***Ice cream was sponsored, but the opinions are my own***
For the fifth consecutive Father’s Day weekend, my entire family and a group of friends loaded up the minivans for a two-night stay at TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The resort’s tag line reads “Just Let Go…” and that is exactly what we did.
After all of these years, as I sit down to memorialize the time we had on property, I find myself wondering, ‘Why do we keep coming back each year?’
For me, the repeating trips come down to three S’s.
The Staff
Whether we stay at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort or it’s sister property, RumFish Resort, there is a “home like” feel wherever we wander.
Upon check in, I was greeted by Jonathan – the same clerk that checked us in two years ago. He’s been there for “nearly 10 years” and is as chipper as must have been on day one.
Then, entering the pool and patio area, Victor opens the door and gives high-fives to the kids as they pass by. At 10 am and already nearing 100 degrees outside, Victor is drenched in sweat but happy as can be. I rib him about the dangerous combination of the heat and his age but he assures me with a laugh, “After 16 years, I better be used to it. This work keeps me young!”
Finally, after settling in around the Island Grand pool for the day, the guest service goes from spectacular to world-class with the staff of the Adventure Center – the epicenter of all kids’ activities at either resort. My kids adored “Kiki”, a ball of energy unlike most people doing such a job in the blazing heat for nearly a decade. Devrin, the poolside DJ and emcee, got the party going around the pool during the afternoons, leading fun games and contest for kids and adults. He seamlessly passed in and out of games with professional time management and entertainment. Of course he did, Devrin’s been at this gig for over 15 years!
No wonder TradeWinds feels like home, they must treat their employees well.
The Stuff
No matter how cool the staff is, if you’re traveling with young kids, there HAS to be amenities that occupy their (nonexistent) attention spans.
During our three days, my kids:
- Zip-lined
- mini-golfed
- slid down a MONSTER water slide
- powered paddle boats
- chilled in beach front cabanas
- rode a simulated surf board
- ate free nightly s’mores
- touched starfish, crabs, and sea urchins
- won all sorts of game prizes
All of the above activities were included with the resort fee charged per night (so it all felt free).
For the adults, the “stuff” at TradeWinds Resort included poolside bars, adults-only pools, cabanas, tables, couches, live music, hammocks, volleyball courts, and an open (yet secure) feel for our little ones to explore as we relaxed.
There is “stuff” for all at TradeWinds!
The Surroundings
While we did not have to leave the resort for much, if you must, you can – and be greeted by anything a tourist would want. Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach is the hub of the St. Pete Beach vibe with bars, restaurants, beach access, bait shops for fisherman, ice cream shops, liquor stores, and quick grab stores (ie: Walgreens or CVS) if you’ve forgotten anything.
As it related to your stay at TradeWinds, there are no worries about toting outside food or beverages to our room or to the pool. In fact, a seasoned local (like me) would insist upon bringing a cooler with refreshments to the pool or beach as an alternative to buying from the numerous bars or restaurants on property all day long.
The Final S
It would be easy to write a glowing review of a resort while acknowledging how unlikely a return for my family might be. Our trips to TradeWinds Resorts are different. They leave me ready to return as soon as possible, I gather, because of these three S’s. And, as I drive home from my weekend where I’d “Just let go…”, I come up with a fourth S: sh*t.
As in: Oh sh*t, back to reality.
