sandy_b

We'll be arriving in Tampa Sat, Jan 13 and leaving Tues, Jan 16 so we have a nice long weekend to tool around St. Pete Beach and the other beaches long the gulf.

We have reserved a rent car but are waiting until we get there to find hotels. We're looking for a mom/pop-type motel that everyone keeps mentioning here.

For those of you who live in/around Tampa, what's the weather like right now? Should we bring shorts and sandals or long pants and closed shoes. I looked up the historical weather but I'd rather rely on you folks who live there and know what's appropriate.

If anyone can recommend one of the less expensive motels on one of the beaches, I'd appreciate the tip. We'd like to keep the cost under $75/night.

Thanks for any tips/suggestions,
Sandy (in Denton)

joan

I'm sitting on Treasure Island right now, wearing shorts and Tshirt. It's 77 degrees right now, but this is quite a bit higher than normal. Last week it was jeans and sweatshirts.

I'd plan for 50's and 60's. You can always go out and buy souvenir clothes if you bring the wrong kind!

Nice hotel on Treasure Island is Island Inn. I believe their rates are closer to $100/night though, plus taxes.

Enjoy, and I hope you have safe travels!

Wayne

I live in St Pete Beach by the Gulf. The weather so far has been mostly warmer than average, but there is no way to predict that it will continue that way. Average highs for this time of year are around 70 degrees, and lows around 50. Today the temperature reached close to 80.

Bring clothing that you can wear in layers -- and one pair of Bermuda shorts wouldn't be a bad idea. Some motel pools are heated, and that might help with your enjoyment.

St Pete Beach, as well as Treasure Island and other beach areas around here, have many hotels whose rates ought to be pretty reasonable, considering that so far this has been a pretty slow year for all the hotels. You might also try some of the small hotels on the beach in Pass-a-Grille, at the south tip of St Pete Beach. One I know that is pretty good, and should be reasonable, is the Keystone Motel. It's right next door to the famous Hurricane restaurant. Another is the Inn on the Beach. With a little looking around along the beach area, I'm sure you can find what you want.

tampatramp

sandy_b: still nice this am. since you don't have a motel I'd suggest you drive straight west to the beach (Gulf Blvd) at Indian Rocks Beach and work your way South trying to find a Motel.

As for all the "mom/pop-type motel[s] that everyone keeps mentioning"- they have been torn down and replaced by million dollar condos and the ones that haven't, have seen their taxes and insurance at least double over the last few years. do the math=enjoy the cute motel you find!

sandy_b

Thank you, this is just the kind of info I was hoping for . . . first hand, from those who are there.

Too bad about the mom/pop-type places . . . this seems to be happening everywhere. We may have to settle for something "near" the beach. I'll report back on what we find.

Thanks again,
Sandy (in Denton)

sandy_b

Found one, found one! Bay Palm Resort, 4237 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Ph: 727-360-7642; Fax: 727-360-1856
www.baypalmresort.com; $59 + taxes ($66/night).

It is on the bay side, right across the street from the Mariner Beach Club and the Bon Aire Hotel. Our motel had a heated pool and a large dock where we watched dolphins every morning.

Our room had 2 dbl beds, big tv, microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, bath w/good shower . . . and it was VERY clean. They even provided the coffee and microwave popcorn.

I'll answer my own question now that I have returned . . . the weather was 78-82 in the daytime, sunny, light breeze . . . perfect! No wonder January is high season.

Thanks to all who helped . . . we had a wonderful long weekend.

Sandy (in Denton)

joan

Glad you found a great place to stay, sandy b. You do realize you had the absolute best sunny weekend of the whole winter? I was thinking of you on Sunday!

sandy_b

Joan . . . it was beyond perfect! We don't normally send postcards but we saw some that had a snow scene on one side (YOU) and a beach scene on the other (ME) and we had to buy a stack and send them to everyone we knew back home.

In Denton, we think it's cold when it's 40° . . . last weekend, it was 26° and icy . . . we could not pass up the chance to rub it in.

We're singing the praises of SPB to anyone who will listen.

Sandy (in Denton)

sharone

Could someone tell me, what exactly is a 'mom & pop hotel'. I am from the UK and have never heard this expression before

clueless

Mom and Pop motel IMHO is a independently owned motel, which is generally basic accomodations.

Fairhope

My parents used to own the Shell Motel--a five unit motel plus attached apartment across the road from the beach just south of the pier in Indian Rocks beach. No other employees
Anyone know if it's still there
Your classic Mom and Pop!