Apalachicola

The riverfront Consulate hotel's huge, tastefully decorated suites, with names like Attaché and Ambassador, reflect its past as a French diplomatic post (850-653-1515; consulatesuites.com; doubles, $195–$315). Boss Oyster, just steps away, offers more ways to slurp oysters than you can imagine (123 Water St.; 850-653-9364; entrées, $17–$22). The shops around Market Street are worth an afternoon of browsing, and stunning state beaches at St. George Island and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park are a 30-minute drive away.

Cedar Key

Harbour Master Suites, built over a dock with painterly views of the water, has rooms the size of full apartments (352-543-9320; cedarkeyharbourmaster.com; doubles, $80–$125). At Robinson Seafood, they'll both serve you fish and arrange fishing charters (6991 S.W. State Rd. 24; 352-543-5051; entrées, $6–$13).

Pensacola Beach

Five minutes by car from the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the family-friendly Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front recently reopened after extensive post–Hurricane Ivan renovations (866-916-2999; hilton.com; doubles, $200–$260).

Point Clear, Alabama

The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, a granddaddy of luxury Southern family resorts, has golf, a spa, pools, tennis, and even croquet (251-928-9201; marriott.com/ptlal; doubles, $200–$270). In nearby Fairhope, Wintzell's Oyster House serves West Indies Salad, a local favorite, and charbroiled oysters (805 S. Mobile St.; 251-929-2322; entrées, $11–$26).