ESTERO & BONITA SPRINGS
Life keeps us all a little too busy—even in a crazy year like this one. And because travel has become tricky at best, a staycation solves these dilemmas.
While Sanibel and Naples tend to earn top billing for Southwest Florida destinations, a lesser-known village and city have lots going for them, starting with “location, location, location.” Estero and Bonita Springs are prime spots for shopping, dining out and easy drives to points further south. They also hold some wonderful waterfront resorts, in less-than-predictable settings. Case in point: the Hyatt at Coconut Point, from which lucky guests get shuttled to the beach by water taxi when they’ve tired of the resort’s luxury pool.
It must be said—the Bonita Beach area is absolutely stunning. Sugar-sand beaches look out across the Gulf, and public pavilions offer picnics with an amazing view. Lovers Key State Park is a great place to go paddling. Got a dog? Hit the Bonita Beach Dog Park at New Pass. Barefoot Beach County Preserve takes tranquility to a new level. And nightly sunset awaits you, in all its glory, from stunning Little Hickory Island Beach Park. Pick your pleasure.
Two mysterious places can add a little intrigue to your staycation. Estero Bay’s remote Mound Key Archeological State
Park, accessible only by boat, reveals secrets of Florida’s ancient Calusa culture. In contrast, Koreshan State Park, on the mainland, will introduce you to a 19th-century religious community whose members believed the universe was a hollow sphere.
Hertz Arena could have public ice skating going again; call to inquire. Everglades Wonder Gardens was just completing a terrific renovation as we went to press. Surprise your friends by being the first to post selfies from this iconic circa-1936 wildlife and garden park.
Lodging
• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa; hyatt.com;
239-444-1234
• Trianon Bonita Bay; trianonbonitabay.com; 239-948-4400 • Latitude 26 Waterfront Boutique Resort; latitude26inn.com;
239-673-0505
Dining
• DeRomo’s Restaurant & Market; deromos.com; 239-325-3583 • Old 41; old41.com; 239-948-4190
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House; ruthschris.com; 239-948-8888 • Rodizio Grill; rodiziogrill.com; 239-498-0018
Entertainment
• Angelina’s Ristorante; angelinasofbonitasprings.com;
239-390-3187
• Hertz Arena; hertzarena.com; 239-948-7825
• Miromar Outlets; miromaroutlets.com; 239-948-3766
• Naples Fort Myers Racing & Poker; naplesfortmyersdogs.com;
239-992-2411