Travel Channel 

I'm researching vacations and am looking for a nice hotel with beachfront rooms that also has shops within walking distance (meaning within 1/4 mile of the hotel or close enough to the hotel to get there by shuttle or trolley). I've had nice stays at Ka'anapali Beach, Maui and Lido Beach Resort; anything similar that anyone can recommend? We're looking for hotels on the beach with rooms that overlook the ocean. Any advice or recommendations much appreciated!

Daytona Beach Fl. is a wonderful place. The best hotel, is Perry's Ocean Edge by far!!! Alot of shops up and down the street.

I will check that one out. Thank you!

Pensacola Beach, FL the Hilton Garden inn is the best on the beach or the Holiday Inn is the nicest Holiday in you will ever stay at, brand new just re-opned from hurricane damage 3 years ago

I'd recommend Gulf Shores, AL. It's just over the FL/AL line and is still quite undiscovered. Most of the hotels/condos/beach cottages are ON the beach. I've stayed in the Best Western on the Beach in Gulf Shores, and I've spent a few nights in Island House Hotel (in Orange Beach). You are ON the beach, in Gulf Shores, and most everything you need (shops, restaurants, etc) are in walking distance. I just returned from 8 days in Gulf Shores (HOT, and a little rainy, but gorgeous!), and I planned out my entire vacation using www.thebeachiscalling.org.
Anyway, wherever you decide to go, hope you have a lovely luxuriating-on-the-beach experience!

If you want a really great beach vacation, go to Destin, in the panhandle. The water is truly Crystal Clear, the Sand is pure white. You can't go wrong, I have been to a lot of beaches and I can say that I haven't seen any as pretty and clean as Destin.

Southbeach is nice. There are several beachfront hotels on ocean drive that are overlooking the ocean. There are many shoping sites close by within walking distances. There are also some beachfront hotels at Miami Beach.There are several Malls,( Shops @ Bal Harbor and Adventura Mall ) all accessable by bus or some of the hotels have a shuttle to take you there. - We just came back from vacationing in Miami, but a few years back we vacationed in Destin and that in my opinion was a much nicer beach.

Destin is is gorgeous. Northwest Florida is a lot less crowded, too. Also, lots of hotels on the beach just west of Destin, in Pensacola. My favorite place for a beach getaway is Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, just over the Florida line into Alabama. Small town, friendly people, gorgeous beach.

I am looking forward to my Labor Day Runaway with the Girls to the Beach in Gulf Shores. We are looking forward to lots of shopping, sunning on the beach, trying new wines and eating lots of wonderful seafood. I was able to plan all of the fun events for the girls using www.thebeachiscalling.org I did this last time and it really saved a lot of time and money. See you at the beach...