Clearwater-Sheraton Sand Key or Hilton?

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Trying over here as Community Board moves too fast sometimes!

Have the choice of either of these. Both would have balconies, may(but not guaranteed) get a better view at the Hilton for the price range we are looking at though. Sheraton looks more appealing. Any advice?? What is around each hotel? Which is nicer?? We have previously stayed at the Don Cesar at St. Pete Beach. How is a nonbeach view with balcony(over 3rd floor) at Sheraton?
This is only a 3 day trip following WDW in a few weeks. Have both booked at the moment and must cancel one! Help and thanks!

 

[DianeV]

I dont know about the Sheraton but we stayed at the HIlton and its in a great location. Hotel was clean although its hard for them to keep those beach hotels "up" because of all the use especially from Spring breakers.

The HIlton is right in the action as far as stuff to do and has a nice pool and beach access.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks Diane. I keep reading that guest have to pay to park at the Hilton. How much is this?? The Sheraton was renovated in 02, and the Hilton may have been renovated recently, but not sure on that!

 

[TDM516]

I hate to put "a fly in your ointment" but I would rethink staying on Sand Key altogether. I may just be spoiled, having vacationed on the white sands of Destin so much, as well as in Siesta Key, but I was less than impressed with the beach at Sand Key. We stayed at the Sheraton about four years ago, which was okay (just okay), and walked a long walk across the street and down an access path to the beach, but the sand on Sand Key is rough and I thought the beach was pretty dirty. The Hilton did have a better location, so if you really want to stay there, go with the Hilton. If I were you, I would check on something right on the beach in Clearwater; the sand was much better there. I think there's an Adam's Mark right on the beach and a couple of others. If you're familiar with St. Pete Beach, you're familiar with the rougher sand from the ground-up shells, but the sand on Sand Key was nowhere as pretty as the beach at St. Pete. I think you will be disappointed. Just my opinion.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We have been to Destin a lot, closer to us than Clearwater . We have to go to this area as DH has to attend a meeting there the day after our WDW trip. I would go to Don Cesar again for this trip but it is much further from where he has to go. And DH and I are taking an alone trip there later this summer . Sheraton Sand Key IS on the beach, it is just a wide beach. No street to cross . Maybe you are thinking of the Radisson which is across the street?
http://www.sheratonsandkey.com/
Thanks for the input.

 

[DianeV]

I cant remember exactly how the parking worked. I know there was valet which we didnt do but we may have had to pay to self park but it was not a huge amount or I would remember!

Its a tough decision I guess as its been a couple years since we stayed at the HIlton so as far as renovating I dont know.

 

[TDM516]

You're right; it was the Radisson, but we had a path where we could use the beach behind the Sheraton, but as I said, didn't care for the beach. If you are accustomed to Destin, you will be disappointed. My suggestion would be to go back to St. Pete Beach or at the very least, stay in Clearwater. We stayed at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete and liked it very much, and it's cheaper than the Don Cesar.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

DH has stayed at the Tradewinds several times for business functions. He says that is just too far from where the meeting is this time. I am pushing it to stay on the beach at all as the meeting is in town . He and I will probably go back to the Don for our alone trip. The kids stayed there last year and loved it too-pure relaxation! Best Beach vacation we ever had!Hard to top ! But this is just 2 nights, and we want to try something closer to where DH has to go for a couple hours on both mornings. I want him to get to relax and not spend too much time in the car ! Being that we are in WDW until the day before the meeting, it makes sense for us all to go along for a free ride ! We are in N. FL so it does not make sense for him to come home and go back! The room will be paid for up to a certain amount-I am hoping we can pay the difference for a better view as we LOVE sitting on the balcony at night when the kids are in bed and staring at the ocean... Ah...
Thanks for your help!

 

[jtopicz1]

I live in Clearwater, and run a business on Clearwater Beach (fishing boats). We usually recommend the Sheraton Sand Key to all of our customers and have never got any negative feedback. The hotel is newer, very "resort" style, and the beach, while nice, is never as crowded as Clearwater beach. Sand Key is also just a short drive over the bridge to Clearwater. The only two hotels on CWB I could recommend would be the Adams Mark or Hilton. Both are nice, right on the beach, but nothing too special. The Hilton is definatly a mid grade Hilton. It was originally a Holiday Inn, then a Doubletree, and now a Hilton. It's an older property, but well kept up, and dead center on the Gulf Blvd. / Mandalay Ave. Clearwater beach strip.

Both the Hilton and Adams Mark come up on Priceline as 3*'s often for $50-70, making them a GREAT value. If you choose to go that route, start bidding at $50 for clearwater beach, and add $10 with each free-rebid up to $70 (Treasure Island and S. St. Pete are free rebids since they have NO 3* hotels).

