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NFT: Tampa Area Hotel Recommnedations

TyreeHelmet : 10/6/2022 9:40 am
Thinking of taking a quick weekend trip with my wife and 4 year old daughter in November. Looking for a nice hotel/resort ideally on the beach. Any recommendations?

I'm loyal to Marriott for the points but there doesn't appear to be many great options.

Is the Sarastoa area an option or was it hit badly from the hurricane?

I have never been to Tampa but this would be extending a work trip. Thanks in advance.
I don't know what damage the storm did  
Giantsfan79 : 10/6/2022 10:02 am : link
but you may want to consider looking around St. Petersburg instead of Tampa. Unless you want to do the amusement parks or zoos.
Is price an issue?  
Big Rick in FL : 10/6/2022 10:02 am : link
What are you planning on doing? Beach? Theme parks? Sarasota is awesome, but it's about an hour from Tampa. So if you're planning on doing things in Tampa or further East I wouldn't stay in Sarasota. I'd probably stay on Clearwater Beach (Hilton Clearwater or Wyndham Clearwater) if you're deadset on staying on the beach. If you aren't I'd look at the JW Marriott or Marriott Waterside in Downtown Tampa. Also the Grand Hyatt off of 60 is nice. That's where the NFL teams stay when they are in Tampa.
I'm sure you'll get better insight than I can give  
aimrocky : 10/6/2022 10:03 am : link
But we vacation in that area often, 1-2 times a year, and prefer Sarasota to Tampa. I'd stay in Sarasota for the beaches alone, plus St. Armands Circle has very nice dining and shopping for the Mrs. You can head into Tampa if something peaks your interest.

Sorry, I don't have any hotel recommendations. My family has a house down there, so we haven't had to look for logging.
RE: I don't know what damage the storm did  
TyreeHelmet : 10/6/2022 10:23 am : link
In comment 15848043 Giantsfan79 said:
Quote:
but you may want to consider looking around St. Petersburg instead of Tampa. Unless you want to do the amusement parks or zoos.


Definitely looking at St. Pete or Clearwater. No amusement parks or zoo for this trip.

I'm not familiar with the area at all and would just like a nice hotel relatively family friendly with a nice pool and beach.
RE: RE: I don't know what damage the storm did  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/6/2022 10:31 am : link
In comment 15848072 TyreeHelmet said:
Quote:
In comment 15848043 Giantsfan79 said:


Quote:


but you may want to consider looking around St. Petersburg instead of Tampa. Unless you want to do the amusement parks or zoos.



Definitely looking at St. Pete or Clearwater. No amusement parks or zoo for this trip.

I'm not familiar with the area at all and would just like a nice hotel relatively family friendly with a nice pool and beach.


You want to be looking at the beaches. Tradewinds is an excellent option in SPB for families and will give you easy access to downtown St Pete and 275 for your work. Good deals and great weather this time of year as well. Sirata is a good lower-cost option too next door.
And if you are going to Sarasota for work you 100 percent would rather  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/6/2022 10:32 am : link
stay in St Pete Beach than Clearwater as the traffic getting from the beaches and in general is a nightmare around rush hours.
If you are working in Tampa, the beaches are a wash, but traffic  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/6/2022 10:38 am : link
can be brutal if there is an accident (which happens all the time from CWB because of the limited bridge access)
..  
TyreeHelmet : 10/6/2022 10:47 am : link
Just to clarify, this is just to extend a work trip- won't need to work while the family is there and will be staying in St. Pete.

Looking for a beach resort for the weekend with the family in Clearwater or St. Pete.

Has anyone stayed at the Opal Sands?
I'd look int Vrbo's  
Biteymax22 : 10/6/2022 10:57 am : link
In addition to resorts. My wife and I typically go down once a year (my FIL lives in Riverview) and tend to grab a Vrbo somewhere near the beach. Usually Siesta Key but we're trying a new one in Clearwater this time.
Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
Ben in Tampa : 10/6/2022 11:55 am : link
The Sand Pearl or Opal Sands

Best hotel on St Pete Beach:

The Don Cesar. It’s ugly as hell but it’s iconic



Tampa hotels  
Adirondack GMen : 10/6/2022 12:01 pm : link
I’ve stayed at Marriott residence inn near Tampa for Yankees spring training.
Worked well for us since we had a pup.
Sheraton Sand Key  
Bubba : 10/6/2022 12:30 pm : link
Adam's Mark in Clear Water. Both very nice
RE: Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
TyreeHelmet : 10/6/2022 12:48 pm : link
In comment 15848235 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
The Sand Pearl or Opal Sands

Best hotel on St Pete Beach:

The Don Cesar. It’s ugly as hell but it’s iconic




Thanks Ben. How would you rank these 3? Keep in my mind we'll have the 4 year old with us.

The Don Cesar is more expensive than the other 2...worth it?
RE: Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/6/2022 12:53 pm : link
In comment 15848235 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
The Sand Pearl or Opal Sands

Best hotel on St Pete Beach:

The Don Cesar. It’s ugly as hell but it’s iconic




The Don Cesar is iconic but its not the best hotel on St Pete Beach. Its actually pretty dumpy inside because of its status as a historical landmark.

If you are looking for something like that Hotel Zamora is much better, but it's on the intercoastal side, but it has a great rooftop bar (you can literally walk across the street to beach)
RE: RE: Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
Ben in Tampa : 10/6/2022 12:54 pm : link
In comment 15848367 Returning Video Tapes said:
Quote:
In comment 15848235 Ben in Tampa said:


Quote:


The Sand Pearl or Opal Sands

Best hotel on St Pete Beach:

The Don Cesar. It’s ugly as hell but it’s iconic






The Don Cesar is iconic but its not the best hotel on St Pete Beach. Its actually pretty dumpy inside because of its status as a historical landmark.

If you are looking for something like that Hotel Zamora is much better, but it's on the intercoastal side, but it has a great rooftop bar (you can literally walk across the street to beach)


Don Cesar was completely renovated last year. All new rooms. Your mileage may vary.
RE: RE: Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
Ben in Tampa : 10/6/2022 12:56 pm : link
In comment 15848360 TyreeHelmet said:
Quote:
In comment 15848235 Ben in Tampa said:


Quote:


The Sand Pearl or Opal Sands

Best hotel on St Pete Beach:

The Don Cesar. It’s ugly as hell but it’s iconic






Thanks Ben. How would you rank these 3? Keep in my mind we'll have the 4 year old with us.

The Don Cesar is more expensive than the other 2...worth it?


I'd rank them Sand Pearl, Opal Sands then Don Cesar.

I don't think you're getting anything more for the price at Don Cesar. Sand Pearl and Opal Sands you can probably flip a coin, both are very nice.

There is also a Hilton on Clearwater Beach I think.
RE: RE: RE: Best hotels in Clearwater Beach:  
Returning Video Tapes : 10/6/2022 1:00 pm : link
In comment 15848368 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
In comment 15848367 Returning Video Tapes said:






Don Cesar was completely renovated last year. All new rooms. Your mileage may vary.


Didn't know that. I still think with a kid he's better at one of the Tradewinds properties as they have more to do for kids (and based on looking at Don Cesar I'd say the Island Grand), but if you are looking for seclusion Don Cesar is it.
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