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Resorts tempt Floridians with summer deals
By ERIN JAMES, KELLY STEFANI and RUTH WALSH As the temperature climbs, the rates drop at some of Florida's most plush resorts. So if you've ever wondered what the out-of-state tourists are enjoying, summer is the time to find out. Here is our annual presentation of the best summer packages at some of the state's top lodgings. On the ratings scale of 1-5 used by Mobil and AAA, each of these lodgings has achieved at least four from both organizations. We have included two prime bay area resorts, also. For readers who prefer smaller accommodations, we again present a list of special B&Bs, inns or country hotels. THE RITZ-CARLTON, AMELIA ISLAND
Situated on Amelia Island, a 13-mile barrier island just off the coast of Northeast Florida, the Ritz-Carlton has received the AAA five-diamond award for both its accommodations and the Grill restaurant. Amelia Island's nearby marshes and maritime forest lend themselves to outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking or birdwatching. The resort has 449 rooms, all with ocean-view balconies, including 45 suites with coastal or ocean views. Amenities include an 18-hole PGA championship golf course, outdoor pool and indoor lap pool (both with whirlpools), day spa, fitness and recreation centers, nine-court tennis complex and tai chi on the beach three mornings a week. Also, the hotel has a supervised children's program for ages 5-12 and a nanny service. SUMMER SPECIALS: Unlimited Summer Fun Package includes coastal-view room, welcome cocktail for two, daily buffet breakfast for two, unlimited tennis, use of beach equipment, boogie boards and kites, unlimited kids' program activities and a sand castle building kit; $399 per night May 22-July 27 and $299 July 28-Oct. 2. Unlimited Midweek Summer Golf Package. Must arrive Sunday, Monday or Tuesday and stay a minimum of three nights; $699 per night for one or $899 for two players. Unlimited Summer Golf Package, arrive any day and stay a minimum of three nights; $799 for one per night, $999 for two players. Both golf packages are available May 19-Sept. 18 and include coastal-view room, greens fees, shared cart, range balls and golf on a choice of three 18-hole courses. All package prices are per room, per night, double occupancy; subject to availability. Not available on summer holidays. May require minimum night stay. THE PEABODY ORLANDO
This 27-story resort hotel is 15 minutes from Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando International Airport, 10 minutes from Universal Orlando, five minutes from Sea World and directly across from the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel is known for its traditional duck march: Every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Peabody ducks waddle through the hotel's marble halls to John Philip Souza's King Cotton March and then splash in the Atrium Lobby fountain. The resort has 891 rooms (58 of them suites) including 667 nonsmoking, allergen- and fragrance-free rooms. Amenities include spa facilities, certified Nautilus training center, salon, near-Olympic size swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool, children's pool with waterfall, four tennis courts, nearby golf. Home to Dux, a Mobil four-star restaurant, and two other restaurants; hotel's wine cellar won the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Babysitting service (with advance notice). SUMMER SPECIALS: The Escape includes deluxe room, complimentary health club or tennis, valet parking, continental breakfast for two each day, $100 food and beverage certificate per stay, all for $219 per room with additional nights at $159. Suite Dreams package includes a luxury one-bedroom suite plus all amenities of the Escape package, for $459 per room with additional nights at $350. In addition, the hotel has summer holiday specials for Father's Day (June 14-17), July Fourth (July 1-5) and Labor Day (Aug. 28-Sept. 3); $159 per room, per night, includes continental breakfast for two in the B-Line Diner. All packages are based on availability, subject to change and not offered to groups or conventions; food and beverage credits must be used at the resort during the stay. THE RENAISSANCE VINOY RESORT
Elegantly renovated for tens of millions of dollars before reopening a decade ago, the 77-year-old Vinoy, with its Mediterranean-Revival architectural detail, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The resort, on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, has 360 rooms including 20 suites. Amenities include two heated outdoor swimming pools, three outdoor whirlpools, a health club, day spa and salon, 12 tennis courts, a marina and five restaurants. The Vinoy shuttles guests to its nearby 18-hole golf course and is within walking distance of several museums and the BayWalk entertainment and shopping complex. Kids under 18 stay free in adults' room, and the Kid's Club offers organized children's activities. SUMMER SPECIALS: Golf Escape package includes a round of golf for two for each night of the stay, use of driving range and golf cart, plus $25 golf pro shop merchandise credit or dining credit (per room, per night); $199. Nongolfing partners may substitute a manicure and mineral spa for golf round. Escape to Romance includes Sunday brunch or dinner for two in the Terrace Room and either champagne or fresh fruit and cheese basket upon arrival; $225. Two for Breakfast package includes full breakfast for two in the Terrace Room; $179. Also Tennis and Museum Escapes available, $199. All package room rates listed here are available May 24-Sept. 28 and are per night, per couple, subject to availability and require advance reservation. Complimentary transportation provided within a 3-mile radius of the resort. FOUR SEASONS RESORT
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach has been called the "newest prestige address" by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report and is listed among the nation's top 20 resorts by the 2001 Zagat Guide to U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas. Executive chef Hubert Des Marais has been named one of America's 10 Best New Chefs by Food & Wine magazine. The oceanfront hotel has three restaurants, 210 rooms with private balconies, oceanside suites, three tennis courts, a large heated swimming pool and oceanfront whirlpool, full-service health and beauty spa and a complimentary, full-day Kids for All Seasons children's program. SUMMER SPECIAL: Under the Sun, a new summer package featuring a midweek rate starting at $225 per night, includes a third night free and a $100 resort credit good toward meals, massages and more. Rates are good Sunday through Thursday; room rates are higher on weekends (from $275 for Friday and Saturday arrivals), and guests who stay more than once increase their credits by $25 for each subsequent stay. Under the Sun guests have complimentary use of the Fitness Center and Spa; children may enjoy the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program. This package is available through Sept. 30. LAGO MAR RESORT and CLUB
