Gulf Coast Suggestions

[Annie'sMom]

We are taking a 3-generation trip to Florida in August. (I know, I know...only crazy people go to Florida in August!) We will be spending 2 weeks at WDW. To break up the 2 weeks, we want to make a visit to the beach. DD (7) has never been and is dying to go. We've already decided to go the Gulf side. Now the question is...which area to visit. I've looked at lodging everywhere from St. Petersburg to Sarasota. We are most interested in good sand and shelling. I know the shelling is better south...but we don't want to drive 5 hours. We are also looking to stay right on the beach.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a moderately priced hotel that they recommend? It seems that the only choices are condos (which typically only rent for a week at a time), expensive resorts or small "mom and pop" motels which are of dubious quality. I would be grateful for any suggestions!

 

[floridagirrl2]

We have stayed at numerous little motels on Siesta Key (a barrier island off Sarasota), always booked sight-unseen, and they all have been absolutely pristine. The white sand beaches of Siesta Key are among the most gorgeous in Florida (but the shelling is pretty much non-existant--you'd have to go farther south for great shelling).

Siesta Key is a part of Florida where the property values are so high that even mom-and-pop hotels have to be in great shape in order to generate enough profit to pay the bills....that's my theory, anyway, since I've never stayed at a bad motel there (unlike Orlando, which has some very scary areas/motels, there are NO bad areas of Siesta Key).

 

[dixielander]

You'll have excellent beach weather in August!!

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn Harbourside, in Indian Rocks Beach, FL and loved it. We stayed in a "condo suite", which had a seperate bedroom with 2 double beds (or queen), and a living area with a pull out sofa. Also it had a full kitchen, which was nice! The hotel has two pools, and jacuzzi, and a really great restaurant where the kids eat free. It is a very very nice hotel, and although it is not directly on the beach, it is literally a 3 minute walk to the public beach access path. I mean very very short walk!

I would recommend this hotel, the beach at Indian Rocks is also very very nice, the sand is soft like sugar, not rocky!

Have a Great Trip. (Go right to the Holiday Inn website to check rates, I think we only paid $129 for the suite!)

 

[jeffreyml]

I sent you a message to answer some of your questions. Here is a link to my past post.

Past Post

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Annie'sMom
We are most interested in good sand and shelling. I know the shelling is better south...but we don't want to drive 5 hours. We are also looking to stay right on the beach.

For shelling you can't beat Sanibel Island. There is a nice Country Inn and suites just off the island that offers great rates and a nice Holiday Inn right on the beach in Sanibel that I can think of off hand. It will take just a litttle over three hours to get there. It's a very nice family area.

 

[lejaf]

This is a great help. We (family of 5) are planning on 5 days in Orlando and 4 days at a Gulf (Tampa area) beach in March. I've got the Orlando part all set (HIFS) but am having a horrible time trying o figure out where to stay on the beach. I was looking at some condo rentals, but it seemed that most require a week long stay. Has anyone else found this to be true, or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

There is so much information about the Orlando area, but not quite as much for "Tampa" area beaches. (or maybe it's there, but I'm not finding it) Initially I was looking for "suite" hotel although the ones that I found didn't really get rave reviews...then I started looking for condos and they all required a week long stay. Any other advice/suggestions on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

My "ideal" place would be a "family friendly" one or two bedroom place right ON the beach and with a pool and walking distance to shops/restuarants and I'm sure there are tons of places to pick from, but I'm just soooo confused.

Also, I saw that there is a trolley that runs along the beach...does anyone have experience with it? There is a trolley that runs along the beach in York Maine that is a fun/easy way to get from one place to another..I'm wondering if it is similar.

Thanks again for any suggestions!

 

[dennise]

We have Stayed at the Bilmar in Treasure Island. All rooms have a fridge and coffee make, but you can get full efficiencies and suites. An older property but good location, two pools, spa, onsite restaurante and lots within walking distance.

 

[Annie'sMom]

Thanks for all the suggestions! (Jeff-I got your PM.) Right now, the Holiday Inn is booked. I am looking very hard at a small Mom and Pop place, which seems to get good reviews Wit's End. It is a Superior Small Lodging and is right on the beach. I am waiting to hear from one more place...then we'll probably make our reservations. Thanks again for all the good input!

 

[Niagara2]

Clearwater has some very nice beaches. On Sand Key is a Raddison and also a Holiday Inn that are both very nice. There is an Adam Mark Hotel too right on the Clearwater beach. Short drive to St. Pete's and Tampa.

 

[kabauer]

We stayed just outside of St. Petersburg in July '03. Fort DeSoto State Park is only about five-ten minute drive from St. Pete's beach. Loved it. It costs .35cents to get in. The beach is divided into two areas, I can't remember the names, but when the road divided we turned right. There are showers, concession stands, parks and picnic areas. The beach is outstanding. We saw several beaches during our week-long stay and this was our favorite. I have a six year old and there were plenty of areas for her to play in the water.

Check into it. You wouldn't be disappointed.