Tampa - Accomodations on the beach?
 

My husband and I are flying into Tampa next month for some R&R. We're open to suggestions/recommendations on accomodations that are on the beach or even across the street! for less than $100/night - if that's even possible! =) Preferably beaches with soft sand, clear/calm waters. Thanks in advance!

Clearwater Beach! 30 mins from Tampa's airport, sugar white sand, calm gulf waters, great resturants and hotels. You can find tons of hotels ranging from the major chains, Holiday Inn, Hilton etc, right on the beach in addition to smaller local establishments. Clearwater beach is only few hundred yards wide so you're never far from the sand!

Thank you for your input irishdame! I've narrowed down the search to Best Western Sea Wake Beach Resort or the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. If you have any personal experience with any of these (or others that you would recommend), I'm all ears! =)

Is a car necessary for a three-night stay? Some spots I'm thinkin we can visit are: Pier 60 (for a sunset dinner?) and Ybor City. Thanks again!

How funny, I used to work at the Best Western Sea Wake in their dining room! It had been newly renovated at that time, 1994-96. I haven't been in the rooms since then, but the common areas are nice. The resturant and bar face the water and they have a nice outside dining area but might be too hot to sit outside in AUG.
The Sheraton Sand Key is not on Clearwater Beach proper, it's over the Sand Key Bridge, which you have a view of from the Sea Wake. Besides the Sheraton's own bar/resturants and those of the Raddison across the street, there are not as many dining/shopping options on that side of the bridge. The location of the Sea Wake offers many more choices, most within walking distance.
Peir 60 is fun at sunset but there is no real place to eat there other than the little snack stand, but there are many resturants nearby. Most are very casual (Rockaways, Palm Pavilion) but you can find more upscale dining at few places (Clearwater Beach Hotel, Beachcomber and Bobby's Bistro, my personal fav!)
Ybor is great, lots of fun and eclectic shops, GREAT resturants and some rockin' bars! Centro Ybor,(outdoor shopping mall-movie theatre-bar-resturant-thing) add a new touch to this historic neighborhood. You can ride a street car from Ybor to the Channelside area of Tampa to enjoy that area's waterside locale. A drive from Clearwater Beach to Ybor City would be about 45 mins or more depending on traffic so yes, you need a car for that.
You have only 3 nights however, I'd skip Ybor this time and just stay on the beach, there's plenty to keep you occupied.
Let me know if I can help further!

Shephard's Beach Resort has been added to the list of potentials...LOL

Hi! Shepards is known for it's seafood and brunch buffets and it's lounge. It attracts a large crowd and has been know to get raucous at times! I've never stayed there but I can imagine that one could hear the music until the wee hours! It's just a few doors down from the Sea Wake so no real location difference.

Wow - thank you so much Irishdame! Yes, it does sound as if Ybor would have to be put off for another time.

I didn't see your post until after I posted that Shephard's Beach Resort is also on the list. Thanks to the info you provided, I'm taking the Sheraton off - I would much rather be within walking distance (or even a short/inexpensive cab ride away?) so as to avoid renting a car, if possible.

I'll keep searching online for good sunset spots.

Thank you again! =)

My pleasure, I've receive so much great information on these boards for my own trips, I'm glad to help someone else!
Let me know if the sunset spot you're looking for casual or something more upscale, seafood, steaks...etc.

Also, Clearwater Beach is just a few miles long, the north end being residental only. Most everything is a short walk or trolly away. The Jolly Trolly will take you up and down the length of Clearwater Beach, over to Sand Key and to Island Estates for $1.
Island Estates is half way across the causeway to downtown Clearwater. It's mostly residential but does have a few good resturants, (Island Way Grill, Tommy Doyle's Irish Pub), and the grocery store, Publix.

I've run into many more positive reviews about the Sea Wake than with Shephard's. Would you know if the Tiki bar and entertainment at Shephard's open to all or do you have to be a guest?

Really just looking for a casual atmosphere, a romantic spot or two and a late-night happening bar/club (also casual) incase the mood hits us.

Shepherds is open to all. On the weekend, about 30 boats pull up and dock offshore and everyone hangs out on the deck. It's jam packed, young, rowdy and loud. Great party spot, not a great romantic spot. Have you considered St. Pete Beach? It's spread out a little bit more than Clearwater and the beach itself is just as soft and nice, but a little less crowded.

I've been going to St Pete Beach for a long weekend either in Nov or Jan for many years. My favorite place is the Dolphin Beach Resort. You can actually get a first floor room that steps out onto the sand! Try that in a hi-rise hotel. I also enjoy a room on the beachfront side on one of the "upper floors" (2-3-4) so that I can leave the patio door open and listen to the surf at night. It's such a relaxing sound. Room prices are right around $100, depending on time of year. The place isn't fancy or what I'd call romantic; but many Aussies and Brits and other Europeans like to stay there with their families.
The beach at StPete is very wide, and lovely white sand. Great for beach walking in the early morning! Altho the beach has a number of hotels, it doesn't seem as crowded as Clearwater.
StPete Beach and Clearwater share one of my favorite seafood restaurants. In Clearwater, it's on the bay with a great view. The restaurant is called Leverocks. Everything that I've tried has been fresh and delicious. In StPete it is located near the intercoastal bridge.
I typically rent a car for my long weekends because I love to drive along the miles and miles of beach from StPete all the way north to Clearwater.

