Great for: Families, Couples, Romantic Getaway
Trip Duration: Easy long weekend and up to a couple of weeks.
The Central Gulf Coast of Florida has been in the news lately due to some very severe weather events, so I went to see how they were doing in the aftermath of such devastation. It has been many years since I was anywhere near this area, and it has had amazing growth and development in the past 5-10 years. The activities are endless, including fantastic food, theme parks, sporting events, museums, and tons of outdoor activities.
I first stopped in Tampa, which has seen tremendous growth. With non-stop flights into the city from many major cities in the US, it is a great gateway to the whole area, with all of its barrier islands and beautiful beaches. The Tampa airport is only about 20 minutes from the city, making it easy for a quick getaway.
A couple new luxury hotels have elevated the accommodations in Tampa, including the EDITION and the JW Marriott. Both have a great design, beautiful spa areas and are in a great location for walking and exploring the city.
While there, take a walk or bike along the miles of paved trails on the river walk. Stop by the Lighthaus Beer Garden or the Armature Works for great food, drinks and often, live music. Visit Ybor City for great Cuban food or to learn to roll cigars. Hyde Park for great shopping and restaurants or Busch Gardens for some real thrills.
Next, I headed to see the brand new JW Marriott Clearwater. This beautiful property has a great coastal design, spacious guest rooms, a great spa, a small stretch of private beach and a kids club. Just a little further down the road and you will hit St. Petersburg. I stayed at the Vinoy; a grand, historic property that has been beautifully restored. This area of St. Pete is packed with high end shops, restaurants, several great museums and a lively entertainment scene. It should be noted that you are about a 15 minute drive to the famous stretch of St. Petersburg beach. I drove by the famous Don Ceasar, located right on the beach. Sadly, it will be closed for awhile as it sustained quite a bit of damage during the last two hurricanes, but we expect it to be up and running and better than ever soon.
My last stop was to the newly opened St. Regis on Longboat Key. WOW! This property brings a whole new definition of luxury to the area. Impeccable design, excellent food outlets, an outstanding spa, and located on a miles long section of beautiful beach, it is one of the best hotels I’ve had the opportunity to stay in. This is a must add to anyone’s list and the closest you will get to feeling like you are in the Caribbean while staying in the United States.
Photos courtesy of JW Marriott Clearwater, the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club and the St. Regis Longboat Key.
