Spring Break in Tampa

[rogerwa]

I will be in the Tampa area the first weekend in April and never been there. I am looking to book a hotel on the beach and need advice on which communities would be good (St Pete, Clearwater??) and what properties are nice.

I will have two teenagers with me and the wife and don't want to spend $500/night - more like half that. Those who are familiar with the area please share your thoughts..

I cnnot wait - this winter has been a bear so far - we have been significantly below zero a good portion in January and December - wamred up today to give us 6" of snow only to head back to -15 tonight. Sandy beaches here I come.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

if you want a bit more quiet than the Tampa/Clear Water/St Pete, you may want to consider Bradenton or Anna Marie Island.

Tampa has been getting hit hard with 20-somethings on spring break doing stupid things. Many of the beaches no longer allow coolers/beverages

are you looking for pool/amenities or a nice quaint place on the beach?

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

Looking for a nice hotel that you can walk right out to the beach. Having the chairs and drink service on the beach would be great. Want to stay away from the spring break 20 y/o's if possible.. Pretty open but a beach side view would be great.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=hote...R-ymZJ50uOhDDiDHFcDrkErLNbA&t=h&hq=hotel&z=17

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

Madeira Beach has worked for us for 30+ yrs. Get as close to John's Pass as you can. Treasure Island works also. Just on the south side of the bridge from Madeira.
Try Beach Place if you want a condo. John's Pass is right across the street and you can walk under the bridge so no crossing the road..
SunHost ~ Beach Place Condos
John's Pass
Johnspass

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

If you want to stay away from the 20 yr old spring breakers, you need to look at an area a bit away from Tampa, spring break is fun to watch and participate a bit in, but it is nice to be able to go back to a quiet beach and a quiet hotel..

Note I said a "Bit" at my age if I hung around for more than a couple of hours, my wife would be collecting my life insurance money!

:lol:

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

I can indicate the best restaurants and bars by boat if need be from Lido Key tiki bar to Gators in Johns Pass :facepalm:

Usually do most of the boating around Long Boat key and Anna Marie. In fact, was married on AMI this past year. Favorite eating/dringking places by water are Marvista, Cortez Kitchen, Bridge Tender Inn, Woodys River Roo, Pier 22, Seafood Shack, Stella's and Gators

Any of the hotels on AMI are within crawling distance of the water. Could also go south almost 2 hours to Captiva/Sanibel

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

I was born and raised here. You don't want anything to do with Clearwater Beach Spring Break, Its a nightmare and there will be a cop every 5 feet and nothing but problems. North of Clearwater there really aren't any beaches to speak of. South are some nice locations. Yo can spend as little or as much as you want. But like snow skiing unless you are staying in the room all day whats the point. My family owns some rentals on Redington Beach that are on the beach. Kid friendly with a private pool. Here's the link is you are interested. If not your style post more info on what you are looking for and maybe I can point you in the right direction. There are rental chairs but you are going to be hard pressed for "beach waiters" unless you are going to spend big bucks. We weed out most of the problems with the break type of crowd by being full and not renting less than 4-5 nights


And no I am not pimping the property. It will rent out that time of year regardless

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

Thanks for all the feedback so far.. I am only looking for 2 nights as my wife has a work thing and we will stay in the hotel her company is paying for for Thursday til Sunday and then moving to a beach location for Sunday and monday evenings.. The beach waiters was more of a joke, but the place in South beach we went a few years ago had these and that was the life..

I have to pick through all this as I am not familiar with the area and there are a lot of locations mentioned.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

I have to pick through all this as I am not familiar with the area and there are a lot of locations mentioned.

Google maps is your friend.

Anna Marie island is about 6 miles south of St Pete by water. about 1.5 hours by car. Cortez rd or 64 west of I-75 can really be a biotch for afternoon traffic.

Siesta Key is about 15 minutes south by boat or car. Captiva/sanibel is 50 minutes south by boat, 2 hours south by car

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

I was looking at some of the Madeira stuff and this place looked nice Barefoot Beach Hotel Madeira Beach Florida John's Pass Hotel - Barefoot Beach Resort

Tripadvisor also had good reviews.

My wife doesn't want to drive 2 hours so those (sanibel etc) are out. I would do it but she doesn't want to drive that far.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Spring Break in Tampa

Barefoot will work. It's a nice place. Fairly close to John's Pass. You'll find Sugar Daddy's (ice cream) on the north end closest to you.
Delosa's Pizza is very good. Just hard to get a bad meal in John's Pass.

About Us - Salt Rock Grill - Clearwater Beach (727) 593-7625
Salt Rock is maybe a 20 min. drive up the beach.

If your in Tampa for a couple of nights and get the chance.
Bern's Steak House is a unique culinary experience
Bern's is in the old part of Tampa and will take 45 min. from the beach each way. Time to dress up for Bern's, (no shorts) rated number one US steak house numerous times. Take the tour they offer, before you eat, and the dessert room is a perfect ending, don't miss out.