Located on 10 acres of tropical gardens and sands of Fort Lauderdale's Harbor Beach, this resort has been recognized in the 2002 Conde Naste Traveler Gold List Edition as one of the world's best places to stay. Lago Mar has 212 luxury guest rooms and suites, including two oceanfront penthouse suites. The secluded oceanfront setting features a private beach and Cabana Club, the signature lagoon pool and an oceanfront pool, spa, fitness center, nine-hole putting green, two clay tennis courts and four restaurants, including Acquario, featuring Northern Italian cuisine. SUMMER SPECIAL: Summer Splash special for Florida Residents offers rates from $120 per night with complimentary newspaper delivered daily, discounts at Lago Mar recreation facilities, restaurants, shops and spa, complimentary valet and self parking, breakfast for two and a program of planned activities, available June 1-Sept. 30. SANIBEL HARBOUR RESORT AND SPA
This Victorian-style resort has 347 rooms and 60 condos, six swimming pools, a Kid's Klub program, salon and boutiques, spa and fitness center, nearby biking trails, a boardwalk through mangrove forest, nine lighted tennis courts, a marina and nearby golf. Guests can board the Sun Princess for a Backwater Fishing Cruise or shelling and dolphin sightseeing. They can also have a sunset dinner or Sunday brunch cruise aboard the Sanibel Harbour Princess, or dine in one of four restaurants. SUMMER SPECIALS: The Sanibel Spectacular package, at $139 per night, double occupancy, is available Sundays through Thursdays through Oct. 31. Florida resident special, Buy Three Sunsets Get the Fourth One Free, features four nights for $399 per room, water view guaranteed. Valid through Sept. 30. ORLANDO PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL
Designed to resemble the harborfront Portofino on the Italian Riviera, Lowe's Universal Studios Portofino Bay Hotel has 750 guest rooms. The hotel offers details such as Italian furnishings, refreshment pantry in the guestrooms, voice-data terminals and 24-hour room service. The standard room sleeps up to five. Kids' suites are also available with child-sized furnishings, beanbag chairs, smaller bathrooms, play areas, a VCR and CD player. Guests may bring pets -- Portofino offers a pet room service menu, pet bedding, place mats and water bowls, toys, treats and pet walking or pet sitting services. Eight restaurants include a takeout deli, a pizzeria and a gelato bar. SUMMER SPECIAL: Guests save $100 on vacations of three nights or more at Portofino Bay Hotel and enjoy unlimited admission to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks during their stay, a CityWalk Party Pass with all-club access to CityWalk entertainment, a movie pass to Universal Cineplex, choice of one lunch or dinner at selected theme restaurants or one day admission to Wet n' Wild water park in Orlando. They'll also receive Universal Express ride access at both parks, free transportation to and from the theme parks and priority seating at select Universal restaurants, and the room key card can be used to purchase food, merchandise and other items throughout Universal. The $100 savings is per booking, based on adult double occupancy. Guests must arrive before July 2. DON CeSAR BEACH RESORT AND SPA
It takes 12,000 gallons and nine months to cover the Gulf-front Don CeSar in its special shade of paint. Amenities range from a health club and spa to Kids Ltd. activity programs, two heated pools (one with underwater sound system) and water sports. The nearby Don CeSar Beach House adds 70 one-bedroom condo-style suites (with kitchens) to the 277 guestrooms at the beachfront resort. There are restaurants, four lounges and 24-hour room service. SUMMER SPECIAL: Rates for the Floridian Frolic start at $149 per night, per room (single or double occupancy) and include breakfast for two and a poolside frozen tropical drink. Room-only rates from $129. Rates apply Sunday through Thursday only, May 30-Sept. 30. RESORT AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB
Situated on 410 acres of tropical landscape and Gulf beachfront, the Resort at Longboat Key Club combines the seclusion of a barrier island with an abundance of recreation opportunities. Each of the 232 luxurious rooms and suites has a private balcony, twice-daily housekeeping and nightly turn-down service. Amenities include 45 holes of championship golf (awarded the Silver Medal by Golf magazine), two golf shops, 38 tennis courts (six lighted for night play), two tennis shops, five restaurants, a fitness center, massage therapy, heated pool and hot tub. Concierge staff assists with preferred seating at Sarasota Ballet, opera and theaters. SUMMER SPECIAL: Florida residents can take advantage of the Spring Fling Special. Luxury Suites (nonbeach view only) with full kitchen and private balcony from $199 through May 31 and from $129 June 1-Sept. 30. Rates are per suite, per night, Sunday through Thursday. DISNEY'S BOARDWALK INN
This bustling hotel resembles an early 20th century boardwalk resort on the Atlantic shore. It is a colorful complex of two-story, three-story and four-story buildings with 378 guestrooms. There is a miniature carousel, vintage "loop-the-loop" roller coaster, a 1930s dance hall, ice cream parlor and a piano bar with dueling pianos. Amenities include access to five championship golf courses, two miniature golf courses, a health club, two pools (one with the 200-foot waterslide reminiscent of a classic roller coaster), arcade, playground, four restaurants, three clubs, two sweet shops and a carousel pool bar. Walkways and water taxis connect the hotel to four other Epcot resort hotels as well as to Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios. SUMMER SPECIAL: Rates range from $280 per night for a standard-view room that sleeps five to $1,065 per night for a two-bedroom suite that sleeps eight. Advance reservations required.
-- Compiled by ERIN JAMES, KELLY STEFANI and RUTH WALSH of the Times staff
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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