Belleview Biltmore Resort

When we got to the resort, it was not how we expected it to be from looking at the pictures online. We were not happy but stuck it out. It reminded us of the movie "Shinning" with the long hallways.

Just stayed there about a week before they close for renovations and I love the place. Beautiful, old hotel. If you're expecting a modern, new hotel, this is not it, but with an ice cream parlor, indoor/outdoor pools, and multiple tree-shaded verandas w/rocking chairs, I'd much prefer to stay here than someplace else. You could spend forever just walking around the place and looking at everything. The rooms are large, with very large walk-in closets (we had 2 in a basic 2 bed room).

You do have to take a short shuttle out to the beach (abt 5 min), but it really wasn't bad and the full service amenities at the beach (cabana service, restaurant/bar, locker room, showers, & pool) were very nice.

About the only negative thing was a couple instances of bad service, at the bar and at breakfast. The former was just a rude bartender and the latter was due to the fact that since they're closing so soon, they short on staff. That will probably clear up after re-opening.

Overall I loved it and am planning on going back in 2012. Finally, if you've ever seen the movie Dirty Dancing, this hotel is Kellerman's. That alone makes it interesting!

We stayed here for three nights in April during Easter weekend and loved it. I called a couple of hours before arriving and asked for a room on the first or second floor. They put us on the first floor. We knew what to expect as we had read much information on the hotel and its current condition. But being able to stay here where there is so much history was well worth it. We loved exploring the hotel and grounds. We went on the historical tour and the ghost tour. Both were informative and fun. We didn't eat any meals here due to other obligations but they had what looked like a wonderful Easter Dinner. The outside pool was too cold to use but my son did use the indoor pool. We would definitely like to come back after it reopens in a couple of years.

My husband and I stayed here this weekend for our 5th anniversary. It was beautiful even though they have let it go a bit. They are starting an extensive renovation at the end of May and will reopen in January 2012, just in time for their 115th anniversary. The tile of the indoor pool was a little dingy, but it's 100 yrs old, so it was expected. The grounds were absolutely gorgeous and the outdoor pool was also beautiful.

We had the breakfast buffet and it was well worth the $9.99. They had everything from muffins and croisants to cereal, oatmeal, eggs, french toast, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, the list goes on and on! It also included juice and coffee. My husband got 3 plates, I got 2!! We didn't have dinner there, but it smelled and looked good every night. The drinks at the bar were good, but a little over priced in my opinion ($8.50 for an appletini).

The room we stayed in was the standard king room, it was on the 4th floor. It did NOT smell like mold or have a dirty bathroom like some other reviews have said. It was clean and had fresh linens in the bathroom and on the bed. The ac worked great, it didn't get hot in there at all.

All in all, we had an awesome time at the Belleview Biltmore and we're actually going 1 more time before they close down, and we'll definitly go back for the grand opening!!

This was our second trip to the Biltmore and we are planning a third before they do their renovations. The rooms are great with high ceilings and solid wood sleigh beds. The quaint little coffe shop where we got coffee and pastry was always excellent and a great start to a great day. The pool is great with a nice litte waterfall that is always fun to swim under or playfully pull my lady under! Ha! There is a bar where you can order food from the kitchen and always the staff was pleasant. The long hallways are great and remind one of the old antebellum mansions. You can take the ghost tour and hear about the bride who jumped to her death off of the top floor of this hotel from a broken heart over the death of her betrothed. They say there are still sitings of her on the grounds. We never saw her but it was fun hearing about these past eerie events.

We love this place and bringing in the New Year there was, again, a wonderful experiance! If your looking to stay in your room, spring for the upgrade! It's worth it! The Food was great the party was awesome! If you get a chance, you have got to stay here!

We were sent to BB after arriving into Clearwater on a whim. We packed up and left from Orlando arriving at 12pm....no rooms available. We were referred by a Hyatt Hotel to BB. When we first drove up we were in awe! It was absolutely beautiful. The lights and the architecture were amazing. We thought for sure we would be paying out the wahoo but nope. Much to our surprise we paid less than $190 for a Sun Parlor with a view of the pool. The food at this hotel is amazing. It has become a staple in our family. We go at least 4 times a year and stay 2 to 4 nights. We are going to bring in 2009 at BB.

I am a recent college graduate and I stayed the Belleview just this past March. THe place was really nice and I would recommend it to anyone not from the Florida area. I read a bunch of complaints on everything but I liked it all. The one bed queen room was a perfect size for 2. The surrounding area was amazing and kept up very well! There was hardly any construction, just the redoing of the roof. However, we didnt even notice it! The private beach is open and VERY uncrowded. The restaurants were extremely good and reasonably priced. All I can say is this place is beautiful and its nice to stay somewhere different, with history, instead of just a reg. hotel

When you step into this hotel, you are taking a step back in time. We only stayed three days, but I wish we could have stayed longer. There are areas of the hotel that are in obvious disrepair however the hotel as a whole is fabulous. I highly recommend taking the historical tour. They will be closing May 2009 for a few years for renovations...stay before they close!!! I can't wait to visit after the renovations, I just hope we get to visit one more time before the close!

great prices, we have stayed here twice and have never experienced any complications. The hotel is a very quiet atmosphere among a serene enviornment. The property is huge and is great to explore. The fact that it is one of the oldest hotels in florida gives it a lot of history and charm. there is a video about it being haunted on you-tube and it makes it twice as interesting to stay here after watching it. would stay here again and recommend it to anyone. ITS BEAUTIFUL

If you love history, this is the place for you. We went for the Valentine's Day Romance Package, and I cannot think of a better place to be for the evening. The property is beautiful, the home historic and the staff accomidating. I wish that we could have stayed longer and utilized the golfing.

I would say that if you are a Ritz Carlton kind of person you may not enjoy this place. Many of the floors, windows and siding is original and the roof is being renovated. However, the service is 5 star and the food was GREAT.

On our way to the Biltmore, we were happy to see that it was a gated community. The whole experience was advenerous in a way because we didn't know what to expect.

When we walked in we noticed that it wasnt like an ordinary hotel, it had old charm. You could feel the history. When we walked to our room, the hallways were very very long, with high ceilings. There were old style creeky elevators, that the housekeeping used, they were a little scarey. Our room had ceilings that were a good 20', with the basic amenetities. After we unpacked, we ventured down the hallways, not knowing what to expect. We found a little ice cream/coffee shop, that had a dine out deck. A huge ballroom, historical pictures from how the place evolved over the years, and another restaurant down the hall. The place seemed pretty vacant, but we preferred it that way.

Service was better than a chain hotel. There was a shuttle service that would take you to their hotel or even clearwater beach. If you were looking for a place that doesnt fit the typical hotel mold, this place would be it. I would definately stay there again.

