- lsktravelz@gmail.com
I traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando but never to St. Pete Beach, Florida. Welcome to the Sunshine State. In this post, I will guide you through things to do around Grand Island TradeWinds, Treasure Island, and Downtown Tampa. I am in town for three nights to attend an education conference. However, the best part is that my place of employment paid the conference fee and arranged the accommodations. Although this trip was work-related, and I learned about the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, I also enjoyed hanging out with my colleagues: Betty, Alana, and Carina.
When I discovered the travel agent booked the flight on Southwest out of Midway, I was ecstatic. I called Juan at Mena Tours & Travel to ask if he could add my Known Traveler Number to the reservation. Thinking about checking in was giving me anxiety. However, I could have also called Southwest and made the request. The trip counted towards my path to A-List. Keep this in mind the next time your employer pays for your attendance at a conference. I earned 4,150 Rapid Rewards points and secured flights 20 and 21. To become A-List, you must complete 25 flights. One of the benefits of obtaining A-List status is automatic check-in. You no longer have to worry about waking up early the day before to check in for that 7:00AM flight.
Of course, I googled the resort before my trip. I arranged a pickup with Resort Transportation Services. The cost was $85. The resort is about 30 minutes from the Tampa airport. Depending on who checks you in, your experience will be different. One of my colleagues received an offer of two drink tickets to opt out of housekeeping services. She was also offered an upgrade to a higher floor with a Gulf view for $20 per night. Another colleague asked about an upgrade. The cost was $60 per night. No, I did not receive any offers, nor did I upgrade. When I entered the room on the 4th floor, it looked exactly like the pictures on the website. However, the room could use an update, but it was clean. In addition, I had plenty of towels, a fridge, a microwave, flat-screen tv, and the Wi-Fi worked.
We hung out at three pools: two for families and one for adults. However, there are seven pools between Island Grand and Rumfish. Because we had limited time between the end of our sessions and dinner, we alternated between the pools and the beach during our trip. The seagulls are feisty. Guard your food at all times.
We enjoyed food at the Flying Bridge on the property. If you want something to eat before 10:00PM, walk across the street to Caddy’s. You can also try Snapper’s, a short walk from the resort. The jumbo scallops were tasty. The SunRunner bus system is new, and all rides are free until November 2023. Travel to St. Petersburg using public transportation to dine at Trophy Fish or hop aboard SunCoast Beach Trolley. Show your wristband for free rides. By the way, the Mahi Mahi was delicious. Rideshare options are also available. Fares are reasonable. Head over to Ricky T’s for nachos and jalapeno bacon-wrapped scallops. For the last dinner of the trip, we headed to Shrimpys Blues Bistro. The restaurant is on the waterfront. If you love dessert, the bread pudding is a must.
We wrapped up our dining experience with lunch at Boulevard Burgers & Tap House. Yes, this establishment is part of Hilton Honors Dining. Try the Cuban sandwich. I completed a review and earned 79 bonus points for using my Hilton Honors credit card to purchase the meal. I also picked up 6X points for dining. Review your rewards program before you travel to see if they offer a dining rewards program. Follow me on IG for additional travel tips, or visit my website.
On the way to the airport, the driver suggested we return during the off-season. The next time I visit, I will probably stay downtown and use points for my accommodations. If you travel to Tampa in June, it is hot. Do not forget your sunscreen. If you check the weather before you go, you will be surprised when you arrive. We thought it was going to rain every day. It did not. Breakfast and lunch were part of the conference package, and I did not pay for the room. Even though I spent $384 over four days, I know I will spend more when I return.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a program, I may earn a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.