Where to from Tampa?
Oct 31st, 2014, 06:17 PM
#21
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St Pete Beach would be my choice as well. Clearwater would be a second choice. I always stay around St Pete for 7-8 days in February every year, and no I'm not in the water but walking the beach is fine most days. I can drive from my beach hotel to Orlando in roughly 90 minutes. I have snowbird friends who spend several months around Orlando during nasty Illinois winters, so I'm always making that drive from St Pete to pay them a quick visit.
Oct 31st, 2014, 06:17 PM
#22
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OO, MsSteinrunner - thank you for providing some detail and improving my estimate.
We've spent a few getaways out your way (New Year, anniversary, summer weekends). What is going on over there for the holidays - Thanksgiving (for the OP), Christmas, New Year? Might head over that way.
We've spent a few getaways out your way (New Year, anniversary, summer weekends). What is going on over there for the holidays - Thanksgiving (for the OP), Christmas, New Year? Might head over that way.
Nov 1st, 2014, 06:03 AM
#23
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Sanibel is great - however - every time you go across the bridge you're paying a toll. Not a big deal, but time consuming as well. Try the Trivago website to see prices of spots on a map. Long Boat Key is wonderful place to stay, just above Sarasota. Many things to do in Sarasota - might you have an interest in the Ringling Brothers Museum? It is very nice and interesting! Great Beaches all along the coast there - white sand - whole area cannot be beat! Enjoy!
Nov 2nd, 2014, 01:12 PM
#24
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Thanks all! This is what our trip is looking like. We get in at 9.30pm on Friday, Nov 14th, DH's birthday. Thinking of having dinner in Tampa, any late night restaurant suggestions? Also maybe staying that night at the Hilton in Clearwater. Thinking the traffic can't be too bad at that time of night, should we drive straight there for dinner? We can spend the next day at Clearwater Beach, (do a jetski tour maybe) enjoy Pier 60 in the evening and then drive to Orlando after dinner and spend the night there. That way we will not have to wake up tooo early the next morning to go to the Park. Spend the day at Universal and head back to St Petersburg maybe? We will have 2 nights there. I know its a lot of hotel switching in 4 days & that we will not have a hotel during our day in Clearwater. Since Universal is only open from 9-7, that seems to be our best bet. Thoughts? Hotel suggestions in St Petersburg?
Nov 2nd, 2014, 02:01 PM
#25
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Do you want to be on the beach, or not?
someone above suggested Tradewinds, and I agree. I stayed there a few days (St Pete Beach) and it was nice enough. I stayed at the Tradewinds Island Grand, as far away as possible I could get from those horrible big plastic things they put on the beach and in the water. I did drive to the Tampa airport from there, also.
http://www.tradewindsresort.com/prop...and-grand.aspx
someone above suggested Tradewinds, and I agree. I stayed there a few days (St Pete Beach) and it was nice enough. I stayed at the Tradewinds Island Grand, as far away as possible I could get from those horrible big plastic things they put on the beach and in the water. I did drive to the Tampa airport from there, also.
http://www.tradewindsresort.com/prop...and-grand.aspx
Nov 5th, 2014, 06:58 PM
#29
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OK, that explains it!
Christina. we don't HAVE to be on the beach, but would at least like to be close, a waterview would be nice!
DD (young adult) has graciously given up on Orlando. Now we have a wider choice of places we can go to. First night (14th) will be in Clearwater, since it's closer to Tampa, booked the Hilton on Hotwire, but where next? Should we stay put or go south to Saratoga? Hotels there on/near the beach seem quite expensive, any suggestions for under $200?
Christina. we don't HAVE to be on the beach, but would at least like to be close, a waterview would be nice!DD (young adult) has graciously given up on Orlando. Now we have a wider choice of places we can go to. First night (14th) will be in Clearwater, since it's closer to Tampa, booked the Hilton on Hotwire, but where next? Should we stay put or go south to Saratoga? Hotels there on/near the beach seem quite expensive, any suggestions for under $200?
Jan 4th, 2015, 03:36 PM
#30
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Just an update, we actually did end up staying at the TradeWinds on St Pete's Beach in a lovely oceanfront room for about $200 per night. Really enjoyed it! Really liked Clearwater Beach too, the sand on the beach outside the Hilton was amazing - so fine! Did not make it to Orlando. We had 2 beautiful days, one rainy day and our last day was cold, about 55 degrees which we would have found warm here but that temp felt a lot colder in Florida!
Jan 4th, 2015, 05:39 PM
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We've also enjoyed the TradeWinds, once for New Years. Great place to stay, glad you enjoyed it. What did you end up doing there, any good restaurants? Did they have the beach equipment out for you?
When it does get a bit chilly here, it does seem so much colder. January a year or so ago, I left Orlando in a freezing-feeling temp that was likely around 40 degrees, arriving in Denver at -21. It actually felt warmer in Denver...
When it does get a bit chilly here, it does seem so much colder. January a year or so ago, I left Orlando in a freezing-feeling temp that was likely around 40 degrees, arriving in Denver at -21. It actually felt warmer in Denver...
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