We just returned from a wonderful 4 night stay at this resort. When you drive in to the beautiful grounds you do notice the roof is all covered with tarps, but the landscaping is wonderful. The inside of the hotel is wonderful. Our room was great as far as cleanliness and size, but the bathroom needs some renovations and the beds were not at all comfortable. It has a wonderful , huge walk in closet. The staff was very helpful and friendly and the maid service was excellent. We dined in the Palm Grill restaurant most of our stay with Excellent food wonderfully priced and our kids eat for FREE!! The ice cream shop Macies was such a nice place to go with the kids and the indoor pool and hot tub were nice, but again need some renovations. The outside pool was in my opinion breathtaking. The landsacping is wonderful and the pool is enormous with a gorgeous waterfall. This place was wonderful and we will definaltey come back for a stay after the renovations are complete.

We stayed at the Belleview for 3 nights in February for the incredible rate of $89 plus tax per day. What a wonderful old hotel the grounds were stunning as was the pool area. We had the breakfast buffet and it kept us going nearly all day. The hotel is closing next year for a facelift and the bathroom could do with a complete refit but for the price paid we were entirely satisfied. The shuttle took us to the beach and Carl the driver was very friendly and told us where everything was. The staff there were very helpful providing chairs and towels. We ate at the Cabana and had a great steak and Carl waited for us to take us back. The only disappojintment was the lobby bar not very inviting but maybe the pub would have been better but it wasn't open while we were there. We took the historical tour of the hotel which was very interesting. All in all a wonderful stay just hope we can afford to return when the renovations are completed!!

A friend and I went for a Girl's weekend and had a fabulous time! Yes, like the reviews state, it is an older resort (110 years old!!), so there are some things that need to be "fixed up". But for us, that was part of the charm. We utilized the Spa (Marie and Kimberly were fabulous) and rented bicycles to ride on the Pinellas Trail....it was a great deal for $15/day. We rode up to Honeymoon Island and took the ferry to Caladesi to enjoy the beach. This was recommended to us by Cheri at the front desk. She was such a great help, along with Patricia, in giving us tips on what to do and where to go. We stopped at Jolly Mon's on the trail for a magnificant Sangria and at Eli's for some BBQ (they are only open on the weekends). We did the ghost tour as well and enjoyed learning some of the history of the resort. We ate at the seafood buffet on Friday night and it was very good and reasonably priced.

Yes, the roof needs repaired (they are in the process of doing so), the rooms are older, the water pressure in the shower is not the greatest, but keep in mind that this place is over 100 years old. It is rich in history and is really a great place for a long weekend. We enjoyed ourselves and recommend you go there....they are closing for 2 years in 2009 for a complete remodel.

We were a little hesitant to book this hotel given some of the terrible reviews it's received. All I can say is that the awful reviews must be from travellers that are used to staying in sterile boxes, because this place is the most memorable place I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

My family of 6 stayed extremely comfortably in a 2-bedroom parlor suite. I would definitely recommend a sun-parlor suite. The 1 bedrooms were about $150 a night compared with about $110 for a queen bedroom. It's definitely worth the extra money. The suite has a king bedroom (about 30-feet deep) with original beautiful double-french doors that opened into a gleaming parlor. The parlor itself has original 1890s wood floors, and a total of 8 windows to enjoy the expansive views over the grounds. It was just gorgeous. Original moldings, original crystal doorknobs, just fantastic!

The indoor pool was an absolute delight to relax in. The outdoor pool was too cold for January, but it was very pleasant to lie outside and listen to the waterfall while watching my son play on their playground.

We did venture out to the beach club; definitely NOT recommended. Average restaurant with bad atmosphere, on a not-particularly inspiring piece of beachfront. We also found that the room service left room for improvement; we used the service twice and on both occasions mistakes were made.

So, even though I don't recommend the service or beach club, I would highly recommend this property for just relaxing in the grounds or the indoor pool. Our tour guide informed us that it's more than likely the Biltmore will shut in 2009 for about 2 years while they restore the hotel. I say, go stay and experience this florida piece of history now while you can. I would imagine that the rates will be un-affordable to the average joe once the renovations are complete.

My husband and I and my son and his family stayed at this hotel during Phillies Phantasy camp and we loved this grand hotel. If you want the typical hotel where the rooms look like those in every other hotel then this place is not for you. Yes the rooms need and are going to be updated but this was definitely an interesting place to stay. I don't think you will find another hotel like it. The staff was terrific especially in the dining room where they went out of their way to be friendly and even took the time to tell us some of the history of the hotel. The food was excellent and reasonable. My grandchildren ate for free. We met the very friendly General Manager in the bar and he took the time to explain the renovations that will take place in 2009. My advice is to spend some time here before the renovation for a unique experience.

My sister and I came over from the Jacksonville area to visit the hotel before it closed for planned renovations.

We enjoyed the Saturday evening buffet and the jazz trio very much. The old hotel is a beautiful dowager and we only hope that the historic charm is preserved during renovations. Our Florida history is unique and we hope the artifacts will remain a part of the hotel display even when it re-opens.

If you love history, mystery, and the charm of bygone days, the Belleview Biltmore is for you. Walk the halls where Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth and the Duke of Windsor stayed. (the Obamas stayed here, too, in the not so distant past!) Sit on one of the many porches and enjoy the florida sunshine while you read a novel. Dine on delicious food while sipping a chardonnay.

The Old Girl is about to undergo a major renovation, and some of the work has begun. So if you are looking for an immaculate place, you will not find it here. However, no actual construction is going on, so no noisy hammers. The rooms themselves were tidy, the beds comfortable, and the tubs nicely old-fashion so you could actually bathe if you wished. There is a ghost tour on saturdays that I found oddly disappointing, and a daily history tour. There's a spa, a HUGE hot tub, golf, a shuttle to the Biltmore's Cabana Bar, but alas no beach. In order to save the hotel the property right on the coast was sold off in the 80s and nasty condos have sprung up to spoil the view. Too bad the wrecking ball can't be deployed on these unpleasant reminders of the Condo-ization of the lovely Florida coast.

The hotel staff was very courteous and friendly. There is an Ice Cream Shoppe, Gift Shop, and small Museum on the premises. Nearby attractions include the moorish Plant Museum (builder of the hotel and an amazing man) in downtown Tampa, Big Cat Rescue (tours at 3 o'clock mon - fri) also in Tampa, Ybor City (try the Columbian for an amazing meal), Honeymoon Island for shellling, or the Greek Heritage of Tarpon Springs. However, make sure you leave time to enjoy this hotel the way folks did in the past. At Their Leisure.

This is very old vintage structure. The history is amazing. The largest wooden structure in the world. It is very expensive to maintain and has been passed from hand to hand. Now in May of 2009 it is being closed for 2 1/2 years for major renovations and will cater to the elite and will be expensive as a 5 star hotel. We were very lucky to have had the experience of staying here before the price went up. We lucked out and got a rate of $89 per night. There were only two things I could complain about is that there was no water pressure or hot water and the undisclosed "resort" fee of $10 a day. We were not told of this fee until check out nor were we told what the fee included until check out. I questioned this fee and told the clerk we did not use any of the services and was reimbursed the fee. Otherwise we had a pleasant stay.

