It’s still wintertime so isn’t that a good enough excuse to book a weekend getaway to Florida? Even in the warmer months, we think there is no place on earth quite like St. Petersburg, Florida.
Miles of beautiful white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are lined with great restaurants, fun shops and endless activities. If you are looking for a resort that has it all then be sure to book a stay at TradeWinds Island Resorts.
We recently visited this massive property for a relaxing weekend getaway from Boston (there are frequent nonstop flights to Tampa from Boston on JetBlue). There are two properties within the TradeWinds portfolio (the Island Grand and Guy Harvey Outpost) and both are located just steps from each other on St. Pete’s Beach. Once you receive your bracelet at check-in that must be worn throughout your stay, you can use the facilities at both properties with charging privileges at each.
Because there are so many activities right on property, there is no need to venture far from this family friendly resort. From children’s activities to beachfront recreation, there is something to do for the whole family. Head over to the Adventure Center and grab some towels and relax by one of five heated pools or in a two-person beach cabana, or go to the Tiki Hut and book a parasail excursion for a breathtaking view of the beach from the air.
Kids will love the massive High Tide Slide, a three-story, 200-foot long inflatable waterslide that will keep them busy all afternoon. One of the coolest activities can be found at the JetLev Flight Center. Here you will strap on a jet pack that will project you out of the water and allow you to soar over the Gulf up to 30 feet in the air. Other on-site activities include tennis, bungee trampoline and gyrosphere, paddle boats, pirate shows and parties, beach games, ghost stories, game room arcade and even a day camp for kids. While the kids are busy participating in one of these activities, you can have some fun playing volleyball, tetherball or taking a yoga class. There is a resort daily fee of $35, which includes most activities as well as wireless Internet and parking.
When you arrive, be sure to inquire about the Bar Crawl Passport. When you visit every bar on property and have a drink at each, you will receive a stamp that you can later trade in for a souvenir T-shirt. (We loved stopping by the Lobby Bar and chatting with Lynne, one of the property’s most friendly bartenders, who will mix you up everything from a Rum Swizzle to the perfect gin and tonic). There are 11 dining and entertainment options located right on property so there really is never any excuse to venture far from the resort.
This pet friendly resort recently underwent a $20 million renovation, which included upgrades to the rooms, suites and meeting rooms. We stayed in a spacious suite (with balcony that overlooked the beach) featuring a flat screen TV in both the bedroom and living area, kitchenette with stovetop, full refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. For dining options, don’t miss Bermudas for its bountiful daily breakfast buffet, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s for burgers and sandwiches for lunch and The Flying Bridge for fish tacos for dinner.
TradeWinds Island Resorts is located at 5600 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach, Florida. For reservations or more information, call (727) 363-2215 or visit www.justletgo.com.
