Looking for a fun Florida getaway that’s family friendly AND beautiful? Consider this gorgeous Florida resort on one of the top-rated, soft white sand beaches in the US.
St. Pete Beach in Florida claims that title, and I’ve got just the perfect place for you and your family (and Fido, too!) to stay.
In fact, why not…
“Just Let Go” at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort
TradeWinds’ motto displayed throughout the resort is “Just Let Go,” which encourages taking advantage of their seemingly limitless opportunities to indulge yourself and your loved ones with beachfront recreation, children’s activities, mouthwatering dining and all sorts of outdoor activities.
The largest beachfront resort on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Grand Resort boasts “one of the largest playgrounds on the gulf coast” where you can “just let go” and have the time of your life.
Located on 25 landscaped acres, it’s full of things to do to keep everyone in your family “vacation happy.” Whether that’s just putting your toes in the sand or keeping your bunch running from activity to activity, you won’t need to leave the resort!
In fact, you won’t even need a car while you’re there, because anything you could possibly need is within walking distance, including a full-service grocery store.
Resort Accommodations
Dubbed as “More Than a Room, It’s a Retreat,” you can choose from one of their many room types, which range from a standard hotel room with mini fridge and microwave to a gulf-front 1-bedroom suite all the way up to a 5-bedroom Executive Enclave and everything in between.
I don’t think you could go wrong with any room in this lush, tropical paradise, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Check out this video tour of my tropical view 1-bedroom suite with balcony:
Dining and Drinks
Awakenings Coffee and Spirits serves Starbucks coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. There’s also a Pizza Hut Express and Ice Cream Shoppe serving Yoder’s Southern Creamery in the nearby Breckenridge building.
Want to grab a quick sandwich or snacks? Head to The Deli in the lobby or the Beachside Food Truck.
Outdoors you’ll find the deck of the Flying Bridge Beach Bar, serving tropical drinks and food from lunch onward, as well as Salty’s Tiki Bar and Beach Lounge, which also has live music in the evenings. There’s no better place to kick back and relax!
In the mood for one of the most delicious Italian meals of your life? Make a reservation at the Palm Court Italian Grill. The chef won’t let you down!
My meal of tomato bisque followed by “Cernia,” a dish made with local grouper, artichokes, tomatoes and olives over creamy parmesan risotto, and finished with tiramisu, ranks as one of my best meals ever. I told my husband that there are just some times when splurging on a meal is so totally worth it, although it’s not something we do often.
The Rumfish Grill at their sister resort serves food that is equally flavorful. My husband absolutely loved his bread pudding for dessert!
What makes this experience even more unique is their 33,500 gallon aquarium that spans one whole wall of the dining room and is full of tropical fish, stingrays and a green moray eel named Frankie.
Although we didn’t get to try Gulfside Kitchen, it serves breakfast entrees like eggs Benedict and Chocolate Chip and Caramel French Toast. Sounds delicious! Next time…
Resort Activities
There’s lots to see and do at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, whether you want to be active or simply relax.
Hammocks
For relaxation, grab a tropical drink, find one of several hammocks spread throughout the property and then let the ocean breeze sway you to and fro. They’re even big enough for two! 😊
TW Treasure Mining Company
This is a creative and fun activity for kids! After purchasing a bag of “rough”(in other words gems, fossils or seashells) at the Adventure Center, make your way to TW Treasure Mining Co. where you’ll find the sluice. Hopefully you’ll strike it rich and take home the mother lode!
Paddleboats
After you’ve struck it rich, why not explore the winding waterways of TradeWinds Island Grand in a rented paddleboat? But be careful, you might encounter a pirate on your travels! Best to leave your valuables in the in-room safe. 😉
Pirate Shows
Hopefully, Captain RedBeard has better things to do than “plunge his hook into ye” during his action-packed show, telling about his many adventures on the high seas.
Heave to (that means “stop” in pirate) at Pirate Island weekly for the party, shiver me timbers! I didn’t see a plank to walk nearby, so I think you’ll be okay…
Bird and Fish Feeding
Near the same area of the resort, you’ll find many egrets, ducks and koi fish. You can buy food from a vending machine to feed them from the platform or bridge around the pond. Great fun for kiddos!
Ping Pong
My husband used to play ping pong all the time and has won some coveted “major awards” on cruise ships in his distant past, so we couldn’t pass by this table near the art studio and game room without a game or two. Paddles and balls are free and on the wall for all to use.
