South Seas Island Resort Captiva Hotel

Florida

For an Englishman playing golf in the Sunshine State, the sight of a 300kg alligator lazily sunning itself in the reeds next to the tee on the third hole will never get old. Though I get the impression the ‘gator in question has seen it all before. Feeling more like a small town than a resort, each villa-style apartment in the low-rise, Spanish-style former key lime plantation on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast is big – bigger than the average British semi, in fact – with a good-size swimming pool shared between every five properties. The pools each boast their own cookout station, and you’ll find a surprisingly good range of fresh supplies at the on-site store: think handmade burgers, fresh ‘slaw and all the fixings for a taco feast. Villa balconies, which comfortably seat eight for dinner, sport impenetrable mozzie screens to keep out any uninvited guests, while the kitchen facilities don’t disappoint either – families will find this very much a home-from-home affair. There’s plenty in the area to see and do, including tennis, kayaking and sailing (sometimes alongside native manatees and dolphins), though do bear in mind that, as everything is very spaced out, you’ll need a rental car to make the most of it all. Oh, and don’t go into those reeds to fetch your stray golf ball. Doubles from £180.