Coral Reef Beach Resort Hotel

In all fairness to Vacation Resorts International, although the Mariner Beach Club posted prior to this one appears to be a dud, this next hotel was hopefully going to be more promising, as per my first perceptions when viewing photos.

The place has the longest free-form outdoor winding pool in the area. There are two pools actually, three hot tubs, the beach 100 feet away, laundry facilities on the 2nd and 6th floor, elevator of course to go up to higher floors, shuffleboard, kitchen in rooms, balcony which is not private, living room, air condition.

When viewing photos, which I had to look for elsewhere and not on VRI, the interiors look better than the Mariner, but still will be pretty basic. I cannot bear the bed spreads in either, – that is just a fettish of mine dating back from the years of staying at Holiday Inns on the drive down to Florida. If they look the same as then, chances are they are the same and need to be replaced. Please choose me as the buyer for the hotel bedding purchases thank you.

The low season rates start May 3 and go to Feb. 1, 2010. A one-bedroom poolside starts at 158.00 per night, with a minimum 3 night stay required, and weekly rates are discounted though not listed on the site. A two-bedroom in low season is 235.00 per night. Check-in is at 4 pm and checkout is at 10 am. Is it only me, or does this early hour irk others also? I find it very inhospitable to have this 10 am policy. 11 am is normal in most hotels, with 12 noon for best hotels. I realize we are not looking at the best, but 11 am would be reasonable at least.  Also, ask about the sides, because at one time there was an older section, a renovated section, and a condo section. I would definitely want to know.

Bad news: In small print the VRI site indicates this place will be under renovation until 2013. Call ahead as usual, ask about this, consider this. Hopefully by 2013, the place will look fabulous, including the bed spreads. Since 2004, customers have been saying this place was going to be renovated. Once again, people who came on time-shares were very surprised that VRI had included Coral Reef as one of their accommodations. VRI had a good reputation it seems until they started using poor excuses of lodgings at this beach. For me, I love this beach, but you still want a clean apartment to go back to every night. I would see how they fare after renovations are done. I cannot even give reviews in all fairness to this facility, as they are all dated from about 2004 and earlier. I’ll keep looking however and may add on to this post.

Address: 5800 Gulf Boulevard, St Pete Beach 767-363-1604

vriresorts.com