Pet Area
Have I mentioned that TradeWinds Island Grand Resort is pet friendly? Yes, they do have rooms for you and Fido too! 😃
What’s more, they have a designated Pet Play Zone which is a leash-free fenced area with fire hydrants, a doggie drinking fountain and a fun photo prop opp for you and your pet. They also have a rinse and dry area and a dog walking zone in the North Terrace Courtyard. Truly pet friendly!
Mini Golf
Challenge your friends or family to a quick game of miniature golf on this nine-hole course. You’ll find the putters and golf balls right on the greens.
Pools
The resort has several refreshing pools, including a beachside pool with two hot tubs, a covered pool to get out of the sun or rain and a family pool with a nearby wading pool.
Join the Poolside Bash at the beach front pool at set times for music, games and competitive events like hula hooping for prizes, including coupons for drinks, ice cream or snow cones.
KONK Club and Care
Do themed drop-off camps sound like something your kiddos would enjoy? Sign them up for KONK Club ASAP. The Adventure Team will make sure they have a blast while YOU get a break!
Is a much-needed date something you crave? KONK Care is the answer. Available from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily for kids ages 4-12, you can have a whole day for just the two of you.
Crafts
Near the beachfront pool, you can find various crafts, including painting your own vacation landscape, ceramics, making shark tooth necklaces or designing your own sea glass turtles. Check the weekly Activities Guide for times.
Dive-In Movies
Also located at the beachfront pool, you can enjoy a family-friendly movie with the whole crew after sundown. Bring your own popcorn.
You’ll also find these resort activities:
- Fitness Center, spa and Yogafit classes
- Game room
- Shuffleboard
- Pickleball courts
- Tennis courts
- Lifesize chess
- Swim with the Fishes
- And lots more!
Beach Activities
From shell-collecting to lounging in a cabana to burning calories stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking, this resort has tons to choose from!
Cabanas
Your resort fee includes a fun bright blue, cushioned and covered cabana right on the beach. Let the staff set you up and soon you’ll be able soak up the sun or read a book while listening to the sound of the ocean. It might soon turn into catching a much-needed nap! Don’t forget your sunscreen. 😃
If that’s not close enough to the water for you, try renting a floating cabana big enough for four.
Seashells
Beachcombers like me will love long walks on the beach searching for that perfect seashell. Thanks to the remains of Tropical Storm Eta, I even got to see many baby octopus wash up on the beach, something I’ve never seen in my decades on this planet. So cool!!
Floating Waterpark
TradeWinds seasonal water playground is sure to keep the most adventurous among you entertained all day with jumping, climbing and sliding. Boasting almost 16,000 feet of space in the Gulf of Mexico, it’s just a few feet from shore and guaranteed to tire out even the most energetic among you!
Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Surfing and kayaking all rolled into one? This seems to be all the rage hitting the waterways these days. You’ll be able to rent a board right at the Adventure Center on the beach and give it a go.
I was seriously working up the nerve to try this when we were there, but the storm caused the water to be too rough. Oh darn!
High Tide Water Slide
Rides down the three story high inflatable slide are included as many times as you’d like as part of your resort fee (click here to see everything that covers). Climb the stairs and race your friends in one of four lanes to see who makes it down first. Hint: You’ll go down faster on the right side and if you are lying completely flat on your back. You’re welcome!
Volleyball
Grab a ball from the Adventure Center, round up a group of fun-loving friends, feel the sand between your toes at one of two nets directly on the beach and get your game on. Tom Cruise Aviator sunglasses not required. 😉
Surf Fishing
Whether standing on shore or knee-deep in the Gulf of Mexico, surf fishing is right at your doorstep. Bring a pole from home (or grab one nearby), get some bait and your fishing license, and you’ll be set to reel in your next meal.
Sunsets
Who doesn’t love sunsets on the beach? Every night you can experience a hand-crafted show completely different from the day before while listening to the birds and the waves lapping the shore. Ahhhh…what a peaceful way to end the day!
You’ll find these other beach activities:
- Kayaking
- Parasailing
- Zing Ray Zip
- Wave runners
- Sea Turtle Talk Expeditions
- Paddleball
- Bocce ball
- Corn hole
- Campfire s’mores and more 😊
And if that’s not enough right at the resort, you can easily arrange shelling, snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing and dolphin watching with the help of the onsite concierge.
Whew!! I might have forgotten a thing or two like actually swimming in the ocean, but YOU might run out of time before you run out of things to do at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort. 🙂
It’s the place where lifelong family vacation memories are made!
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