We had a great stay at the Biltmore. Yes it is need of refurbishment and the long corridors are a little spooky but it has lots of character and definitely has more positives than negatives.. The room we stayed in was on the 2nd floor well away from the reported ghosts! It was plenty big enough and although the bathroom was a little old it was all very clean. The staff were really friendly and helpful and we particularly enjoyed breakfast in Maisie's coffee shop. We spent some time around the pool and my only complaint would be that it needs to be heated as it was far too cold to swim in although they do have an indoor pool so we could've used that. The hotel will be closing in May for 3 years for extensive refurbishment and I'm sure it will be a stunning hotel. I just hope they keep the character and the charming staff.

I stayed at the Belleview Biltmore with my husband and two teenage children for an end of summer getaway. We had a wonderful time. The staff were very accomodating and freindly. The Belleview is old, but they do not make hotels like this anymore, it was beautiful. The rooms are a little our dated, but clean. We were told that the hotel would be closing in 09 for two years to do a complete renovation. I hope to be one of the first in line to go back when it re-opens. There was a lot to do, and the shuttle to the private beach was great. At the beach, there is a full service restaurant and bar with Beach side service! It was a great weekend. I will definately go back.

I stayed at the Biltmore for a convention on a weekend in July. The other reviewer on here that mentioned the stains & bugs are dead on if you stay in a regular room.

We luckily were booked a suite that overlooked the pool. Our room was HUGE, HUGE, HUGE! It had a separate living room, huge bedroom with ceiling fan, 2 tvs, 2 desks, walk in closet & average sized bathroom.

Now, you have to take into consideration that this hotel is apparently the oldest occupied wooden structure in the US. It is a historical landmark. Many complained about the tarps on the roof & I even wondered why they just didn't fix the darn roof. I found out from several staff memebers that there are only 3 companies in the US who are able to work on our country's historical landmarks, they've been booked for a couple years and the staff also told me that the hotel is supposed to shut down in 2009 for 3 years for renovation. So while I saw many complaints about the roof here on TripAdvisor...don't worry, it'll be fixed!

Back to our room. The carpet in the hall outside smelled musty. Go figure since it's an old hotel & the humidity is incredible in FL...it's expected. Our room did smell a bit "old" but it definitely wasn't horrible. I, again, checked for bed bugs...didn't find any. Actually, I didn't see one bug in our room at all during our stay.

Now, back to the "regular rooms". We had a group of 8 and the rest of our group got these regular rooms. They encountered many problems. No water pressure from the shower, some had only cold water going through the shower, lots & lots of bugs and spiders, small rooms & smelled worse than the hallway. Windows jammed open which let bugs in throughout the night. Honestly, if I was booked this room (the convention booked these rooms for us), I would've ran like hell to another hotel. Those regular rooms were really dirty & just looked uncomfortable.

Again, we really lucked out with the suite. We had panoramic windows, it was really quiet. Oh, we also had a refrigerator & of course A/C. I felt bad for the rest of our group because I really enjoyed our stay while the others in our group were miserable.

If you can afford to...also try & get their Presidential Suite. That suite was awesome! I believe there's 3 or 4 bedrooms (if I remember correctly), there's a full kitchen, bathroom had a HUGE tub, living area, dining area, balcony with GORGEOUS views. I wasn't able to stay in that suite but was lucky enough to hang out in it throughout the convention ;-) .

My only beef...I called for an additional blanket because I never use the comforter the hotel provides. The next morning, we hung the sign out "Do Not Disturb" so that we wouldn't get maid service....we didn't need it. The maids decided to come in anyway and they took that extra blanket! When I called the front desk I was told "We'll try our best to get it back to you BUT our hotel is at full capacity and we *MAY* run out of them before we can get one to you." EXCUSE ME??????? Your maids, eh excuse me, housekeeping TOOK mine away when I didn't want them to even come in & you tell me I MIGHT be able to get another one? Oh no you didn't!!!!

I was really upset so I hunted down the housekeeping, found their carts, took a fresh blanket and literally locked it into my suitcase so that they couldn't take it away again! Guests shouldn't have to do that!

Their restaurant food was average at lunch time. Prices were about the same you'd see here in CA. Their breakfast buffet is SPECTACULAR! They have everything you can possibly dream of! The food was delicious :-) .

I really enjoyed my stay at the Biltmore, I can't wait to see what the place will look like with the face lift. I would definitely go back again.

I spent last weekend at the Biltmore and was pleasantly surprised especially after reading some of the reviews on here.

The hotel is huge and has lots of charm. I loved the wooden floors, the crown molding, and the large fireplace in the lobby/bar. The hallways are the longest I have seen in a hotel, but it's not like it's a never ending long walk. There are several staircases along the way and an elevator so you don't have to walk to the very end of either hallway to go up or down.

The rooms were spacious. We had a standard king room. The windows are old and wavy and the ceilings are tall. Yes, there is an A/C unit, but it didn't bother us in the least and actually acts like a "white noise" unit. The bathrooms are dated and yes, there are 2 handles for the cold and hot water, but I really don't think it was as big of a deal as some people make it out to be. I do, however, think there should be more space in the bathroom to put your toiletries.

One thing that I cannot stand, and something I was worried about, was the noise factor. We were by the elevator and I was worried about the traffic from that, but heard nothing at all.

We did eat at the restaurant the entire time we were there, since we were attending a convention and didn't want to have to leave to go out to eat. We also ordered room service and the food was pretty good. The staff was very nice and I really did enjoy the feel of this place. I hope they try to stay true to the original architecture and details when they renovate it next year.

The only complaint I had was how warm it was in the hallways and in the lecture rooms. It was very uncomfortable to be in the lectures in the middle of the day packed with people, having to fan yourself and wipe the sweat of your forehead.

I like that the hotel is old an has some history to it. I would definitely stay here again.

ill have to start off on the negative, but stay with me as this wont take long, yes there where cables everywhere, yes there as some wasp nests(old) outside and some work needed with the window frames but really what would you expect with a building with as much history and charcter....

myself and my partner jane are back from are holiday nearly 6 months now and thinking back on our stay there still makes us smile,whether it was the indoor swimming pool that felt like it was straight out of the movie cocoon or the ghostly corridors on each floor which seem to get scarier and a little smaller the further you dare to go(we managed to get up to the top floor but were a little dissapointed when the photos e took had no orbs, i guess the ghosts were a little shy that night)

we found the staff to be knowledgable and friendly, and only to willing to answer any questions we had about the history of his amazing hotel.

highly recommened

This hotel is a truly different experience and I hope I can fairly describe it.

My initial impression was along the lines of Disney World’s “Tower of Terror”. I thought I might have been jetlagged when we arrived, as I felt off-balanced as I walked the long hallway to my room. Then I realized that the floor was slightly tilted. The room itself reminded me of Grandma’s house when I was little. The ceiling fan in the room wobbled so much that I was too nervous to use it. The plumbing was very old and made some interesting noises. Walls were very thin and I could hear every word of a quiet conversation in the room next to mine at night. I had an unfortunate view of a parking lot where employees took their smoke breaks. I’m not sure this hotel has what would be considered a good view. It seemed to be surrounded by taller, newer buildings. I was somewhat disappointed to find that the hotel is not waterfront, nor did it feel like we were anywhere near water.

