Accommodations

Most major chains can be found either on the beach or not far from it. Some establishments rent out condos complete with kitchen, living room and multiple bedrooms, which are ideal for families or larger groups traveling together.

How about a simple cottage for two? Sure, they are available here and there amid the ever-expanding number of national chains moving into the burgeoning tourist area.

Bonita Springs

Comfort Inn of Bonita Springs, 9800 Bonita Beach Road, (941) 992-5001. 69-room property featuring heated pool, whirlpool spa and complimentary continental breakfast. Short drive to the beach. www.innsbythegulf.com.

Hampton Inn, 27900 Crown Lake Blvd., (941) 947-9393. A first-class, three-star property featuring tasteful, richly appointed suites in traditional Old Florida style. Two miles from the beach.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 27891 Crown Lake Blvd., (941) 948-0699. A centrally located, 108-room hotel close to area attractions, restaurants and shopping. Outdoor pool. Two miles from the beach.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Road, (941) 444-1234. 450-room hotel featuring guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, lounges/bars, outdoor pools and a waterslide, fitness center, full-service European spa, 27-hole championship golf course, tennis center, children's programs and marina. www.hyatt.com.

Trianon Bonita Bay, 3401 Bay Commons Drive, (941) 948-4400. Upscale boutique hotel with 100 guest rooms, outdoor heated pool, complimentary continental breakfast, bar/lounge. Close to specialty shops and beach. Popular championship golf courses nearby. Off-season rates. www.trianon.com.

Captiva

South Seas Resort, 5400 Plantation Road, (941) 481-3636. 600 accommodations from guest rooms and villa suites to beach homes and cottages offering beach, bay, marina, tennis center or golf course views. Six restaurants, outdoor pool, fitness center, children's programs and watersports. Off-season rates. www.southseas.com.

Fort Myers

Admiral Lehigh Golf Resort & Spa, 225 E. Joel Blvd., (941) 369-2121. Spectacular views of landscaped courtyard or golf course from newly appointed rooms. Two 18-hole championship golf courses, health and fitness spa, four restaurants/pubs and health food store. www.admiralhotels.com.

Courtyard by Marriott, 4455 Metro Parkway, (941) 275-8600. Located conveniently close to downtown Fort Myers, major shopping centers and the Southwest Florida International Airport. Restaurant, pool, bar and exercise room. Suites, standard rooms, 15 miles from the beach.

Hilton Garden Inn, 12601 University Drive, (941) 790-3500. Located in southeast suburbs of Fort Myers within walking distance of numerous restaurants and shops. 126 rooms equipped for businesspersons. Restaurants, outdoor pool with whirlpool spa and fitness center. Close to Southwest Florida International Airport.

Homewood Suites, 5255 Big Pine Way, (941) 275-6000. One- and two-bedroom suites, daily complimentary breakfast, pool and exercise room. Located adjacent to Bell Tower Shops anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. www.homewoodsuites.com.

Holiday Inn Select, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, (941) 482-2900. Modern high-rise with 227 guest rooms. Located adjacent to Bell Tower Shops anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Cocktail lounge, restaurant, complimentary shuttle to downtown Fort Myers. Close to Southwest Florida International Airport.

Quality Inn, 2431 Cleveland Ave., (941) 332-3232. Full-service hotel featuring outdoor pool. Within walking distance of downtown shopping. Short drive to beach and area attractions.

Radisson/Sanibel Gateway, 20091 Summerlin Road, (941) 466-1200. 156 oversized guest rooms, Olympic-style outdoor heated pool with giant whirlpool spa, full-service restaurant and lounge/bar. Pets allowed. Off-season rates.

Ramada Inn & Suites at Amtel Marina, 2500 Edwards Drive, (941) 337-0300. Twenty-five story, riverfront hotel overlooking Fort Myers Yacht Basin and adjacent to Harborside Convention Hall. Two outdoor pools, lighted tennis courts, privileges at nearby golf courses, gourmet restaurant, poolside lounge, entertainment at nightclub, exercise room and spa. www.amtelmarinahotel.com.

Fort Myers Beach

Best Western Beach Resort, 684 Estero Blvd., (941) 463-6000. Charming, intimate European atmosphere. All guest rooms and suites overlook the Gulf of Mexico and have a fully equipped kitchen. Heated pool, children's playground, picnic areas and watersports.

Best Western Pink Shell, 275 Estero Blvd., (941) 463-6181. The only three-diamond, three-star hotel on the island, featuring a variety of accommodations, three pools, restaurants and children's programs. Beach within an easy walk. Off-season rates. pink.shell@meristar.com.

Diamond Head Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd., (941) 765-7654. Located directly on the beach, this 124 one-bedroom suite resort features a heated outdoor pool, two whirlpool spas, fitness center, restaurant and beach bar, watersports and cabana rentals. www.diamondheadfl.com.

GrandView Resort, 8701 Estero Blvd., (941) 765-4422. Three-diamond resort located on Lovers Key overlooking Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Featuring 104 one-bedroom suites, heated pool, whirlpool spa and watersports. www.grandviewfl.com.

GullWing Beach Resort, 6620 Estero Blvd., (941) 765-4300. Located at the quiet, upscale end of Estero Island featuring 66 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, fitness center, beachfront heated pool, outdoor hot tub, elevated tennis court, picnic gazebo and activity programs. www.gullwingfl.com.

