St. Petersburg
Barefoot Bridesmaids lined the wooden stairwell leading to the soft white sand. A beautiful tan bride gleamed under the Florida sun as her white train blends into the beach. Her dark hair will never be more perfect than this day tucked underneath her thin Vail. A perfectly tailored groom stands besides his bride in front of his young groomsman. The bridesmaids smile holding their lavender dresses in place as the gulf breeze picks up. All eyes are fixed on the most beautiful couple joined together on the most beautiful spot on earth.
All this viewed from my first evening in my oceanfront suite at the Grand Plaza Hotel Beach front Resort and Conference Center. A quick trip to St Petersburg for fun and relaxation never fails to deliver time after time. If you have to be landside then enjoy the views from a unique and picturesque property.
A sand lover’s dream with old world charm and new world amenities. Escape to the coast of Florida in your own tropical paradise. Luxury and relaxed comfort is a fine line few hotels can combine together. The Grand Plaza Hotel does just that with ease and finesse.
From the moment you pull into the parking lot you’ll be taken away by the beauty of this unique resort hotel. The Grand Plaza is hard to miss towering high above the other hotels along the gulf. The Grand Plaza’s staff is very professional from check in to housecleaning. The lobby has a tropical feel with palm trees surrounding the baby grand piano in the corner. A small business center fits perfectly in the corner without losing the old world feel. Everyone you encounter throughout your stay makes you fell genuinely welcome without being phony.
One of the features that makes the Grand Plaza Unique is the revolving restaurant that sits atop. Spinners restaurant offers splendid dining high above the gulf coast. The wait staff paced the meal perfectly to enhance the dining experience with the ocean and bay views. The golden fried crab cakes appetizer seemed to be just the right touch of perfection to start the dining experience. The chardonnay recommended by the server was a perfect pairing to the sautéed chicken coated in the chefs skillfully prepared alfredo sauce. The well spoken server provided just the right mix of courteous conversation without sounding scripted. The perfectly dressed young lady displayed a level of professionalism shown in the finest dining establishments knowing just when to step in and out of sight. A truly enjoyable and memorable dining experience.
Nothing compares to the beauty at hand walking along the white sands on the gulf coast. You feel like you can walk forever as your mind and body is in the perfect state of relaxation. A seagull seems to stop in mid flight then swoops down into the beautiful salt water. The cool water covers your feet while the tides rushes in. You continue to walk on the edge of the tide as the sunlight gives way to the lights in the distance.
Your Paradise awaits with the Grand Plaza strategically illuminated between the palm trees. At the foot of the hotel, Bahama Mama’s beach bar provides the acoustic music to set the perfect ambience for the ocean side evening. The musician is doing his best attempt of Jimmy Buffett and Don Henley songs. Its’ close enough as you sip your margarita interacting with the other guests. Between songs you can here the sounds of the waves crashing against the sand in the cool night air.
Return to your tropical oceanfront room while enjoying the ocean breeze from your balcony. Ceramic tile flooring and wood shutters bring images of a simpler time. Hemmingway would fit right in underneath the tropical ceiling fans while penning the next great piece of American Literature. Awake just before sunrise and open that patio door. Standing on your balcony your witnessing the best nature has to offer. Nothing in your life has ever been more beautiful than the empty white beach. The cool air blows by your face while your staring at the calm gulf in front of you. Your sipping coffee while enjoying the natural beauty of St. Petersburg’s beach.
The Beachcomber restaurant is on the first floor of the resort, open for breakfast for indoor dining with a view, or poolside dining overlooking the ocean. Relax at breakfast by enjoying the breakfast buffet or ordering off the menu and reading your complimentary news paper.
Spend the afternoon on the beach in the warm Florida sun, and when your ready for shade pull the canopy up on your own private cabana. A sailboat quietly drifts by in the distance. Off to the right danger approaches as a pirate ship full of tourists is advancing on your position. The acoustic music starts a few feet away as the live entertainment begins at the Bahama Mama’s beach bar. Sit back in the cabana with a cold drink from the bar and enjoy the tropical music and the ocean view.
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John’s Pass is just a short drive away which has a variety of souvenir shops and restaurants. Sample some local wines as your palate falls in love with a new vintage. Choose the perfect painting by the local artists to adorn the office and remind you of this special trip. While at John’s Pass there are many boat charter options to spend the day in the gulf watching dolphins or sport fishing. There is no more beautiful way to shop than coming out of the specialty stores and having a bay view to look at. Even while landside, there is nothing like staying close to the marinas.
The St Petersburg, Clearwater area has many Yachting and Charter Options to choose from along the coast. The splendor of the Clearwater area can be enjoyed on your drive through the area as scenic views are all around. The usual choice of your chain restaurants are within a few miles up the highway but you would not do yourself justice without sampling some of the local seafood establishments. Leave the rental at the resort and enjoy the gulf on the Jolly Trolley. A street car that looks like it just came from San Francisco can take you along the coast into Clearwater, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery.
St Petersburg is a great coastal destination for the lovers of beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue water. Tampa bay is just a thirty minute drive away to explore the downtown area and watch the large cargo and cruise ships come into the harbor. Orlando is just over an one hour drive to be in the midst of Disney World and all of the nearby attractions.
After soaking up the ambience of the Grand Plaza Hotel Beachfront Resort & Conference Center you will bookmark this as a must stay the next time you visit the golf coast. The Grand Plaza will be a great place to spend your evenings after spending your days at The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail. The largest boat show on the gulf coast taking place Dec 4-7 will be hosted at the Mahaffey , Theatre Yacht Basin. This Super Show will feature over 300 Power Boats and a large contingent of Sail Boats. Just in time for the holidays to purchase that new Yacht for that hard to buy for friend. The St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail will be the ideal time to see what new lines of luxury cruisers our coming to the market. There will also be a wide selection of vendors throughout the show to view or purchase the latest in technology for your maritime needs.
Put the Boat Show in your calendar for the years to come as you find St Petersburg an annual stop along your coastal journeys. With one visit to the beaches you will understand why they have won so many best beaches awards. You may also find yourself picking up a real estate guide.
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