Howard Johnson Resort Hotel by Wyndham St. Pete Beach FL

This Howard Johnson Resort Hotel is situated on the white sands of St. Pete Beach. In an area full of resorts and hotels, what sets this one apart is the affordable rates. Though the hotel itself is a bit aged and interiors are lackluster and dated, rooms are clean and pleasant, well-maintained grounds include a lovely outdoor pool and restaurant, and the beachside tiki bar has a fun, friendly, and tropical atmosphere with live music most nights. The hotel has a bit of a chain like feel to it, due to the bland decor, but the locally owned tiki bar and on-site restaurant give the property some character and flavor, and attract locals as well.

Though the small lobby doesn’t make a great first impression -- decor is dated and bland, with tiled floors and peach walls paired with a brown couch and rattan chairs -- details such as free coffee and newspapers in the lobby are a thoughtful touch. The hotel is a popular choice with leisure travelers looking for some poolside and beach relaxation without breaking the bank. Families traveling on a budget are attracted by the suites with kitchenettes, as well as the beach access and pool. Bonus perk for families traveling with kids: the hotel does not charge for kids 17 and under.

The Howard Johnson Resort Hotel - St. Pete Beach is located off of Highway 699 and right on the beach. Several other hotels and resorts surround the hotel, as St. Pete Beach is a popular destination for vacationers. The property is within walking distance to many shops and restaurants. There is a bus and trolley stop right outside of the hotel. Downtown St. Petersburg is about nine miles away and the nearest airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, is 15 miles away. 

The hotel has pleasant and clean rooms and suites with modern conveniences including flat-screen TVs, fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Decor is simple and generic -- carpet flooring, cheap wooden furniture, tropical prints on the walls -- and rooms lack ambience. Some appliances and furniture look a bit dated and could use an update. Many rooms have fully equipped kitchenettes, with full-size fridges, stoves, and ovens. Bathrooms are standard and a bit small, with shower/tub combos (some with soaking tubs) and toiletries provided. All rooms have private balconies and some ground floor rooms have patios. Beachfront rooms have the best views as they overlook the pool and beach, but there are complaints of noise from the tiki bar, especially on nights when the bar has live music. Street-side rooms have lackluster views, especially the ones overlooking the parking lot.

This hotel has a lovely heated outdoor pool surrounded by sun chairs, as well as a beautiful white sand beach. The Toasted Monkey Tiki Bar serves great drinks and cocktails and has a fun and tropical vibe, with live music nights several times a week. The decor is beachy, with twinkle lights strung around and lots of outdoor seating on the patio overlooking two beach volleyball courts. For indoor dining, the Toasted Monkey Sports Bar and Grill has a similarly casual vibe and serves classic American dishes. The hotel has a simple and spartan game room, that though lacking in decor, has a couple of arcade games and an old tube TV. There is a business center with computer and printer on the premises, as well as guest laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and free coffee and daily newspapers available in the lobby. There is a free parking lot right outside of the hotel. Breakfast is not included.