West Coast Beach Ideas

[rapunzal]

Looking to fly into Tampa and spend a week somewhere on the west coast of Florida. Would like ideas for a condo or hotel that is clean, on the beach with a pool. Thanks

 

[winterman]

I have stayed at Hojo directly on the beach at St. Pete Beach. The rooms were clean and of ample size. The pool is located between the beach and the hotel. There were plenty of chairs poolside and there is a nice bar poolside.
St. Pete beach is beautiful and there are plenty of reasonably priced restaurants nearby.

 

[jeffreyml]

We like to stay in Maderia Beach. Lately we've been renting in a condo called Madeira Norte. It's well kept with a nice sized pool, elevator and directly on the Gulf of Mexico. There is a great shopping area located directly across the street called John's Pass

Here are some links to some of the condos available

Our Favorite

Condo 1
Condo 2
Condo 3
Condo 4
Condo 5
Condo 6
Condo 7
Condo 8
Condo 9
Condo 10 Condo 11
Condo 12
Condo 13
Condo 14

 

[sln88]

did you pay for condo rental? is it only weekly rental?
thanks

 

[jeffreyml]

Most of the condos rent Saturday to Saturday. They range in price from 500-800 depending on what time of year your visting. All of the condo's that I have listed are 2 bedroom and some have 2 batrooms and some have 1 1/2. There are other condos directly on the beach but we have only stayed in this one and our family enjoys it.

Sometimes you can receive a discount from the owners if you rent for more than a week at a time.

 

[denisenh]

Although I hadn't read raving reviews about Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar, we stayed there August 2003 and thought it was really wonderful. My first impression was not great due to the exterior hallway entrance and general style. It is an older building that has been updated/modernized, but once inside, it was so easy to make ourselves right at home, then I got used to the charm of the building. I honestly would have been very happy to live there. The condo was clean and bright. We had one bedroom with a queen bed, fully applianced kitchen including dishwasher, 1 bathroom with washer and dryer in the closet, and an open concept living/ dining area with a pullout sofa bed. It was spacious enough for the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 kids. Our balcony faced the pool with an ocean view to the right. I think most suites have at least a partial ocean view due to the property layout. The balcony is large enough to accommodate a lounge chair and table and chairs and is just perfect for a quiet breakfast. I wake early and would sit out on the balcony with coffee and watch the world come alive, the birds, the ocean, the pool guy. That's my favorite time of the day. The kids enjoyed having lunch on the balcony as well. There is an order form for groceries left out on the counter, but we did our own shopping down the street at Publix.
The staff is very nice. The gift shop was small but has essentials and souvenirs. The pool was a lot of fun and not crowded at all, just an elevator ride and a few steps away. There were floats for the kids to play with. The building sits on a nice quiet section of St. Pete Beach. It was great to be outside all day, either by the pool or beach and just walk inside to make lunch or supper and then go right back out. We had an awesome time. Guests have full access to the Don CeSar resort down the beach. We did walk down one afternoon to look around but the pools there were crowded and we really had all we needed at the Beach House. We made one side trip to Lowry Park Zoo and had a nice day there. DH found a frog the size of a pea in the parking lot there...never saw that before.
Anyway, I would recommend this condo/suite and they have nightly and package rates. Here is a link...Don CeSar Beach House Suites
We have also stayed at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites St. Pete Beach (needed updating but staff is wonderful, made me a club sandwich late at night and it was not on the menu, kids eat free at Holiday Inn, restaurant with excellent views, sandy path to beach) Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort (on beach, had a good stay) and Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key (great prices on room service menu, water view off balcony.....starting directly under it, nice boardwalk along the water to shops, Sand Key beach a short walk or trolley ride across the street).
There are so many places to choose from. I'd be happy to answer any questions if it would be helpful.

 

[CPM]

Was the Don Cesar owned by Loews when you stayed there? I know it's a fairly new transaction. They have been doing some work on it too. Loews has been running some good deals on staying there, you might want to check out their website.

www.loewshotels.com

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by jeffreyml
We like to stay in Maderia Beach. Lately we've been renting in a condo called Madeira Norte. It's well kept with a nice sized pool, elevator and directly on the Gulf of Mexico.

Do you know how far this area is from Sarasota? Thanks!

 

[jeffreyml]

I beleive it's about a 1/2-1 hour north of Sarasota. I think we drove south one year to look around Anna Maria Island which is near Sarasota.