go to Newport.

Mike,

Like ships in the night...you would have been checking out and we would have been checking in.

Don't worry. We will meet up eventually.

Thinking of San Antonio for Easter 2010. The WYN resorts there are very appealing.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks GB!

It's on hold until tomorrow night. Sounds like it will suit us fine as I really don't expect us to be up there all week and you know I'll be watching for something better to come up between now and Sunday.

You can't beat the location, and I know you're a location, location kind of girl... the place is really fine, clean, new, just a little on the small side but for a few days it'll do, really. I'd go back. If I found a two bedroom somewhere slightly less convenient, I'd take it to free up the living room.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

You can't beat the location, and I know you're a location, location kind of girl... the place is really fine, clean, new, just a little on the small side but for a few days it'll do, really. I'd go back. If I found a two bedroom somewhere slightly less convenient, I'd take it to free up the living room.

Sounds good and if that's all there is we're fine. Especially with the prime location.

The boys would like an indoor pool...did I ever share the HGVC S Beach hysteria because there wasn't a pool? But I have told them there are only 2 resorts in Newport that do have an indoor and the chances of me finding one in 30 hours or less are slim and none.

Oh yeah and a fireplace would be nice, and hey what about a jacuzzi tub?... they are too used to my magic. Magic is limited to cancellations for week 52 in a drive to location unfortunately. I'm happy to have found this one after losing the Jamestown!

Now researching membership discounts and restaurants...

How many mansion tours will a 14yo go on? Does anyone think a membership would pay for itself in +/- 4 days.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Save the Breakers for last, it's downhill from there in terms of grandeur. Maybe find the boys a pool somewhere (call the resort, you may have pool privileges at another Wyndham if there is one w/a pool), and do some tours on your own...