The Standard Miami is a hip, four-pearl spa hotel with 100 rooms located on Belle Isle, between downtown Miami and South Beach. The centerpiece is the hotel's famous spa, which features hydrotherapy baths, a mud room, and a Turkish hammam, and though some of the retro-inspired rooms feature perks like wrap-around decks with private soaking tubs, many are compact and could use a little TLC. Other features include a bayside pool and well-liked restaurant with all sorts of healthy (and not-so-healthy) options plus bars for juices and cocktails. It's a great option for those wanting trendy name-brand style and a fantastic spa, but those looking for sleeker rooms and more of a party vibe may be better off splurging for a stay at the Delano South Beach Hotel instead.
The Standard Miami is a hip, four-pearl spa hotel with 100 rooms located on Belle Isle, between downtown Miami and South Beach. The centerpiece is the hotel's famous spa, which features hydrotherapy baths, a mud room, and a Turkish hammam, and though some of the retro-inspired rooms feature perks like wrap-around decks with private soaking tubs, many are compact and could use a little TLC. Other features include a bayside pool and well-liked restaurant with all sorts of healthy (and not-so-healthy) options plus bars for juices and cocktails. It's a great option for those wanting trendy name-brand style and a fantastic spa, but those looking for sleeker rooms and more of a party vibe may be better off splurging for a stay at the Delano South Beach Hotel instead.
Spread across 12 waterfront acres in the Florida Keys, Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort is a collection of upscale tropical Victorian-style homes divided into multi-story two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens and water views. There are also a handful of guestrooms without ocean views. With a private beach, three pools (including one adults-only), and an array of on-site water sport activities available, the property is a great fit for vacationing families. A waterfront tiki bar is a scenic spot to sip cocktails, but a car is needed to explore outside of the resort.
Spread across 12 waterfront acres in the Florida Keys, Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort is a collection of upscale tropical Victorian-style homes divided into multi-story two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens and water views. There are also a handful of guestrooms without ocean views. With a private beach, three pools (including one adults-only), and an array of on-site water sport activities available, the property is a great fit for vacationing families. A waterfront tiki bar is a scenic spot to sip cocktails, but a car is needed to explore outside of the resort.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista feels more like a small town than a hotel. With 1,682 apartment-style units, seven pools, three restaurants, a mini-market, and tons of on-site amenities, the property provides a fair share of fun on-site, plus it's within a 15-minute drive of local theme parks. Contemporary, homey villas have full kitchens, living rooms, and free Wi-Fi, but not all have elevator access or outdoor spaces. The Sheraton offers great value for families, but it may not be the best place for couples or business travelers, who may prefer the nearby Orlando World Center Marriott, though it tends to be pricier.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
Bluegreen Fountains Resort is a huge three-and-a-half-pearl time-share spread out over 54 acres, a 12-minute drive from Walt Disney World. It features a whopping 569 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and washer/dryers, for up to eight guests. The emphasis here is heavy on leisure, with three pools (one with a pair of waterslides), a huge game room, and all sorts of activities for all ages, from fitness classes to special activities for kids. However, guests really need a car, as there's not much within walking distance. Travelers may feel less isolated staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive, a 10-minute walk from the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
Sitting on 410 acres of lovely beachfront grounds complete with a 45-hole golf course and a deep-water marina, this three-and-a-half-pearl resort attracts vacationers looking to relax. The 223 contemporary rooms are well equipped with flat-screen TVs, Bose radios, mini-fridges, and microwaves, plus all have private balconies. Suites add full kitchens, living rooms, washing machines, and dryers. Property features include an attractive outdoor pool and eight restaurants/lounges, plus a gym, workout studio, spa, salon, and meeting space. There's also a beach with lounge chairs that's directly accessible from the property. Note that a mandatory resort fee that covers things like a shuttle service to St. Armand’s Circle. Travelers looking for a more intimate property with self-catering options might check out the Sandpiper Inn instead, which has a simple beach-cottage vibe.
Sitting on 410 acres of lovely beachfront grounds complete with a 45-hole golf course and a deep-water marina, this three-and-a-half-pearl resort attracts vacationers looking to relax. The 223 contemporary rooms are well equipped with flat-screen TVs, Bose radios, mini-fridges, and microwaves, plus all have private balconies. Suites add full kitchens, living rooms, washing machines, and dryers. Property features include an attractive outdoor pool and eight restaurants/lounges, plus a gym, workout studio, spa, salon, and meeting space. There's also a beach with lounge chairs that's directly accessible from the property. Note that a mandatory resort fee that covers things like a shuttle service to St. Armand’s Circle. Travelers looking for a more intimate property with self-catering options might check out the Sandpiper Inn instead, which has a simple beach-cottage vibe.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
An amusement park in itself, this enormous, 1800-room upper-middle-range property is inside of Universal Orlando and within easy walking distance of Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Rooms are decked out in zany colors and there are plenty of family-friendly suites with wet bars. With an enormous pool area equipped with waterslides, plus a bowling alley, arcade, and early admission to Universal, the hotel is geared toward families, much more so than the neighboring sister property Loews Royal PacificResort. Although it has a couple of bar areas and large fitness center, business guests and adults without children might find Cabana Bay a little loud and kitschy.
