Places to stay in St.Pete FL

[blessedby3]

I have a credit with Allegiant Airlines and need to use it by Sept. They only fly to Orlando and St. Pete from our area. We just did Disney a couple of weeks ago and my DH wants to go to a beach. I figured we could use the credit and go to St. Pete. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a nice oceanfront place to stay. Hotel, condo, whatever. What are the best areas there? I also would need to rent a car. Do you know the name of the airport we would fly into? Just wondering how far it would be to the beach area. Thanks for any help or links that you can give me. We would be going in June most likely.

 

[TheDizMom]

Try the Tradewinds at St. Pete's Beach. It is fabulous . I have been there twice, and my sister and her family go every year. We have usually had a suite of rooms with a bedroom that sleeps four and a living area with a pull-out couch and kitchen. You can also get additional connecting rooms as we have had up to 3 bedrooms when our parents joined us too. They are on the beach with loads of cabanas which you can get for the day at no cost. You have to get there when they open in the morning and bring a few personal items to reserve it, as they will not accept just their hotel towels to hold them and will give your cabana away if that is all they see. We would send one adult and bring down the sand toys and a pair of flip flops or some magazines to hold it and if they got stollen (which has never happened) it would be no big deal. Then whoever went would come back to the room we would get breakfast and get ready for the beach and go back down later. They have 3 pools and a kiddie pool, several restaurants including one on the beach that you can get food at and take to your cabana (watch out for the sea gulls though ). They even have a kids club that the kids can go to to make crafts and do other fun things. You are very close to a major grocery store and several shopping areas should you need them and there are several really great restaurants in the area. I highly recommend it .

 

[mama4]

My sister lives in the area so I've never needed a place to stay but I always thought the Don Cesar looked lovely. I've eaten at the Maritana Grille and it was great and the beach and resort are beautiful.
http://www.doncesar.com/

 

[blessedby3]

Wow, both of those places are lovely, but I guess I should say we need more of a "budget" price. They are a bit pricey. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Maybe this area is just too rich for our blood? Thanks and anymore suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[mama4]

Gotcha. We wouldn't be able to afford the Don Cesar. Only in my dreams I did do a search around Thanksgiving for a budget place to stay on the beach. We were planning on spending the holiday with my sis but thought there might not be enough room at her place since other out-of-towners would be there. We ended up not needing the hotel room but this is the place I found. Looks nice to me- and I'm pretty picky with my 4 kids. I'd certainly be willing to try it.
http://www.beachhavenvillas.com/

Also, I have stayed at the Hampton Inn in downtown St Pete. We were there for my sisters MILs' 75th bday celebration. It was VERY nice (especially for a Hampton Inn) and the staff was wonderful. They also had a nice complimentary breakfast. It wouldn't be on the beach of course...
Good luck. It really is a nice area to visit.

 

[_queenie_]

My sister lives in the area so I've never needed a place to stay but I always thought the Don Cesar looked lovely. I've eaten at the Maritana Grille and it was great and the beach and resort are beautiful.
http://www.doncesar.com/

My DH did the same, he thought it was gorgeous!

 

[blessedby3]

thanks mama4. I checked it out. Looks nice. Anyone else have anymore suggestions?

 

[hemispheredancer]

A few years back we stayed at Tradewinds IG for 2 nights while we explored the Tampa area. It was a very nice place to stay with lots to do on property. Their sister hotel, Sandpiper, is right next door. In my Entertainment book they are listed as a 50% off hotel. That is what we used while staying there and our room was less than $200 a night. You may want to call and ask them what their Entertaiment rate is for XXX date.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

Try the Grand Plaza Hotel. It is just down the beach from Don Cesar and they run specials of about $100 a night. We stayed in '06 and were upgraded to a beachfront room. Everything was very clean and beautiful and we had fantastic views from our balcony. Can't say enough good about this place.

 

[mom2grace]

You would fly into Tampa.

We have also stayed at Tradewinds, DH's company paid for it, I thought it was pricey.

You might try further north between Clearwater and St. Pete.......Treasure Island, John's Pass, etc.

 

[NotUrsula]

Try the Alden or the Bon Aire. They're basic, but very comfy IMO, and both beachside.

 

[blessedby3]

thanks- I will check into all your suggestions

 

[mom2aredhead]

If you go through the Busch Gardens website, they have "parter" hotels. They have a deal at a few of them that include Busch Gardens park tickets too.