The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the beach without feeling guilty about it. ~Author Unknown

You could be here (It's closer than you think)  Find your own little slice of paradise in SWFL.

On the small Key of Manasota on Englewood Beach, it's virtually impossible to get lost.  And yet it is blissfully easy to lose yourself on  it's laid-back beaches with seagulls & pelicans flying by. When it comes to choosing a beach resort for my out-of-town vistors to lodge at, I stepped on a pop top & blew out my flip flops a long time ago. I do look for a comfortable place but I like the old-Florida style where the boating-fishing-beach combing lifestyle is embraced and even celebrated. 

The Weston's Wanna B Inn Resort sits at the most southern end of Manasota Key right at the entrance to Stump Pass State Park. The resort is a sprawling compound of condo-type apartments, bayside fishing cottages, & gulf-front efficiencies smack dab on the Gulf of Mexico and Lemon Bay.  The new owners are in the process of updating & remodeling their way through this local beach landmark.  My family from North Carolina stayed in the Sea Star Motel which borders Stump Pass State Park.  There are 16 units, 10 of which are gulf front efficiencies decorated in a colorful mid-century style reminiscent of a vintage Florida postcard. Englewood old-timers still refer to that part of the beach as "Sea Star" beach. The compact kitchen was well stocked with dishes, pans, & such.  But who wants to stay in the room when from the huge sliding glass doors the beach was giving us the come hither look from not even 10 steps away. 

 The management staff of Weston's were gracious & accommodating to those of us that were visiting their guests as well.  I only needed to pop into the office to pick up a parking pass each time I arrived to hang out with my family.  One morning after I arrived, my sister-in-law informed me there was a construction crew on the beach early that morning pounding away.  I checked outside their back door - it was the turtle patrol not a construction crew.  A sea turtle had dug a nest & buried her eggs not even 30 feet from the Adirondack chairs on the back porch of their room.  My family had an amazing 4 days of soaking in the sun, swimming in the Gulf & the pools (there are 2), hunting shark's teeth, and just relaxing right outside their back door watching sea birds, dolphins, and even manatees parade by.  Weston's Resort is aptly named.  The moment you leave you will Wanna B back.

Stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico from the newly remodeled efficiency of the Sea Star Motel at Weston's Wanna B Resort are yours to enjoy morning, noon, & night.

If you wake up early enough, you might be a witness to a Loggerhead turtle digging her nest & laying eggs right outside your back door.

Staying on the beach is more affordable from May to December when you can take advantage of the lower summer rates.

Although the sand on Manasota Key is not powdery white, the trade off is a beach loaded with shark's teeth & shells.  The dark stuff on the wrack line is sargassum seaweed that started washing ashore after  Tropical Storm Debby blew through last month.

You can fish, sunbathe, or just beach walk to your hearts content.  There is plenty of beachfront property for everyone to enjoy.

The Weston has 2 pools both of which were clean & well maintained.  My Hubby & his sisters enjoyed some major power noodling - noodles being the floatation device of choice on the Englewood beaches & pools.

The bayside of the Weston has boat slips for rent & trailer parking available.  The location on Lemon Bay puts you in close proximity to Stump Pass and   some of the best salt water fishing Florida has to offer.  Lemon Bay is also an excellent kayak or SUP destination.

Lemon Bay is a bird watchers utopia.  Pelicans abound but Osprey, Heron, & Egrets are plentiful as well.

In my next post I'll show you my all-time favorite beach (no, not Sanibel - gasp!) that is only a one mile walk south of the Weston Resort.

Please note that the preceding post is the personal opinion of me, the writer.  I did not receive compensation from Weston's Wanna B Inn Resort nor did they have any input into my post.  I simply feel that a great business should receive the complimentary word of mouth advertising that they have worked so hard to attain.  I also want to pass on to you, the reader a great place to experience what you come to this blog to read about - a great beach spot.  For more on the Weston - check out their Trip Advisor here.