Spring Training lodging advice

[goose89]

My wife and I are going on our first (of many, hopefully) spring training vacation to Ft. Myers. Any "seasoned" Spring Trainers out there have any advice on hotels/motels/suites, ect. Lots of choices looking at the on-line travel sites.

Thanks in advance.

[goose89]

Come on, I didn't ask for the GPS coords to your secret walleye hole, just the name of a decent place you may have stayed at during spring training. j/k!!!

Thanks in advance.

[pegleg]

I would stay on Marco Island - about 40 miles away but well worth the trip to stay on the ocean, great restaurants, etc. after the games. We have done this a number of times and enjoy it every year we go. Also on the way home you can stop in Naples and let the girls shop if they would like while the guys go bar hopping/people watching.

[goose89]

Thanks Peg,

Looking to stay in Ft. Myers, though. Unless Ft. Myers doens't have much to offer restaraunt, beach and shopping wise. Never been there. Your experience and advice is appreciated.

[masterpuppet]

We went to spring training 2 yrs ago and loved it.We stayed at the Outrigger Fort myers beach. I loved it but the only prolem is if you stay on the island the traffic is BAD. We had to add around 1 1/2 to hours to our travel time to the game and back. The next time I will stay stay either to the north or south and just use the main highway to get to and from the ballpark. just my input

[pegleg]

Also, consider getting to the game a couple hours before game time. The best experience at Spring Training is seeing batting practice and watching the Twins players interact with the fans. Gardy pretty much lets the players do anything during batting practice including signing kids autographs, throwing baseballs up in the crowds, etc. Also, if you are down there when they have an away game you might want to attend that game also - the Twins really give your kids their attention when they are one of the few Twins fans at the game. Enjoy!

[goose89]

Thanks Peg,

That's what we're really going down there for. Yes, warm weather is great, but I'd rather be at the park than the beach / shopping. Thanks again.

[bassNspear]

I was there back in 2002 and 2003. We stayed at the American Inn. There is alot of places to stay down there. The best beat is to look where the fields are, and find a place to stay from there.

[goose89]

Thanks BnS,

Just booked a room at same place the Twins & Bo Sox are at. Price wasn't at all bad, compared with alot of others,but not the cheapest either. Package still cheaper than I was planning. Close to both parks, restaraunts, and yes, shopping. Gotta make sure the wife think we're maxing the bank account so she doen't blow all my "fishing" funds. Thanks again for the reply.

[schweady]

goose: What place is that?

[goose89]

Schweady,

Manny and AJ's Super 8 on Sanibell Island. j/k

Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Bell Tower Shops.

[schweady]

ooh... swanky places, both...

Thanks. Putting that into memory for 2 years from now (retirement) Nice little 3 mile drive to the Sports Complex.

[goose89]

schweady,

If I do make this an annual trip, and you're down there in a coule years, what are the odds you have some "Season's Eatings" left over from the Holidays to share with us??

Good luck and congrats on the soon to be retirement.

[schweady]

Plenty of frozen balls being kept on ice right now. "Ooh!... How they glisten!..."

[goose89]

LMAO!! See Ya.......

[bassNspear]

dude, the place that your staying at is the bomb. You will like it forsure. Make sure you take the time to get over to sanabel island. Awesome place to hang out for a day.

[goose89]

Thanks B n S.