“I really like your blog, and wondered if you would care to come and visit us at Inn on the Beach for a two-night stay. To tell you a little about ourselves, we’re a complex of recently refurbished self-catering cottages and rooms situated on St Pete Beach, many of them offering beautiful views out over the gulf,” said the invitation from D.*
Having never explored the west coast of Florida, I was excited to visit. My boyfriend L was also glad to get away. So when the cold winds roared last week, we packed our bags and headed for a long weekend in sunny St. Pete. We added a few extra nights to lengthen our stay giving us time for a pleasant winter retreat at the Inn on the Beach in Pass-a-Grille.
The Inn on the Beach in Pass-a-Grille, St Pete, Florida.
The Inn on the Beach is a little bit of paradise
We arrived after a short flight from Philadelphia to Tampa International Airport, rented a car, and were at the Inn on the Beach in about 30 minutes. The Inn is located on 14th Street and Gulf Way in the historic Pass-a-Grille area,
My boyfriend L and I were excited to arrive at the Inn on the Beach.
We rented the Blue Heron room on the second floor with a terrace overlooking the beach. The room had a king size bed, open closet to hang our clothes, renovated bathroom and little efficiency kitchen. There is onsite parking, daily maid service, daily coffee, and continental breakfast is served in the courtyard on the weekend.
Our room had a kitchenette and king size bed.
A beach view from our balcony.
The weather was a perfect 75 degrees and the sun was shining. The beach was just a few steps away. On went our shorts and flip flops and before we could snap our fingers we were walking on the narrow sand paths, dipping our feet in the cool water, and watching the pelicans and Royal Tern gulls and other sun coast birds. It was absolutely glorious!
It was warm enough to wear shorts and flip flops!
Royal Tern birds are common on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Pass-a-Grille is a charming town
Pass-a-Grille is a small neighborhood located on the south end of St. Pete Beach. According to Wikipedia, “local legend states that it was named from the French phrase Passe Aux Grilleurs (the passageway of the grillers) in honor of the fisherman who used to camp there.”
The 8th Avenue Shopping District is a short walk from the Inn, with clothing boutiques and shops, an art gallery where you can buy local arts and crafts, and casual restaurants where you can dine outdoors.
Shopping district includes unique boutiques.
Grouper salad at The Brass Monkey.
We ate lots of grouper, a favorite Florida fish. The Brass Monkey has good salads with blackened grouper. We liked the blackened shrimp and scallops with homemade coleslaw at the Hurricane Seafood Restaurant. The Paradise Grille overlooking the beach and the Seahorse Restaurant on the bay are popular breakfast and lunch spots. We sampled the Grille’s egg sandwiches a few mornings and grouper sandwiches at noon. We enjoyed salads with Cajun seasoned grilled grouper for lunch at Seahorse. L liked their New England clam chowder too.
Paradise Grille serves breakfast and lunch overlooking the beach.
Cajun Grouper at the Seahorse Restaurant.
For dessert, I highly recommend Paradise Sweets. Once the door is opened and the scent of homemade waffle cones and ice cream flows out, your tastebuds will be captured. “I have to reward myself for all those steps on my Fitbit,” I told L as I ordered a sugar cone with a scoop of cappuccino chocolate chip ice cream. Being a nice girlfriend, I shared my ice cream with L. Yum, yum, yum. The ice cream was so good I had to go back for a second serving the next day!
There are many sunny days to eat ice cream at Paradise Sweets.
Spectacular sunsets and walks on the beach
Each day was sunny and warm. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Even when the clouds came, they only stayed an hour or two. Each morning L and I took long walks on the beach, navigating our way around thousands of tiny shells, some broken, some whole. I collected a bunch to take back home. We don’t have sun coast shells at the Jersey shore.
Beach walks were very calming.
It was fun to hunt for sun coast shells.
Early evening we sat on our balcony and watched the spectacular sunsets over the gulf. It was beautiful, peaceful and so relaxing.
Sunsets on St. Pete beach were breathtaking.
Sunday is a fun day
On Sunday there was an arts and crafts fair next to The Paradise Grille. There were vendors selling gems, paintings, housewares and handmade goods. L and I ate our grouper sandwiches and watched the town folks sing and dance. It was nice to sit and savor the simple life in Pass-a-Grille. (Note you can also rent bicycles, kayaks, boats and more on the bay side of town.)
Sunday crafts fair and musical entertainment by the beach.
We took time to explore the vibrant downtown St. Pete — which I’ll share with you in another blog post. It is quite hip and cool with a growing foodie community and cultural scene. However, we were glad to return each evening to Pass-a-Grille and the Inn on the Beach with its quiet and calm.
Can’t wait to go back to Pass-a-Grille, St. Pete Beach.
I was sad to leave sunny St Pete and return to rainy New Jersey. My muscles and joints move better in warmer weather. Maybe some day during my life after 50 I’ll get to extend my stay in Flo-ree-da during the winter months. “Shall we book another trip to Pass-a-Grille for 2018?” I asked L. He smiled and nodded his head. “I take that as a yes – right L?”
Judi
P.S. – Coming up I’ll share our outings to downtown St. Pete including trend-setting restaurants, a best-ever Cuban sandwich at Bodega, the famous Saturday Farmer’s Market, and a tour of the magnificent Dali Museum.
A sampling of downtown St. Pete.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: The Inn on the Beach provided me with two nights complimentary stay. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Considering the weather lately, you picked a perfect time for a Florida getaway. The beach looks fabulous… we’re jealous.
I know. Wish I was still back in sunny Florida.
I’ve been to St. Pete’s more than once, but have never heard of Pass-A-Grille. Looks like a very pleasant diversion.
Doreen, if you’ve visited St.Pete I highly recommend trying Pass-a-Grille next time for relaxation.
I visited St. Pete’s for the first time last year and loved it, especially Pass-a-Grille. In fact, I just recommended it to another couple.
Jane, so glad you enjoyed Pass-a-Grille.
For anyone on the east coast, St. Pete looks like a wonderful beach getaway. (Why haven’t I made it there yet?) The Inn on the Beach looks totally relaxing!
Irene, definitely visit the next time you are on the gulf coast of Florida.
What a wonderful trip! Lucky you to escape the cold in beautiful Florida!
Yes Suzanne, I feel so lucky.
This is such a great experience to share. I haven’t been to Florida in years, but I may have to book a trip!
I found your blog on a post called 40 Awesome Blogs for Middle Moms and thought I’d put an offer out to you.
I’d love it if you’d share your blog links at the #FanDayFriday Link Party. It runs each week from Thursday 10pm to Sunday midnight.
If you’ve never heard of blog link parties you can get more information here: http://iamzoewatson.com/category/fandayfriday-link-party/
I find that this party system is a great way to build the mommy blogging community. I’ve been doing this since October and have made some great friends through the parties I run.
If you’re interested please go to this address to find the open party: http://iamzoewatson.com/category/fandayfriday-link-party/
This week’s party #16 is open now!
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Patty Gordon
Patty, thanks for the invite. I’ll check out your links.
Was that a parking lot view or ocean view 🙂
Vicki,it was an ocean view.
Looks lovely. I live in San Diego, but grew up in NJ and lived there until 1987. I know what a treat it is to bask in the sunshine and dip your toes into warmer waters. Carpe diem!
Jacqueline, you are so lucky to live in San Diego where the weather is always lovely.