Family beachfront lodging Clearwater Beach Florida
 

My husband and I and our 2 sons ages 1 & 6 will be in Clearwater in July and we would like a place on the beach with kitchen amenities (by the action)ie waverunners,outdoor tiki bar with music, outdoor dining onsite or nearby. We would like at least a 3*** hotel and possibly a kids club so my 6 yr. old can make friends. The beach is a huge part of the vacation and don't want bay or canal locations with little beaches. Does anyone know of the PERFECT place or location? As a family we are obviously on a budget but don't want to waste money on a (cheap )place that we won't enjoy so would be willing to go a little over $100 per night if we have to. Any help would really be appreciated THANX

I'd love to hear an answer on this, too!

Me too, slipperblue. :D What parameters!

I like the Clearwater Beach Hotel (clearwaterbeachhotel.com) a lot. It has some efficiencies with kitchenettes, as well as suites and regular rooms. There are plenty of outdoor restaurants a block down the road, and there are also some very upscale restaurants nearby (Island Way Grill is one of my favorites). There are tiki bars on the more rowdy part of Clearwater Beach, which is a short walk away. Their beach here is really wonderful and wide, better in my opinion than at the hotels with the tiki bars. I would assume that Clearwater Beach Hotel has an outdoor bar, or that you can take drinks from indoors, but check out their web site. I think this is a good spot of families.

As for waverunners, do you really want those on your beach? I'm not sure what the laws are about these but I think they're not allowed where swimmers are. Generally along these barrier islands, people ride them along the bay side where the water is calmer. There are numerous places nearby to rent them.

IMHO, I'd go to St Pete Beach instead of Clearwater. It will be more crowded at Clearwater simply because the beach is not as wide as St Pete's beach.

If easy access to the beach is what you are seeking, the Dolphin Beach Resort has actual beach front rooms! It's not a highrise, so you can really step out into the sand if you get first floor. There are 3/4 floors at most.

The pool area is not fancy, but OK, and it is always busy with kids swimming as this is a very family oriented place.

They do not have "kitchenettes" but your room would have two double beds, a fridge and microwave (no dishes or utensils) and a table and a couple of chairs. We always get cold stuff for sandwiches and juice; and coffee and popcorn and such. You couldn't prepare a major meal here, but snacks or a quick b'fast is no problem!

Enjoy FLA, whichever location you select.

oliveoyl, we are looking around the pier area as we have been there and enjoy being around people as opposed to the secluded beaches. We also know what to expect which is a plus. we have considered the st. pete beach or treasure island area but we need feedback before risking it. we have considered other gulf areas such as ft. myers etc. but again have no idea what to expect. I have heard about that dolphin inn a couple of times now and will check out their website. thanx for all your input and look forward to getting more feedback!!

hi simpsonc510, checked out the dolphin on tripadvisor.com and there were a few nice reviews but several claimed it was a smelly dump with rude desk clerks. what is your take on that? does anyone know anything about the palm pavillion inn clearwater or the ramada inn gulfview? thanx

Check out Tradewinds Island Grand, Sirata, and Sandpiper at St. Pete Beach. This is three hotels right on the beach--stay at one and use the amenities at all three. There is a large slide on the beach that our kids loved. Beware--that can get expensive day after day. There were kids programs, water trikes to rent, paddle boats to ride through small waterway on the property of one hotel. My husband loved the Tiki bar at the Sirata because it was right between the pool and beach. Some local entertainers provided music a couple of evenings. We were there two summers ago and I found a $125 rate on the Internet; however, there was also a $12 daily resort fee. Overall, we enjoyed that vacation very much.

Colecade: I have not had any problems with smelly rooms or rude desk people at the dolphin beach resort. This is not the newest resort on the beach, as I've been going there for nearly 30 years. But, I prefer stepping out into the sand from my first floor beach front room over having something fancy I guess. The pool area is nice, and usually active. Lots of beach chairs and some shade. There is a bar right along the beach where they have snacks and musical entertainment. The resort restaurant has some outdoor seating for nice weather days.

Waverunners should be banned.

GoTravel, that is a ludicrous thing for you to say, no doubt prompted by one of the horrendous accidents that have occured by these yahoos. It is amazing that someone who can only ride a bicycle can legally ride one of those. Even more amazing that even some adults are oblivious to how obnoxious (the noise) and noxious they are (those fumes and the gas in the water on the beach). But I'm sure colecade is not one of those types.

One Mothers Day, we rented a couple and had a lot of fun on the bay side of Treasure Island.

I'm with you GoTravel! Nothing like having those bozo's buzz you while you are sight fishing in the flats!

sorry guys, I have never even ridden a waverunner, but my 6 yr. old wanted to try one, the bananna boat would be just as fun. thanx tandoori girl! yes I have strongly considered tradewinds, and the dolphin looked cool too, but then you go to tripadvisor and there are always a couple people with awful experiences and then your back to square 1. Has anyone any opinions on the palm pavillion inn? thanx all

Our friends own the Palm Pavilion Hotel. Unfortunately, I've never been in any of the rooms, so I can only tell you about the location. It's on the north end of Clearwater beach. Right behind the little fire station on the beach, where some of the public parking area for the north beach is located. The hotel is just behind the Palm Pavilion restaurant (one of our favorite places to eat on the beach ~ very casual, "right" on the beach, live music in the evening). So, although the hotel is not sitting on the sand, it's just behind it. The restaurant is only one level, so I'm sure there are plenty of rooms with gorgeous views. But I would make sure I asked for one of them. The exterior of the hotel has a bit of a retro look to it, as it's been redone a few years ago. Don't recall that they have a pool, but I could be wrong. Again, I'd email them with that question to make sure. This hotel is one of the only ones on this part of the beach (the north end), being very close to the Clearwater Beach Hotel. IMHO, it's a bit quieter in this area. It's where the locals used to go when we went there growing up. But, it's still the public beach, and as a result, there will be plenty of people around. Beautiful, very wide beach though.