Florida Escape

This is a three-story resort that offers one-bedroom/one-bath units directly on the beach. Our room had a gulf-front view from the living room/kitchen/eating area...the entire front of the unit has a sliding glass door as well as a large picture window in the front of the small eating area. There is a balcony, but it is SO small that we didn't go out on it except to stand and enjoy the views. Many of the walls are attractively stenciled.

We liked the way that the entrance to the unit is set up with irregular lines. Though small, the unit did not feel "boxy." The bedroom, too, is small compared to the other places we've stayed, and there is no closet in the bedroom. To compensate for that, there is a large hallway closet meant to put suitcases, clothes, shoes, whatever. There are TVs in the bedroom and the living area.

The well-eqipped kitchen is just adequate in size and is combined with the living room. The turquoise/aqua leather sofas are set in an "L" shape so that they create a natural divider between the rooms. In the back of the smaller couch is a small table with a picture window facing the water. Beautiful!

The most negative thing about this place is its size. Our unit slept four (pull-out in the living room), but I was glad that it was just my husband and myself. It was quite comfortable for two, but no more! The pool was a big disappointment to us! It has to be the smallest pool that we have seen at the many resorts we have visited. Consequently, we did not use the pool.

We question the rating of the CROWN for this resort. Though nice, this resort lacks many amenities that we have come to expect from such a rating. There is no exercise area, only one small pool, no restaurant to get food or even supplies in the walking area, etc.

Also, we were told that the higher the number a resort is given, the newer the place. This resort has a very high number (5770), but it shows signs of having been around awhile.

The beach outside our windows was pretty and the water appears clean. On most days, we saw dolphins on our beach walks or from our unit. The resort had lounge chairs for beach use, but for some reason they do not provide towels for the beach or pool. The unit towels get exchanged mid-week.

Though the resort is located in a residential area with lovely and huge homes (I want one!), it is just minutes away from a bunch of great restaurants, shopping areas, and other attractions. To us, the location compensated for the negative things mentioned above. You WILL need a car unless you bring all of your food with you and your only interest is the beach.

From the time you pull into the parking lot until the time you pull out, you will notice that Fathoms is a top-notch restaurant in many ways.

It is large and the decor is pleasing to the eye. Though we didn't take advantage of this due to the chilly temps, they have a romantic outdoor eating area, which is beautiful with flowers and hanging baskets. My husband and I were even impressed with the cleanliness and decor of their bathrooms!

Both time we ate there during the week, all our meals were above average and, because we took advantage of their "early menu" offerings, the meals were really reasonable in price.

If we get to vacation in the Clearwater/St. Pete area again, we will make the trip along the beaches to this restaurant.

My husband and I spent a week in the Clearwater/St. Pete's Beach area and this restaurant was the best one that we had tried. It never failed to have a filled parking lot every evening, so we know others have discovered this place as well.

Many of the tables offer a view of the water, but the biggest attraction is the excellent food, which starts with the bread. YUM!!! It is served warm to be dipped into olive oil with such a tasty combination of seasonings.

The prices can be high, but if you go early (before 5pm for dinner), the prices are generally below $12. We tried the steaks, the seafood, and the pasta dishes-- all were excellent.

We highly recommend the Salt Rock Grill.

John's Pass is the waterway that separates Madeira Beach from Treasure Island in the Gulf of Mexico. There is a fishing area right along the water with a boardwalk that has shops and eating places. We had a good time watching the pelicans trying to get the fish scraps as two men tossed pieces into the air. It was up close and personal with us and the pelicans. There were water sport activities offered on the boardwalk as well as boat trips. Off the boardwalk... but within the boardwalk area... were many other specialty shops and eateries. You pay to park with each spot metered.