We (husband and I) will be spending 3 days in the St. Petersburg/Tampa area in February and are thinking of staying at Pier Hotel next to BayWalk in downtown St. Petersburg. Has anyone stayed there, and what other hotels in the downtown area would you recommend?

Also, what are the must-sees that time of year (within 20 or so miles)? We enjoy restaurants, history, and walks in scenic/interesting areas.

As always, trip advice appreciated.

Thanks, Sonia

I guess my first question would be why you aren't staying at the beach. The bay is nice but the gulf is gorgeous.

I would recommend the Salvador Dali museum in St. Pete (http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/). If you are staying near the Pier, make sure you check out the free aquarium. I would recommend Columbia restaurant also in the Pier (the original is in Tampa) - the food is excellent and if you like bread pudding, you must have their white chocolate bread pudding, it is to die for.

I just moved to Pinellas County in August and I am EXTREMELY impressed with their parks system. Check out this map and see what parks might interest you. Today we went to John Chestnut Jr. park in northern Pinellas - they have almost a mile in boardwalk trails on the water, and in another section, they have ponds filled with BIG alligators. Very cool! http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/ParkMap_v2.htm

Fort Desoto Park is on the southern end of Pinellas County and is quite beautiful. Of course make sure you take a walk on the gulf beach - I would recommend Clearwater Beach - if you go around sunset, they have the sunset festival at Pier 60 with neat sidewalk shows and interesting vendors. It's free and here's the website http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/

If you would like a delicious Greek meal, head to Tarpon Springs.

First and foremost I'd recommend the Renaissance Vinoy, which is a fascinating Spanish Mediterranean gem of a hotel from the 1920s that has been restored to a classic elegance. Think lots of bucks spent on a hotel but one you will remember forever. If that's beyond your grasp, then I'd recommend either the Holiday Inn, which is the former Martha Washington Hotel, or the Bayboro House B&B. Also, the Mansion House B&B gets lots of raves. As for the Pier Hotel, I think I know the building and it has been through a few reincarnations including a flea market. It is a fine location for SP but so are the others. I'm a little worried about what's going on in the Pier Hotel because I've not been there but if the price is right, you're in a good spot, very safe, within walking to all the sights. Don't miss the Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and I believe there is another one of the St. Pete International Museum special showings coming up soon focused on Princess Di and the Prince of Wales, the past retrospectives have been very well put together. There is a Holocaust Museum in SP that is reasonable and educational. Like Birder says, there are terrific parks all over. St. Pete bought the old Sunken Gardens on 4th Street very near downtown and I enjoyed my trip there awhile back. Admission is negligible.

Be sure to find the Chattaway, an old outdoor burger spot. And Coney Island Hot Dog restaurant is a museum all in itself. The waterfront is a wonderful walking area and there are all sorts of retro antique shops on Central Avenue. Cafe Alma is very good downtown. Take Central AVenue to the beach (Treasure Island), 15 minutes west. Find Dockside Dave's (Madiera Beach) and hope the rest of the world is not there first waiting for a table, it gets a little crowded in the winter. For a nice Italian grocery, go to Mazzaro's (you'll have to drive) and have lunch.

St. Petersburg is a fascinating city which is really coming back into its own after so many years of being in Tampa's shadow. It is amazing what's going on. Enjoy it.

My absolutely favorite park in SP:

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/16_Sawgrass.htm

Wow, TG, Sawgrass Lake Park looks fantastic. Can't wait to go and walk the mile-long boardwalk! My binoculars have gotten a little dusty these past few months -- what with the move, hurricanes, and my first semester teaching. This looks like a great place to check out some birds!

birder, it IS a great place to check out the birds. And with your moniker I'd guess that's your thing . The downside of Sawgrass Lake is getting to it. You can see it off the interstate but it's stuck at the back of an older community with no main-road access. So be sure to take directions with you. It has some really great swampy areas before you reach the bigger bog where all the birds are.

