Any Clearwater Beach recommendations? About This Page:

[RCF]

Hello.
We are planning a trip to WDW and want to stay 3 days at the beach. I am looking at Clearwater, but there are SO many hotels to choose from. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[AKLRULZ]

Hey there! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] I personally have never been, but I'm bumping up in hopes that someone who has will give you the low down!

[2Princesses]

In May '99, we stayed at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete's Beach, which I believe is one town away from Clearwater. At the time there were three different resorts with the "Tradewinds" name, and you could resort hop between the 3 for different ammenities. We stayed at the mid-priced location, now called Island Grand. The gulf waters were crystal clear, great beaches, nice pools, fun kids program . . . we truly enjoyed ourselves.

If this works, here is a link to their website:
Tradewinds Resort - St. Pete's Beach, FL

[ 10-07-2002, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: 2Princesses ]

[Travelin' Mom]

Sounds like a great time, we actually did a similar vacation in Sept. 2000. We stayed on the beach for 3 days then went into Orlando, did Discovery cove, SW & then 4 days with the mouse!
It was perfect to rest up on the beach before all the action. We stayed at a quaint little place called Casa Chica Cottages. It is located just south of Clearwater (north of St. Pete Beach)in Indian Shores there aren't many motels around it, mostly condos, but this place was built in the 50's so it can sit much closer to the water than the newer hotels because it was "grandfathered" in before the regulations. It has individual cottages, ours had a gulf view (some face the garden courtyard)& kitchen, living area - it's nothing fancy but very clean and they have a hottub, a grill & it's really friendly. You are just feet from the water, we opened the window at night & listened to the waves lap. They have beach toys for the kids...it is close to public beaches & eating. When we stayed it was only $85 a nite for the oceanview but it looks like its gone up. If you want a big corporate hotel this is not it, but if you want a more local, cozy feel with great beach, sand, sunsets...this is it. You walk out your front door in the morning & you're on the beach. Their website is www.casachicacottages.com Have a great trip!

[Love 2 Laugh]

We stayed at a Holiday Inn on Treasure Island (just north of St. Pete Beach) which was okay but doesn't hold a candle to the Tradewinds hotels 2Princesses mentioned. OTOH, the Holiday Inn cost a lot less, too.

We were refered to a great place to eat by a local. It is called Dockside Dave's Bar and Grill, 13203 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, FL. 727-392-9399

Don't let the name or the look of the place from the outside frighten you off. Neither DW or I drink and neither of us would have wanted to pull in here on our own, but I will go back the next chance I have. They have the best grouper sandwich I have ever had. I had mine grilled and DW had hers fried and both were outstanding. And huge and reasonably priced, too. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

It is a very friendly, laid back atmosphere and out back you can sit on the porch and have a great view of the canals, I guess you'd call them. The waitresses have great personalities and treat you like old friends. As for dessert, we didn't have it (the sandwiches filled us up), but to paraphrase the menu, "We've only got one. That's all we need." It's key lime pie. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Check out what the St. Petersburg Times had to say about it by clicking here.

What Dockside Dave's lacks in beauty it makes up for in great food and character. Don't blink, you might miss it.

Madeira Beach is south of Clearwater and north of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island.