Note: As of Oct. 1 2009 we moved our Florida facilities from the Venice VNC Airport to the Sarasota - Bradenton SRQ Airport. We will redo this page as soon as our workload permits.

Coy's Favorite Nearby Southwest Florida & Florida Keys Attractions

Tampa/St. Pete

Tampa lies approx. 60 mi. North of Venice up I-75 and while St. Pete is on the Gulf, Tampa lies adjacent a few miles inland on Tampa Bay. Most major air carriers land at both Tampa (TPA) and St. Pete (PIE) Airports. The Tampa area is a major regional city with all amenities. Usually however, most vacationers prefer the St. Pete area as it boasts miles of white sandy beach and countless hotel/resorts.

Recommended Places To Stay

The Don Cesar Beech Resort & Spa Hotel Complex http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/St-Pete-Beach-Resort/Overview.aspx
3400 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, Fl. 33706, 800-221-0007, (800) 637-7200
The Don Cesar Beach Resort & Spa has a magnificent beachfront location and has served the likes of Al Capone, Lou Gerig, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The resort is located on the island of St. Pete Beach, an island right off the coast of St. Petersburg. The Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa is as rich in luxury and lavish touches as it is in history. Rising from the sugary sands of the Gulf, the 'Pink Palace' represents itself as a romantic landmark. Six crowning towers, majestic archways and soaring ceilings give the hotel a classic Moorish Mediterranean look. Inside endless French doors, Italian crystal chandeliers, soaring Palladian windows and antique French candelabras radiate a world class elegance.

Renaissance Vinoy Resort http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpasr-renaissance-vinoy-resort-and-golf-club/
501 Fifth Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-894-1000, Fax: 727-894-1970, 800-HOTELS-1
The vintage luxury at The Vinoy is very near Albert Whitted Airport (SPG) at St. Pete Beach. The Vinoy also provides free transportation to and from SPG as well as many local restaurants and attractions. The showplace of St. Petersburg's scenic waterfront, the 360-room Renaissance Vinoy Resort recalls the style and glamour of another era. Overlooking sparkling Tampa Bay and surrounded by lush grounds, this opulent resort has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The property's grand furnishings and vintage architectural detail surround guests in elegance. Renaissance Vinoy Resort is the only luxury resort on Florida's west coast with the combination of a private marina, 18-hole golf course, 14-court tennis complex and croquet courts. Few resorts in the country can claim facilities as diverse. This resort is central to the area's many cultural and entertainment attractions, including the Salvador Dali Museum, The Mahaffey Theatre, "The Pier", Fine Arts Museum, Florida International Museum, Tropicana Field and two bayside beaches.

Sarasota

Sarasota lies approx. 20 mi. North of Venice on Sarasota Bay which is separated from the Gulf by several barrier islands (Keys), namely Longboat and Siesta Keys. Being a bayfront city of approx. 70-100K population, it boasts a large commercial air carrier airport (SRQ) serviced by several major airlines. Sarasota is very picturesque, has several noted tourist attractions (namely The Ringling Museums) and countless fine golf courses and seafood restaurants. Sarasota is considered relatively crime free, and usually considered to be an up-scale winter resident, vacation, and retirement community and virtually but a few minutes drive from Venice.

Recommended Places To Stay In or Near Sarasota:

Colony Beach & Tennis Resort http://www.colonybeachresort.com
1620 Gulf of Mexico Dr.
Long Boat Key, FL. 34228
(941) 383-6464, 800-426-5669

The Resort At Longboat Key Club http://www.longboatkeyclub.
301 Gulf of Mexico Dr.
Long Boat Key, FL. 34228
(941) 383-8821, 800-237-8821

Sarasota Hyatt Hotel http://www.hyatt.com
1000 Boulevard Of The Arts
Sarasota, FL . 34236
(941) 953-1234, 800-233-1234

Boca Grande Island

Boca Grande is a up-scale quaint island community but 45 minutes drive South from Venice and lies right on the Gulf with absolutely great beaches. It is adjacent to world famous, deep water, Boca Grande Pass which is home to numerous game fishing tournaments. Numerous quaint restaurants are within walking distance as the prime method of transportation are sandals or bicycle rentals.

