How did a St Pete and Clearwater fam live up to expectations?

Next morning the group took a stroll to TradeWinds, where two hotels are situated side by side, Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resorts. The properties will be undergoing a multiyear development project from next year, with RumFish geared towards adults-only once refurbished. Sandra says: “It’s a lovely complex with 16 restaurants and bars, and about 680 rooms – it was full due to a conference taking place.”

Graham adds that TradeWinds is great for families: “There’s inflatables in the sea, a zipline and slide on the beach, also mini golf, giant chess and pickle ball courts.”

A contrasting experience was provided by The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, an upmarket hotel in St Petersburg Marina, which is housed in an original historic building. The group were relieved to hear its one-time predatory residents were no more. Graham explains: “The building was dilapidated and when the work began to rebuild, they discovered the ground floor was flooded and had alligators living there!”

He continues: “This resort would be great for a special occasion. There is a resort fee of $40 per day but it covers a lot, from electric bike hire to the fitness room.”

Culture club

From here in downtown St Petersburg, a thriving arts community is only steps away – they toured both the Chihuly Collection, a glass museum, which Sandra says is worth a visit, and also the James Museum, an American Indian Museum, with paintings, sculptures and artefacts – the museum amplifies voices that are not often at the forefront of mainstream Western art. 

After lunch they went out on the water with Pier Dolphin Cruises – which guarantees a dolphin sighting or your next cruise is free. Sandra recalls: “We were delighted to have four dolphins swimming and jumping around the boat.”

Breakfast on day three was at the Sheraton Sand Key. Loungers on the beach here are operated by an outside company and are approximately $35pp, per day. There are 386 rooms here and 19 suites – 80% have water views. Graham says: “Rooms have been refurbished, but the reception area is still to be done.” The hotel is located on Clearwater Beach, which Sandra liked. “It felt busier, and there’s a complimentary trolley service running between neighbouring beaches.”

From here, the group visited Clearwater Marine Aquarium which Sandra rated as a great family day out but Graham admits he was “conflicted about”. It is a rehabilitation centre, which featured in Dolphin Tales films, about Winter the dolphin, who had a prosthetic tail fitted. Graham explains: “In essence it’s an animal hospital where they aim to return injured animals to the wild. But they have some permanent residents. We saw dolphins doing tricks in front of visitors – it was a very small group and it was educational but still.”

The group checked into the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, which is across a road from the beach. Sandra says: “This had a great holiday atmosphere with a touch of luxury, and the food was excellent. All the rooms are a really good size. Mine had two double beds and views of the harbour and the beach.”

Graham notes the resort has the largest pool in Clearwater, and it’s accessible for wheelchair users.

That night they experienced a dinner cruise with StarLite. There was a singer/ DJ, and Sandra thought it was entertaining, with older clients in mind, but Graham says: “I probably wouldn’t recommend this one, it felt a bit 1970s Stringfellows inside… but the food was good and the sunset was one to remember.”

Scottish influence

Day four, they drove to Dunedin, which as the name suggests, is a Scottish community. “It’s a quaint town and I loved it,” says Sandra. “They even have Highland Games in April. We ate brunch at the Living Room. The portions were huge but I did love their pancakes.”

Feeling rather full, the group set off for Honeymoon Island state park, which is also the ferry terminal for another state park, Caladesi Island, which comes highly recommended by Dr Beach, one of the world’s foremost beach experts. It’s a 10-minute car-ferry ride to the island and both Sandra and Graham stress the use of mosquito repellent. The aim of the state park is to ensure it remains as close as possible to being an untouched natural area and Graham notes: “There’s not much here other than a small café/shop and beach chair rental.”

Later that evening, they joined the Visit St. Pete-Clearwater Float for the St Pete Pride Parade, the largest Pride in Florida with more than 300,000 people turning out to the streets, which Graham describes as “by far the best experience of the whole trip!”

Sandra agrees: “I couldn’t walk far; and I was able to sit on the trolley throwing balls to the crowd. The noise and the atmosphere were amazing.” 

On their final day they explored Tarpon Springs, 30 minutes north of Clearwater. “I liked this wee town and though it well worth the visit,” says Sandra. The area has the largest Greek community in the US, and is also the Sponge Capital of the world. Sponges are the skeletons of small sea creatures brought up by hand from the ocean bottom, and these natural sponges are sold in local shops.

Car hire would be advisable, to explore the area fully at leisure, Sandra says. But there are other ways of getting around, such as the Sun Runner trolley, which runs every 15 minutes between St Pete and St Pete Beach and the Clearwater Jolley Trolley, which goes up the coast from St Pete to Clearwater, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs.

She concludes: “I would recommend the whole St Pete and Clearwater area for Florida-bound clients. There was plenty to suit everyone, with a great mix of beaches, boat trips and towns to explore.”

And Graham adds: “This was such a well organised trip, which highlighted not only some great hotels but some of the amazing experiences that St Pete and Clearwater offer. Seeing dolphins while walking along the beach was incredible, and taking part in St Pete Pride was an honour and a privilege… and so much fun!”