tampa area - dad at dunedin, mom and toddler on beach- best places to stay?
 

My husband, child (2 1/2 yr old) and I are planning a 9 day stay in Florida in March. Hurray! I was thinking of staying a few days in Tampa (Busch Gardens, Aquarium etc.) and the rest would be spent on a beach while dad takes in his beloved Blue Jays in Dunedin. I would really appreciate some help with places to stay in Tampa and a nice resort (beach) for the rest of the stay. We would love a suite so that my daughter's bed time didn't have to be our own. Any help would be appreciated :) thanks

Just wondering if anyone has some insight to provide. We are really flexible as to where we stay, just want it to be nice, clean and preferably on the beach... Would love some help!

Have you checked in to the Tradewinds resorts in St. Pete Beach.

ttt

Hi canalgirl!

My mom likes the Don CeSar-check it out:

http://www.doncesar.com/

Post back if youre looking for other fun suggestions on how to spend your time!

Have a great trip!

:)

A nice place to stay in Tampa could be the Marriott Waterside. It is in the downtown/Channelside district and is near the aquarium. I have stayed there (and I live in Tampa) and it is really nice. Busch Gardens has some mid-price chain hotels nearby. You might want to look at the Embassy Suites at the University of South Florida which is a stone's throw away from Busch Gardens if you want to be closer to that. Just realized that the new Embassy Suites is open in downtown Tampa too which is right next to the Marriott Waterside which might be better if you are looking at suites. Best wishes!

That Mariott is nice, I have stayed there for a conference. But it is not on the beach or near one.

In Dunedin there are many small "Mom and Pop" motels of varying quality. They are not actually on a beach, either.

If you want to walk out of your hotel onto a white sand beach you will need to stay in Clearwater Beach or at Sand Key. There are many choices--but I would make the reservations soon, as the area attracts many Blue Jays fans :)

I'm assuming you'll bring only one car, and when your DH goes off to watch spring practice you'll want to be somewhere convenient. I wouldn't stay in St. Pete because of the traffic (in March, horrible) and distance to Dunedin.

Just to clarify, my suggestions were for the request for recommendations for staying a few days in Tampa. I think the other sugguestions for the beach days are great ones.

Sorry, Coldwar, did not mean to imply otherwise and I worded my suggestion poorly.

Thanks for the Tampa suggestions. Any specific ones for clearwater on the beach? I want on the beach so we have things to do when hubby is at the game.
Also, any tips on restaurants or fun things to do with a 2 1/2 year old would be welcomed. Thanks all for your help with this. It doesn't take a village to plan a vacation, but it sure helps!

Personally, I think Clearwater is way too congested. Stay a bit further south, Madeira or TI for example.

After some internet trolling this is the shortlist:
for Tampa:
embassy suites (USF)
Chase suites
Doubletree rocky point
amerisuites (busch)
Hampton Inn close to Busch
or Hampton Inn (Rocky point)

And for beach time:
marriott suites on sand key
sheraton on sand key
or doubletree on redington beach

Any words of advice?

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point. It's right next door to the Hampton Inn. Nice location: convenient to airport, beach and Busch Gardens are easily accesible. Bahama Breeze restaurant is within walking distance...the coconut shrimp are AWESOME!

The pool at the Hampton Inn is very small if that's important to you.

I'd look at the Holiday Inn Express where I stayed. Clean, nice rooms, mine had a kitchenette. Courteous staff.

Embassy Suites and AmeriSuites are both on a very busy road across from USF. Could be loud at night.

Since I'm a local, can't speak to hotel quality, but I can tell that USF location is dicey, you'd be happier in the Rocky Point area, which is more convenient anyway to the aquarium. There was a detailed discussion here about a month ago. OO, another local poster, gave some wonderful detailed info to Rizzo0904 that you could use. Click on rizzo's name to find the threads (teens in tampa or similar).

