As a birthday surprise, Dan took me on a short trip to Florida. This was especially sweet, since we moved from California to Colorado in 2019, and I’ve missed living near the beach. There is something about the salty air and the sound of the waves that brings an instant calm. Having a few days by the ocean was the best medicine for this tough year.
We stayed at the Doubletree Beach Resort by Hilton in Tampa Bay- North Redington Beach. I’ve traveled to Florida many times, but this was my first visit to the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. As much as I love the theme parks ( and I really, really do love them,) it was nice to have the opportunity to explore other aspects of Florida.
This was a typical Doubletree hotel, as far as room size and amenities. We were given the customary warmed chocolate chip-walnut cookies upon check-in. The only small changes were due to Covid, such as only taking the elevator with your own group and wearing masks while navigating the property. These were minor inconveniences that made us feel safe while traveling during the pandemic.
One of the funniest pictures was outside of the elevators. Look at those peepers!
Here are some pictures of our room. I appreciated that we had a refrigerator included. We drank gallons of bottled water!
The rooms with king beds were sold-out, but we did have an ocean view balcony. We bought parfaits and ate breakfast on our balcony both mornings.
Forty dollars provided us with a day rental of two cushioned sun loungers and a huge umbrella. This made our day at the beach far more enjoyable, than if we had been on beach towels or had to lug around our own beach chairs. An attendant came around periodically to adjust our umbrellas, and we could come and go as we pleased. As far as Covid, the lounge chairs were spaced apart, making social distancing a breeze. Even though it was mid-August, the beach was not crowded and we never felt like it was an unsafe vacation choice.
This was my first time swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The water was warm and clear enough to see small fish swimming around our legs. It was truly the perfect beach day and I look forward to coming back with my step-kids in 2021.
When it was time for lunch, we left our belongings on our beach chairs and headed to the outdoor cafe at our hotel. The cafe is just steps from the beach and we snagged a spot where we could keep an eye on our loungers. We didn’t use it, but the hotel pool is also adjacent to the cafe.
Lunch was fantastic. We shared a croissant club sandwich, a heaping platter of nachos, and tropical cocktails.
Later in the day, we added some thrills by renting a Sea-Doo. Thirty minutes may not seem like very long, but it is plenty. Dan was the driver and I held on tight, getting some air-time as we bounced over waves. We didn’t tip over, which was my biggest concern. It was a blast.
Our beach day was fabulous and overall, we really enjoyed our stay at the Doubletree in North Redington Beach. The beach is beautiful and the area is filled with restaurants and activities. As much as I’m obsessed with theme park vacations, visiting the Gulf Coast is an excellent alternative.
I will end on these sunrise shots of the beach. I love the soft pastel colors and sense of calm. On our next visit, I want to wake up early and go for a walk on the sand.
