St Pete Beach or Madeira Beach?

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

Can anyone recommend one of these resort areas over the other?

We are thinking about renting a condo in one of these two areas (or perhaps even South Pasadena which is between the two) for a few days at the end of this month. Price-wise, they are about the same. Ideally we'd like to be able to spend some time by the pool as well as on the beach, and we like eating out as well. Any advice?

Btw, are the beaches in either of these areas swimmable, or do most people just use them to take long walks?

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Which Beach

I really don't see too much difference in St. Pete Beach and Maderia Beach. For S. Pasadena, you won't be directly on the beach. My personal preference instead of which beach would be closeness to beach; directly on beach, then within walking distance to beach. St. Pete Beach is fairly long and there are some differences in area. I live part time north of there, but spend a lot of time on all of the beaches, so I'll try to answer any questions you might have.

Nancy

ps. I like Pass-a-Grill (which is considered St. Pete Beach) , but the reason I like may be a reason others wouldn't like it.

[CatLovers Member Find all posts View Profile Close CatLovers]

Help me choose!

Any advice on Gulf Gardens Resort at 14141 Gulf Boulevard in Madeira? Their website is Home Page and when I mapquested it, it looks like it's directly across the street from the beach.

We're also looking at Boca Ciega Resort Condo Hotel and Marina, Waterfront Investment Property in Tampa Bay. This one looks like it's on a marina, not the beach. Several of the other properties we looked at say that they are located on the Boca Ciega Intercoastal Waterway. What does that mean? Is that on a beach? Close to a beach? Sorry, if this is a dumb question - we live in landlocked Alberta .

And Gulf Winds Resort Condominiums in St. Pete Beach at Vacation Rentals in St. Pete Beach, FL - Gulfwinds condos also looks fantastic.

Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Not personally acquainted

I haven't stayed at any of these, but the Boca Ciega is (I think) in Seminole and you still must drive to beach. If they have a beach it isn't on the gulf, but a small man-made one. The other 2 look like they are on or across the street from the beach. Are you looking for a place to buy, or just want to rent? You also might try timeshares as they usually rent units also. I've used VRBO.com for rentals but not in Florida. They all look fine, you just have to decide how close to the beach you want to be. The one a Madera says it is within walking distance to Johns Pass. Johns Pass has several stores and restaurants.

I live in the northern part of the county, so even though I've been to these beaches I'm not real familiar with them.

Nancy
ps. No problem over at TUG. Just thought it was funny that I answered and couldn't find it and started to retype everything.