Sirata Beach Resort

The Sirata Beach Resort is a three-star resort hotel on Gulf Boulevard. For people who look for green hotels, this one has a three green leaf rating. It is not an all-inclusive resort, nor do people consider it a resort really, but it has a few more positives to consider.

Amenities: three pools, paddle boats, two whirlpools, a fitness center, high-speed Wi-Fi internet access, a concierge to arrange the many water activities, book and inform you of the area’s attractions, hammocks outside to elevate your feet and your mind, laundry services, fridges in specific rooms, cabanas for 8.00, parking for 15.00 per day, or you can pay a package special which covers the last two items mentioned plus the business room for internet, for 15.00 per day, called a Super Saver. Big debate there. You can parasail for a fee as well as rent jet skis, all at the hotel.

For those with children 12 and under, up until August 31, 2009, meals are free from the children’s menu when the parent orders an entrée, i.e. meal, from the regular menu. This applies for up to four children in the category, as long as you bring your room key. This is not applicable when ordering room service however.

Restaurants: there are three on-site ones if you choose to stay around the hotel to eat, as well as two bars which close at 9 pm, and one lounge. Some people went to the Grande Plaza next door to enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet for 12.00.

Rooms/Accommodations: there are a few strict rules set up for people’s safety and might I add noise control, so it is worth your while to read those under the accommodations page, in order to know what not to plan. There are cd players and in-room safes. I feel like jumping up and down when I find that there are actually bunk beds in some rooms – do you know how rare that is??? There are all kinds of rooms to choose from – well five types, but variations depending on what kind of bed you want, with Executive Suites having a private balcony. The rooms look like they have been beautifully redone, at least the ones they are showing on the site, so ask about this if in doubt about the room you are booking or if this matters to you.

Specials: there is a 20 percent off special for three nights or more stay as I write, and 25 percent off four nights or more. I wonder how that compares to booking off an internet travel site. I like the Work and Play package, which for 139.99 for a limited time, will get me a good room, a cabana, internet access, parking and a 25.00 gift card to use at the hotel for meals, or drinks and more.

Rates: I checked out rooms for Friday August 7, 2009 for five nights, with two adults and two children. It starts at 156.00 for a traditional room and goes over 200.00 for the Gulf View Executive Suite. That is without the specials going on presently.

Bad News: lots of good reviews about this place, but with lots of bad, and it appears that although the bedding has been replaced, the rooms and hallways need to be renovated. I think there are some that have been. It appears that booking at the front desk has helped people get the kind of rooms they want. Someone had a nasty experience that security had to check into, with a male entering a room with a key, when some teens were still in the room, claiming he thought everyone had checked out. For this reason, I would really want my valuables locked up. Some people complain the pools are too busy, but with the beach that everyone raves about, I still don’t know why people bother with worrying overly about the pools, unless you hate salt water. Some people find this place is more geared towards a family beach vacation, so peace and quiet is not necessarily its forte, plus there are weddings going on around there and in close proximity to the hotel during weekends. Would I stay here? Well, if I had a choice, I’d probably go elsewhere, because the customer service seems too bent on a bi-polar roller coaster to take the chance on accommodating services or keeping their word. Yes I know, I shouldn’t let that ruin my day, but when I pay for a vacation and finally get to run away from it all for a while, I like to also escape from unhelpful and impersonal staff also. The site says they have impeccable services, so I hope they are striving to live up to that claim. Having said that, I think that although staff and customer service is not rated as good as it can be, you sometimes find that one or two people hired during your vacation time, make all the difference. Those are the times to write a letter of commendation.

Address: 5300 Gulf Boulevard, St Pete Beach.
Sirata.com