Thank you mclaught and simpsonc510 for your responses! I did consider St. Petersburg beach, but I think after much reading online about Clearwater Beach, we're pretty much stuck on the idea! =)

We've booked our airfare, but are still playing with ideas on where to stay. Sea Wake is a definite contender, however, I hear it's on an inlet or something?

I'm also interested in visiting Caladesi Island - most of the information I found says the way to get there is by way of ferry off of Honeymoon Island, is there ferry service to Caladesi from Clearwater Beach?

Romance is not exactly the top factor, but it would be nice to have a romantic sunset dinner (for less than $100 total)- any suggestions?

Just incase the mood hits us, does there happen to be any bars/clubs in the area that play reggae/house/hip hop/spanish music? Music preference isn't high on the list either, but I just thought I'd ask incase there does happen to be a place. =)

I've read that there are water activities on Clearwater as well - any recommendations? Like anyone else, I'd hate to throw in a lot of cash for something that isn't going to deliver...

I talked it over with my husband he'd also like to visit Ybor City while we're there - it's hard for us to sit still unless we're getting some shut eye! LOL Any recommendations on fun spots, good/affordable eats? I read somewhere that there is a Spanish restaurant with Flamenco Dancers - is it worth the visit?

Thanks again for all your input! I truly appreciate it! I must have gone through all the available Clearwater Beach websites using "Clearwater Beach" as the search words. Eventually I'll go back to some of these sites, but I'd love to hear from fellow Fodorites!

Have a great weekend!

This has been such a nice post to read. I've noticed that people who ask questions about beaches--whether it's Sanibel or South Carolina or San Diego--always get the most helpful, enthusiastic responses. All the time.

Beach lovers are great people!!!

Getawaytime, the restaurant with the flamenco dancers is Columbia, but you have to reserve that specific room within the restaurant. Seems to me there are two shows, so you don't have much choice of when you eat if you want to be there for a show. Though we live here, we've only done it once. It was OK, fun to see...I don't know how much extra it cost as someone else happened to be paying--and am not sure how much extra I'd be willing to pay for it!

As for Caladesi, if you and your husband are in good shape and like to walk or run, you can get there on foot, despite what Fodors or Frommers guide books might say! :) Caladesi is no longer an island. The cut was filled in by a storm several years ago, so, although there is no ferry going from CWB, you can walk there. It is just an extension of CWB, but one that has no homes, just beach, very small dunes, sea oats etc. Park as far north on CWB as you can...there is a public lot near Frenchys which we normally use, or if that is full, exit that lot, drive straight across the street, continue for a block and you'll see another public lot. Start walking the beach heading north...first you'll hit an area of old homes with a smattering of new monstrosities, then a couple of condos, then a few very upscale homes...then nothing, just you and the beach. Eventually you'll come to the small sign "Caladesi Island" keep walking and you'll be able to walk right to the ferry landing if you wish (over the boardwalk you'll see and on the other side of the very narrow non-"island"). We've done it running, going to the most northern tip several times and I've done it alone walking too. It's about 6 miles round trip and as that is my normal run, I don't consider it much of a problem to get there....certainly 100 times easier than that drive up the highway-from-hell, 19, to Honeymoon Island to catch the ferry!!

If the Sea Wake is the hotel on the inlet that faces Sand Key, I'd look for someplace else if I were you. You wouldn't want to swim right there! Sorry, living in the area I can't be much help on hotels, although I live in one. Wave at the Hyatt as your plane lands and I'll wave back.. :D

Hope you enjoy it all!

Sheraton Sand Key was perhaps one of the cleanest hotels we have stayed at. Although waterfront, it has the longest beach I have ever seen between the hotel and the ocean! If you put it back in the running and decide to go there, ask for a room with a view as not all face the ocean. The trolley stops in front of the hotel and is a cute way of getting around but I would think slow as it makes a lot of stops. We had a car and enjoyed driving down to St Pete and stopping along the way for lunch. We went deep sea fishing one afternoon and enjoyed it a lot. The captain teaches you how to do it and actually helps to land the fish. We then took our catch to Crabby Bills (a restaurant right at the marina) and they prepared it for us along with sides while we had cool drinks. It was a lot of fun!

Sheraton Sand Key/Clearwater Beach is the ONLY hotel located directly on the beach....BEACH meaning the Gulf of Mexico. The other hotels have beaches but they are merely on this sand bar and looking out over the water, all you see is Sand Key! on the other side. I stayed at Sheraton back in March and had a great time. Private beach is nice and there is trolly that runs the .5 MILE to the main strip with shops/food/public beach/etc.....

OliveOyl - wow! thank you SO much for the play by play on how to get to Caladesi without having to go over to Honeymoon!

cd - does the deep sea fishing company have a website? it sounds like something we should do!

bluestructure - thank you so much for your vote for the Sheraton!

