Tampa, Clearwater, ST Pete?

[ajbrown]

I want to get away for a short trip (few nights) with my lovely wife on her birthday. Last year we were at Key West, this year I do not want to drive that far :)

I have never been to Tampa, Clearwater or St Pete (where my grandfather loved). I can do some research on the Internet, but interested in some opinions here...

For this trip, priorities would be relax, maybe some beach... are any of those places like Key West (not the morning partying :)) where you can walk to pretty much anything?

Places people have enjoyed to stay?

Thanks so much...

[NotGolfer]

Go south to Sarasota and Venice. There are quaint shops and great restaurants along the way. You can go to one of the hotel sites to find accomodations as well that fit your budget.

[Fredman]

Second Venice. Great little town

[Polar Bear]

Venice, Sarasota are vey nice. But Clearwater Beach is excellent also. I believe tripadvisor.com called it the best beach in the US this year.

[ajbrown]

Thanks.

We have a friend that is visiting a company in Tampa which will overlap my trip. That is why I have focused on Tampa area

Anyone stay on Clearwater Beach? If you have, is it 'dense' enough, can you walk places to eat, get a drink, etc?

We stayed at Delray Sands (which was great), but you had to drive if you wanted to try other places.

[mark47]

If you stay in Clearwater beach you can park your car and walk everywhere. Beautiful area.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Clearwater Beach is my favorite, but it is quite busy and commercial.

If you're looking for something a bit more laid back and more like an old time beach area, you might try Madeira Beach a few miles south of Clearwater.
There's an ice cream store that sells penny candy like the kind we grew up with. A short distance away is John's Pass Boardwalk which has a lot of cool stores and exhibits.

The beach itself is very nice though not quite as nice as Clearwater. Clearwater has been selected as the best beach in the country.

[Bonnevie]

you can find hotels closer to John's Pass...there are a lot of nice little shops there and places to eat. then you can go to downtown St. Petersburg (short drive) and walk around that area which has some fun restaurants and is quite nice.

[ajbrown]

We are going to check out Shoreline Island Resort, located in Madeira Beach Florida.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts...

[kfierle]

We are going to check out Shoreline Island Resort, located in Madeira Beach Florida.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts...

I just returned from a stay at the Shoreline Island Resort. It is about a mile north of John's Pass. Walked the beach several times a day. I had a queen studio gulf front room. It was fine for my stay. I think it was in the older section. I would not hesitate to go back for another stay. Keep in mind that some of their rooms are across the street. I'm sure you want to stay on the gulf beach side. If you would like something a bit more upscale, try the Doubletree Inn in Redington Beach (about 4 miles north of the Shoreline).

[Chi-Town]

Treasure Island is a fun walk to everything beach destination. Tell them at the Bilmar Beach Resort that you are from The Villages.

Treasure Island Fl Hotels - Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island (http://www.bilmarbeachresort.com/)


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[jnieman]

Lido Beach is my fav. You can take the trolly to St. Armand's Circle. Check out TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book (http://www.tripadvisor.com) for hotel recommendations

St Armands Circle Homepage (http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/)

[Polar Bear]

Lido Beach is my fav. You can take the trolly to St. Armand's Circle. Check out TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book (http://www.tripadvisor.com) for hotel recommendations

St Armands Circle Homepage (http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/)
Spent a couple days in Lido and visited St. Armand's this past spring. Very enjoyable.

[Bonnevie]

There's also the Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach for luxury. Tradewinds another nice place.

[ajbrown]

I just returned from a stay at the Shoreline Island Resort. It is about a mile north of John's Pass. Walked the beach several times a day. I had a queen studio gulf front room. It was fine for my stay. I think it was in the older section. I would not hesitate to go back for another stay. Keep in mind that some of their rooms are across the street. I'm sure you want to stay on the gulf beach side. If you would like something a bit more upscale, try the Doubletree Inn in Redington Beach (about 4 miles north of the Shoreline).

I did not do a lot of lengthy planning or I would have booked a month ago, our first night is Halloween.

I liked what I read about the location and the hotel itself. I talked at length with Mario (employee) about styles of rooms, places to go, etc. I told him if I do not like it, I will find him :)

We will try what is called a King Pool/Gulf view suite. It is in building 6 which was built on 2015.

My wife looked on google street view and saw the hotel sign said "ALL ADULT". I had to clarify that meant no one under 21, not code for anything to do with porn or swingers. I responded, after all of these years, that is where you think I would take you for your birthday :evil6:

[John_W]

John's Pass, which is a waterway between Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, will be a quarter mile south of the Shoreline Island Resort. They have an outdoor shopping area much like a downtown or a mall. On the waterway side they have a boardwalk and Hooters and a bunch of eateries. See the link for details.

Johns Pass Village Map and Merchants << Johnspass (http://www.johnspass.com/index.php/about/)


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There's a pirate ship that sails from the boardwalk, but since it's Halloween it will be packed.

http://boattoursjohnspass.com/pirate-ship-cruise/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/home-slide-photo1.jpg

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