Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
Florida: Fort Myers Beach/Cape Coral, SunStream Hotels & Resorts - A Collection of Fun Family Beach Vacation Spots.190FLSunStreamBeach Feel the need to soak up the sun? Want a few days of down time at the beach or on the links? Fort Myers Beach – voted "Best Family-Friendly Beach in the Southeast U.S." by Family Fun magazine is known for family friendly powdery sands, soft playful waves from Gulf of Mexico, brilliant sunsets, and oodles of recreational opportunities. 

Sounds ideal for a family beach vacation, right? SunStream Hotels & Resorts have an assortment of family vacation locations along the Gulf Coast including Fort Myers Beach, Naples and a new location in Cape Coral each offering  the obvious advantage – space to relax, and room to share the good times without feeling crowded. Locations offer one- to three-bedroom suites with fully appointed kitchens saving the inconvenience and expense of eating out for every meal. Bonus points:  For an extra measure of family goodwill, each resort provides complimentary use of high chairs and cribs when needed.
 
In addition to spacious accommodations, the Southwest Floridian properties in SunStream’s distinctive collection offer family-pleasing locations, amenities, and services to fit their individual resort personalities. We have summarized the family vacation spots but for the whole picture go to SunStream.com and checkout the clever video vignettes and live webcam spots.

Fort Myers Beach: DiamondHead Beach Resort - planted right at the edge of Fort Myers Beach’s long sandbox. 190FLSunStreamDiamondHeadDiamondHead provides all the toys families need for beach play – from volleyball nets to jet skis. Gentle, shallow Gulf of Mexico waters and a heated freshwater pool keep everyone cool. Cabana’s Beachside Bar & Grill, next to the pool, means never having to change out of your swimsuits to eat lunch or snacks. Activity directors involve the family in bingo, crafts, nature endeavors and more. One-bedroom suites with sofa couches are family priced. Other family perks include laundry facilities, video games on demand, fitness center, island trolley service, and free daily housekeeping service. Bonus points: DiamondHead is just steps away from Times Square, the main entertainment district on the beach touting casual sidewalk cafes and a variety of shopping options, all with a laid-back island flair. (DiamondHead Beach Resort 2000 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931 or www.DiamondHeadFl.com)

Fort Myers Beach: GullWing Beach Resort - space for family fun. Spacious one to three-bedroom suites fit every sized family with comfort that feels like home and luxury that feels even better. Full-sized, outfitted kitchens and in-suite laundry facilities make it easy on Mom and Dad – more time to spend in the master bath’s jetted Jacuzzi tub. Screened balconies keep toddlers safe. A seven-mile stretch of beach awaits with sand so pristine as to take your breath away; better yet, it’s all situated on the quiet, south end of the island safely removed from the exuberant nightlife scene five miles north. Other family perks include heated pool and whirlpool, family activity programs, tennis, board game library, barbecue grills, DVD players, movie rentals, nearby restaurants, cinema, and island trolley service. Bonus points: The beach is such a draw that GullWing plays host to the annual American Sand-Sculpting Championship Festival each November. (GullWing Beach Resort6620 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931 or www.GullWingFl.com) 190FLSunStreamFamilyLunch

Fort Myers Beach: Point Estero Beach Resort - space is the ultimate family vacation amenity. GullWing’s eye-catching next-door neighbor, Pointe Estero – which features curved balconies overlooking the beach – faces an uncrowded stretch of shoreline with plenty of room where kids can run around in baby powder-soft sand. One- and two-bedroom suites also let the family spread out and enjoy a full-sized kitchen, huge Jacuzzi tub, tasteful dining and living room décor, and TVs in every room. All bedrooms have access to a screened patio or balcony through a sliding glass door. Other family perks include inexpensive trolley transportation, cabana rentals, gas grills, tiki hut picnic tables, free-form swimming pool with whirlpool, free use of playpens and bedrails, DVD player, movie rentals, board games, family activities program, and tennis court. Bonus points: No resort fees or parking fees, plus a list of complimentary items to use during your stay including free parking, tennis, wireless internet, fitness center, and daily newspaper. Pointe Estero Beach Resort 6640 Estero Boulevard Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931 or www.PointeEstero.com)

Cape Coral: Resort at Marina Village – a new full-service condominium resort perfect for three generations. 190FLSunStreamMarinaVillageLocated at Tarpon Point Marina families may enjoy sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico richly-appointed accommodations, concierge and spa services, an upscale restaurant and bar, fitness center, sundecks, outdoor pools and spas. Studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences range up to 2,225 square feet, with grand rooms, master suites, guest suites, dining terraces and access to amenity decks. Amenities include refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, washer and dryer, walk-in closet, iron with ironing board, high speed internet, two flat screen televisions and digital video services. Designed and maintained as environmentally friendly resort, all of the guest suites are earth friendly and sensitive to the impact on Florida’s natural resources. The 19-story property also offers pet friendly accommodations and easy access to  Cape Coral’s dog park and Dog Beach, located just south in Bonita Springs. Bonus points: Complimentary boat shuttle to Fort Myers Beach runs back and forth between Tarpon Point Marina and Bowditch Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach so families may enjoy white-sand beaches and picnic areas with grills at Bowditch Point. (Resort at Marina Village 5951 Silver King Blvd. Cape Coral, Florida 33914 or www.marinavillageresort.com)

As with all SunStream Resorts on Fort Myers Beach, guests have convenient access to boating and fishing charters, eco-tours, sightseeing cruises, nature preserves, bike and moped rentals, golf courses, spa services, miniature golf, spring training facilities, water parks, and historical attractions.

About SunStream Resorts. Headquartered in Fort Myers Beach, SunStream Hotels & Resorts has become a name synonymous with luxury hotels and condominium resorts throughout Southwest Florida, having specialized in property development and hospitality management since 1986. SunStream’s distinctive collection of properties in Southwest Florida now includes the DiamondHead Beach Resort, GullWing Beach Resort, Pointe Estero Beach Resort, Bellasera Hotel, Park Shore Resort, Port of the Islands Resort & Marina, and Resort at Marina Village.
 
Make it happen. For more information on family vacations at SunStream Hotels & Resorts toll-free 1-800-625-4111 or www.sunstream.com
 
Content researched by FTF staff and images provided by SunStream Resorts. Copyright 2013.