Recommended Places To Stay

The Boca Grande Club http://www.bocagrandeclub.com/
Located on Gasparilla Island, is contained within 65 acres of beautiful tropical grounds directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Gasparilla Island, commonly referred to as "Boca Grande," the name of the village on the island, is accessible by automobile via a toll bridge.

Ft. Myers Area Incl. Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Ft. Myers is slightly over an hours drive South down I-75 from the Venice area. It lies slightly inland but is still considered to be "waterfront" as it lies along the brackish tidewater Calahossa River. Between Ft. Myers and the Gulf lie 4 beautiful barrier islands; Estero (Ft. Myers beach), Sanibel, Captiva, and the only "true" island of North Captiva which is only accessible by Mooney or boat.

Recommended Places To Stay

Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa http://www.sanibel-resort.com
17260 Harbour Pointe Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(800)767-7777, (941)466-4000, Fax:(941)466-6050

South Seas Island Resort http://www.southseas.com/
P.O. Box 194
Captiva Island, Florida 33924
800-965-7772 (U.S. & Canada)Voice 941-481-3636 Fax 941-481-4947
Note: South Seas is an amazing 330 acre tropical island resort which many feel is one of the best in all of Florida!

Coy's Personal Favorite Florida Keys Attractions

The fabulous Florida Keys are a pilots paradise and a huge portion of the fun is getting there, especially the last hundred miles or so. The water is absolutely crystal clear as you approach the Keys the boats appear to be suspended in mid air. A sight non-tropical island pilots will never forget. Mooney owners also have the distinct advantage when visiting SW Florida in that while the Keys are a full 6-7+ hr. drive away, a fast modified Mooney can make the gorgeous shore hugging flight in about an hour or less. With advance notice, many times we can drop you off and/or pick you up so you can enjoy a memorable Keys Vacation while your Mooney is in our shop.

For the most part, when visiting the Keys you have two choices to stay, Marathon (in the middle keys), or the more unique Key West (EYW). Known as the Conch Capitol of the World, Key West boasts of some of the finest tropical sunsets, quaint Bed & Breakfasts, world class eateries, and well known bars you will find anywhere! What follows is a short list of well proven B &B's and smallish hotels all located in the desirable Old Town section and all within walking distance of most everything.

Recommended Places To Stay In Key West:
(In no particular order)

The Curry Mansion Inn http://currymansion.com/
511 Caroline Street
Key West, FL 33040
800-253-3466 / 305-294-5349 Fax: 305-294-4093

Simonton Court http://www.simontoncourt.com
320 Simonton St.
Key West, FL. 33040
800-944-2687, 305-294-6386 Fax: 305-293-8446

The Pilot House http://www.pilothousekeywest.com
414 Simonton Street
Key West, Florida 33040t
(305) 293-6600 800-648-3780 Fax (305) 294-9298

The Island City House http://www.islandcityhouse.com
411 William Street,
Key West, FL 33040
(800) 634-8230, (305) 294-5702

The Pier House http://www.pierhouse.com/
One Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305-296-4600, 800-327-8340
Fax: 305-296-9085 E-Mail: info@pierhouse.com

The Chelsea & Red Rooster Inns http://www.chelseahousekw.com
707 Truman Avenue,
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 296-2211 * (800) 845-8859 * Fax (305) 296-4822

The Conch House http://www.conchhouse.com/
625 Truman Avenue,
Key West Florida 33040
1-800-207-5806 * 1-305-293-0020

The Weatherstation Inn
http://www.weatherstationinn.com/
57 Front St.
Key West, Florida. 33040
305-294-7277, 800-815-2707

The Wicker House http://www.wickerhousekw.com
913 Duval St.
KW, FL. 33040
305-296-4275, 800-880-4275