Looking for an exotic Florida destination for your family that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the Sirata Beach Resort in St. Petersburg. You'll know you're on vacation the minute you walk inside, with the Atlantic Ocean in view on one side of the resort and pools and poolside bars on the other.
I was on my own during my visit, but I knew my kids would love a stay there. A few days of building castles in the sand, riding the waves on the Atlantic, eating fish tacos, taking long walks on the beach – these are simply good doses of medicine for all ages.
Here are seven reasons to visit Sirata Beach Resort with your family:
1. Location, location, location
Sirata is located on Florida's Gulf of Mexico Coast, about a 35-minute car ride from the Tampa airport (we recommend Resort Transportation Services). While the beaches are extraordinarily relaxing, and fun with their offerings of volleyball, beach yoga, and live music, the city of St. Petersburg itself is also very interesting. It offers bits of culture that every adult and child will love, such as the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Chihuly Collection. In addition, there are murals throughout the city and a burgeoning culinary scene. Orlando is just two hours away.
2. Good value for the money
Room rates at the Sirata start at $159 per night, depending on the time of year. Children under 18 stay free all year long. Sirata charges a resort fee, which includes two beach loungers daily, overnight parking, free Wi-Fi, access to a gaming lounge where kids can play Xbox games, bicycle usage, daily resort activities and games, pool chairs and towels, two bottles of mineral water upon arrival, and access to the gym.
3. Spacious accommodations, helpful amenities
The Sirata recently underwent a $15 million renovation and provides comfortable, spacious rooms and suites that can accommodate portable cribs and beds. My beachfront room had a balcony overlooking the ocean. Waking up to a sea view daily and watching the sunset later while I parked myself in a chair was simply perfect. I also had my own sitting room with a smart TV and a handy kitchenette, a nice perk when traveling with kids.
4. Beach days full of sunshine
The beauty of Sirata is truly the beach. Stepping out of the resort onto white sand beaches where seashells are plentiful was a dream for this New Yorker. The new beachwalk allows guests to enjoy the tropical landscape from sunrise to sunset while strolling from one end of the resort to the other.
The resort also has two heated pools and a jacuzzi. My days at the Sirata consisted of sitting poolside and my nights out by the fire pit. In between, I relaxed in a private cabana on the beach, enjoyed the jacuzzi, and took long walks on the beach. One day, I borrowed a bike from the hotel and rode to a nearby shopping area. Another day I joined up with an adventure company called Suncoast Watersports and went parasailing overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. You can also go paddleboarding, boating, or dolphin watching -- all activities kids love!
5. Onsite dining
Sirata offers many onsite high-quality dining choices from the more casual fish tacos at Harry’s Beach Bar to a plate of beautiful fresh fish at the outdoor Rum Runners Bar & Grille or the indoors Compass Grille. Compass Grille is more dressy while Rum Runners is more relaxed and located near the resort’s pools and beach. Rum Runners is a great family choice with its flat-screen TVs, Adirondack chairs, and cocktail tables. They also offer a free Sirata Sunset Sixty cocktail hour, which any tired parent will appreciate.
6. Just for kids
Kids have plenty of choices at Sirata. Younger kids can enjoy the new Sprouts Splash Zone area, with a theme inspired by the endangered sea turtles that call St. Pete Beach home. There is also a playground and a Sprouts Kids Club game and activity room, along with an Extreme Gaming room featuring Xbox One. There's also daily beach and pool activities just for kids.
7. Arts and culture: Exploring St. Pete’s
The hotel offers a shuttle to the nearby central business district, which has grown into an artist’s colony of sorts. It's filled with independent galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Don’t miss The Dali, featuring works from the artist’s entire career. There is also a lot of fun street art to check out. Derek Donnelly designed the murals at the Sirata, and you can find his art in the Central Arts District, where there are more than 30 eclectic and truly original murals in just four short blocks.
Holly’s stay at Sirata was complimentary but all opinions are her own.
