We just returned from a two-week stay at Belleair Beach.
We had a great time, and thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Our 1-bedroom condo was on the first floor and afforded a breathtaking view of the gulf. Although the condo was a bit smaller than expected, it accommodated our family of three quite nicely and had TVs in both the bedroom and the living room. It was very clean; the carpet had even been freshly shampooed (it was still damp when we arrived)... we never saw a bug, not even one! The kitchen was stocked with pretty much everything we needed to set up housekeeping for our two-week visit. Note that all the pans were stainless steel so if you're not used to cooking in them, you might want to bring your favorite non-stick frying pan, especially for eggs. It had a full-size refrigerator that was just right for groceries and drinks (several Publix and Albertson's are nearby).
The gulf-front balcony that overlooked the beach was small, but cozy for two people. Both the balcony and the breakfast/dining nook were perfect for morning coffee, dining in, dolphin watching (they pass by several times a day quite close), and viewing the beautiful sunsets if you didn’t feel like heading to the beach to do so.
The AC was tucked into a small closet off the kitchen and made a bit of noise while trying to watching TV but nothing too major...I was just very glad to have one! A quick note: Don’t leave your sliding glass door open while the AC is running! It may freeze up and makes for a long and warm night as, when the office is closed, you are on your own until they open in the morning!
Location... very private and quiet as the resort is located in a residential area. You really need a car if you plan to stay here. There is nothing within walking distance but a lot is available within a short drive. There is a trolley (bus) system but the closest stop is quite a distance away. Food delivery was a problem as most places don't deliver to the beach area... all we could find was Domino's. So, if you don’t have a car you might want to take a taxi and stock up on groceries!
Beach... absolutely beautiful and never crowded, not even on weekends! The views are wonderful with plenty of sea birds, boats, fishermen, sunbathers, joggers, etc. The pelicans definitely get the freshest catches of the day! You can even drag the deck chairs into the water if you want to, provided you return them afterward, and umbrellas are available (free) from the resort office. If you want mostly peace and quiet (though they do offer some structured activities), then this is the place for you! If you want a lot of action (wave runners, parasailing, boat tours, clubbing, etc.), you will need to head up the road to Clearwater or down the road to St. Pete.
Pool... looks smaller than it feels when you're in it. We certainly found it a great place to meet and mingle with other guests. The deepest point is 5 feet which was more than enough for me and my young son to have a great time either by ourselves or with the many people we met there. It was rarely crowded
Resort... yes, it is a bit rough on the outside right now due to hurricane damage, but is only major in a few spots that face the beach. The good news is that Improvements are about to get underway! I know it is true as I happened to be poolside when various contractors were coming and going with assessments. We were also told that all units would be refurnished in the near future (not that I found anything wrong with what they had). It even has a separate sundeck on the second floor.
There is a building to the left of the three-story building that looks to have more motel-style rooms that don’t have a gulf view. It is very possible that they do not look like the pictures on the website (more like small efficiency units) but based on what we experienced with the rest of the resort, I honestly find it hard to believe that the quality and condition of these rooms could possibly be as bad as some described.
There are a lot of nice, thoughtful amenities... beach umbrellas, unlimited pool/beach towels, games, books, foosball table, sand and pool toys that are sure to keep your little or big one entertained, and bags of ice (all included free)! They also have many VHS movies available for a small fee for those unexpected rainy days (there's a VCR in the condo).
The staff at the resort is very friendly and extremely helpful! I never once felt I was a bother to any of them when I had a question or needed something, even if they were busy.
The social director will do anything in his power to make your stay an enjoyable one. Several activities are offered, as described on the website, with even more available once you get there... shuffleboard, cookouts, poolside Bingo, water aerobics, make-your-own sundaes, even a couple of highly discounted day trips. Everything's posted in the office... check every day as sometimes things are added.
A must-do that is offered weekly is a trip to the Clearwater aquarium which is actually an animal rescue hospital with several permanent "residents"; the dolphins put on a great show! This was followed by an eco boat ride that is not only extremely enjoyable but also informative. Basically, the marine biologists are doing their work and they let you tag along! A couple nice touches include a stop to gather shells on a small island and the sea creatures that are gathered in a big net during the return trip. Each kid on board gets to present his/her "critter" to the passengers for an up close/personal look. They walk around the boat with them while the narrator tells a little about each one. Be sure to pack a lunch as there is only one restaurant close to the aquarium and time is an issue. Pack an extra water bottle or two in the lunch cooler and bring it along on the boat as they do not have water for drinking.
Another must-do day trip (about a 30-minute drive north) is the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs.... small aquarium, sponge divers, TONS of Greek restaurants, several shops, and an open-air market. Very fun day.
So, to summarize... if you want/expect a 5-star resort, don't go to Belleair Beach. If you want a clean, comfortable, cozy beachside retreat, then it's perfect! It would probably be helpful if the website included photos of all the room layouts so there are no surprises when you don't get what is pictured.
As for our family...we had a great stay and highly recommend this resort! We found it very enjoyable and had everything we needed (plus some) for a great vacation. We'd be more than happy to return.