Hello...
I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving day. I just returned from sunny
south florida and have some tips on what is down there for hotels and
the relative proximity to the rink. First, be warned, lots of snowbirds
down there and traffic is dense.  my parents tell me a trip that takes
15 minutes in june can easily double when "season" arrives [just after
thanksgiving].  Second, I haven't checked out any of the hotels or
called for prices, i just drove by them.

the arena is located in Estero, which is the town just south of fort
myers, just north of bonita springs and about 30 minutes north of
naples. Teco arena is located just off I-75 [Exit 122??.. they are in
the process of renaming the exits relative to the mile marker of the
interstate, i think the old exit number was 22].

Near the SouthWest Regional airport in fort myers, there was a WYNSTAR
hotel. Also in south fort myers on US route 41 is a BEST WESTERN HOTEL.
Route 41 runs parallel to I-75, and is ~ 3 miles west of I-75. Each of
these hotels would be about a 15 min drive to the arena. Also on US
route 41, but south in Bonita springs are a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS and
HAMPTON INN. This would be about a 15-30 min drive to the arena
depending on traffic. route 41 is a 4 lane road [2 in each direction]
lined by many strip malls, restaurants and other forms of urban sprawl.
It is stop-and-go traffic with many lights. An accident on either 41 or
75 will tie up traffic.

i do have one restaurant to recommend. its one of my parents favorites,
and my sister-in-law Beth works there [you can ask for her and tell her
i sent you]. It is called the British Open Pub in Bonita Springs. They
have an extensive beer selection, and british favorites such as fish and
chips, shepherd's pie. Its located on the south side of US41 [about a
mile or 2 north of the holiday inn express and hampton inn]. here's a
link i found doing a google search. Lunches are from $5-9 and dinners
$9-15.

http://www.golfflorida.com/departments/restaurants/british-open-pub.htm

There is another place literally on the beach. It is called "Doc's". It
is a popular place to have a drink and view the sunset. Take  bonita
beach road west until it ends and bear to the right. Doc's is on the
beach side less 2 miles up the road. They have upstairs and downstairs,
and outside seating. so if you are going to meet someone there, be sure
to specify where. Also, they only take cash, but do have an ATM on the
premises. They have sandwiches and fish [like fried shrimp, clams].
Entrees range from $6 - $12.

Hope this info helps. I'm still planning on taking my nephew.. he's ~22
months, and has a tough time sitting through 1 hockey game, and might
not make it through 2.  he can say "hoc-key" and "goal". His
grandparents figure his first sentence will be "you suck ref". I'm
hoping for.... "let's go red".

Rita Monde
Trinity College 1991
Cornell University 2000