Is anyone familiar with the Clearwater area?

[3dog2kidmom]

We will be flying into PIE since I have a USA3000 credit, and renting a car and driving to WDW the next day, but I want to stay at a hotel convenient to PIE. I've narrowed it down to two Fairfield by Marriotts (because I have Marriott checques to use!): Fairfield Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater and Fairfield Inn & Suites Clearwater Bayside. The first is 1.5 miles from the airport, and the second is 5 miles. However I think the 2nd looks a bit nicer, closer restaurants, and is a tiny bit cheaper ?? I checked TripAdvisor for reviews and it wasn't much help.

Any thoughts? We'd be getting in around 9 p.m. and only sleeping, eating breakfast, and leaving so convenience is paramount. But if it's just a tiny bit further for 1) nicer and 2) less expensive I'm leaning that way.

[SunshineGirl]

I'm guessing SunshineCindy should be able to help when she gets off of work today. She's just north of Clearwater and eats down there a lot. And before they moved there, that was the area that she always went to when they visited. You might want to send her a PM as well in case this thread get buried by the time she gets home.

[3dog2kidmom]

Thanks, Tricia. I'll send SunshineCindy a PM.

[sunshinecindy]

We will be flying into PIE since I have a USA3000 credit, and renting a car and driving to WDW the next day, but I want to stay at a hotel convenient to PIE. I've narrowed it down to two Fairfield by Marriotts (because I have Marriott checques to use!): Fairfield Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater and Fairfield Inn & Suites Clearwater Bayside. The first is 1.5 miles from the airport, and the second is 5 miles. However I think the 2nd looks a bit nicer, closer restaurants, and is a tiny bit cheaper ?? I checked TripAdvisor for reviews and it wasn't much help.

Any thoughts? We'd be getting in around 9 p.m. and only sleeping, eating breakfast, and leaving so convenience is paramount. But if it's just a tiny bit further for 1) nicer and 2) less expensive I'm leaning that way.

You most definately want the Clearwater Bayside. The one in St petersburg isn't very nice....or clean.

[3dog2kidmom]

You most definately want the Clearwater Bayside. The one in St petersburg isn't very nice....or clean.

Thanks SO much for that info!!