Holiday Inn Gulfside, 6890 Estero Blvd., (941) 463-5711. Guest rooms, efficiencies and two-bedroom suites located on the beach. Outdoor pool, cocktail lounge, two restaurants featuring live entertainment and fitness facility.

Pointe Estero Resort, 6640 Estero Blvd., (941) 765-1155. Sixteen-story beachfront tower featuring 60 one- and two-bedroom suites. Tennis court, heated pool with whirlpool spa, activity programs, volleyball and watersports. www.pointeestero.com.

Santa Maria Resort, 7317 Estero Blvd., (941) 765-6700. Three-diamond resort located on the upscale south end of the island featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Beach directly across the street. Heated pool with whirlpool spa, picnic area, activity programs and 36-slip marina. www.santamariafl.com.

Marco Island

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, 560 S. Collier Blvd., (941) 394-5000. Four-star, four-diamond resort featuring junior suite accommodations. Outdoor heated pool with whirlpool spa, fitness and recreation center, tennis courts, children's program, restaurant, bar/lounge and watersports.

Marco Beach Ocean Resort, 480 S. Collier Blvd., (941) 393-1400. An intimate atmosphere featuring 103 lavish suites. Health spa, fitness center, restaurant, rooftop bar and garden, beachfront bar and grill and resort shops. www.marcoresort.com.

Radisson Suite Beach Resort, 600 S. Collier Blvd., (941) 394-4100. Combination of guest rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites located beachfront. Outdoor pool, restaurant, lounge/bar and children's programs. www.marcobeachresort.com.

Naples

Clarion Inn & Suites, 4055 Tamiami Trail N., (941) 263-7607. Minutes to beaches and upscale shops, featuring outdoor pool, whirlpool spa and complimentary breakfast.

Doubletree Guest Suites, 12200 Tamiami Trail N., (941) 593-8733. Overlooking the Cocohatchee River and Wildlife Preserve. Heated pool, fitness center and poolside restaurant.

Edgewater Beach Hotel, 1901 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (941) 403-2000. Naples' only all-suite hotel on the beach featuring heated outdoor pool, fitness center, penthouse restaurant and lobby lounge. Golf privileges at Naples Grande Golf Club. Babysitting available. Off-season rates.

Fairways Resort, 103 Palm River Blvd., (941) 597-8181. Friendly neighborhood inn just minutes from beaches and shopping. Heated pool, whirlpool spa and continental breakfast.

Hampton Inn, 3210 Tamiami Trail N., (941) 261-8000. One of the newer Naples hotels offering heated pool and complimentary deluxe continental breakfast buffet. Minutes from area beaches and shopping.

Hilton Naples & Towers, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., (941) 659-3118. 191 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites. Featuring fitness center, indoor heated pool, bar/lounge and Don Shula's Steak House. Three blocks from the beach. Upscale shops nearby.

Inn at Pelican Bay, 800 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (941) 597-8777. An elegant, Mediterranean-style inn featuring oversized rooms with private balconies and lake views. Heated pool, exercise center, lobby bar, complimentary continental breakfast and golf privileges at nearby championship courses. Beach within an easy walk. www.naplesinn.com.

Inn on Fifth, 699 Fifth Ave. S., (941) 403-8777. A boutique hotel on historic Fifth Avenue with sidewalk cafés, bistros and shops on the street below. Pool, full-service spa, restaurant and pub. Six blocks from the beach. Off-season rates. www.naplesinn.com.

Inn by the Sea, 287 11th Ave. S., (941) 649-4124. Naples' only bed and breakfast accommodations. Steps away from the beach. Off-season rates. www.innbythesea-bb.com.

La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulfshore Drive, (941) 597-3123. Newly renovated and expanded, featuring 189 elegantly appointed guest rooms and four suites, restaurant, golf course, cascading pool and full-service spa. Located beachfront. Off-season rates. www.laplayaresort.com.

Naples Bath & Tennis, 4995 Airport-Pulling Road N., (941) 261-5777. One-, two- and three-bedroom condos featuring health club, Junior Olympic-size pool, sauna, steam and whirlpool spa, restaurant and 10 lighted tennis courts. Pets allowed. www.naplesbtc.com.

Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (941) 261-2222. 125-acre complex featuring full-service spa and fitness center, on-site golf and tennis, children's programs, babysitting, pool, restaurants and bar/lounge. Located beachfront. Off-season rates. www.naplesbeachhotel.com.

Park Shore Resort, 600 Neapolitan Way, (941) 263-2222. Located in a quiet residential area featuring one- and two-bedroom suites, heated pool, whirlpool spa, restaurant and picnic area. Tennis, racquetball, basketball and volleyball courts. Complimentary shuttle to the beach. www.parkshorefl.com.

Staybridge Suites, 4805 Tamiami Trail N., (941) 643-8002. One- and two-bedroom suites. Offering complimentary breakfast buffet, fitness center, outdoor heated pool, whirlpool spa, restaurant and evening socials.

The Registry Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, (941) 597-3232. 474-room hotel offering guest rooms, suites and villas. Five outdoor pools and a waterslide, six restaurants, bar/lounge, fitness facility offering spa treatments, children's programs and babysitting. Beach within walking distance. Golf privileges at Naples Grande Golf Club. Off-season rates. www.registryresort.com.

The Ritz-Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (941) 598-3300. Naples' only five-star, five-diamond hotel featuring 463 guest rooms and suites each with a Gulf view, fitness center, two pools, seven restaurants, bar/ lounge, children's programs and baby-sitting. Golf privileges at Tiburón. www.ritzcarlton.com.