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You are here: Home / escape / What I did on my summer vacation giveaway – #mysummerstory

escape Florida

What I did on my summer vacation giveaway – #mysummerstory

westin cape coral Collage

Quick pics from the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

As a blogger and travel writer, I read a LOT of blogs (yes, I probably read yours), and I notice that the majority of posts that I read about travel, always either include hubby, or hubby and the family. My question for you is…

Don’t you EVER just need to go away ALL BY YOURSELF? 

I’m beginning to think that I’m the ONLY ONE who loves nothing more than getting away all by myself. I’ll check in to a fabulous hotel, order room service, and have TOTAL command of the remote control. I can spend HOURS at the spa or just lay by the beach or the pool, without being asked: when are we going to (fill in the blank)? I can actually go shopping in resort stores, and TRY THINGS ON, buying what I want without getting the evil eye.

MAYBE I’m crazy

But, I love to take a few days alone and reflect on my life. I always bring along a notebook and find I’m much more creative when I have some uninterrupted time.

Starwood Hotels offered me a night away at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village and I didn’t even take a BREATH before saying YES! I had planned on Mr. S and Clem coming along (they are VERY dog friendly), but Mr. S caught a nasty cold and started whining, and well…I knew this would be a PERFECT me time escape. This particular hotel is a little over three hours from the mansion, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and living on the East Coast of the state, I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only been on that side of the state once before. So, I put the pedal to the metal, and drove past sugar cane field and cows, ’til I hit the BEAUTIFUL aqua waters of Cape Coral.

3 Hours later….

westin cape coral fruit and champagne

 

I was ready for some Zippy time. So I cracked open that bottle of Chandon, before donning my bathing suit and

by the pool

Poolside at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

It’s odd, but I have a pool and I live near the beach, but GETTING away seems to change my entire state of mind, even if it’s a quick 3 hour drive.

It’s just not summer without a vacation

Think about it. I know that when I think of summer, VACATIONS, RELAXING, BEACHES, and FUN all flood my memories. Just because I’m an adult doesn’t mean that I don’t deserve a summer vacation to write about (thankfully there’s no teacher with a red pen taking points off for bad grammar). I know it’s September, but I always want to grab those LAST FEW DAYS or WEEKENDS of summer bliss by getting away.

There is still time to make some 2013 summer memories.

The Westin Cape Coral Resort on the Gulf Coast of Florida has

  • 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites that are perfect for families (or feel like you’ve got the WHOLE place to yourself like I did).
  • All rooms have a private screened in balcony with stunning water views.
  • The suites feature a spacious bathroom with adjoining vanity, walk-in closet, fully appointed kitchen with  granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, and an open floor plan including living room and dining room.
  • The resort is located on its own 175 slip deep-water marina and  offers kayak rentals, boating lessons, fishing charters and more.
  • The resort is connected to Marina Village, which features a full-service spa and several local boutiques and galleries.
  • Pick up a brochure that includes the weekly resort activities including a complimentary water taxi to Fort Myers Beach, Dolphin Sunset Tours and poolside activities and games for kids.
  • Leave the property to explore Sun Splash Family Water Park, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island (known for shelling and wildlife refuges), Captiva Island, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and great outlet shopping.

OR…you can come to MY neighborhood

There is a Starwood Resort RIGHT IN MY COMMUNITY of PGA Village in Port St Lucie.

  • If you PLAY GOLF…PGA Village is like a theme park for golfers. We’ve got the INCREDIBLE PGA LEARNING Center, three world class golf courses, plus a fun short course.
  • Not a golfer? Hit Rte. 95 and drive 20 miles to the Vero Beach Outlet Mall, with outlets ranging from Crocs and The Gap, to Restoration Hardware.
  • Head east to Hutchinson Island for beautiful serene beaches that are tucked away, or join the masses at FUN Jensen Beach.
  • There’s always something going on in Tradition, where there’s great shopping, farmer’s markets, concerts, and more….and it’s only 3 miles away from the Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort.
  • From seafood at Lola’s to steaks at Sam Snead’s (a quick walk across the street), there’s great food and plenty of watering holes nearby.
  • Catch a game at the Met’s Spring training facility, located less than 5 minutes away (you might even be treated to post-game fireworks).
  • My favorite? Riding horses on the beach in nearby Fort Pierce.

Plus, you’ll have ME as your neighbor while you’re vacationing (I promise not to bother you).

balcony at cape coral

View from my suite balcony at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Do you want to getaway and make your OWN summer story (or fall or winter story)?

Enter below and you could be going on your very OWN getaway.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Click on:  Tweet About the Giveaway in the Rafflecopter below. Your tweet will pop up – you MUST ADD where YOU’D go for your Starwood Getaway to the tweet!!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a vacation & Starwood points to facilitate this post. All opinions are strictly my own.


11 Comments

About Zipporah Sandler

Zipporah Sandler AKA Zippy is a lifestyle and travel specialist who after living everywhere from Providence to Paris found herself suddenly residing in South Florida (something she swore she’d never do).

Whether it be San Pellegrino water or Louis Roderer Cristal, Zippy suggests that you keep your life sparkling and your glass full.

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Comments

  1. b says

    September 14, 2013 at 3:01 am

    I spent my summer vacation trying to figure out exactly what I’m suppose to do here- I STILL DONT KNOW HELP ME

  2. Isabel Cuellar says

    September 15, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    I spent the summer thinking about all the places I would love to visit but could not afford. Maybe next summer I will actually go??

  3. ann lee says

    September 15, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    I HAVE SPENDT THE SUMMER FEELING EXTREMELY DEPRESSED, I AM HAVING A HARD TIME TO FIND ANY JOY OUT OF MY LIFE, AND RARELY LEAVE HOME.. LAST NIGHT I ACUUALLY TRIED SUICIDE, WHICH OVIVOUSLY DIDN’T WORK EXCPT THAT I FULLY 0UT OF IT TODAY, I NEED SOMETHING GOOD TO HAPPEN,,,,,,

    ve spent the summer feeling extremely depreesed.. I have

  4. Virginia @thatbaldchick says

    September 15, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    With a brand new baby, I could use a vacation! There are so many places I would love to go and see!

  5. Stephanie V. says

    September 16, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    forgot to add my location to my tweet today – W San Francisco!!!
    @SVollowitz

  6. Naomi says

    September 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Oh my gosh. I forgot to have a vacation this summer. Need to remedy that!

  7. Barb Myers says

    September 16, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    love to win

  8. Sarah Cary says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:21 am

    I would go to The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort! The resort looks beautiful and it is a comfortable drive for our family. We have had a super busy summer with competitive soccer for our girls so a little family time filled with fun and relaxation is just what the doctor ordered!

  9. Amy Lynn says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Zippy! I completely agree you don’t need to go far to have a fabulous vacation! I haven’t been on one for a few years ( visiting family in other states doesn’t count! lol) and would love to visit The Phoenician! Actually, the last vacation I took was by myself to the Maine coast. It was a very relaxing and rejuvenating time! Time alone is underrated!
    OOh and I love that the Westin is pet friendly too! Thanks for the fab giveaway *fingers crossed*

  10. Jana Cleveland says

    September 19, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    I went to Charlotte for Labor Day weekend with my family and visited my cousin and her family b/c their wedding anniversary. Not only that, I made a new friend too and we bonded instantly.

  11. live-smart.net says

    April 18, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to grasp a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something.
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