Hotel Insider: Retro Relaxing By the Beach at Sandpearl Resort in Florida
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The front of the Sandpearl Resort. (Photo: Pinellas County Economic Development/Flickr)
The hotel: Sandpearl Resort
Location: 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, Fla. 33767
The background: If Dodger Stadium had a hotel for a younger sister, it would look something like the Sandpearl Resort. With rooms dressed in warm hues, a self-playing piano in a vintage-appointed lobby, and a simple-yet-elegant pool area that leads directly into a pristine, white-sand beach, it exudes retro: I could definitely picture Don Draper retreating here to get away from it all. Until he hooked up with a married guest and the downward spiral started all over again. Sandpearl has 253 rooms and is one of the destination hotels in Clearwater/St. Petersburg.
Who stays here: This is an upscale place for couples and families, and I saw kids scampering throughout the hallways and pool area when I stayed in March during the week of St. Patrick’s Day. As this was spring training time, I also saw Philadelphia Phillies fans milling about the hotel (the team is based here in the spring).
The enviable view from my room. (Photo: Greg Keraghosian)
First impressions: I’m not really the target audience for Sandpearl, but then again, anybody with eyesight could be considered the target audience if they get a view of the gulf like I had in my fourth-floor room. After checking in late on a Sunday night, I awoke the next morning, opened the curtains, and was punched in the face with a view of the pool and beach that I immediately had to share, knowing full well my Facebook friends would hate me for the rest of the day. Smelling the salty air from my balcony enhanced the effect. So in the worst-case scenario here, you’re still getting a view that you literally will write home about.
The rooms: The vibe here is traditional — no boutiquey touches like a turntable or mod furnishings. But the yellow walls combined with the view relaxed me, the bed was very comfortable, and there’s plenty of room to stretch out. You do get a flatscreen TV and iPod dock, so you’re not totally in the 1960s.
Related: The Best Beaches in the World According to TripAdvisor
A standard room. (Courtesy: Sandpearl Resort)
What you should know: I usually get cranky when I see a mandatory “resort fee” tacked onto a bill, and there is such a fee here — $25 per day. But hey, at least this is an actual resort, and you do get a decent value for it: coffee and bottled water in your room, Wi-Fi throughout the property, fitness center, and use of the deck chairs by the pool and beach.
What they don’t tell you: The resort’s “private” beach isn’t technically private — people can always stroll over from other parts of Clearwater Beach — but it’s sufficiently secluded from most of the action and you will have plenty of space to lay down a towel.
The pool area, with Clearwater Beach right outside. (Photo: Greg Keraghosian)
Where you can eat: Caretta on the Gulf is Clearwater’s only AAA four-diamond restaurant – so if it’s a fancy meal you want, you won’t need to walk out the door. That meal and the beachside view will come at a price, of course. After sampling a good chunk of the menu during a sunset, I can say the price is mostly justified, although I’d probably opt for someplace younger and more casual. During the day, you can also order from the Tate Island Grill, located by the pool.
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Hammocks are available to guests near the resort’s private beach. (Photo: Greg Keraghosian)
What I loved: I’m a man of simple pleasures, so aside from all that picturesque beach stuff, I smiled when I discovered they have cornhole boards outside. The hammocks between the pool and beach are pretty enticing, too.
Cornhole! (Photo: Greg Keraghosian)
What bummed me out: As a nonparenting single guy, I found plenty of relaxation here but not much entertainment. The shallow pool is more for kids than adults, so it’s no surprise that the area was annexed by a phalanx of children each day. But at least you can escape that by soaking yourself in the warm gulf waters. Also, granted I was there on a Monday and Tuesday night, but it was St. Patrick’s Day and there was zero nightlife to speak of here. There’s a small bar area inside Caretta, but I even saw kids lounging there! You’ll have to take the 10-minute walk to Pier 60 and its nightly sunset festival if you want any kind of party around here.
Related: The Insider: The Scoop on a Legendary Vienna Hotel
The resort’s AAA four-diamond restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf. (Courtesy: Sandpearl Resort)
Don’t miss this: If you have a sailboat, you’ll want to make use of Sandpearl’s private marina. You can also find a spa and cabanas for rent on site.
What you’ll pay: Rates are anywhere from $400 during the week to $1,000 on the weekend if you want the best view.
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