Redington Beach is nice, a little quieter than Sand Key, which is quieter by far than Clearwater Beach. But of course, the further south, the further from Dunedin. I wouldn't stay any further south than Redington Beach, because the traffic can be awful getting to Dunedin, as has already been mentioned. There is a great fishing pier on Red Beach, and the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (they rescue injured seabirds), which you should enjoy for a short visit with your toddler.

Sand Key is wonderful. If you can afford it, the Sheraton is right on the beach. The Marriott Sand Key is NOT right on the beach and I think you have to take a little shuttle to get there. I would not choose the option.

Have you looked into condo rentals? VRBO.com will have some choices. That way you can have at least 2 bedrooms. Most rentals require a Sat-Sat stay. Does that fit into your schedule?

I agree that the Tradewinds would be nice, but it's a little far from Dunedin. Not impossibly so, but if you can get something closer, that would be nice. Although frankly, the drive is gorgeous since it's right on the beach.

I would also avoid Clearwater Beach unless you find something at a great price (unlikely) or a rental in the residential section. The stores in Clearwater Beach have postcards of topless women right at eye level or lower (so kids can see them). We've seen teens around there with body parts hanging out all over. I don't know, it just seems a little more skanky around there.

Sand Key is just south of Clearwater Beach and it's a very different atmosphere, much nicer.

The Marriott on Sand Key is all suites.

Sheraton Sand Key is very very nice and is right on the beach. Again, I agree with posters that Clearwater Beach is very congested but the Sand Key location is nice. There is a park next door as well. Sometimes there is a bagpiper there who practices.

The rec for Embassy Suites at USF was from me and I am local so I will vouch for the location and I have stayed there and noise from the road (Fowler Ave) is not an issue.

Kswl: no problem! I just wanted to be clear on the hotels I was recommending for the OP.

:D Coldwar.

Canalgirl, anything near University of South Florida will be near MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry. It is great fun and even your 2.5 year old will enjoy it.

I am also a local and will vouch for the USF Embassy Suites. It is not in a "dicey area." It sits far enough back that the road noise is minimal and access is easy. There is a traffic light on the main road in. The University grounds are very attractive and I come and go there at all hours and am more than comfortable. It is very convenient to Busch Gardens and to MOSI. It is also not far from Lowry Park, an extremely fun zoo for children.

With regards where you stay in Tampa, I guess the big question is if you prefer convenience to more Florida-feeling accomodations. The area near USF looks like any typical city. It's not especially pretty (although the grounds of USF might be, I haven't been there). I've driven by the area many times and it's just a lot of traffic and buildings, etc. It's not awful by any means and it is certainly very close to Busch Gardens.

However, Rocky Point is really nice because you are right at the Bay. Bahama Breeze is a really fun restaurant (even though it's a chain) with a tropical feel. When relatives stayed at Rocky Point, we saw dolphins both in the little area in front of Bahama Breeze and at the end of the little nature area at the Grand Hyatt (at the gazebo). The kids loved that. (I'm pretty sure the nature area at the Grand Hyatt is open to the public - if you decide on Rocky Point, let me know and I'll post more info.) It is further away from Busch Gardens. It would take, I don't know, 20-25 minutes from there to Busch Gardens? Is that right?

Of course, you will be staying at the beach for the week, so you may indeed prefer the convenience of the USF area since you'll be getting plenty of the "Florida feeling" during your week at the beach.

I agree with the area description birder gave. When I said dicey, I wasn't trying to overstate things. My daughter lived in the area for 4 years while attending USF, and there was plenty of crime, enough to make this mom worry. She refused to shop at University Square Mall for that reason.

What are your thoughts on reddington beach and the doubletree resort there?

I think it is too far for your husband to drive to Dunedin. If the traffic is crazy, which it can be at that time of year, it could take him 45min+ to get there.

