DMI Hotel Review

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort


St. Pete Beach, FL
The flagship of all three TradeWinds properties, TradeWinds Island Grand Resort is a AAA 4 Diamond hotel and is the recipient of the Planners Choice Award, Gold Key, Pinnacle Award and Award of Excellence.

With 585 rooms total (200 suites, 150 one-bedroom, about 40 two-bedroom and seven penthouses), there is plenty of room for upgrades. Every room in the hotel has an empty refrigerator, wet bar and dishes to serve up to 4 people. This all adds up to a good property for family travelers and/or government per diem folks with limited food budgets.

About 33,000 square feet of enclosed meeting space is available at the Island Grand. The largest ballroom is 8,400 square feet with 14-foot ceilings. The junior ballroom is 7,100 square feet with 8-foot ceilings. A smaller ballroom of about 2500 square feet is located away from all other meeting space with 10-foot ceilings. Seven breakout rooms accommodating 20-80 people each are located on the second floor. There is also a 10,000 square foot area called the Banyan Breezeway which has a floor and ceiling but is open air on the sides. The Breeeway has been used for many different functions - including for exhibit space. Rumor has it that this area may be enclosed in the future to create additional meeting space!

All guest rooms are in the midst of a renovation. Once completed, by year end 2002, this will truly be a great property. The new rooms are done in navy blue and yellow with dark wood. Guest rooms are in four different buildings covering 18 acres.

The hotel features a great children's program, a good location with a lot to do within walking distance. A private golf course is close by. Tennis, a good health club, beauty salon, sauna, whirlpool, four swimming pools and a children's wading pool are all on property. Located right on St. Pete Beach there is lots of opportunity for great outdoor theme events. The Resort provides complimentary transportation to their other two hotels on St. Pete Beach, and you have "charge privileges" at all three associated hotels. A very wonderful new lobby/colonnade area can serve for pre-function to ballroom events.

Seasons: High Season is February through April (depending on when Easter falls) Shoulder season is January, May, June, October, November. Low season is July, August and most of September and December.