St Pete's Beach or Clearwater (or any other beach resort within 1.5/2 hours of Orlando)

[Tiredemma]

Off to Orlando in April 2019 and looking at a beach resort for 4/5 nights before returning back to UK. Can anyone give info about St Petes Beach and Clearwater - or if there is any other similar type beach resorts?

Travelling will be myself, DP, DS (15) and DD (5).

We have done the Keys before but really dont fancy that long drive again.

St Pete and Clearwater are both nice with decent restaurants and beaches. There are national parks to visit too. We stayed at the DonCesar in st Pete and it was worth every penny.. it looks bizarre but it’s charming!

I’ve stayed at the Marriot in Clearwater and the Hilton.
Both really great but the best place we stayed was just down the coast at Treasure Island.
We had a 2 bedroom apartment right on the beach. It was amazing and cheaper than Clearwater.
Called Sunset Vista.
Close to St John’s Pass.
Google it.

Thanks both! I have actually looked at both of these resorts and had them singled out so its great to see your recommendations

daytona is an option

I've visited st pete's beach for a day and t was very nice from what I remember.

This summer we spent 5 days at Fort Myers beach - beautiful and really lovely and chilled. Definitely recommend.

I hated St Petes, found it very developed and like a horrid UK 'resort'

Sanibel Island was lovely however but not sure if that's too far.

Clearwater is nice (we stayed at the Sandpearl Resort). Cape Coral/Fort Myers/Sanibel area is also worth a visit.

We did captiva and sanibel but it was a 5 hour drive so not what you are looking for

5 hours? Hmmmm, I recall it taking about 3 hrs max from Orlando but I may be remembering it wrong!

Just checked and it's 182 miles.

Clearwater is about a 1 hr/1.5 hr drive.

Sorrel, you're right. Google shows 3 hours 45 mins from. Disneyworld to captiva with no stops. We went from. Kennedy which was 4.5 hours and we stopped en route. Tbh it was quite a nice drive through rural florida but I think pp wants something nearer

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

Anna Maria Island is completely gorgeous.

dogday shhhhhhhh!!!