Now that I’ve made it sound like this was an awful place to stay, here’s the other side. This is a one of a kind hotel and you're not likely to find anything quite like it. You have to explore to fully appreciate what's there. The architecture and history of the building is fascinating. The room was clean and the furnishings only slightly worn. The fruit and granola breakfast I ordered from room service was very nice and I didn’t feel like I’d been ripped off. We had a fantastic meal at the nearby Island Way Grill.

I don’t know that I would make this hotel my vacation destination, but it was a great place to visit.

My boyfriend and I decided to getaway for the Valentines weekend. I was so excited, because although I'd read some negative reviews, I knew not to expect an elaborate room but a very beautiful victorian view. We stayed for 3 nights and I booked w/ the hotel because it saved me about $ 100.00 from booking with hotels.com<<hint>>, The 1st night we ate dinner at the Cabana Grill on the beach, it was lovely with the Jazz band in the background, the next day we decided to go bike riding on the Pinellas trail, this was great despite the fact that I'm out of shape, and I thought the trail would be right by the resort but you have to go through traffic to get to it, so if you're inexperienced like me, be careful!

We stopped along the way to grab lemon icies and also came across a great barbecue place....that was dinner for the night.

You have to visit Maisies icecream Parlor, the icecream is good, but the coleslaw is really good. :)

On Sat. We caught the shuttle to the beach and since their was not much to do on the Belleview end, we wanted to go Jet skiing and there was a guy who rents them out down at the sheraton, which is about a mile from us on the beach, he came and picked us up that was very nice....

I loved this hotel, and I didn't get a chance to go to the Haunted tour, we'll have to do that next time...I plan on going back before the renovations in 2009, they are revamping the entire property, plus their beach properties...If you are worried about not going to this hotel because of the bad reviews, I'm guessing they didn't get out much, because it was an awesome experience....

A grand old dame of Florida. Has to be stayed in to appreciate the history. The $10/head tour on offer does not help! Our tour guide was neither focused nor informed and did not do justice to the magnificence of the building.

The rooms are large, well equiped and part of the attraction is that they are largley original. The breakfasts are uninteresting and tasteless. Shame, because the bar food in the evening was generally good.

Good place to stay on arrival at Tampa airport - about 40 mins from airport.

If you are interested in Floridian history and archictecture this place is a must.

I stayed here with my husband and two kids after reading about the hotel on the TAPS website. TAPS is the group from the SciFi Channel show Ghosthunters. They have a paranormal conference advertised on their website that is being held at the hotel in July of 2008. I was amazed, because I had never heard of the place before. Being a history and a ghost buff, I thought I knew every old resort and bed and breakfast in Florida, and here is this beautiful old hotel (reported to be the largest occupied wooden structure in the world) that had somehow evaded mention in all the ghost stories and travel books I've read about Florida. So of course I had to go see it for myself at the first opportunity that arose.

Now if you are expecting a shiny, luxurious 5 star hotel, this is not the place for you. (Renovations are to start in 2009 though.) However, if you love history and you like to go to places where it is palpable, then this hotel is so cool. It is a huge, 111 year old grand dame of a resort. Sure the roof is in tatters and you can spot areas of water damage, but you can't smell it. The whole place smelled pleasently clean when we visited. The only place where this Victorian aura is lost is in the entry lobby which was added on in 1990. It seems a little dated in a different way from the rest of the hotel, with its smoked glass and modern light fixture.

We reserved the standard queen room for $76 with our AAA discount, and I was very happy with it. Our room was on the 3rd floor near the end of the sprawling south hallway. (We were all facinated by the length of the hotels halls.) Our room was very clean with no burn marks of the carpet. The decor was nice if you don't mind the exposed sprinkler system and exposed wires for computer internet access in the ceiling. The beds were both comfortable, the towels, big and fluffly, and the supplied soaps and shampoos were much nicer then you'll get for $76 anywhere else. All the channels worked on the cable TV, and my kids got their daily dose of Sponge Bob. My only complaint is the shower had poor water pressure and needs to be updated.

We had two meals in the Palm Lounge. For dinner I had the Maple Chicken, which was very tasty and tender. My husband liked his scallops, and the kids were able to order chicken fingers off of the kids menu. We had dessert at the ice cream parlor, and for under $4 I had a huge, yummy sundae. For breakfast Monday morning there was a full buffet. It was about $10 each for the adults, but our kids ate free. All the food was much better tasting and warmer then most other hotel breakfast buffets.

We had the whole indoor pool and whirlpool to ourselves. The water was nice and warm in the pool and just hot enough not to be burning in the hottub. There were also nice workout rooms that I should have put to use after my ice cream, but didn't. The large outdoor pool with its waterfall was sparkling clean, but the weather was too cold to enjoy it while we were there. The spa had a long list of luxurious treatments that sounded wonderful...next time! :)

We also played tennis on the clay courts and had a blast. The golf course looked challenging, but we didn't have time on our overnight visit. We did venture out to the resort's gulfside beach where we were greeted and helped by another pleasent staff member. (I forgot to say that all the staff was great!) The beachside restaurant was closed on Monday, so we had to go elsewhere for lunch, but we had a great time walking along picking up shells. We also found 50 sharks teeth scattered in the shallows along our walk, and needless to say, my 10 year old son was thrilled!

As far as ghostly encounters go, I am sad to say I didn't really have any on my trip. I played with all my ghost hunting tools and didn't get any changes in temperature, high EMF readings, or any EVPs. I did get many pictures with orbs (or dust) in them and a few questionable pictures of a face in our room's mirror that changed positions and then disappeared even though the pictures were taken in rapid succesion without moving. The long hallways are certainly spooky with their rows of closed doors, and silent empty rooms. I'd love to return some time and investigate some more.

I loved this resort. I've never been to the "Shinning" hotel in Colorado, but this is how I pictured it as I read Stephen King's novel huddled under my covers 30 years ago. Oh, and P.S. I didn't see a single bug (and I can't stand bugs) anywhere in the hotel (and I even explored the dreary back fire escape stairways.)

We recently stayed at this hotel and I have to say, what a really neat property, beautiful huge (bigger than our first apartment) room, amazing grounds, terrific hospitality, but if ghost creep you out...I do not recommend it. Lots of great history, really cool indoor pool, and if you want to know all of the stories go to the bar in the original lobby, those guys know the goods! They are closing it in May for two years for renovations, if you want to get in on it, I would suggest going soon. Also, if you golf, unbeatable golf package, especially for Florida!

the hotel, of course is old and needs work....but the history and beauty still makes this worthwhile. the room was small and has been use for many years, even by the military ( if you have ever been in old military bldgs, you will know what i mean).

There is a ghost tour there as well, which is interesting, if nothing else. I myself am a skeptic so i had to at least go

My only complaint is the staff. From having a seatshirt taken from the room-which i we gave them the benefit of the doubt and hoped it was a mistake....but no one was willing to call around or ask to even attempt to find it. it was just gone.

I go to the ice cream shop and ask for quarters. This was after watching them open the register and throw quarters in there. I akd for a few dollars in quarters....they lat our LIED and said they didnt have any quarters. I only did this to buy a $.50 in their vending machines .

so, i then proceed to the front desk and ask. they too come up with a lie about a gentlemen taking ALL of their quarters the night before.

whatever ....just tell me y ou cant givce them out or dont want to. DONT LIE TO ME.

I reccomend the WINE CELLAR and the LOBSTER POT for a nice meal in this area.

We called the Belleview Biltmore to book in for the following day and there was no problem with the short notice, the member of staff taking the booking was pleasant and efficient. On booking into the hotel, again staff were pleasant and helpful about the services available within and outside the hotel. The resort was extremely quiet and, almost ghostly as we stayed mid-week, this however allowed us to have almost private access to most of the facilities. Our impression of the resort was that of a good old fashioned break, and the place really had atmosphere. We booked a Victorian double room, which was fine, although dated and the bed was a regular double, not a king size. The room was spacious enough, but the closet smelt a little damp. There is lots to do at the Biltmore: tennis, cycling, golf, spa, beach volleyball, but most incur additional charges for equipment rental. There is however a free shuttle bus to the beach which runs throughout the day and evening. The beach itself is beautiful, there were lots of different birds and it was very peaceful, although there were no beach umbrellas available to use, or to hire. The pool and garden areas were clean and well maintained, the pool had a great hot tub, but the weather was too hot for us to be able to sit in it for long. All the public areas of the hotel, bar and restaurant closed at 10 pm, although there was some flexibility in this and they may remain open longer during busy times. We enjoyed our stay, but were unaware that there would be a $10 per day resort charge, although the rates were very reasonable. We would recommend a stay, but not for too long.

ON JULY 25TH 2008, I flew down to clearwatewr Florida. to see my daughter. My daughter thought it would be great to stay at the Bitmore hotel. When I arrived at the Bitmore hotel I was given a 2nd floor room. When I entered the room all I seen was the airconditon vents when looking out of the window. I went to the the check in desk and was then given the room on the 4th floor, over looking the bay. My daughter and myself went out and returned back to the room at approx. 24:00, we sat up till around 1 am and watch tv . At approx. 02:00 hrs I observed the bathroom door open and the light came on. I got up and went into the bathroom and nothing was there. I went back to bed, while in bed watching tv I observed the door open again. I went back into the batroom and I heard the closet door close, I went back to bed thinking the place is old and unsettled, I then heard children around 3 am on the 5th floor, I got up out of bed and went to find the door for the 5th floor, to tell the children to stop so I could sleep. I went to the double doors at the end on the hallway, but was unable to get on the 5th floor. I went back bed and then heard a loud screaching voice, and then banging on the pipes. I got up and went back out into the hallway. Nothing was in the hallway. So we got up and had breakfeast and went shopping when. I returned back to the hotel that evening I advised the cleark at the desk the situation of what happen, the desk cleark stated the 5th floor has not been used in years and no one is up there. I was also advised that the 5th and 4th floor has the presents of gost. I exsplained what happen since I was departing any way I was advised this had happen before. I went up to my room to get my bag. When I was leaving I was walking by the double frosted glass doors,leading up to the 5th floor when I noticed a male figure standing at the door, I opened the door and looked nothing was there, As I was departing the hallway I looked back and the fighure was on the other door, I went back and looked again, As I was leaving I heard a loud bang. I then went on to the elavator as the elavator was going to the 1st floor I felt it jumping like someone was in the elavator. I then exited the elavotor and departed the hotel.

My family and I just spent the weekend at the Biltmore. It definately needs some renovations, but we really enjoyed our stay. The staff was very friendly and service was great! The room was clean. The matresses were not as comfy as we are used to, but we didn't loose any sleep because of it. We requested extra pillows and it only took them about 5 minutes to bring them up. The outdoor pool is beautiful! The kids enjoyed their time there. I really didn't care for the indoor pool. The pool was heated which made the room hotter than it already was. The floors and furniture were dirty. They would benefit from a good pressure washing. My baby, who has very sensitive skin, got a rash after getting in the water. Needless to say, we stayed away from there for the rest of the stay. They have a beach club on Sand Key with a private beach and pool. Shuttle service is provided since it is about 10 minutes away. This is a great amenity to use if you would like to enjoy the beach but stay away from crowded Clearwater Beach. Like I said, the resort would benefit from some renovations, but we still loved it and the history behind it. Will definately return!!

This is one of the more beutiful hotels that I've stayed at. The architecture is absolutely wonderful. It's rated as a four star hotel with prices to match. The room as an extremely high ceiling, possibly 14-15 feet high. This may have been to help keep it cool in pre-air conditioning days. As I understand it, the hotel was renovated in 2001. We got a really good deal on the room since the roof was under repairs. On the down side, the bathroom should have been renovated as well. The wall tiles were intact, but had been painted a shiny white. No problem there except that all along the bottom the paint had peeled away exposing the original biege color. As if that wasn't bad enough, the bathtub had separated from the wall leaving a large gap. The maintenance crew apparantly tried to caulk the gap and eventually gave up when the gap became to wide. The tub drain lever was missing and the chrome plate covering the hole was held on with orange wire. I'd have complained, but we didn't spend much time in the room and only took some quick showers. One of the wings contains the spa which in turn contains a heated indoor swimming pool and heated spa. The dirty floor surrounding the pool discouraged me from going in. Two other things I disliked were a lack of free Internet access and no coffee maker. The hotel cut the room rate to $90 which is misleading since they tack on a $10 resort fee. We could have had a much nicer room somewhere else. On the plus side it has the most beautiful pool I've ever seen in a hotel.

The only contact we had with the staff was with the clerk at the front desk. He had a very indifferent attitude...didn't care if I was there... didn't thank me for staying with them or ask if everything was all right. Judging from the lack of maintenance on the hotel he could have been the manager. Actually we did run into a very friendly and informative girl who was working in the ice cream parlor. If it was up to me I'd have her switch jobs with the manager. With proper management this historical building

could be the lively and wonderful place it was meant to be. Instead it was almost deserted which is a shame since it has so many beautiful ballrooms just waiting for the right entertainment to come along.

For $100 a night you can find better hotels anywhere. For the full price of $300 a night...don't even think about it. Maybe if the management changes things will get better.

Well I stayed at the hotel with my family and friends. Boy, was it an adventure. Now the staff was amazing and very friendly, though there was this one staff member who was a bit crazy, at least I thought. He told me and my friend that when the hotel opened up a while ago, the gardener of the hotel killed two girls, a 13 year old and 11 year old, and a man. It was the most strangest thing i've ever heard. He said that everytime, at 2:30 am, the ghosts of the two girls try to scare people through this one certain hall way. My friend thought he was a smoker but for some reason, but for some reason, I believed him. ( crazy, i know ) well he also said that everytime they come out, he talks to them, then i started agreeing with my friend.

then we decided to walk around and check out the hotel. As we were walking, a few men, who were alittle bit drunk, told us, "dont go up to the 5th floor." and started laughing. As we passed the elevator, my sister looked at the numbers and there was no 5th floor.

i was a bit confused, so i asked that one staff member, who was telling the story earlier about the two girls.... I asked him if there was a 5th floor and he said there was, but that no one has been up there since the two girls died. I was getting excited and frightened at the same time. My sister got alittle scared, so my friend and I dropped her off at the room. My friend and I were so curious about the 5th floor we decided to go up there ourselves.

As we went up the stairs, it was getting hotter. I SWEAR!

As we got up to the 4th floor, we looked around the corner, and there was a small space of darkness and as i got near, there were the dark stairs to the 5th floor, me and my friend were sooooo spooked, we didnt even dare to go up.

It was the most exciting night ever!

i had a great time with friends and family and if i could, i'd go back! And I know, the next time, I'm going to go up those stairs to the 5th floor!

HAVE FUN!!!!

This historical hotel is in dire need of some TLC! Stayed here about 18 years ago and the place has deteriorated somewhat from the way I remember it..

The roof looked as though it had been strripped bare by a tornado and there were an alarming number of sagging porches and neglected corners, not all due to the recent windy weather. Original room we had booked was large and well- appointed but overlooked a bleak corner of the car park, so moved to a higher floor with pool view although this room was smaller with old TV, tired bathroom, and seemed several miles away from the nearest lift. Pool area and loungers need updating and pool bar did not open as advertised, even when there were 30 or 40 guests sitting around expectantly. Overall the staff were friendly and helpful and food, especially breakfast buffet, very good value. Be prepared to do some serious mileage when staying here - lifts are very few and far between and seemingly endless, bleak corridors (think the Outlook Hotel in The Shining) need to be negotiated to get anywhere. The Belleview Biltmore needs some serious investment to be restored to its former glory - the whole place should be closed down and revamped. I would not stay here again unless it was half the price or completely refurbished.

From the photos on the website I expected an elegant old southern summer resort when I checked into the Belleview Biltmore; however, after only 20 minutes in the hotel I realized the only part that was correct was the "old southern" part.

As long as I stayed on the main floor of the hotel, I felt comfortable and rather in awe of the beautiful old accommodations. The ballrooms are romantic and filled with southern charm. Even the walk down the main corridor of the hotel, with it's Christmas decorations, was charming.

However, when I stepped off of the elevator onto the third floor to walk to my room I was forced to walk down the hallways straight out of "The Shining". From that point on the CREEP factor way out weighed the old southern charm. The hallways with their old lighting and warn-out paint were spooky. The rooms were even worse -- moldy and dirty window air conditioning units, shower water that ran red/brown with rust for at least 3 minutes the first time it was turned on, black grout in the bathroom, and doors that didn't fit their door frame, made for very uncomfortable accommodations.

In defense of the Belleview Biltmore, they are getting ready for a 2 year shutdown in order to renovate the entire place to the tune of $1.5million. Nevertheless, they should have disclosed the fact that they are letting a few things slip in the meantime. A co-worker had a 2 bathrooms in his room -- one didn't have any hot water while the other had NO electricity. Another co-worker had a tv that turned on and off on its own and a smoke alarm that went off in the middle of the night. At this time only a portion of the rooms at the Belleview Biltmore are even inhabitable, the rest are essentially uninhabitable (lack of walls, electricity, and plumbing).

The food at our conference, catered by the Belleview Biltmore, was pretty good and the front desk service was recommendable. The maintenance service left much to be desired (apparently they get to work when they feel like it).

I would recommend that all would be visitors wait another 2 years before checking out the Belleview Biltmore. It has a lot of potential, but it's keeping it under wraps until they're renovated. Until then you can just check out the Belleview on the Ghost Hunters show.

The Belleview Biltmore is a very old, historic hotel. I was told:

- It is the oldest, largest wooden structure in America.

- TAPS has been there to investigate. (A TV program investigating the paranormal and hauntings.) They are apparently scheduled to return in May 2009.

- The previous owner tried to keep up with the renovations, which ultimately led to bankruptcy.

- The new owners have been approved for a government grant for a restoration project. The hotel is closing for a complete restoration in 2009 and will be closing for 2 to 3 years. (In the meantime, it appears they have not been spending any money on maintenance or improvements. It shows.)

Keeping all of that in mind:

- If and when the restoration is complete, the cost to stay at this historic , magnificent and possibly haunted hotel can be expected to be extremely expensive.

- It would be frivolous for the new owners to put any money into maintenance or improvements.

- What could possibly be the incentive for the current staff to stay on when they know that they will not have a job in a few months? Considering this, I am impressed at the level of service that we did receive.

- An old wooden structure in need of improvement will make a lot of noise. Walking down the hallway to your room creates creaks that resonate through the entire wing, and possibly the floors above and below.

- The rooms aren't going to be neither fresh nor modern. They are old and give a sense of history. The one we stayed in didn't smell of mold or mildew as another review mentions. That might be due to the variation in the hundreds of rooms.

- You will see that the roof is in dire need of repair, there are rusty stains on exposed pipe, the floors are not perfect. Again, why would the current owners replace or repair any of these details when they are closing down for a complete restoration?

I recommend that you take advantage of staying at this hotel before the restoration, but make sure you:

- Bring sleeping pills. Not over the counter pills. The ones that the doctor prescribes, that are sure to knock you out so you don't stay awake listening to the noises and watching for apparitions. Sleep deprivation will ruin your stay, and taint your experience.

- Ask to see a few rooms before you choose one. Considering the variation in rooms and the conditions of these rooms, you will want to feel comfortable with your room before you settle in. (I have seen other reviews recommend staying on the 1st floor or in a suite. However, I am sure different rooms of different wings and floors will each have their own appeal.)

- Bring water shoes for the indoor pool area.

- Go on the Haunted Tour. Be cautious of your alcohol consumption that evening, as you will need to take those sleeping pills.

- Go on your own adventures and tours of the hotel. Check out every wing, stairwell, patio and level.

- Bring a digital camera !

- Don't order the escargot. Whatever you do - don't order the escargot -

- In case you do eat something that doesn't agree with you, bring some antacid/rolaids or Pepto-Bismol. The hotel doesn't have 24-hour sale of these or other emergency items (i.e. aspirin or tylenol). And you won't want your companion to scoot over to the 24 hour store to pick some up, because that will mean you will be left alone in the hotel room...in hotel that is rumored to be haunted...with all of the noises...

- Don't pay regular rate. There are plenty of deals available. If you can't find one, barter before you book.

Yes, I recommend this hotel. You will be privileged to have had the experience. But only if you have perspective and realistic expectations. And sleeping pills :)

I stayed at the Belleview Biltmore with my college roomate during a trip to Florida to visit some friends in Tampa. The website makes the hotel's room seem modern and nice, but it is not the case at all. We stayed on the third floor. We arrived at the hotel at night, and we were shocked to see how beautiful the 1st floor was, but how the atmosphere completely changed once you stepped onto the elevators. The hallways were extremely long and dimly lit...downright creepy. It seemed as if our floor was completely empty...it was so silent you could hear a pin drop. We were horrified with the condition of the room...the bathrooms are disgusting and the wallpaper was peeling. The hotel did have an incredible morning brunch and a pleasant pool. The atmosphere was much improved during the day. My friend and I ended up checking out early because of some spooky experiences that occured. The first night we heard running above us on the supposedly unoccupied fourth floor. We were spooked by the experience so we slept with the light on from that point on. After the radio in our room which had been completely powered off turned on and off three times within an hour we decided the hotel was a bit too creepy for us and we checked out. The hotel as beautiful elements and it is a shame it is that run down. If they invested money in a complete remodel of the guest rooms, the hotel would be quite pleasant...if you can overlook the high possibility of a spooky experience.

