4350 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, Florida, United States | (888) 616-5829
Steps from a gorgeous, white sand beach on the Gulf
Two heated pools and shuffleboard on-site
Sand Bar Bill's is lively and affordable for food and drinks
Guest rooms with kitchenettes available
Cozy, family-friendly atmosphere
No smoking in guest rooms (a con for some)
Free Wi-Fi
Live steel drum music on Sunday evenings
No elevator to second-floor guest rooms
Breakfast is not served
No beach equipment for loan or rent
No fitness center
Not all rooms can control their air-conditioning
The 81-room, mid-range Bon-Aire Resort Motel is an
old school St. Pete property opening
onto a pristine, white sand beach and the Gulf of Mexico. The Bon-Aire is an
older motel, but embraces its 1950s retro flair with lots of palm trees, shuffleboard courts, and cheery turquoise and white decor.
There are two outdoor pools, a popular tiki bar, and a variety of room configurations -- some with full-size kitchens; all clean and cozy with flat-screen TVs. With its festive atmosphere and proximity to other hotels, restaurants, and shops, this is a great choice for tourists and families seeking a full immersion into the local culture. However, breakfast is not served.
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Scene
A cheery retro resort with a picturesque tiki bar and festive vibe
The Bon-Aire Resort Motel is a cheery
throwback to 1950s Florida. Arranged like a classic motel, it has landscaped courtyards, two
heated pools, the requisite palm trees, charming turquoise-striped awnings, and a spectacular mid-century neon sign. The motel is friendly
and festive, with a loyal cadre of repeat guests -- some who've been returning
for over 30 years, and who make next year’s reservation before checkout.
The crowd is predominately older couples, with a smattering of young families
with small children, but the noise level is low and the vibe relaxed. The motel's beachfront restaurant, Sand Bar Bill’s, is the quintessential Florida
beach bar, with great views from its tiki-style bar and stone patio dotted with wicker furnishings and striped umbrellas; the enterprising local seagulls will steal fries right off the
tables if diners don’t look out. On Sunday afternoons, the motel offers steel
drum music, which can be enjoyed while watching the waves roll in and sipping margaritas.
Location
On a gorgeous white sand beach, near downtown St. Pete
The Bon-Aire Resort Motel sits on a white sand beach at the edge
of the Gulf of Mexico in St. Petersburg. The location is
convenient for tourists (and even for business travelers), easily accessible
from the interstate and about a 10- to 15-minute drive from downtown St. Pete. There are hotels on either side
of the property, with a Walgreen’s and Publix supermarket just across the
street, and a number of shops and restaurants within an easy walk. Tampa International Airport is about a half-hour drive.
Rooms
Laid-back beach rooms with flat-screens; some with full-size kitchens
Rooms at the Bon-Aire Resort Motel come in
various configurations of simple hotel rooms, efficiencies, and one-bedroom
apartments with side views of the Gulf of Mexico. Most rooms don’t have ocean
views, but the ocean is just steps from the rooms. Decor is cheerful and
beach-y, in shades of turquoise and white, with tile floors and ocean-themed
prints on the walls. Some bathrooms are updated, with granite countertops and beautifully
tiled walk-in shower stalls; some have older shower/tub combos. Kitchens in Efficiency units are not super-modern, but have stoves, refrigerators,
microwaves, cookware, dishes, and utensils; Semi-Efficiency units with mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers are also on offer. Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs with cable and movie channels, and free Wi-Fi.
Features
Tiki bar, beautiful beach, two pools, and shuffleboard
The Bon-Aire Resort Motel has two
heated pools, peacefully located in the motel courtyards. The motel has a
covered beachside patio, where guests can lounge and watch the waves crash on
the pristine, white sand beach. There are barbecue grills for guest use around
the property, a set of old school shuffleboard courts, and beach volleyball
nets. