Sunshinesue

Planning a quick anniversary trip in December and would like to find a great beachfront hotel or resort with a good spa in the St. Pete/Bradenton/Sarasota area. Any suggestions?

Tandoori_Girl

The Marriot Clearwater/Sand Key and the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach are your best choices for beachfront. Another more well-known spa and health club is the Safety Harbor Spa which is on the bayside east of Clearwater in a little town also called Safety Harbor.

Didn't you go to the Don recently? I think it's your best choice, an old historic building with a great little town (passe-a-grille) within walking distance, as well as restaurants. Also a short drive by interstate.

Very romantic. The older hotel is the main building then there are apartments next door so be sure you're getting what you want. The pool-side kahlua-coladas are yummy.

birder

I know the Safety Harbor Spa has a great reputation, but I've had friends that have gone and they said the spa area was like concrete and not very nice. I've seen the Don CeSar, and I've been to a function at the Marriott Sand Key - they look so much nicer than the Safety Harbor Spa. Plus, the bay doesn't hold a candle to the gulf. All MHO of course. However, I do like the downtown area of Safety Harbor, and they have fantastic funky restaurants like Cellas and Green Springs Cafe, plus the Tech Cafe is great for a latte and a HUGE slice of cake!

kswl

The Safety Harbor Spa used to be a beautiful place, but the quality has PLUMMETED over the past five years. I used to meet friends from central Florida there for spa days (I lived just north of Clearwater in Palm Harbor) and we finally gave up because the place just wasn't up to par. My mother used to stay there when visiting us for a week or so at a time, but stopped when that musty Florida "motel" smell finally became too overpowering. And those rooms are fairly expensive, around $200 per night.

I would try the Don Cesar.

Geckolips

The Don for sure should be your choice if money is not a problem. It is gorgeous. The other first class hotel in St. Pete is the Vinoy. It is downtown St. Pete, has spa facilities but again is not on the beach but has water in front of it (Vinoy Basin) and nice downtown shops, restaurants, etc. all within walking distance.
Safety Harbor Spa is not on the beach side of the peninsula. It has a very very small sandy beach that overlooks Tampa Bay. The Spa is historical, etc. but old and not in tip top shape shall we say. I love Safety Harbor and its funky feel (except for the HUGE monolith they are building across the street from the spa now - but that's another story.
I vote for The DON.

Sunshinesue

Thank-you all for your help. I checked the Don CeSar on Trip Advisor and it has had some bad reviews lately. I also noticed that there are no balconys and no coffee makers in the rooms-not a big deal but just a couple of things I enjoy. But before we decide I am also considering a couple of others.

Does anyone know anything about the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota? I understand it is not on the beach but it is apparently on water. Being on the beach isn't that important (we live in the FL panhandle and get plenty of beach) but a good view would be nice.

Longboat Key Club and Resort had better recent reviews on TA. The website looks very nice but I know how deceiving that can be. Any thoughts?

Tandoori_Girl

Just want to clarify that the Dons suites have balconies on the Gulf side. This hotel is not for everyone. It is an older established place, not glamorous or glitzy.

Tandoori_Girl

I can reply somewhat to your question about the Ritz in Sarasota. It is on the mainland, not an island, but it's beach club is on Lido Key and looks very nice. I was staying at the Lido Beach Resort (which might have a spa, I don't know) and walked down the beach to the Ritz not knowing what it was but they would not allow any non-guest riff-raff like myself to venture into the hotel. It is very exclusive although the beach buildings look very tropical and a little bohemian -- I coveted it but noticed as well that there was some construction going on, not good, and there was a long distance date for completion so be sure to check into that. I got the impression that the lido beach spot was not for over-nighters but rather for spa folks, but I could be all wrong on that. Lido beach is a terrific beach and a short walk to St. armands circle with its shops and restaurants.

Sunshinesue

>>they would not allow any non-guest riff-raff like myself to venture into the hotel.<<

What a relief! I certainly wouldn't want to stay anywhere that would allow the likes of you in the door!!!

Thanks for your help. I will look into Lido Beach Resort as well. And thanks for the tip about construction at the Ritz.

LN

quick note

you might want to look at The Colony on Longboat Key - great spot and i believe they have a nice spa.