Also, be sure to check out McKay Bay in Tampa. It is really great for birding, especially this time of year. It has a few viewing platforms overlooking the extensive wetlands. Lettuce Lake Park in north Tampa is also good.

But then, you'd have to be blind NOT to find birds around here . You must be happy you moved back to Florida.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Birder, I went back and forth re: staying on the Gulf but the couple of places that looked like our speed were sold out. Most of the others seemed to be family resorts; not really our thing. Are there any low-key (just a hammock & a hot tub) hotels, inns, cottages etc. you'd recommend?

TG, your suggestions are right up my alley. The Renaissance Vinoy did look wonderful but is a little more than we wanted to spend. The Holiday Inn had a nice look to it, better than the usual chain hotel; good to know.

As we're flexible within a 10 mile or so radius of this area, are there better locations you'd suggest? Gulfport, another beach location?

We stayed at the Spindrift Inn in Monterey CA recently; what a great hotel with the best room I've ever stayed in. French windows wrap around a corner of the room with window seats overlooking the bay, 4-poster feather bed, and fireplace. Add a pool and warm weather and you'd have my dream Florida vacation. Anyone know of a place like this? If you do, I'd be willing to change our plans to a different Florida location to enjoy a few days there. We need to be in Ocala Feb 13 and again Feb 19 but are open in between.

Sonianh - Because I haven't stayed in this area as a tourist, I am not very good at recommending specific places to stay! I did find this St. Pete B&B site and a few of them look wonderful - there's one on St. Pete Beach (gulf side) and a few in Gulfport (which are very close to the gulf beaches). http://www.spaabbi.com/inns.htm One of them in Gulfport was an all-suite B&B and looked fabulous. Since I don't have any experience with them, I can't give any more info except suggest you check any you are interested in on tripadvisor.com (plus ask here - TG and other experts can fill you in).

I guess it's all personal preference. The gulf side can be a bit more crowded and "touristy" with lots of kids running around on the beach. If you are not really going for the beach, then perhaps the bayside is just as good or maybe better.

TG - we did go to Sawgrass Lake Park today! I was so excited, I grabbed my husband and said "We're going!" It was wonderful, we saw a mated pair of pileated woodpeckers (I am always amazed at how BIG they are) and a Red-winged hawk (S. Florida pale version) sitting 10 feet off the boardwalk, not to mention the usual suspects (ibises, herons, cat birds, etc.). I can't wait to go to the other two you mentioned - McKay Bay Nature Park and Lettuce Lake. LL has been on my "to go" list but I had never heard of the McKay Bay location, which sounds wonderful.

I've stayed at the Renaissance three times and never paid more than $129. Can't remember if it was Expedia or Hotwire. One time was free because our first stay put us in a room where the outside of the building was being renovated and we had an ugly tarp outside the french doors - they apologized profusely and gave us a free night. Lovely hotel, excellent food, but I wouldn't pay more than $150 to stay on the Bay.

Sonianh, try the Delacado in Sunset Beach. It is an older place and not exactly "appointed" but a great spot on the back side of the island with great views of the intercoastal waterway (esp. if you get the 2nd floor waterfront 1-bedroom apt.) They have a pool. The beach is across the road a short block by foot, really quiet and peaceful there. It's very reasonable, cost wise, lots of beach value. Also, if you google for Sunset Beach House, there are some rentals like what you're looking for, if they're not gobbled up by now. As for beach front homes, Anna Maria is nice for that. And Passe-A-Grille. You'll need to go through rental companies.

Gulfport is a nice little community though it's inland a bit. But heck, you won't be swimming in February anyway. Try VRBO for an apartment. You can walk to many restaurants and some great little seedy spots to have a beer 8-) and chill.

Thanks all for helping to narrow down our choices. I think we'll stay at the beach and drive downtown to have the best of both worlds.

Happy New Year!

I need to clarify that Anna Maria is quite a haul to Tampa/St. Pete as it's on the other side of the mouth of the Tampa bay.

Happy New Year to You! Good luck with your trip.

Birder, glad to hear you've pulled out the old binoculars.