5 Florida Cities Where You Can Still Enjoy a Luxury Vacation for Cheap
Florida is known the world over for its luxe travel experiences, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay luxury prices. In fact, you can visit the Sunshine State in style without breaking the bank — as long as you avoid pricey spots like Miami or Palm Beach.
“There are actually some great places where you can have a really beautiful trip without spending anywhere near that kind of money,” said Justin Keeperman, founder of JustKeeps Travel.
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Here’s a look at five Florida cities where you can enjoy a luxe vacation for fairly cheap prices, based on input from Keeperman; Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert and chief marketing officer at Freetour.com; and Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance.
1. St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg was cited by all three travel experts we spoke with. For the best value, Dubakova recommended staying downtown rather than on St. Pete Beach.
“Downtown gives you access to the waterfront, restaurants, museums, galleries and the Pier on foot,” she said. “You’ll enjoy different experiences without booking a new excursion for each one.”
For upscale lodging, consider The Birchwood or The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, along with other boutique hotels that cost “far less than Miami,” Cronin said.
In addition, St. Petersburg offers numerous fine dining restaurants, as well as the Dali Museum.
“It feels upscale without feeling ridiculously expensive,” Keeperman said.
In terms of costs, a budget-minded couple can get by for as little as $1,000 for a four-night stay, with an upper range at around $2,800.
2. St. Augustine
Keeperman recommended St. Augustine because the city is “historic, really charming and very walkable. Casa Monica is a beautiful hotel and you can do the spa, nice dinners, walk around the historic district and really enjoy the destination without constantly spending money on activities.”
Dubakova also praised St. Augustine’s walkability.
“You can spend hours walking through old streets, looking at architecture, stopping for drinks and eating well without paying admission every time you want to do something,” she said. “You don't have to deal with the constant pressure to book a $150 excursion tomorrow because you've already ‘done’ the city.”
A budget-minded couple can get by for as little as $900 for a four-night stay, with an upper range of $2,500.
3. Winter Park
Located just outside of Orlando, Winter Park “feels very polished and upscale, but you can still do it pretty reasonably,” Keeperman said.
Both he and Cronin recommended the Alfond Inn, which Cronin called a “boutique property tied to a museum-quality art collection.”
You’ll also find plenty of shopping and dining on Park Avenue.
For the budget-minded couple, expect to spend as little as $1,300 for a four-night trip, with an upper range of $2,500.
4. Fort Lauderdale
For an affordable luxury experience in the Fort Lauderdale metro area, consider visiting nearby Hollywood Beach.
“Hollywood Beach [has] beachfront boutique suites running for $140 to $165 a night — some with kitchenettes. Compared to a luxury trip elsewhere in the country (often $2,500 or more for four nights), all of these run 30% to 50% lower, keeping the luxury feel,” Cronin said, whose company offers advice on the practical aspects of travel.
Keeperman called Fort Lauderdale “a really good option for someone who wants the South Florida beach experience but doesn't necessarily want to pay Miami Beach prices.”
Budget-minded couples can get by for less than $2,000 for a four-night stay, with an upper range of $3,200.
5. Dunedin
This smallish city on the Gulf Coast is recommended by Dubakova because it has a “completely different personality” from the resort-heavy parts of the Gulf Coast.
“You can stay in town, walk to restaurants and breweries, explore the waterfront and use it as a base for Honeymoon Island and nearby beaches,” Dubakova said. “The underrated luxury here is not having to plan your entire vacation around a resort.”
For budget-minded couples, you can get by for as little as $850 to $1,300 for a four-night stay.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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