Anyone stayed at Tradewinds, St petes beach?

[missiowa]

Just wondering if anyone has taken a side trip to St petes beach/Clearwater area and stayed anywhere great? We are thinking of Tradewinds Island Grand. Anyone stayed there please help! Thanks! Missiowa

 

[tiff13]

We went in August. It totally wasn't what we expected. There wasn't even half of what they said there was to do , unless you plan on just looking and going in the ocean. We were suppose to stay for 4 days. We left after the first day and made resies at Pop Century and had a much better time there.

 

[HollyNEd]

Yep I have stayed at the Tradewinds 3 times last time being in 96. To be honest when the hotel opened in 85 it was amazing and each time since it has gone down hill. My suggestion would be stay down the street at the Don Cesar. The Tradewinds looks great in the brochures but in reality it is not as Grand as it used to be.
Good luck.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We LOVE the Don Cesar...they often will run specials too. Totally pampered there...

I am thinking DH stayed at Tradewinds for business a couple years back. Is this the place with several different resorts within one? He stayed somewhere and said he was at the best of the 3. ???

 

[Mjasp]

Bumping this up as We are booked to go there in August.

 

[delilah]

I used to go to a CME program at Tradewinds. I wouldn't mind going again, but it is always the week before spring break. We stayed at a different property that used to be affiliated with the Tradewinds, and we used to be able to sit on the Tradewinds beach and use their facilities. This was sold several years ago, and I am not sure of the arrangement now. Since we like to sit on the beach and look for shells, Tradewinds suits us. They used to have a lot of children's programs, also. We liked going to a bird rehab place nearby, and the aquarium, and other things like that. My husband's family also lives nearby.

Personally, I really liked Sundial at Sanibel. Sanibel has Ding Darling reserve, and if you walk along the beach, it is possible to get some awsome shells and see some interesting wildlife. St. Pete Beach, not so much.

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

I have stayed there for a business conference before. I was surprised as it wasn't as upscale as most of the resorts that I visit for conferences. Not much to do either unless you are into the beach. I would agree with what others have said-- if you are going for r & r, I would go with the Don Cesar.

 

[Poohnatic]

I've stayed over there a lot, as my mom lived there. I like the little mom and pop places. Keystone was a nice one, but the one I kept going back to is Bayview/Plaza Beach. Very nice owners and immaculate efficiencies.

I agree with the others that if you want top quality, go to Don Cesar's. You can see W's villa-the Bush family owns one on the Don Cesar property.


Suzanne

 

[hemispheredancer]

We stayed at TIG last March for a weekend. There was lots of things to do but we didn't have the time to utilize the activities. The rooms were nice. We had a parlor suite that had a toaster, microwave, sink, fridge. The restaurants were a little too pricey for us, though. We would stay there again but wouldn't pay what Don Cesar is asking.