Where to stay Florida Gulf Central
 

Hi- We (DH and 2 teens) are heading for Fla. Easter week. We are looking at the gulf side north of Sarasota. We want to be on the beach, walking distance to some things, and are looking for the least expensive city. We are doing day trips to several cities but would like to stay that is reasonable. I have read a lot of the posts here and most are looking for the best. I know we will not be on the best beach, the best hotel or resort but I do want clean and comfortable. That being said any suggestions for a city and a place to stay?
Thanks

As a kid many of my family's very low budget vacations were spent at Treasure Island off St. Pete. Last time I was throught there it had changed some, but surprisingly little for so many years. Still a great choice for budget and spectacular wide white beaches! Too many years have passed to be specific about a place.

Ditto Treasure Island. This is still a Florida bargain. And the beach is really beautiful. There are lots of activities going on during Easter. The majority of the mom and pop hotels from the 1950s still exist along this stretch from the fabulous Thunderbird hotel on north.

What are you looking for? What amenities? There are cottages as well as one-bedrooms that can be rented.

I remember going to South Beach in the 1970s when they were trying to save it. That's exactly what's going on in Treasure Island now -- residents are voting down attempts by the powers that be to replace these 50s structures with high-rise condos. I predict someday this stretch of beach will become a hot spot. So enjoy it now while you can at some bargain rates.

Thanks guys- Treasure Island sounds like the place for us. We do not need a fancy place with resturants and bars as long as there is something within walking distance. We don't necessarily want quit or secluded. A clean cottage or suite on the beach would be great.

Message: Here's some suggestions:

The Surf: very funky, very 1950s -- but inside it is also about the same
(not real upscale but basic and fine). This is a hotel that books fast.
Hotel rooms, One-bedrooms and even some two bedrooms. smaller place

Trails End: Nicer than the Surf, more conservative, more family oriented,
shuffle board, big family style pool, one-bedrooms, efficiencies, hotel
rooms.

The Thunderbird: refurbished, nicest place of these, central location, I
think they have suites (in fact almost all the hotels in TI have
mini-kitchens) -- classic Florida beach hotel with all amenities (their
restaurant, Karim's, has received nice reviews).


Sea Horse Cottages -- one-bedroom or two-bedroom cedar-wood-panelled
buildings. Old cottages. No Pool.

Check out this web site for phone numbers and hotel web sites:
www.treasure-island-hotels-hotels.bdir.com

Let me know where you decide to stay. There is a beach trolley that will take you up and down the beaches along this stretch, lots of things going on at Easter...you will love it.

Please check out Anna Maria Island, it's beautiful & relatively unspoilt!

Tandoori_girl-Thanks for the help-T'bird is booked. Can not find a picture of Trails End anywhere. I would like a pool so Sea Horse is out. Looking into the Surf. Have you heard of Page Terrace, Island Inn or Bucaneer Beach?

nancy106
Have you tried the website above? www.treasure-island-hotels-hotels.bdir.com
I can honestly say I have been on the computer around a total of 8hrs trying to find something for a month (middle Feb/Mar) on Treasure Island on the beach. As you know this is peak season and so many are already booked and not cheap. I found 2 weeks at the Tahitian for 1838.24. It looks like a nice place and was recommended by another place that I called. It's on that website. Also, there is a Best Western on the beach that would have taken us. The Shifing Sands could take us the first of March and it looks cute. Cabin on the beach, one bedroom. I just talked to her this morning so if your interested..her name is Margaret, husband Frank and the price for a week was $666.00 plus tax. Also, tomorrow call the Chamber of Commerce and Peter will give you a list of vacanies. Good luck!

http://recentpast.org/groups/treasure/images2.html

Check out this website above. It has some photos of Treasure Island. Including many of the hotels. They are all very classic 1950s places. Not a lot of high-rises. I recommended a few but they are all typically the same (the Surf has really big rooms, it's a personal favorite). The Surf is hard to locate via the web -- you might have to call information.

Unfortunately, I haven't been inside the ones you mention -- I have a beach house in Sunset at the Southern end of TI so I pass these places. I think you will get a lot of value in any of them -- be sure they're on the Gulf side not the bayside. Trails End had cramped one-bedrooms but huge efficiencies.

There are a few that have rooms with balconies facing the Gulf -- that would be a nice amenity IMHO, but there aren't many of those.

Let me know what you find and I'll try to give you a heads up.

The Tahitian is about my least favorite. It is about as standard as it can get -- but it has a good location. And you will not be spending a lot of time in your hotel. In the evenings you will be outside, either at the pool, or walking along Gulf boulevard. If you get a place on TI that doesn't have a pool, such as a cottage, just pool hop, no one will know nor care.

You should also check Sunset Beach -- the Little Blue Cottages. Also, there's a place at the end of Sunset Beach called the Delacado -- it's very nice (BIG), with pool, a bit away from the action but the beach is particularly nice there. It's on the Gulf side but the beach is a very short walk away. If you still want to stay in TI, and all the beach front places are booked, look for places on the bayside, and try to see just how far a walk it will be to the Gulf. If it's not too far, then you can get a cheaper rate and just walk across the road to the beach. And the bayside has some really great views along the Intracoastal.

If you still can't find a darn thing there then check out Indian Rocks. Just don't know any places to recommend but nowadays they are all up to snuff. Also St. Pete Beach -- this is a lively area, good for families, a little bit more expensive though. And Redington Beach is wonderful too.

There's a beach trolley now that goes down Gulf Blvd. ($1.50) visiting all these spots. Might be a good idea to take the trolley while you're in Florida so you can check out all these great beach spots.