I am a little behind in writing on my blog. I have been taking everything in and just enjoying the time over the past days on my road trip.
West Palm and Palm Beach were absolutely amazing. I was sad to leave, but knew I was heading to a beautiful location. I had been there before when I was younger for a Nike Championship swim meet, but never got to really enjoy the area because I was at a swim meet. I headed up the Florida Highway from Palm Beach to Route 4, which took me to Tampa and then out to Clearwater Beach. I stayed at the Sandpearl Resort, an award-winning Clearwater Beach Resort that was nominated for the Conde Nast Traveler 2021 Readers' Choice Award.
Copyright: Photos by Brooke Ruffin
From the moment I arrived I felt welcomed. The bellhops and parking attendants were so nice and welcoming. The service is impeccable and you can tell that everyone who works there has been there for many years and absolutely loves what they do.
My room on the 4th floor overlooking the Gulf and I felt like I was truly in paradise. It didn't take long before I put on my swimsuit and ran to the water, but first I had to watch Phil Mickelson win the PGA Championship. Wow! It was so awesome to watch him win!
I was there for four days and there was so much to do within the resort that I never left, except to go to a little restaurant outside of the gate next door called Clear Sky for breakfast and one dinner. Clear Sky is a great little casual restaurant serving gluten-free food, so it was perfect!
Everything you could imagine is at the resort...from movie nights in the pool, to an evening fire pit by the ocean, water sports on the beach, lawn games, and incredible food.
To be honest, the first day of arrival, I really just wanted to explore the hotel and hang out at the pool and the beach, so that is what I did. I did get very sunburnt, but I have never felt this relaxed in my whole life. I listened to the small waves and the seagulls and loved the soft sand and crystal blue clear water. The Gulf is very different than the Atlantic Ocean where I normally go. The sand is incredibly soft and the water is crystal clear and very warm. It was the most amazing feeling. I was beyond happy. I also got to see the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Every night I swam in the ocean during sunset.
If I needed drinks or food, but didn't want to get up from my seat, I would raise my flag on my chair by the pool, or raise my hand on the beach and Josh and AJ were always there. Thanks guys!
I went to Tate Island Grill often for lunch, a beach grill at the resort located right next to the beach and the fire pit. The salmon, grouper bites, burgers, and chips are so delicious. Very fresh! Grouper is a popular fish around the area.
The resort is so family friendly too. At sunset, kids gather around and ring the turtle bell. It is so adorable. Movies, like Aladdin, were playing at the pool for the kids and while adults sat on Adirondack chairs around the beach fire pit.
The next days I explored more of the resort and swam in the ocean a lot. I wanted to try jet skiing and paddle boarding. There was a stand located right next the resort called North Beach Watersports. They had Jet Skiing, Paddle Boarding, Banana Boats, Kayaking, and Parasailing. The guys working there are great! They helped me get out to the ocean and made sure I was safe and okay. Jet skiing and paddle boarding is a lot harder to do on the Gulf than on a lake, but it was a ton of fun. I saw manatees, fish, and a bull shark. I went out on blue flag days. In the Hamptons, a blue flag means that there are rough waves present. In Clearwater Beach, it means that there are dangerous wild life around. I was amazed about how beautiful our Earth is. I have loved the water ever since I was a little girl, so this trip had me at ease.
I ate twice at the formal restaurant at the hotel, Caretta on the Gulf, located on a top deck overlooking the Gulf. I got a shrimp cocktail and filet mignon both nights. The sauce on the filet was incredible. Actually, the whole experience was! I absolutely loved the food, view, and the service. Thank you to my waiter Russell for the creme brûlée and Hostess Jessica for showing me the history of the resort after my dinner.
Thank you Sandpearl Resort! You are a gem! Can't wait to see you again soon!
Next, heading back to the east coast of Florida........
Comments