It is easy to get to this island paradise. If you live in the state of Florida you are probably only a few hours away. Siesta Key is only about an hour away from Tampa, 2 hours from Orlando, 3.5 hours from Miami and and 4.5 hours from Jacksonville. If you live out of the state you can catch a flight into either Sarasota International Airport or Tampa International Airport. Flying into Sarasota is more convenient but there are not as many flights as Tampa.

Siesta Key is a magnificent eight mile barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. It is surrounded by the relaxing and clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota bay. People from all over the world visit the island to relax, spend time with the family, catch some rays and enjoy the beach. You can fill your vacation days with activities or basically do nothing if you choose.

The beaches are considered magical. Siesta Key beach and Crescent beach are viewed by many as two of the prettiest beaches in the world. In fact, Siesta Key beach is ranked in as one of the best beaches in the country year after year. The sand is 99% quarts so it feels very refreshing to the skin and is gorgeous to look at. People from all over the world vacation on this wonderful island because of its beauty and charm.

Most of the sleeping accommodations are privately owned condominiums on the beach. You won’t find a lavish resort on Siesta Key as this island is a bit more low key than that. Some of the condos can be rented for a few days to a week while others require a one month or more minimum stay. People come down from the north to escape the harsh winters. These “snowbirds” fill up the restaurants, roads and beaches in the winter time.

Many people vacation on Siesta Key and ultimately end up buying a vacation or winter residence. Siesta Key real estate is diverse. You can find anything from a cozy, affordable two bedroom, two bathroom condo near the beach to a very expensive, private estate on the beach.

Siesta Key is a fabulous place to take your family for a summer vacation. You may fall in love with the area that you end up moving here or buying a vacation home.

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1) Siesta Key – This is ranked every years as one of the prettiest beaches in the country. Located off the coast of Sarasota, Florida this 8 mile long barrier island would be a great place to spend your summer vacation. It is very family oriented with plenty to do. If you have not been here before I strongly suggest a visit.

2) Clearwater beach – Located on the west coast of Florida just west of Tampa this is a fabulous place to spend a week with your family. Clearwater has a fun atmosphere and offers many things to do for people of all ages. The water is calm and the beach is very pretty. You can walk for miles and miles along this beach. This is an easy beach to get into as you can fly right into St. Petersburg or Tampa.

3) Daytona Beach – Looking for some fun, waves, sun, beach in more of a party atmosphere? You can find that in Daytona. Located on the east coast of Florida this has been a popular beach destination for families for many years. There is 23 miles of beach to enjoy along the Atlantic ocean.

4) Miami beach – This has been a popular destination for families for many years. People from all over the United States and the world visit Miami for the sun, sand, fun and beaches. You should take a trip down to South Beach for a fun time. Enjoy the beaches, outdoor cafe’s, shopping and culture. There is plenty to do in Miami for the whole family.

5) Marco Island – Marco Island is located on the west coast of Florida and just south of Naples. It is the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands and is a very popular getaway for beach goers. This is a great spot for those looking for a slower pace than hot spots like Miami or Daytona beaches. You will find the beaches to be very pretty and the water very soothing. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a nice nap on the beach Marco Island might be the right spot for you.

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The modern hotel is all about giving its guests a new experience. It’s about offering a space that’s not so much a home away from home as it is an escape from home and the daily grind of everyday life.

From art-themed, to book themed, to green and clean to haute cuisine and high fashion, hotels have clung onto every chic and hip meme out there, developing them into posh design concepts which easily attract the curious and smart from all corners of the world to lay down their heads and their dollars for a night’s sleep.

Still, the traditional luxury hotel is very much alive and well. From ocean front luxury resorts with vast swimming pools overlooking the deep blue oceans of the Caribbean to tropical bungalows in Bali and Thailand where eco-chic and haute cuisine mingle, those in search of creature comforts and exotic locals won’t be at a loss. Nor is there any lack of refined and exclusive hotels whose names say it all. There are always your Hiltons and your Marriotts.

Nevertheless, nowadays people are seeking more. They’re looking for something different, an authentic experience, whether it be a clean, green hotel in the Amazon jungle or a small artsy boutique in Manhattan. There’s no lack of edgy, cool hotels out there.

Here’s a look at just some of the latest and most unique hotels you can find in exotic and not so exotic locals around the world.

The Magic Mountain Hotel, located right in the middle of the beautiful and scenic Huilo Huilo nature reserve in Panguipulli, Chile is indeed a sight to behold. The hotel is one of a kind-it was actually constructed in the shape of a mountain. Guests will marvel at the waterfall which springs from the peak of the ‘mountain’ and flows down the sides. As the hotel makes its home in the midst of a forest, guests can go for hikes, enjoy the natural hot tub made from giant wooden logs, participate in white water rafting and go on customized skiing trips.

In Sweden, visitors to Jukkaskjarvi can stay in a hotel made out of pure, solid ice. Although there are several ice hotels in the world, this one was the original Ice Hotel; it’s also the world’s largest hotel made out of ice and snow, covering some 5500 square meters. The hotel started out as a small igloo built on the Torne River, as an art exhibit. Some visitors decided to sleep in the igloo and the ice hotel concept was born from there. Today there are several ice hotels all over the world.

The Harlingen Lighthouse, in Holland served as a beacon for sailors and their ships for over three centuries. Today, the lighthouse had been converted into a romantic getaway for couples. There’s only a few rooms, so book ahead.

In Rome, visitors can stay at the Franklin Feel the Sound Hotel, located just a few steps away from the Vatican in the Prati quarter. This hotel is dedicated to good tunes-each room comes equipped with a state of the art sound system and you can borrow CDs and vinyl records in the lobby.

Damian Papworth enjoys helping travelers on their Gold Coast Holiday. As such, for added convenience he offers a search engine to choose Gold Coast hotels Australia.