By Patti Roth

Destinations magazine

When shifting gears from resident to beach-bag-toting tourist, you’ll be pleased to know that summer is ideal for scouting out deals in the Sunshine State.

Rates at some Florida hotels drop significantly from the peak winter season. At Best Western Naples Inn & Suites, for example, the off-season prices are typically one-third to one-half of what guests pay when the weather is frosty up north, says hotel owner Russ Rosen.

Other types of lodging deals during summer include Florida resident discounts and packages with bonus features such as breakfast or discounts at the spa. At some venues, rates are even more attractive when booking on weekdays or after mid-August and in September, when school is back in session.

If you’re ready to start browsing for summer deals, we’ve gathered a few suggestions. With each of these deals, restrictions and exceptions may apply.

Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites, Naples 

Florida residents receive 25 percent off Sunday through Thursday and 20 percent off Friday and Saturday on eligible bookings in summer.

699 Fifth Ave. S., Naples, 239-403-8777, innonfifth.com 

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, Jupiter 

Florida resident discounts are up to 40 percent on best available rates for eligible bookings with promo code FLARES.

5 N. A1A, 877-389-0571, Jupiter, jupiterbeachresort.com 

Best Western Naples Inn & Suites, Naples

Summer rates are one-third to one-half of winter rates.

2329 Ninth St. N., 239-261-1148, bestwesternnaples.com 

Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood 

(and other participating Broward resorts)

Vacation Like a VIP, with a stay of at least two nights, perks of the package include a room upgrade, valet parking, $100 resort credit, $25 American Express gift card and more.

3555 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, 954-602-6000, diplomatresort.com.

Other resorts participating in Vacation Like A VIP include Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa in Pompano Beach, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar Resort in Fort Lauderdale and more; sunny.org

Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa, Manalapan 

Florida Resident Summer Escape package, with a stay of at least two nights, includes rates from $199, valet parking and a kids-eat-free deal with paying adult.

100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, 800-328-0170, eaupalmbeach.com

See You in September, participating hotels in Greater
Fort Lauderdale 

Stay two nights in a participating hotel and receive a third night free. Offered for eligible bookings Sept. 1-Oct. 12, with information on the website for the Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism office: sunny.org

The Inn at Key West

Stay, Play and Save Package offers 50 percent off the third night for eligible stays Sundays to Thursdays.
3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, 305-294-5541, theinnatkeywest.com

Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach

Florida resident deals offer up to 15 percent on best available rates on weekends with promo code 1RESIDENT and up to 20 percent on weekdays with promo code 1RESID-WD. Discounts are valid eligible dates, based on availability.

500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 866-384-2995, Sandpearl.com 

Loews Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach 

Summer Like a Local deal, with a stay of at least two nights, includes breakfast and choice of a Dolphin Watch cruise or sunset sail for two guests.

3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 800-282-1116, loewshotels.com/don-cesar

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island 

Summer Getaway package includes fourth night free, discount booklet for amenities and activities and breakfast for kids with eligible adult purchases.

5400 Plantation Road, Captiva Island, 866-565-5089, southseas.com

Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables 

Family Fun package includes a junior suite, entry to kids’ club, golf and spa discounts, buffet breakfast and discounts on attractions in the area.

1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, 855-311-6903, biltmorehotel.com

Plantation on Crystal River, Crystal River 

Family Fun Package, offered to June 30, includes breakfast, afternoon scenic river tour and a round of “Hack Golf.”

9301 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, 800-632-6262, plantationoncrystalriver.com

Destinations is an annual travel supplement of the Sun Sentinel, produced by City & Shore Magazine