MerciMoi

We are middle age (ok maybe a little older but definitely 30 at heart) and looking for an area that has relaxing beaches but fun night life. We were told that Clearwater was for the "old" folks and St. Pete's was happening especially the night life. But we are reading the opposite on some travel forums although some of the posts are over 5 years old and things do change. (Note: Not interested in the spring break crowd.)

Any suggestions on how to get the best hotel rates 2 weeks out. Seems everything left that is decent is rather expensive. Appreciate any suggestions on which location and hotels?

gmoney

It would be the opposite, Clearwater for the younger set and St. Pete for the more gentile minded.

Oh and it's St. Pete Beach not St. Pete's.

OO

I think it's basically just the opposite too. Basically....you'll find young, older, and old both places, but I think CWB has an overall younger group than St Pete (no s in the word) Beach. Downtown St Pete is fabulous for all age groups...stay on the beach, but be sure to hit downtown, stroll Beach Dr in day or night...lots of activity.

Both St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach have beautiful beaches. CWB is a little wider. CWB is also more congested traffic-wise and it's easier to get everywhere from SPB.

I can't be much help with hotels, living here. I did notice as we were heading to a club Monday and driving the length from Pass-a-Grille to John's Pass, that most of the larger places seemed booked, but there were a lot of vacancies at the little Mom and Pop places along the way. Gators at Johns Pass was hopping, even on a Monday. It's getting to be "that time of year".

Not sure this was any help to you, but no one else was responding so thought I'd give it a shot....

MerciMoi

Thanks for all the info. Do you know of a boutique hotel on the beach? Before hearing of St. Pete Beach, we found a vacancy at Sheraton Sand Key Resort in CWB but is it on the beach? Would you recommend it? However, it does sounds like SPB might be more to our liking.

MsSteinrunner

The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is on a beautiful beach, but it is not really near any nightlife. You would have to drive back over the Clearwater Pass bridge to get back to Clearwater Beach. There are restaurants across the street from the Sheraton, but nothing for the late night crowd.

MerciMoi

Do you have any hotel suggestions for SPB? It seems that the online reviews either rate the hotels as very dated and grungy or, like Don CeSar, far from downtown SPB. We're looking at the March 29-Apr 5 so only 2 weeks away.

OO

I'm not sure what you mean by "far from downtown SPB"? St Petersburg and SPB are two different cities, just as Clearwater and CWB are. The cities are on the peninsula, and both SPB amd CWB are on a strip of land that is essentially a long barrier island. SPB does have a teeny downtown, about one street long. When I mentioned going to st Petersburg one evening, I meant the city, away from SPB.

I love the Don Cesar! Beautiful old hotel, but be forewarned, because of its age, the rooms are considered to be small. Still, I love it! Love the pool area and beach in front of the hotel. The clubs are going to be driving distance from most anyplace you stay.

If you are considering the Don, you might also consider the Sand Pearl in CWB. There are no boutique hotels that I know of at the beach, but those two come closest to approaching the upscale feel I associate with "boutique".

gmoney

We really like Sunset Vistas in Treasure Island just north of SPB. It is also within walking distance (sort of) to John's Pass.

http://www.providentresorts.com/suns...ont-hotels.php

http://johnspass.com/

cd

I know this is a personal opinion,but we stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key and would not stay there again. The hotel is nice but it is a long walk to the water! It is the widest beach I have ever seen.

gmoney

I would agree about the Sheraton, it is kind of off by itself and you have to cross the bridge to get to Clearwater Beach.

MerciMoi

Thanks for all your advice. We decided on the Don CeSar. More resort than we were thinking but good for our first trip. Now does anyone know of cheap transportation from Tampa Airport to the hotel I was told it runs about $70-80 one way. Yikes

OO

It would be nice to have a rental car so you can get around to different spots for dinner or clubs. You can get an economy class car for $30/ day if you rent for a week, more per day if you are staying less than a week. Check out Hotwire or Priceline. (My figures were from Hotwire using March 22 as a start date.

aliced

We just visited last week - you will love the Don Cesar, from there you can drive to Pass-a-Grille and up to CWB, and also enjoy SPB. St. P is 'coming back' but aside from the Dali and their other art museum, there is virtually no retail or anything of interest. Rent a car and see the Dali and sample the other restaurants up and down the peninsula. CWB is for younger families, not SPB.

OO

Oh, and don't miss the Chihuly Museum either (I love his blown glass, out of my price range by a long shot, but I can still enjoy his collection at the Morean Arts Center), or the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Museum of History. P Buckley Moss has a museum store downtown as well. Or visit some of the shops (Shapiro's one of my favorites, or In Balance for yoga and other cute outfits) or the gelato shop--good luck choosing your flavor, or the Pier, totally touristy but that's what some look for. Cha Cha Coconuts is on the top deck with terrific views of the Bay. Sit for a drink at any of several restaurants with outside dining along Beach Drive and enjoy fantastic people watching. Or stroll the park with its beautiful bay views. Stroll through the Vinoy, another historic hotel from the same era as the Don, and walk to the left corridor for pictures of the hotel as it was back then, what it became in the Depression, and what it is today...fascinating. Silver flatware was discovered behind the front desk--the hotel was closed in the 30's, fell into disrepair, sat empty and vandalized, then....when they began to bring it back to life, there was the silver, still behind the front desk. Sit out on their wide veranda with views of the marina and bay, have a drink and imagine what it was like in its prime.

All this in downtown St Petersburg--pretty good for a city with "nothing of interest"!

MerciMoi

Does anyone have any sugestions for off airport car rental in Tampa? We did this in Denver and the car rental company was based in a hotel so the hotel shuttle picked us up at the airport. It was quite a a bit cheaper than renting at the airport.

Ackislander

Don't prejudge off and on airport rentals. Florida is unique and the rental car system at Tamoa airport is the most convenient I have ever used in a large airport.

Just search the usual places, pick the price you like, and don't worry about on or off.

OO

Oh I agree! There is nothing more convenient. When returning the car, drive in, get luggage, walk just steps into the terminal. Tampa airport is the best, in all respects! We normally used Hotwire, almost always got Avis, and at a good rate. I would not even consider using off-airport. You can specify airport only in your Hotwire search by entering the airport code, TPA, for pick-up. Try it both ways, both on and off airport, to see if savings warrant using off.