A stunning high-rise view of the glittering city. A vintage home-away-from-home that evokes an elegant yesteryear. A little cabin in the woods that comes with pieces, quiet, and distant croaking frogs.
These experiences, and more, can be found at Florida hotels.
For those looking for a side of history with their accommodations, The Breakers in Palm Beach, Loews Don CeSar Hotel at St. Pete Beach, the Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg and the Fontainebleu Miami Beach are the ticket. These historic hotels in Florida date from the late 1800s to the roaring 20s to the cool 1950s, and it's easy to imagine railroad tycoons and Rat Pack regulars roaming the halls. There's history to be found, too, at the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola and the Island Hotel in Cedar Key.
Distinctive architecture can be experienced in two ways in Miami Beach, with a bumping car cruise along Ocean Drive or by booking a room at one of the many updated Art Deco hotels along the bustling street. Do you need to be seen? This is the place to show off designer duds and boogie the night away. Likewise, if you're all about people watching, get your ogle on here. Many of the hotels were built in the 1920s and while they have undergone thorough facelifts, their historic names remain the same: Tides, Colony, and Savoy.
The thrill of the new also has its place when you are booking hotels in Florida. The city that celebrates contemporary accommodations more than any other is Orlando. From luxury brands such as the Ritz-Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria to more familiar chains, Florida's good-time city has nearly 90,000 hotel rooms.
The theme parks there have developed distinct Florida hotel personalities, from the Victorian, futuristic and upscale rustic lodgings at Walt Disney World to Universal's hard-rocking and global themed accommodations. Orlando is Florida's hotel mecca and there is not a price range or style that has been overlooked.
Sometimes though, rooms with views of Florida's natural wonders are the order of the day. Beach accommodations, from new high rises to 1950s motels that evoke station wagon days, can be found all along Florida's more than 1,300 mile coastine. There's nothing like a right-on-the-beach hotel in Florida to relieve stress for a vacationer escaping dreary skies and a packed work schedule. The Florida lifestyle is available for nightly rates from Grayton Beach to Anna Maria Island to Cocoa Beach and beyond.
Looking for smaller accommodations? Florida's B&Bs and inns scale back the number of rooms without sacrificing style. Cities such as St. Augustine, Mount Dora, and Apalachicola celebrate their histories by offering updated vintage accommodations, breakfast included of course.
Florida hotels are as varied as the visitors who come to the Sunshine State for family vacations, honeymoons, conferences or a tropical paradise escape.
