Dolphin Beach Resort

There are apparently a few of these in the world, so don’t confuse this with the one in the Bahamas, Kimikazi, or elsewhere in the world when reading up on this resort. This Dolphin Beach Resort is located at St Pete Beach, 4900 Gulf Boulevard.

Amenities: internet use is in the lobby only unless that has changed recently. Microwave, coffee maker, air condition, hair dryer, safety deposit boxes at lobby, irons, satellite television, outdoor heated pool, rollaway cot for 15.00 per night extra. There are no rooms with kitchenettes.

For a six night stay starting August 11, 2009 with a Superior Pool/Gulf Viewpool side room (one of three types to choose from) for two adults and two children, I would be paying 119.00 for weeknights and starting Friday I would pay 169.00 for the Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday the price goes back down. Those are internet rates by the way. Not sure if they are more by phone. That is a steep difference and one I would not be paying for accommodations that have such discouraging reviews in general. I have to give the hotel credit however; at least they indicate on their web site that they do not guarantee smoking/non-smoking rooms nor specific floor locations. Now you know, and if you are allergic to smoke or cannot bear the smell, do not bother to book into this place. That is a make or break factor for many people, and I am so glad to know that now and not later.

Some visitors comment on how clean the rooms are, which is definitely a plus, the beds comfortable, and the accommodations are viewed as on the lower spectrum of dated but clean. The staff are friendly, the resort is quiet. However, then you have many people who check in and find their room smelly, paint peeling, staff unfriendly, old elevator, hallway carpet badly in need of cleaning, cockroaches in rooms, no recognition of AAA membership discount, mold, loud air condition units, lousy house keeping, rude housekeeping, thieving housekeeping. The most recent reviewers are still complaining about the same issues from back in 2004. The place is run down, the elevator and air conditioning pathetic, still very loud, still cockroaches running around, the lobby is beautiful, the pool is clean, the bathrooms need renovating and are very small, the windows don’t open so if you don’t have a balcony room you are out of luck to getting some ocean breezes coming in, big comfortable beds, shower nozzles very low so if you are over 5’4” expect to duck down.

One thing everyone agreed on was the location – it is awesome as usual when it is right on the beach. The unfortunate thing is, the majority of reviewers even up to the most recent months still have the same complaints. And then once in a while someone would have a lovely stay with excellent facilities and rating the place very high. With the dubious reviews, it is a wonder this place is still open. The final complaint above all to end the final sour note – you don’t even get this place cheap. It is expensive for what you are getting, depending on the room size.