I mapquested it and it's about 20 miles from Redington Beach to Dunedin, and the time estimate is 30 minutes. If your husband is going to travel during rush hour, it will definitely be 45 minutes or more. I checked and the quickest route is on blah-ugly roads in Pinellas County. If he takes the beach roads up, then mapquest says the time estimate is 50 minutes, which might be a little slow, but only a little.

It's up to your husband - how long does he mind driving?

The Redington Doubletree is nice...beautiful, wide beach; nice gulf-front pool; tiki bar with outdoor beach restaurant; area is more residential than touristy; and plenty of good restaurants a short walk or drive away (and I believe there's a trolley that still runs along the beach, if you don't want to drive).

As far as Tampa goes, I guess I'd recommend the Rocky Point area if I had to pick something. I live in Tampa, and really can't think of any other area that would have even the remotest "vacation feel". If it were me, I'd stay on the beach the entire time and just drive to Tampa for the attractions I wanted to see there (it only takes about 40 minutes from the beach to downtown when it's not rush hour). I love Florida (and especially the beaches)...but in all honesty, Tampa proper is not generally all that great or attractive a place to just visit for fun IMO.

Okay, Reddington is too far, we will be travelling up to Dunedin at least 3x (maybe more) from there so I think we need to limit to :
1 - marriott suites on sand key OR
2 - sheraton on sand key.

My hubby can get free nights in Tampa at the Hilton (just not the one on the beach of course) so we will end the trip with 4 days in Tampa. Any suggestion on a good location for a Homewood suites or other Hilton property?
ps EVERYONE has been so extremely helpful, I want to thank you all for your candid and very helpful advice.

from what I can see we don't have a lot of choice:
1. Embassy suites - downtown convention centre
2. embassy suites USF
3. Doubletree Rocky Point Drive //

The Sheraton Sand Key is directly on the beach and the Marriott is on the intercoastal which is across the street from the Sheraton.

The Embassy Suites near the Convention Center in Tampa is very new - maybe 3 months old so I haven't heard anything either way.

The Rocky Point area is a good one that is close to the airport and the Channelside area. I used a few hotels in that area for my guests for my wedding in October but not the Doubletree so I can't comment specifically on that hotel.

Regardless of where you pick, I suggest making reservations soon as March is a very popular time with spring breaks and spring trainings.

I work downtown near the new Embassy Suites...it's beautiful, and some of the rooms have a nice bay view. Downtown Tampa rolls up the sidewalks at 6:00 PM on weeknights, and very little happens there on weekends...but still you would be close to good restaurants in South Tampa (Hyde Park Village area), Ybor City (Tampa's historic Latin quarter), and International Mall (airport area), and Port of Tampa eateries (Channelside) as well as being centrally located to the Tampa attractions you want to enjoy.

I've stayed in the Doubletree at Rocky Point (check tripadvisor and you'll see my review). Downtown is closer and you are close to the Channelside area with restaurants and the aquarium is right there also. You can run over to Columbia in Ybor City for a fantastic meal - I highly recommend it. Algusto's just across the river (on Kennedy) is some of the best Mexican I've ever had. If you need more restaurant suggestions for that area, I can help.

I REALLY like gorgeous hotel rooms, so I may go with the brand new Embassy Suites if it looked really fantastic. Otherwise, I'd go with Doubletree Rocky Point. When we went, we saw manatees & dolphins right from the pool area.

So after all that we decided on the Holiday Inn Harbourside. It was cheaper than the Sheraton and it had Suites which were key. Gosh I hope we won't regret this.
Then for Tampa. We are using my husband's points and we left it too late, so we are staying at the Homewood Suites in Brandon. It sounds fine - just hoping it is not too far away from things. Any good eats and shopping in Brandon?
Any place we just can't miss in Clearwater or Tampa?

Brandon is about 20-30 minutes from Tampa depending upon the traffic on I-4. As for shopping, there is a large Town Center Mall there. Brandon doesn't have its own "downtown," it is a bedroom community for Tampa.

