Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Clearwater Beach for part of spring break last year and loved it. Stayed at the Sandpearl, which was one of my favorite hotels ever. It was warm enough for the pool (this was March) and I think the kids splashed around in the gulf a bit too. Very walkable, some nicer restaurants and some more laid back/beachy. We did a boat tour and the aquarium, both of which were great.

Thank you. I think this is the hotel that I would choose. It felt safe for the kids walking around? I would definitely want to do a boat tour. Looks like almost all of them have great reviews. Was the Sand Pearl a good location island wise? I also looked at the Opal Sands and JW, but looks like they aren't actually on the Gulf of Mexico.

If this isn't a blatant marketing ad for Sandpearl I don't know what is.

Statistically, how is it possible that a question about an obscure hotel in a specific location has someone weigh in positively in less than an hour? And sells the OP on its desirability over other similar hotels?

Who are you kidding ...

I am the OP and I wrote this. Some I started the thread, I looked at the JW and the opal sands which are the other two 4 star hotels on the island as far as I can tell. I’ve been researching this area for a while and sand pearl seems like a nice hotel in a good location even if it’s not as updated as the other two. It’s gulf front which is what I want since I want to look for shells and go in the water with my kids. I have not stayed at an opal location before but recently had a friend stay in one’s I’m giving it a closer look. If you have another hotel in the area to recommend, I’d appreciate the ideas.

Hilton doesn’t usually have as many amenities as Marriott so I’m not looking at that one though it has a similar location and the Hyatt pool looks too small. I’m just going off what I see and read on TripAdvisor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Clearwater Beach for part of spring break last year and loved it. Stayed at the Sandpearl, which was one of my favorite hotels ever. It was warm enough for the pool (this was March) and I think the kids splashed around in the gulf a bit too. Very walkable, some nicer restaurants and some more laid back/beachy. We did a boat tour and the aquarium, both of which were great.

Thank you. I think this is the hotel that I would choose. It felt safe for the kids walking around? I would definitely want to do a boat tour. Looks like almost all of them have great reviews. Was the Sand Pearl a good location island wise? I also looked at the Opal Sands and JW, but looks like they aren't actually on the Gulf of Mexico.

If this isn't a blatant marketing ad for Sandpearl I don't know what is.

Statistically, how is it possible that a question about an obscure hotel in a specific location has someone weigh in positively in less than an hour? And sells the OP on its desirability over other similar hotels?

Who are you kidding ...

Anonymous wrote:Split time between St Petersburg and Clearwater. Not much to do in Tampa.

Busch Gardens??

Anonymous wrote:Beware of the scientologists trying to recruit you

I think I can handle them, thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Split time between St Petersburg and Clearwater. Not much to do in Tampa.

Looks like the Don Cesar isn't opening back up until the end of March which makes me worried that St Pete isn't the best choice right now,

Anonymous wrote:We went to Clearwater Beach for part of spring break last year and loved it. Stayed at the Sandpearl, which was one of my favorite hotels ever. It was warm enough for the pool (this was March) and I think the kids splashed around in the gulf a bit too. Very walkable, some nicer restaurants and some more laid back/beachy. We did a boat tour and the aquarium, both of which were great.

Thank you. I think this is the hotel that I would choose. It felt safe for the kids walking around? I would definitely want to do a boat tour. Looks like almost all of them have great reviews. Was the Sand Pearl a good location island wise? I also looked at the Opal Sands and JW, but looks like they aren't actually on the Gulf of Mexico.

Beware of the scientologists trying to recruit you

Split time between St Petersburg and Clearwater. Not much to do in Tampa.

We went to Clearwater Beach for part of spring break last year and loved it. Stayed at the Sandpearl, which was one of my favorite hotels ever. It was warm enough for the pool (this was March) and I think the kids splashed around in the gulf a bit too. Very walkable, some nicer restaurants and some more laid back/beachy. We did a boat tour and the aquarium, both of which were great.

Anonymous wrote:I love clearwater beach! I don't have a recommendation as to where to stay because we stay at a childfree resort.

Thank you. Do you have any restaurant recommendations there? Is the area walkable?

I love clearwater beach! I don't have a recommendation as to where to stay because we stay at a childfree resort.

Anonymous wrote:We have family in that area and were there for Thanksgiving. We wandered all around Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach etc. and everything was still a mess from the hurricanes. We had trouble finding a place that was open for a weekday lunch. Just FYI.

St. Pete is a beach town, a lot of the restaurants are seasonal.

If you went into St. Petersburg proper, there's a ton of stuff.

OP, Clearwater was great last year in mid April -- gorgeous beach weather and yes warm enough to swim. I don't care if it has a "middle class" vibe -- the white sand beaches there are some of the nicest in the US.

Anonymous wrote:We have family in that area and were there for Thanksgiving. We wandered all around Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach etc. and everything was still a mess from the hurricanes. We had trouble finding a place that was open for a weekday lunch. Just FYI.

Thanks, but I think Clearwater was spared.

We have family in that area and were there for Thanksgiving. We wandered all around Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach etc. and everything was still a mess from the hurricanes. We had trouble finding a place that was open for a weekday lunch. Just FYI.

Thinking about going mid April. Anyone been? Is it warm enough to swim? Looks like the Sand Pearl or JW would be the hotels I'd be interested in. 2 kids, 10 and 13.

I know that it has a more middle class vibe, and I'm ok with that. I like cheesy waterfront restaurants and we are not foodies.

Any advice or suggestions are welcome.