We are traveling to Tampa/Clearwater/St Pete area for a week in early April (Tue – Tue). Looking for a comfortable family accommodations preferably with a kitchenette (fridge, micro, coffee) or a full kitchen that can accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids (3 and 10) and not too far from the beach. We will most likely spend some days exploring the area, visiting Bush Gardens, Adventure Island, Tarpoon Springs, Fort De Soto park, zoo(s), museums, etc. We usually spend some time (2-3 hours) on the beach and then go places.
We have not been to this area before. (We visited Miami/ Fort Lauderdale a few times and stayed on the beach there).
We are on the budget, but would like nice, clean and comfortable accommodations. We also have some points for Marriott and Hilton chain hotels (will not cover all 7 nights though).
We are a bit confused about where to stay – should we stay on the beach in Clearwater Beach, or St Pete beach, or within 10-15 minutes from the beach. Should we stay in one place for all 7 nights, or should we split our stay between Clearwater and St Pete area??
Please help!
Thank you so much
Confused about where to stayI personally think that St. Pete Beach is much more family-oriented than Clearwater. It%26#39;s so easy to get around to all of the area you mentioned as long as you have a car, so I wouldn%26#39;t necessarily pick my hotel based on activities in the immediate area.
My wife and I, 10 year old daughter and infant son spent a long weekend at Sandpiper Resort directly on St. Pete Beach last May. The standard room was a little small for the 4 of us, but we had a crib in there too. Their rooms do have a mini kitchenette area with dorm sized fridge, microwave, coffee maker, sink and dishes. We scored an astonishingly great deal through Southwest Vacations. This is a great property that was very recently completely renovated. I would definitely stay here again.
As a side note, I have been travelling to the Gulf Coast of FL my entire 37 years. My mom is from St. Pete and I still have lots of family there. I actually worked at The Breckenridge resort on St Pete Beach back in the late 80%26#39;s (now part of the Island Grand complex). I know this area and the surrounding cities/beaches pretty well. Given the choice, I would always stay on St. Pete Beach over Clearwater, Treasure Island, Tampa, etc. It really is a fantastic family beach destination!
Confused about where to staySt. Pete%26#39;s Beach , Madeira Beach and Treasure Island are the better places to stay with family. I have been going there for many years and there are many inexpensive motels and hotels right on the beach in any of these towns and the beaches are great. Clearwater is more for college aged. Go on any of the web sites for the towns and i%26#39;m sure that you will find something nice and inexpensive. Have A Good Trip.
Thank you for the information and advice. The Sandpiper seems to be a very nice resort. Wow. I%26#39;d love to stay there. Unfortunatelly, the propertie (Sandpiper) is not available on all the days that we will be there. In addition it%26#39;s about $360 per night -- a bit pricy!
As for Clearwater Beach being a party place, that%26#39;s great! We are in our mid 30s, and very active. We never spend all day at the beach. Having very active kids as well, we usually go places and visit the beach on the same day, so being fairly close to the activities is important as well.
We were thinking about Marriott Suites on Sand Key for a few nights and Hampton Inn Suites in Saint Pete for a few nights.
Try the Alden Resort on St Pete, it is ideal for families.
Check out http://www.barefootbayresort.com/ We have stayed there several times and have never been disappointed. I have never stayed in their 2 bedroom kitchen, but it looks nice. The beach/pier is 200 yards away.
Frenchy%26#39;s Saltwater Cafe is great place for seafood and rumrunners, and is a block away.
Frenchy%26#39;s Rockaway is great for sunsets, head to the beach and hang a right, about 1/2 mile nice beach walk.
Marina is right across the street and has a nice little place for breakfast. In the afternoon around 4 go check out what the fisherman caught that day, you can take fishing trips from there if you like.
We stayed in Treasure Island last year with our two kids - ages 8 and 5. There is a lot to do - not far from Fort De Soto - which is really neat! There also is St. John%26#39;s Pass nearby with cool little beach shops and all kinds of restaurants. That is also where you can rent jet-skis, go on a cool pirate ship cruise (neat for kids) and all kinds of other stuff. Mini-golf isn%26#39;t far away either. Anyhow - we are going back to Treasure Island this year again and we are staying at Sunset Vista - it is a condo style beach resort right on the beach. All of the rooms are 2 bedroom, 2 bath, full kitchen and the place just opened a few months ago. I have obviously never stayed there but the reviews on tripadvisor are great and I know the area because last year we saw it being built - very close to everything. Check out their website too it%26#39;s www.sunsetvistas.com - I booked directly from their website and it was $247 a night - which isn%26#39;t bad at all for a brand new ';apartment'; with a gulf view, plus it has 2 hot tubs and a pool and kiddie pool! Plus we are staying there spring break time - so I thought that it was a pretty good deal. Hope you have a great trip!
Thank you all.
Will check out the Vistas. Barefoot bay unfortunatelly pretty booked and only avail. on a few nights. We will where we will end up.
Plaza beach Resort is a small family owned business with efficency units for about $100.00 a day. There is a stove top, a full sized fridge, microwave, coffee pot %26amp; dishes. The rooms have 2 double beds and a pull out couch. They are clean %26amp; comfortable and right on the beach. Across the street is a shopping center with a supermarket %26amp; restaurants. It also has a pool. I%26#39;ve stayed ther for 3 years now and am going back this year. Check out their web site www.plazabeach.com
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