Jim

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks Jim! DH booked both at a special government rate and we don't have to pay for it (since dh has a meeting), but I will remember that tip for next time ! Leaning toward the Sheraton Sand Key after your post, though I need to show DH what I have learned and make him decide !

 

[floridafam]

We were married at the Sheraton Sand Key after being truly amazed on our first visit.

It is right on the beach. You don't have any street to cross.

The beach is huge!! We love it. It is not crowded and overrun with rowdy teenagers like Clearwater Beach proper-I'm only 30 and I'm already complaining about teenagers

The Sheraton is newly renovated. We love the Island Grille-one of their little restaurants.

The first time we stayed there I called about something wrong with the TV and they were knocking on the door to fix it before I was even off the phone.

I can't tell you what your view will be as we always stay on the 1st floor near the pool with a perfect view of the Gulf. Love walking across the street to the cutest little Dunkin Donuts sometimes for breakfast. It has more of a secluded feeling than the Hilton. You feel totally seperated from Clearwater Beach even though you are right there.

The Sheraton is very relaxed and parking is free.

We are checking in there next Sunday (May 11) for a week.

I must recommend the Sheraton. I even type in their website every few days so I can listen to the music.

 

[floridafam]

It couldn't hurt to ask if they could upgrade you to a pool/gulf view room.

Some rooms face the parking lot but have a nice view of the water over by the Radisson if you are up high enough. Some rooms face the tennis courts with a partial view of the gulf. The others face the pool/gulf. The ones in the picture on their website.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Your right, it does not hurt to ask! I did speak to a great reservationist who guaranteed us the balcony and above 3rd floor. I explained the predicament. We are willing to pay more for the Gulf view, it just cannot be reserved that way since it is not his credit card.
Are there any little fast food places nearby in case the kids and I are stuck for lunch and don't want to eat at the hotel? I imagine DH will be through with his meeting, but you never know ! I can't seem to find pictures that show the boulevard side of the hotel, so I am not sure how it is situated.
Still need to get DH in on this and cancel one this week!
Thanks for your help! Less than a month to go!

 

[floridafam]

I will try and take some pictures when we are there next week.

It is hard to explain how the hotel is situated.

Have you seen the picture on the website.

If you are overlooking the road you will be in the rooms behind the pool area. Not the ones that you can see on the website but if you walk around the corner of the hotel. These rooms share a hallway. Pool view rooms on one side and regular views on the other.

We usually eat at the hotel. I don't know of many fast food places around other than the Dunkin Donuts.

There is a little shop at the Sheraton open 24 hours that has chips, sandwiches, soda, etc.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks for the info! I would LOVE to see some pictures. I have looked at the pictures on the site quite a bit ! Hard to figure it all out without having been there though. Is ocean view seperate price than pool view? We don't like pool area as the "pool noise" gets to me !

 

[floridafam]

The pool view is also a gulf view.

I think you would get a partial gulf view with the rooms that face the tennis courts.

We have the room that is closest to the pool and the noise has never bothered us. It may not be what you are looking for though.

If you face the pool but are on a higher floor or in the section that overlooks the hot tub area it will be quiet.

What view are you booked in now?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Boulevard side, with a balcony(apparently a few low ones on that side don't have one! ), and higher than 3rd floor. Does not really fit any of the descriptions on the web site, but when I called, there were only 2 catagories they offer for his discount. I think my kids will be more interested in the beach, since we will be at CR(and its pool) the 5 days prior to this. Anyway, we will pay extra for the Gulf side if available at check-in. That was the only other option for this "code" so to speak! They did not offer discounts on the other views. ! No wonder DH usually has his secretary make his reservations...I am TOO picky!

 

[floridafam]

Good luck, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to ask about an upgrade.

There is a girl who works at the front desk-her name is Alexandra-I don't know if she still works there-but she is very nice. Maybe she will check you in if you stay at the Sheraton.

I really hope you have a good time if you stay there. We love it and I'm always nervous when I recommend it that someone is going to get there and not have a great stay.

They have won some awards for customer satisfaction.

I'll take lots of pictures.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Don't worry and thanks for you help ! Enjoy your trip next week!

 

[paulakim]

floridafam, We are visiting the gulf side for the first time in Nov and I am still trying to decide on the Sheraton or Radisson on Sand Key. I got a great rate at the Radisson for a suite but I wanted to know if you have any idea how far this is from the beach. The Sheraton looks very nice also but will cost quite a bit more. Is there really a big difference between the two resorts? How would you compare the two? Any info would help so much.

Thanks, Paula