Advice from FLA residents....

[rbuzzotta]

WE will be staying at OKW for 5 nights in July and then leave the property for the weekend (Fri adn Sat) and then checking into VWL for another 5 nights. We would like to visit the west coast of Florida and have stayed at Clearwater Beach several times. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Remember that we are accustomed to Disney quality resorts!!! We really don't want to travel more than 2 1/2 hours each way. I've been searching the web but thought I'd run it by my friends here!!

Thanks

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98, '00
VB '97, '98, '00, '01?
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
OKW '01

 

[JackieMD]

I would recommend St. Petersburg Beach over Clearwater. There are two resorts you might want to check into:
1. The Don Cesar (sp?)
2. The Tradewinds Resort

I personally have never stayed in either but many friends and relatives have and only glowing remarks to both.

At the southern tip of St. Pete Beach,called Pass a Grille Beach, is a restaurant called Hurricanes. They have the best grouper sandwiches and frosty drinks, with a gorgeous view of the Gulf from the top deck.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[Pooh Bear Dad]

Tradewinds would be best if you have kids. Check them out at www.tradewindsresort.com

If you want a less commercial location, stay at a resort on Long Boat Key. Check out the Hilton, Hyatt, or Colony Beach Resort.

Scott

 

[sconstantz]

I haven't stayed there, we actually stayed somewhere else (friends made the ressie) that I wouldn't recommend. But we did tour the Don and it is wonderful. And has a terrific history behind it. Well worth it. If you end up staying somewhere else, at least visit it. You will feel like you have gone back in time.
shellyÏ

 

[nickglover]

The Hurricane Restaurant is just about two miles south of the Don Cesar. It is a great place, even just for drinks at sunset on the top (3rd floor) deck. Another hotel choice would be The Vinoy in downtown St. Pete, but you would not be on the beach. The Don Cesar and Tradewinds are expensive - there are other nice places along the beaches, including the Hilton and the Hyatt at St. Pete Beach. If you have AAA, you should check out their Florida accomodations guide.

 

[mattsdad]

You may want to try the "Clearwater Beach Hotel" it is expensive, but very nice

 

[jonb]

My vote is Long Boat Key !!!!!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I just made reservations at the Tradeswind Island Grand Resort on St. Peterburg Beach. We got a 1 BR overlooking the Gulf and at a great rate!!

Thanks for all your input!!

 

[nickglover]

you will love it there - remember, it will be very hot then - take sunscreen - a great place to eat out nearby is Leverocks (find it on a map first) - it is north on the main road and then off to the right, to the south side of the bridge leading to the mainland (the causeway) - another cool place is just across the causeway in Pasadena - Ted Peters Smoked Fish - great smoked fish, even better cheeseburgers and even better warm German potato salad with bacons and onions! Don't forget The Hurricane for sunset and drinks (and/or great grouper and other seafood) - it is about 6 miles south in Passe a Grille.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for the info nickglover. WE have eaten at Leverocks several times in the past when we stayed at Clearwater Beach. It was very good. We hope to try something new this time!!!

Thanks again

 

[alikat99]

Wow, you're gonna be in my neck of the woods. St. Pete Beach is one of my favorite places to be on the Gulf Coast. You'll like the Tradewinds.

Since I only live about 15 minutes from the beach, I would definitely have to recommend Hurricane's. Like someone else said, they have great grouper sandwiches, awesome drinks and a cool view from the rooftop deck.

If you're like a great brunch, I would have to recommend the champagne Sunday brunch at the Don CeSar hotel. It's a little pricey, but well worth every penny. However, make sure that you make reservations early because the brunch is very popular. The Don is just a short drive south on Gulf Blvd from the Tradewinds. But, if you're not into brunch, check out the Don anyway. It's a great piece of history and they have a cute little ice cream parlor on one of the lower levels.

If you need any other questions answered about the area, let me know.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Will I need reservations at Hurricanes? Where abouts is it in relation to Tradeswinds Grand Island Resort?

Thanks for all the info. Any other suggestions for the area would be appreciated.

 

[tgr1116]

We have stayed at the Tradewinds 2 times and love the place!! There is sooo much for the kids to do. The resort fee is $12 dollars per day, but well worth it! There are paddle boats, water trikes, cabanas and many others recreational activities included in the fee. We ate at a place called "Crabby Bills" one night for seafood and it was good... just about a mile or two south of TW. Try the "rumrunners" there if you are drinkers! It is a casual laid back atmosphere and not too expensive. Have fun!

 

[nickglover]

I'm not sure if you can make reservations at The Hurricane - but just go early and put your name down and then go to the top deck for the view. It is straight down Guld Boulevard to the south, past the Don Cesar (big pink hotel on the right) continue about two miles and then you have to jog over one block to the right to be on the beach road - just drive down until you come to a three story structure on the left, across from the beach on your right - if you miss it, Passe-a-Grille ends about 1/2 mile further and you have to drive back anyway! It is not hard to find once you are on the beach road. It is about 6-8 miles south of Tradewinds.

 

[alikat99]

Unfortunately, you can't make reservations at Hurricane's. But, they have 2 different levels that have different wait lists. Put your name in, and go to the upper deck to watch the sunset. The only problem with the rooftop deck, is that they don't allow children. I'm pretty sure that it's strictly 21 and up. But, if you do have kids, just put your name in, then step outside. You can still watch the sunset from in front of the restaurant, because it's right across the street from the beach.

Also, Crabby Bill's is pretty good too. It's closer to the Tradewinds and it's right on the beach.

We go to both restaurants on a regular basis for local seafood.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for the info. I am really looking forward to going to Hurricanes and checking out the Don Cesar. Unfortunately we will be travelling with our 3 DD's and they are not even close to the age of 21!!!!!!!!

Here on the east coast we are used to sunrises....We really appreciated the beauty of the sunset when we were in Clearwater last year.

Maybe we'll see you at Hurricanes!!!

Thanks