I've used Priceline quite a few times over the years and have always been EXTREMELY pleased with the hotels and the rooms I've gotten. This is the only time I've been disappointed. It was Spring Break and this was a last minute trip. We paid $170 + /night including the mandatory $25/day resort fee and other taxes. After seeing our room, I asked for an upgrade when I got to the hotel, but it would have been an extra $54 + tax per night and would not have gotten us a much better room, so it wasn't worth it. It's a pretty big resort and our room was the absolute furthest we could get from the beach and pool. We would have been better off staying across the street for less money and having the pool right out our door. We had one window next to the door which faced the stairwell. We had the WORST shower ever. It fluctuated from really hot to cold at least 10 times over the course of a shower. I had to shower with my young daughter to adjust the water constantly to make sure she didn't get scalded. The pools are small. They were crowded and cloudy and dirty by the afternoon. There weren't enough chairs around the pool. The first day there we had no place to sit because everyone goes out and saves their spot with a towel and belongings at 8AM even if they are not going to the pool until 2PM! I found this to be stressful! One day we were trying to order lunch at the pool. There was ONE server taking care of about 100 people. (Helloooo, it's Spring Break... might want to have a few extra people on shift.) I tried to flag her down for 30 mins, then went and stood in line to get it myself for another 30 mins. Then I watched my food sit in the window for another 15 minutes trying to get someone to get it for me. Everything was mushy and gross by the time we got it and the bill was almost $60. We decided to eat off property from then on. I read that they had sand toys available for the kids at the beach, which I thought sounded great, but again, if you didn't go grab your share at 8 AM there was nothing but a broken shovel handle left in the bin. There were actually plenty of beach cabanas available, but you had to get there first thing in the AM to get one in the front row which would allow you to still see the kids in the surf. The whole thing was just stressful and I don't like the feeling of having to jockey for position every day while on vacation. It's supposed to be relaxing. I won't use priceline in this particular area again for fear I'd get this same hotel. I have a feeling they use priceline to fill up their sub-standard rooms. I might not be as disappointed had I gotten a super great deal, but I still paid $170 + /night including the mandatory $25/day resort fee and other taxes. I've gotten other 4 star hotels for less than half that and felt like I had as good an experience as any other guest. Our experience was probably also colored by the fact we were there during a peak time over spring break, but I still can't imagine a good experience unless you upgrade to one of the suites closer to the beach. I have to say our maid was super nice, though. She made the towel animals for the kids and chatted with them when we saw her. Go to the grocery for lunch and snack items, and drinks. Also, if you like blended drinks bring your own fixins and a blender. There is a very nice Publix just south. Even the worst rooms (ours) had a fridge and microwave. The little deli/general store sold PB&J sandwiches for $3.50 each and a SMALL frozen drink from the pool bar was $7, so there is no cheap eating or drinking on property. The location was good as far as a nice beach area. The sand there isn't as powdery as it is up in Clearwater or down in Siesta Key, but it's still very nice. The strip it's located on is sort of like Generica beach strip. Not a lot of character in the immediate area, but within a 5 to 30 minute drive there is plenty to do and see as far as a wide variety of beautiful beaches, zoos, gardens, aquariums, fishing. Easy access to grocery stores. We were there for 4 nights and ate dinner in the area 2 nights as we drove further away to visit friends on the other nights. One night we ate up the road at Sloppy Joes at the Belmar hotel and had a good casual meal. The other night we drove down to Pass a Grille and ate at an Italian place called Genaro's which was recommended to us. It's unassuming in a little building connected to a convenience store, but the food was wonderful. It's really small and we had to wait a while, but it was the best meal I had all week