I live in Brandon, and you will find virtually nothing but chain restaurants in the area. I can think of only a few decent exceptions...Della's After Dark (Th-Sat only) for a nicer evening out, Mojitos for tapas/Spanish cuisine, and Estela's for Mexican (it's rustic and bona fide...not fancy, but the food excellent). Also, Ybor City (Tampa's historic Latin quarter) is only a few miles away, and there are some good eateries there.

Which Holiday Inn - is it in Clearwater Beach or Indian Rocks Beach? I checked on tripadvisor and the one on clearwater beach definitely looked better.

Brandon. Hmm. It's just a city with lots of traffic. I'm sorry I can't sound more enthusiastic! :( I definitely recommend driving into Ybor City - the Columbia - for dinner. http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/ I don't know how far Brandon is from Busch Gardens. Could you have gotten a hotel closer? I know we were debating the merits of being close to Busch Gardens / USF or Rocky Point. In my opinion, Busch Gardens / USF would definitely be better than Brandon. Brandon isn't terrible by any means, of course.

Brandon is pretty close to Busch Gardens (it's just a little north of Ybor...an easy drive). The Lowry Park Zoo and Aquarium are also only about 30 minutes away. It's not going to be an EXCITING place to be, but it also won't be terribly inconvenient.

I agree with birder's Columbia suggestion...the restaurant is stunning, and the food is delish. Other favorites in Ybor are Acropolis Greek Taverna, http://www.acropolistaverna.com/ Bernini, http://www.berniniofybor.com/, and El Puerto for delicious Argentinean fare. http://www.elpuertoybor.com/

I have lived in Pinellas County for 20 years. Be prepared for lots of traffic here-but weather should be beautiful. I would not stay in Tampa-just stay on the beach in Pinellas-many great suggestions already given-you can drive to Busch Gardens and back without repacking and moving all your gear. Area near Busch Gardens for lodging is ugly and you will not be happy there. Nothing near Aquarium either-its a business district so not family oriented. Candlewood Suites is midway between Pinellas and Tampa off Ulmerton-if you want something half way. Ulmerton is very congested though.

Hi all,
Holiday Inn Harbourside is the one in Clearwater.
Unfortunately, while we wanted Rocky Point - there was no availability useing our points -so while Brandon won't be fun - it is FREE. As my hubby says, if it's Free, it's for me! So we know we will be driving everywhere, but we hope it won't be too bad. Besides we will be on the beach for 6 days and Brandon is only for 3 nights.
Thanks for the restaurant tips: the argentinian one looks good. I told hubby I want one day of shopping - any suggestions on best places. I hear the one thing Brandon does have is a mall...
And Clearwater or Dunedin, any restaurants or sights my girl will enjoy?
Thanks you guys, you have been just great!

Dunedin has a cute little downtown with nice restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, and boutiques...it's kinda fun to walk around.

In Clearwater, your children might enjoy the Clearwater Marine Science Center http://www.cmaquarium.org/, but other than that the main draw of Clearwater is the beach. Frenchy's Rockaway Grill is one of the few Gulf-front restaurants in that area, and is good casual dining if you like fresh seafood. http://www.frenchysonline.com/ For a nicer evening out, you might enjoy the Island Way Grill. http://www.islandwaygrill.com/

Shopping in Brandon is okay, but nothing to write home about (mainly a standard shopping mall with all the usual suspects inside). St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota is an easy drive down the interstate (takes about an hour), but is a beautiful place to walk around and browse unique shops, boutiques, and restaurants right on the beach. My husband and I go down there to have lunch and stroll around about once a month when the weather's not too hot. http://goflorida.about.com/cs/shopping/a/starmands.htm There's also a big designer outlet mall right on the interstate about 30 miles south of Brandon (Prime Outlets at Ellenton), before you get to Sarasota and St. Armand's.