Kristin

My beau and I (late 20s-early 30s) just bought tickets to Tampa for the second week of September, with plans to stay in either Clearwater Beach or St. Pete's Beach. We want quiet, alone, romantic time, planning to bring our rollerblades and hang out on the beach. Anyone with any thoughts on which beach would be better to stay in...we're looking at the Bay Street Villas and the Hideaway Sands resort in St. Pete's and the Ramada Inn Gulfview in Clearwater (we want kitchenettes). Help!

Brian in Atlanta

My wife and I (same age as you) have been to both. Clearwater is a bit more built up, but has better beaches based only on the fact that Clearwater has fine sand while St. Pete can be more shelly and pebbly in places (I know those aren't really words).

Neither are particularly quiet. For that you need to maybe look into the smaller beach towns inbetween: Indian Rocks Beach or Treasure Island. But I've only driven through, so maybe another poster has more info?

Have a great time!

Mary

Currently there is construction going on to the entrance of Clearwater Beach, which should cause no problem if you are just going to stay on the beach. St. Pete Beach is just as nice, somewhat quieter. Now for somewhere in between, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, etc. are all quiet and have great beaches. Hopes this helps. Once you decide where you will be staying, I can recommend some great restaurants.

Melinda

Clearwater is more hip than St. Pete. However the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is great and it is called Pass-a-grill. There are lots of kitchenette type accomodations and the Hurricane restaurant is a local hang out. Nice sand and views. It will be very warm that time of year . Try downtown St. Pete by the Pier and the Vinoy Hotel for rollerblading.

Melinda

Clearwater is more hip than St. Pete. However the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is great and it is called Pass-a-grill. There are lots of kitchenette type accomodations and the Hurricane restaurant is a local hang out. Nice sand and views. It will be very warm that time of year . Try downtown St. Pete by the Pier and the Vinoy Hotel for rollerblading.

Melinda

Clearwater is more hip than St. Pete. However the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is great and it is called Pass-a-grill. There are lots of kitchenette type accomodations and the Hurricane restaurant is a local hang out. Nice sand and views. It will be very warm that time of year . Try downtown St. Pete by the Pier and the Vinoy Hotel for rollerblading.

Melinda

Clearwater is more hip than St. Pete. However the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is great and it is called Pass-a-grill. There are lots of kitchenette type accomodations and the Hurricane restaurant is a local hang out. Nice sand and views. It will be very warm that time of year . Try downtown St. Pete by the Pier and the Vinoy Hotel for rollerblading.

Melinda

Clearwater is more hip than St. Pete. However the southern portion of St. Pete Beach is great and it is called Pass-a-grill. There are lots of kitchenette type accomodations and the Hurricane restaurant is a local hang out. Nice sand and views. It will be very warm that time of year . Try downtown St. Pete by the Pier and the Vinoy Hotel for rollerblading.

steve

I'm not sure either place would be especially quiet, but I would definately say St. Pete is the more desirable. Clearwater is more crowded and most of the hotels are across the street from the beach. I am not familiar with the hotels you mention and do not know your budget, but probably the nicest hotel in the area is the Don Cesar. It is a beautiful, old hotel with very nice beach. They also have a separate facility just down the road that has condo-like accomodations-living room, kitchen, bedroom etc.

Cindy

Kristin:

If you want quiet, alone time, then you don't want Clearwater Beach. My family stayed somewhere near St. Pete (I don't remember which beach it was) a couple of years ago, and it was nice, but I remember going to the end of the island, Pass-a-Grill (I think I misspelled that,), and thinking that it would be a nice, quiet place to stay. I used to love Indian Rocks, until a hurricane came through and shortened the width of the beach, and I've always loved Madiera Beach and Treasure Island, but have never stayed there. (I used to live in Tampa.)

Something that you might want to try for fun is to go up to Honeymoon Island for the day (north of Clearwater, but you can't drive straight through, look at a map) and take the ferry to Caledesi Island. It's really pretty. Have fun!

Oh, yes, while we were at the end of St. Pete beach (Pass-a-Grill, or whatever), we noticed this really cute little villa complex at the very end of the island. It looked nice, but I don't know the name of it...

Mary

By the way, the beach is being restored at Indian Rocks Beach. They are almost done.

Kristin Balleisen

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful and prompt responses! After much debate (and I mean *much*), we've decided to stay down in Longboat Key, closer to Sarasota. We're about to book at the Silver Sands (kitchenette place, right on the beach), and from what I've read, that area is very quiet, albeit a bit snooty.

Again, thanks to all. If you have any red flags about Longboat or the motel we're about to book, please let me know!

-Kristin

mustangs81

So, who said anything about Longboat Key? I thought you asked for (and received) input about Clearwater vs St Pete!

Decent Tropical

Have you thought about renting a private home on one of the little islands in that general area like Don Pedro, Boca Grande, Anna Maria, Sanibel, etc.,etc.

There are a lot of FL vacation rentals on www.vacationspot.com. You may also want to check out some of the following sites:

http://www.vrbo.com

http://www.a1vacations.com

http://www.waterviewproperties.com

http://www.holidayrentals.co.uk/

http://focus-sales.com/windsor/p10-villas.shtml

http://vacationhomes.com/

http://www.unusualvillarentals.com/

Let us know what your final decison is and how your trip goes!