A sprawling, 584-room resort located directly on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort has put effort into its grounds and interior, from the palm tree-lined lobby and warmly decorated rooms to the impressive outdoor pond with fountain and covered walkways. The hotel sits on 20 acres of beachfront property and offers a number of water sports, including a giant slide, as well as several dining and entertainment options that are great for families with kids. This upscale resort even packs a bit of a value, as all modern rooms include kitchenettes, but a pesky resort fee is a major downside.
A sprawling, 584-room resort located directly on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort has put effort into its grounds and interior, from the palm tree-lined lobby and warmly decorated rooms to the impressive outdoor pond with fountain and covered walkways. The hotel sits on 20 acres of beachfront property and offers a number of water sports, including a giant slide, as well as several dining and entertainment options that are great for families with kids. This upscale resort even packs a bit of a value, as all modern rooms include kitchenettes, but a pesky resort fee is a major downside.
The W South Beach is a trendy, luxury hotel with a sophisticated look and relaxed atmosphere popular with young professionals and families. The 401 rooms and suites are massive and stylish, featuring minibars, furnished balconies, and Bliss products, although the wear and tear can take away from the overall high-end feeling. Suite have extra perks, small kitchenettes, and plunge pools. The pool and beach areas are favorites, but expect loud music at the former and occasionally, too few loungers. Free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour gym, small spa, and tasty on-site restaurants are convenient. For a bigger pool and less lively atmosphere, consider the nearby 1 Hotel South Beach.
The W South Beach is a trendy, luxury hotel with a sophisticated look and relaxed atmosphere popular with young professionals and families. The 401 rooms and suites are massive and stylish, featuring minibars, furnished balconies, and Bliss products, although the wear and tear can take away from the overall high-end feeling. Suite have extra perks, small kitchenettes, and plunge pools. The pool and beach areas are favorites, but expect loud music at the former and occasionally, too few loungers. Free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour gym, small spa, and tasty on-site restaurants are convenient. For a bigger pool and less lively atmosphere, consider the nearby 1 Hotel South Beach.
Calypso Resort and Towers is an enormous double high-rise resort that stretches up from the beach in Panama City. The resort is one of the nicer properties in the area with private beach access, two pools, and a convenient location just one block away from the shopping, dining, and attractions of Pier Park. Each of the 600 rooms are equipped with expected condo amenities such full kitchens with dishwasher, and washer/dryers. The inside of the resort is a bit dated, but the location and beach access cannot be beat. Guests should be aware that decor varies widely between condos, and some visitors report that while oceanfront balconies are appealing, views vary depending on the tower floor.
Calypso Resort and Towers is an enormous double high-rise resort that stretches up from the beach in Panama City. The resort is one of the nicer properties in the area with private beach access, two pools, and a convenient location just one block away from the shopping, dining, and attractions of Pier Park. Each of the 600 rooms are equipped with expected condo amenities such full kitchens with dishwasher, and washer/dryers. The inside of the resort is a bit dated, but the location and beach access cannot be beat. Guests should be aware that decor varies widely between condos, and some visitors report that while oceanfront balconies are appealing, views vary depending on the tower floor.
About 20 minutes south of Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park, the sprawling 360-room Reunion Resort is a condo property with lots to do on-site. Its one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas have full kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces. In-room Wi-Fi, access to the huge, stellar water park with a lazy river, parking, and entry to 10 pools are covered by the daily resort fee. Other top features include daily kids' activities, three signature golf courses, and multiple restaurants , including one offering views of Disney fireworks. Beware that the huge complex means taking the intra-resort shuttle is often necessary. Another South of Disney hotel worth considering is the all-villa Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista, which has a scaled-down (but still plentiful) list of features and generally lower rates.
About 20 minutes south of Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park, the sprawling 360-room Reunion Resort is a condo property with lots to do on-site. Its one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas have full kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces. In-room Wi-Fi, access to the huge, stellar water park with a lazy river, parking, and entry to 10 pools are covered by the daily resort fee. Other top features include daily kids' activities, three signature golf courses, and multiple restaurants , including one offering views of Disney fireworks. Beware that the huge complex means taking the intra-resort shuttle is often necessary. Another South of Disney hotel worth considering is the all-villa Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas- Lake Buena Vista, which has a scaled-down (but still plentiful) list of features and generally lower rates.