I'm sure you're all wondering what is wrong with me when I say I STILL haven't booked a place yet. I don't have too much time on my schedule and when I do, every last bit of energy is spent searching online. I don't think I have ever had such a hard time but I guess being on a tight budget doesn't help!

I've read a few reviews around the web that Clearwater Beach can be noisy and crazy on the weekends. Although I don't usually mind a little craziness, I'm a bit leery as to the level it can be at on the beach and hotel.

I would definitely prefer a gulf view room (what if it rains? at least we'll have a view of the ocean! lol), but it seems the ones that come recommended are over $100/night. So it looks like I'm going to have to get over it and pick on already! ;)

The Sea Wake fell out of the running since they are doing renovations and although I'm sure they are taking the guests into consideration, I just don't think I want to chance it...

*sigh* well, I look forward to more responses, if any and I thank everyone here so very much for taking the time and effort to assist me. Instead of whining about which hotel to choose, I'm going off to finally pick one tonight. I shall check in from time to time and will definitely return with a report!

~getawaytime ;)

getawaytime, Have you considered using Priceline to get your room? It scares me because it is blind bidding and you absolutely can't cancel or alter plans. That doesnt't work for everyone, but if you are committed to your dates, study the system on biddingfortravel.com, figuring out what hotels you could get for what price, you might be pleasantly surprised. Certainly that is the budget way to go and I've seen good hotels come up, including 3*'s in your price range. You just have to be real sure about what you are doing before bidding. If you decide to go this route, make sure you bid Clearwater Beach, not Clearwater, or St Pete Beach, not St Pete. The names without "Beach" in them are separate cities and they are NOT on the Gulf or near the beach. Good luck!

try Hotels.com , best prices for good hotels and i use them alot. Umm, the sheraton is on Sand Key, away from the main strip of Clearwater and its not noisy at night at all! you'll love Sand key

oliveoyl and bluestructure -
Thank you both for your suggestions! I'm a little wary of auctions as well - but that was definitely something I didn't think of. I did start looking a little after your posting but I realized it's a whole new world of which I would need more time to research.

I've ready a bunch of reviews about the shells in the beach of Sand Key where the Sheraton is at. Although the reviews for the Sheraton were glowing, the beach is an important factor of where we stay.

Has anyone ever been/seen/know of the Clearwater Beach Hotel @ 500 Mandalay Avenue? I tried to do a search on reviews of this hotel but to no avail. :(

The Clearwater Hotel would be wonderful for a romantic dinner, but it is an older hotel.
I live in Tampa Bay (Madeira Beach) and have stayed at Clearwater Beach for different corporate functions. For R & R, I'd stay at the Sheraton on Sand Key. Another spot would be the Adams Mark Hotel (Panama Jacks?). Both are right on the Gulf.

The Best Western could be noisy on the weekend because it is on the main strip of Clearwater Beach. Sheppards has a great buffet for the weekend and definately great for a drink and dancing. They play island music usually on Sunday afternoons for sure. I'd skip Ybor. If you want excellent spanish cuisine, go for he Columbia in Sand Key. There is a trolly that takes you along the beach route. Another great romantic place to eat is the Wine Cellar (accross from the beach) at Redditon Beach.

A word about Pier 60, there are "0" nice restaurants to dine. There is an issue with the roundabout that happens to be right where the Pier 60 is located. You can't pay me to go there right now until they fix the stupid thing.

If you decide to stay at the Sheraton, you will like it. Take the trolley and see Clearwater Beach, go on the Pirate Ship on Clearwater Marina, you will love it! Fun, Fun, Fun, really, I will not spoil it for you by saying too much. Also in Sand Key Park, walking distance from the Sheraton, is a lovely spot of beach, if you walk all the way to the right, there's a rocky hill. From here you can see the pirate ship go by on its cruises. Also you can hear the music from Sheppards accross the water. Do Not stay at Sheppards or the BW Sea Wake. The beach is not nice at all.

Enjoy!

ginita - thank you so much for your helpful input!

We're booked for the Sheraton - although we will be without a view and balcony, for $100/night, I figure better than having noise!

Just incase it rains, I put Great Explorations, Museum of Science and Industry, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Beach Gameland Family Amusement Center, and the Show Queen as possible places to go to. Are there any other places to recommend? How's the food on the Show Queen? (Worth the trip?)

The following places, I found on the boards as being good spots to dine at:

Frenchy's on Pointsettia and Columbia Restaurant (probably the spot we'll dine at for my birthday). I've read that Shephard's is a great spot for brunch - are there any other spots? We love a good breakfast - especially if they're cheap eats! lol

I've also read that their Tiki Bar is great as well as the one at Adams Mark. Does anyone here have any first-hand experience for this time of year?

Would anyone know what it would cost to rent Jet Ski's or go parasailing?

How are the restaurants at the Sheraton? Particulary for breakfast and dinner?

Thank you all SO MUCH for your help!

I just bid $50 for a 3* hotel on St. Pete Beach and we are booked at the Tradewinds Sandpiper and Suites for 3 nights at $50 night in late October.