I just recently visited the Biltmore with my husband and child. I heard about it through a client and knew that it was (sort of under construction). When we got there, the whole roof was all ripped apart and the rooms were very, very old and in need of major repair. The carpets were stained and they needed new paint everywhere. I was still ok with it because it was clean as far as vacuuming and bathroom clean. I knew it was a very old buiilding. It has a couple of restauants and a cute icecream parlor. The pool area was nice and it had a kids pool for my daughter which was nice. Despite the repairs that it needed I would have been willing to stay there again until the day we checked out. I accidentally left behind a coat and as soon as I arrived home I called them and made a report. They never found it! I take total blame for leaving my coat, but I left it right on the bed and as soon and the maids would have went in there to clean they would have seen it. If they would have good, trustworthy maid staff there, they would have turned it in to lost and found. I don't blame them for leaving it, I blame them for taking it. If you choose to stay at this hotel, do not leave anything valuable in the rooms when you leave for any amount of time, you may never see it again.

My expectations were in check prior to the visit. We were looking for a quick, reasonable and warm getaway. My boyfriend booked the trip at a great price so we were openminded given the reviews. The hotel was clearly very grand at one time, a long time ago. The roof is disturbingly tattered. It must have been degrading and was then covered with a tarp that is now in pieces flapping in the wind.

The reception was very cheery. Our hearts sank upon seeing the small, plain and dark room. We requested another room and were given keys to two rooms for evaluation - a very nice gesture. We chose the suite - 2 large rooms with large windows. The room was still drab and in serious need of updating, but at least sunny and spacious. The bathroom was mostly white but also dog eared with broken threshold, separate hot and cold water mixing for the shower and a stained tub.

The indoor pool was tiled and interesting - reminiscent of a 20's bath house complete with a large 'swimmable' jacuzzi. Outdoor pool was pretty but chilly while we were there. The outdoor jacuzzi is elevated and busy.

Locale is a bit isolated, but a beach shuttle available for their Sand Key resort. Overall, the staff was very pleasant, no issues there. The bar was pleasant and convenient - though hours are spotty. The downstairs bar was sketchy, but the karaoke (fri/sat)rather entertaining, for a little while :)

We also rented bikes for $15/day to bike the Pinellas Trail. The trail does not travel along the beach, but we rode north to Dunedin for a drink and bite, then to Honeymoon Island for beach. Please note the bikes are also no frills- no gears, no basket, a lot of work if you're accustomed to road bikes.

Amazingly, the hotel was bustling with events and functions. The 11am historical tours were also popular.

Rumor has it the hotel is closing in Spring of 2009 for renovations. I have no idea how they can renovate. There are so many rooms and the hotel is so expansive. It has been neglected for so many years, it seems beyond renovation. I expect it will be demolished, a shame.

So overall we enjoyed our visit, but had expectations in check...

Watch out on making your reservation...I had reserved a room with my debit card and they neglected to inform me that they automatically take the money out of your account right then and there!! When I called to cancel the reservation, that is when they informed that they "already had my money" and would return it within 7 days. Are you kidding me??? I would never recommend this type of service for anyone!

Stayed there overnight last weekend for the tapson convention. Was told my room wouldn't be ready until after 3pm even though I arrived around noon. Told them we would be arriving early, but was told room wouldn't be ready. Yet rooms were ready for other people arriving at the same time we arrived. Was stuck waiting around and decided to have lunch at their restaurant. I was shocked when I received the bill which was for over 47 dollars. It was a banquet, but the food was warm not hot, and it wasn't very good. The room had red stains on the red all around the bed. The sheets kept sliding off the bed. Found a bug crawling on the sheet. Decided to remove all the sheets to make sure there weren't bed bugs hiding under the sheets. Found the flannel bed sheet on the bottom of the bed all dirty with black lint all over it. We turned it over and tried to cover the bed as best as we could. Didn't find anymore bugs on the bed. Had to flush the toilet several times because the water pressure was very slow. And the mattress was very hard and very uncomfortable. There were no blinds on first floor windows and curtains kept opening up. We had a room facing the parking lot. Overnight charge was one hundred twenty seven dollars. It was very hard to sleep because of the noisy air conditioner in the window and got up in the morning with back pain. We will never stay here again. They're interest is making money and nothing else.

The only good things about this hotel are the friendly staff, the grounds and the architecture. If you're interested in seeing the hotel I'd recommend spending an afternoon walking the grounds and seeing the interior, but I would not recommend anyone staying here. The rooms are worn and dated. The window unit air conditioners are loud and inefficient. Bathrooms are dismal, outdated with showers that have absolutely no water pressure. The water pressure was so slow in the shower that it was almost impossible to wash the soap off. I hope the rumors are true that the hotel will soon be renovated. It's long overdue!

PRICE WAS reasonable,rating was good,did not prepare us for what we found.3rd floor,down what looked like a 1 mile hallway,we were led into a faded,dilapidated roomw/ drab paint,windows with no screens,exposed wiring,exposed sprinklers and pipes directly over both beds,two wire outlets with adaptors(fire trap),peeling wallpaper,shaky ceiling fan and no water pressure in shower or sink.couple this with a palpable feeling of dread and uncomfortability,and a feeling that you weren't alone,and you have a real loser in my book at least.checked out in 25 minutes,had enough, had to go.

I really liked this place upon arrival - I thought the lobby seemed very elegant, and the building itself was very impressive in its size and architecture. I love the high ceilings, the long wide hallways, and the beautiful furnishings. They have a business office with a printer which was very helpful for checking in online with the airlines. The ice cream shop was neat, and the whole place had a lot of personality. The rooms needed some work, especially the bathrooms which had moldy tiles and poor plumbing.

When I checked in they told me I had reserved a King bed, which I thought was odd since we usually travel with children so I don't ever get that luxury. I thought maybe I screwed up my reservation and asked if I could switch to two queens and they said no, there was a large group there and they were completely full, so we'd have to squeeze into the one bed for the night. (I did find out later that my reservation WAS in fact for two queens so I don't know why their computers did not reflect that as well)

The large group turned out to be about 400 "Young Adults" belonging to a religious group who were there to party all weekend. I felt like I was sleeping in a dorm room during GREEK week. They shouted down the halls, blasted their music, slammed doors, etc ALL NIGHT LONG. I called the front desk three times beginning at midnight and finally got dressed at 3:45AM and went to the lobby to see why nothing was being done. The security guard and another employee were arguing with a drunk girl, the police had already been there once (and again later I heard), and it was apparent that neither security nor desk staff were either willing or able to do anything about it, despite lots of complaints from those of us who wanted to sleep. The partying was not just one room either, this was every single room around and above me. I got 1/2 hour sleep that night (it quieted down around 4:30am) and refused to pay for my room. The next morning one of the staff people told me they just as bad the night before. I suggested they should have been kicked out and she just said there were too many of them to kick them all out - and I'm sure they'd be out the revenue too so better to just let the rest of us suffer than lose the big business.

