clearwater

[debbyLL]

we are thinking of going to clearwater for a couple of days in late oct, can anyone advise best way of getting good hotel rate i.e 4*
by the sea. we usually go to wdw in sept will it be warm enough for a beach visit
thanks
debby

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Debby
It isn't easy to get any reduced rates for Gulf Coast resorts, particularly beachside.

It should certainly be warm enough for a beach visit!

When we stayed at Clearwater Beach a while ago, we booked the following hotel on-line having seen it in the brochures.

http://www.clearwaterbeachhotel.com

The Sheraton Sand Key Resort always gets good reviews on the boards as does the Radisson Suite Resort.

If you know anyone going out soon, you could ask them to pick up the "Florida- On The Go" booklet which is free and provided by, amazingly, McDonalds! If they can get you one that is current when you go, you can find coupons and good rates for a number of hotels such as Hampton Inn, Best Western, Holiday Inn etc. plus tel nos and great little maps indicating where the hotels are. However, the hotels I've noted above are the tried and tested ones.

You also might like to check out www.flausa.com

 

[Aceman88888]

Slightly off topic but we took an afternoon driving between Honeymoon Island and Tampa on the gulf coast and certainly after just a few hours its obviously more refined than the atlantic coast (unless you are a surfer).

There were plenty of hotels there earlier this week advertising on their roadside neon signs rooms for hire but as we were only daytrippin' we didn't take much notice.....sorry!!!

 

[Shuttle Fan]

Or could you try www.roomsavers.com

This gives some good walk in rate discounts.

 

[vernon]

If you're reasonably flexible I've found http://www.priceline.co.uk works well for me. Not sure they work in Clearwater ( I'd guess they do) , another company I've found do some good deals is http://www.hotwire.com

 

[neilybealy]

we went to clearwater for a day last year ( 3 oct 2002 to be precise ) to visit some friends of my girlfriend's parents who moved over there several years back

it was hot - we spent the day on the beach, watched the sunset then went for dinner

then did the 2 hour drive back to orlando

 

[giggler]

WE WENT TO CLEARWATER IN 2000. BEFORE WE GOT THERE WE WENT TO A SHOPPING MALL (CANT REMEMBER PRECISE LOCATION BUT IT WAS CLOSE TO CLEARWATER) ON THE WAY.
THE HAD DISCOUNT BOOKS IN THERE TO PICK UP.
WE GOT A SPECIAL RATE AT THE QUALITY INN ON THE BEACH FRONT AND IT WAS $65 A NIGHT AND IT WAS A VERY NICE HOTEL.
WE PLAYED THEM OFF WITH ANOTHER HOTEL DOWN THE ROAD AND GOT A BETTER RATE THAN WHAT THE VOUCHER WAS OFFERING.
SO I SUPPOSE THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS TO TRY YOUR LUCK AND HOPE TO GET A GOOD DEAL


GIGGLER

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hello - we stayed at the Radisson Suites on Sandkey which is about 1 mile or so out of the main Clearwater stretch of beaches. Sandkey is one of the top 10 beaches in the US.

We found Clearwater itself very touristy and noisy - lots of "youngsters" (no, we're not ancient!!) driving up and down the main road most evenings, but there are some nice hotels there and great restaurants.

If you need any further info on Radisson, holler

 

[harryhornet]

Mrs Dazzle,

I'd love any information you have on the Raddison Suite. We are staying there for a week to hopefully chill out a bit after 2 weeks hectic theme parking.

 

[SidB]

Mrs Dazzle, any feedback would be good. We're going to be looking for accomodation on the Gulf Coast shortly.

 

[BEADY]

Hello, We stayed in Clearwater last year. We booked through www.2000floridatravel.com and stayed at Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. It was a beautiful hotel, right on the beach.
This year we are going to stay in Sarasota, at Radisson Lido Beach Resort. We have booked that through www.undercovertourist.com
We are now on a countdown.
Love Beady.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi HarryHornet and SidB

The Radisson is a great place - all the rooms as suites so whilst you still get 2 kings size beds, there's also a reasonable size bed-settee in the separate lounge. There are also mini-kitchens which have sink and microwaves.

The best thing is the view - from the front (lounge) you look over to the gulf, though the Sheraton SandKey hotel on the opposite side of the road mind you, but still can see the sea . From your bedroom balcony you look straight over the bay . . . we were on 8th floor and if, like me, you love heights ask for as high as you can possibly get, the views were great and the pelicans flew past every hour of every day we were in the room
The swimming pool is great - has it's own little waterfall.

The walk over the road to the beach is probably no more than 5-6 mins, or the hotel run a courtesy bus which takes you direct on to the beach in Sand Key - one of the US's top parks.

Next to the hotel are The Shoppes on SandKey - a boardwalk takes you down to a number of restaurants (recommend both the Italian and Chinese) and some lovely little gifty type shops - and a cracking deli.

Food in the Radisson is ok, we ate there a couple of times, but in Clearwater itself - a trolley bus ride down the road, there are loads of different types of restaurants.

Only one tip for the hotel - as you're looking at the front of the hotel, ask for your room in the RIGHT HAND SIDE only - there are large extractor fans from the kitchen on the left hand side and even on 8th floor we could feel and hear them. Whilst it didn't ruin the holiday, out of choice would go for the r/h side next time.

If you need any other info on the area let me know - happy to tell you what we did/where we went.

 

[debbyLL]

thanks everyone i will try all your sites posted, and let you all know on my return in november, ooo too long to wait, but this site helps the withdrawel symptoms
debby

 

[christi]

Hi DebbyLL,

We are also off to WDW in November and are having some time on the Gulf Coast after to recupperate. We have chosen St Petes and are staying at the Tradewinds Grand Island whcich seems to have had some good reviews. They have a web site www.tradewinds.com which has some good information.
It's our first trip to the States so I ,like you ,can't wait!!