Bermuda Bay Beach Club

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I visited this complex twice in 2005 having liked it so much I returned for a 2nd visit in June. It is condo gated community with 2 pools, private beach, small swing area, and tennis and racket ball courts. A high percentage of the community is residential with owners letting out either condo (appt in our talk) or a house, all have a/c. I had a 3 bed ground floor appt with ample parking on site fully equipped set to rear of resort which has approx 200 dwellings. It was approx 3 mins stroll from the small private beach which was cleaned nightly not that it got dirty. The beach over looked the bay from which could see parts of st Pete’s beach and the most beautiful sunsets each day, jumping fish and occasional dolphin, next to the beach is the smaller of the two open air pools, this tended to be the busier of the two and attracted more families, it also had a Jacuzzi next to, which was not working on my visit. The larger and quieter pool was to the rear near a small woods and the tennis courts a real sheltered sun trap. There is also a laundrette on site with massive machines and a couple of soda machines.
There is no club house as such and it is a very quite peaceful and immaculately clean location about 30 mins drive from Tampa airport which has direct flights on BA from Gatwick airport though only 1 flight a day with a night flight coming in at 8am upon return to uk.
I hired a car at Tampa airport and found it an essential part of staying there. There are two supermarkets close by (don’t walk the far too hot for that) Wal-Mart on a main road and publix in a small shopping area with a lovely Italian restaurant close to it. St Petersburg itself is about a 20 min drive and again a quite resort with an art gallery, stores, a Saturday market part of the year well worth a visit though small, a pier and port as well as cinema and stores.
The area is great for fishing with two piers at Desoto national park which boasts an old fort to walk around (does not take long to look at) lovely place to picnic and about 20 mins from Bermuda bay. St Pete’s beach is a more commercial resort with lots of hotels and eateries - recommend new visitors try a hash brown at a waffle house. And for fans of sandy beaches there is a massive one there.
Busch Gardens is the nearest of the large theme parks and a personal favourite of mine with not only great rides for thrill seekers but a variety of live shows for all the family to sit out of the sun and be entertained whilst having a rest. Lots of animals to enjoy as well, Staff very helpful as are all us service people.
Florida Keys is about 4 hours drive away and a must for those into sea fishing and sea food lovers though I found it as a resort very disappointing and faded. Watch out for the mosquitoes in the Everglades which are fascinating with various museums through out, hover craft hire boat trips etc.
Sarasota about an hour away has a great art galley and there is Tampa races costing only about £2 to get in and a good afternoon out but gets very very busy.
Close by are two flea markets to keep you busy bargain hunting for a good day and to enjoy a funnel cake and coffee whilst listening to a country and western singer (wagon wheel market)
Based on the gulf of Mexico side of the Florida peninsular this side is well worth a visit for those not wanting the high commercialism of orlando and Miami.............lots of package deals around but I searched the net myself and booked flights and accommodation separately total cost as a lone traveller about £1500 per trip for 2 weeks each time.
Liz K