So, despite not having to pay for the room, I won't go back there again. It's not worth it.

Don't beleive the reviews if you want to stay somewhere clean and in good repair. We booked this stay, thankfully only 1 night after reading extensive reviews on this site as well as perusing the Belleview website. It's a classic case of clever marketing and creating a webiste which looks MUCH better than the product.

We arrived very late after a 3 night stay at Disney. First off, this place is FAR from the interstate and remote - ie. in the middle of nowhere. The approach is nice, you feel like you're heading into a historic and prominent place, but at night, you cannot see the state of disreapair.

My first clue was the lobby - very shabby and renovated from the 80's. the clerk was an older gentleman who seemed to be partially asleep.

We were assigned a first floor pool view room, and in walking the long hallyways the fear set in. First was the SMELL - a mix of mold, must and yes pesticide.

Our room itself was OLD and SMELLY! there were cracks on the walls and the carpet had stains. I was afraid to look in the closet, but managed to, and guess what...there were holes in the walls and no finishings - such a moldings, carpet trim - you get the picture....I decided no luggage of mine would be in this space for fear of what would crawl in.....

The bed was another story - dirty - sheets as thin as wafers and a pillow with a mysterious 3-D stain....

Why do you ask did I not check out or change rooms? Fear and fatigue. It was late, very late and I knew we'd check out early...and changing rooms seemed no better as I was afraid we'd get even worse.

We finally got some shut eye and in the morning woke up without any insect bites - thankfully....

In the shower, there was mildew in the tiles and the shower head came out of the wall. literally. No finishing, just from a moldy hole.

The capper was the HUGE BLACK HAIRY bug (think it was a gigantic spider) that crawled out of my towel when I reached for it. It just on the floor and disappeared into a crack in the corner of the bathroom.

Get the picture? This place in my opinion should be condemned.

In complaining to the management, no one seemed to care, nor where they surprised. It was truly the worse night I have had in over a decade.

I am planning on writing to the Chamber of Commerce.

If you have a choice to stay somewhere else, do so! This place is clearly in need of rehab and maintenance and it should have been done YESTERDAY!!! Upon approaching the hotel, you immediately notice that the roof is lacking any shingles! It looks like it might be in the process of being redone, but there are no workers doing any work. The grounds are the only thing that look ok. Parking is limited - you have to hunt for any space if you happen to go out in the evening and returning later.

Our first room on the fourth floor was dingy and dark. We asked for a different room and were then transferred to one on the third floor. The elevator has a sign on it that says it is not approved. Who knows the condition!!! We always walked up and down when we could.

The furniture is worn and I guess they are holding out until they toss it all when they decide to rehab.

The air conditioner was located well up on the wall and you had to stand on the bed to see the controls. If you were tall enough, as my husband was, you could see the dust and dirt where the vents should be (only open space, no vents....). So we were breathing mold, dirt, and dust (who knows what) - no ventilation because the windows cannot be opened - they are painted shut.

The bathroom was dinky, with a sink about 8 inches by 8 inches, with a mirror that was all damaged above it. The pressure on the water was very weak, so showers were not very good. You had to let the water run about five minutes for it to get warm.

Even though nonsmoking, the bedspread had cigarette holes, and even though the sheets were changed daily, some of the replacements had cigarette holes too

We went to the beach club (can take the shuttle or drive). That place needs some help too. It is getting worn. We did not eat so cannot comment on it. There is a pool there, but the pool is not heated at all. Neither is the one at the resort. We watched one afternoon as people tried to get in - always with great reservation, and then only one or two would try it, although the weather was conducive for a swim.

We did try the indoor spa one afternoon. The water is warmed nicely, but you can see that all the tiles are filthy and need of cleaning. You were afraid to touch anything. A nice design, and at one time it must have been the cat's meow.

We only stayed because there was a 48 hour cancellation fee and we were not feeling well to find and change to another place.

Best advice: STAY AWAY IF YOU CAN!!!!

I booked this trip through amex and thought it was a good deal. Well you definately get what you pay for. We checked in late so it looked nice from the outside in the dark. We checked in with no problem-then we took the elevator (failed inspection-big sticker on the certifcate) to the second floor. Big long hallway kinda looked hawnted! Went to unlock the room door but guess what the door was wide open! Then went to take a shower and guess what? No hot water at all! Called front desk and a 75 year old maintance man came up and said there was a hot water problem since thursday on our wing (shouldn't front desk have known). He asked if we wanted to be moved and of course we said yes well then the front desk says we have no room to move them to and after i flipped out they magically found something on the 4 floor. We went out for the night and next morning wake up to see the lovely roof. You have never seen anything like it in your life! They nailed big tarps to the roofs a couple of years ago and now the tarps are all rippped. We then went down to have brunch which was actually nicley set up but when we mentioned to the waitress that the milk we picked up was expired she said she already knew! Never ever again will I stay there! They are closing for 2 years next spring for a $20 million renovations they will need about $200 million to do it right it could be a beautiful hotel if kept up right.

Where to begin? The lobby (sadly 1980's feeling amidst the old abandoned grandeur that this hotel once had) reeks of some overwhelming floral air freshener (which begs the question: what are they trying to cover up?), and it served as a clear warning of the travesties to follow. The carpet was tattered and missing in spots, the windows were filthy, and there seemed to be no attention to personal service upon arrival.

After wandering through to the small, dimly lit, dirty, odd little elevator, we eventually found our room amidst the poorly marked maze of long dark hallways upstairs. I will not deny that the hotel obviously was once an opulent, grand place. It is not, however, very welcoming now. The finish on the wood flooring is worn, the furniture is stained and tattered, the hallways smell of mold and mildew, and the windows and sliding patio doors do not close and latch all the way. The roof is in mid-repair (I think, there were no shingles, but we saw no actual work or evidence of work being done during our stay). The walls and floors are crooked and leaning. There was almost no hot water pressure in the cramped shower, and the wallpaper was peeling off in many places throughout the room and bathroom.

We took a quick walking tour of the facilities and found a lot of "potential", but it is readily apparent that the hotel needs so much repair and improvement that it would take months (years?) and remarkable financial investment to actually restore her previous splendor. In the meantime, it seems that the people working there either don't care about customer experiences or are in a state of extensive denial about the condition of the place they are charging their customers to stay in. I do not doubt that well-intentioned people work to clean the rooms and do the best with which they are given, but this place has problems that no team of housekeepers and customer service representatives can resolve. I am concerned about the structural integrity, the smell of mold throughout the hallways, and other likely problems that I could not see.

We thought before arrival at the hotel that we had a fairly reasonable rate for our stay, but the place isn't worth anything if you're looking for a sense of comfort and relaxation. The outdoor pool is ice cold, the indoor pool was dimly lit and surrounded by filth, the overall environment is unsettling, and the building evokes more sadness than comfort. The hotel certainly used to be much nicer, but to see it in such decay and decline is truly unfortunate. The word that we repeatedly used to describe it was "creepy."

Do yourself a favor, find a different local place that offers the amenities you're looking for a good price, but don't stay here!