Favorite Location in Florida

[Jessica E Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jessica E]

I am looking to plan a trip and was wondering if anyone had any advice on their favorite Blue Green resort in Florida. Our travel date will be before or after spring break in 2012, we are also interested in any suggestions on what to do at your favorite location.

Thanks!

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

There are a lot of locations in Florida, but since I have only been to 2 of them, I will give my opinion of those.
The Fountains: We have been there twice. Nice location close to 'The Mouse' and 'The Wizard' (Disney and Universal) From the old buildings, you can see the fireworks from Seaworld. The new buildings are near most of the new water features. A lot of time can be spend right there at the resort. Food and booze are both on site.

World Golf Village: Most of what we did was go into the town. The wife is a history teacher, so the old town stuff was a favorite for her, and if I actually admit to it, was interesting to me too.

Both resorts have nice villas, I guess I could say that either would be fine for us, but it depends on what you want.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Really not much to choose from in beach locations.

The one around Sarasota . . . Anna Maria Island or Holmes Beach, is so-so. DW and here GFs did a girls' week out there a year ago. Senor moment, can't come up with the name right now, but y'all know it. It has a Roman theme. Oh yeah, Via Roma. Funny how the brain works, or not.

I generally know the resorts from Tampa on down, what's great and what's so-so and I have been to most of them at least to give them once-over, gut-feeling evaluations.

IMHO, it is just a place so BG can have a Gulf resort, certainly not the caliber of a Hyatt or HGVC or Marriott or South Seas..

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The one around Sarasota . . . Anna Maria Island or Holmes Beach, is so-so. DW and here GFs did a girls' week out there a year ago. Senor moment, can't come up with the name right now, but y'all know it. It has a Roman theme. Oh yeah, Via Roma. Funny how the brain works, or not.

I surmise that the Sarasota area was once part of the Roman Empire, and this resort is all that survives of that time.

[shockwave7_7 Member Find all posts View Profile Close shockwave7_7]

I enjoyed my stay at the Fountains, but have yet to stay at any other BG properties in FL. I used to live in Fort Walton Beach, and really liked the beaches on the panhandle near Destin and Panama City; however, I have not seen the BG properties there.

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

Hammocks at Marathon is a great place to stay in the Keys
Solara Surfside, especially one of the two bedrooms, is my favorite beach resort
Fountains for Disney

I don't care too much for Daytona, but Casa Del Mar has just been renovated. We didn't stay there but spent a 1/2 day by the pool as day users. It was nice...I just don't like the area but wouldn't hesitate to stay there.

Hope that helps.

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

I've only been to World Golf Village and Solara and I think they are both great choices for seeing different parts of the state.

World Golf village has a great pool and is close enough commute to the old world St. Augustine. They give you a day pass to the beach club that they have an agreement with in an upscale beach town about a half hour from the resort.

Solara is a lovely boutique hotel style timeshare right on a great beach in a quiet area of Miami beach. Close enough to the action if you venture north or South, yet quiet when you just want a peaceful beach day. Be sure to book one of the 2 bedroom oceanfront units for the best views of the beach. If you don't have enough points for that you can still see the beach from the balconies, just not head on in the smaller units.

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

Hammocks at Marathon is a great place to stay in the Keys. Solara Surfside, especially one of the two bedrooms

I second these two choices.
Charles

[Jessica E Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jessica E]

Thank You!

Thank you everyone for all the valuable information! I am looking forward to my trip and your suggestions have helped me narrow down my search.

[hac Member Find all posts View Profile Close hac]

We live in Florida and have taken many weekend trips with our Bluegreen Bonus time.

1)Orlando Sunshine Resort - much smaller resort than the Fountains so a lot quieter. However, has a pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar, etc. The rooms are nice size (2 bedroom/2 bath with hot tub) and have screened porches that overlook the pool. Very close to Universal Studios, the outlet malls, and several amusement centers (one is next door). I believe the I-Drive trolley can be accessed from a stop close to this resort. Also, easy on and off of the Turnpike. Sales presentation is done at Fountains.

2)Fountains Resort - large resort with lots of amenities such as several pools (one indoor/outdoor), water slide, hot tubs, a lake with boats, many activities, game room, gym and spa service, and several restaurants and bars (including Bennihana's and Pizza Hut). There are several floor plans at the resort - some as large as the 3 bedroom Presidential Suites but most two bedroom/two baths with hot tub. Close to Disney and Sea World as well as some of the outlet malls. The I-Drive trolley is accessible from the resort. One word of caution - the sales center here is very pushy.

3)Solara Surfside - small boutique resort in Surfside (North Miami Beach). There is a pool, hot tub, beach volleyball, and grills. Most of the rooms overlook the beach, but a few look out over Collins Avenue toward Biscayne Bay. The condos are not as tall along this strip of the beach; however, at night the units on the side do look right into the windows of the next door condos. We saw some interesting stuff. Parking is valet and there is a nominal charge for owners. Beach chairs and an umbrella come with the unit - rental man on the beach gives each unit several chairs. There is a walkway along the beach that you can walk on for miles and a park just up the road where they have a public beach, kite shows, etc. Several restaurants and bars in walking distance - none on site. The closest is the Howard Johnson's two buildings down. About a half hour drive south to the action of South Beach or Bayside. Aventura with a large shopping mall and many eateries is about 20 minutes to the north. Sales staff not too pushy.

4) Hammocks at Marathon - small resort located Bayside in the Florida Keys. There is a pool area with hammocks and a hot tub, as well as some nice grills. There is a tiki bar on site that has a sunset celebration at night and music on some evenings. The bar serves wine, beer, and wine based drinks - they do not have a full liquor license, but we can't tell the difference. There is a marina next door with rental boats and kayaks, and you can charter fishing boats right off the dock. There is also a gym. You can even bring your own boat if you make a reservation in advance. Some of the rooms have nice water views - others have very little view and look toward the Coast Guard facility (think announcements on loud speakers). Located midway through the Keys so you can be in Key West in an hour. There is even a bus that takes you down if you want. Marathon has a lot of places to eat and attractions such as the Turtle Hospital, Crane Nature Park, Dolphin Research Center, diving -snorkeling-boating, and Pigeon Key - plus it is close to Bahia Honda State Park where there is a reward winning beach. Staff is always very friendly. A good place to do the sales presentation.

5) Via Roma Beach Resort - a small beach resort that I would consider to be a classic SW Florida Beach Resort. The buildings are two story with a pool and hot tub in the middle - very quiet. There are shuffle board courts and some games and books you can check out. You can walk for miles on the beach and the ocean front units are literally right on the beach. The beach is great for shelling but watch out you don't pick up a shell with a live crab in it or you may have a new pet (I did). Everyone is so friendly. They gather at night in chairs under the awning to watch the sunset and socialize. No restaurant attached to this resort - but many in walking distance and pizza delivery. Bluegreen has another property up the beach to the north that does have a restaurant attached. Sales staff is very friendly and has socials for the guests.

Hope this helps and enjoy your vacation in Florida. No matter where you end up, I am sure you will have a good time.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The beach is great for shelling but watch out you don't pick up a shell with a live crab in it or you may have a new pet (I did).

Not to mention the laws against that.

Pretty good description of Gulf resorts. The sunsets are much better than those on the right coast.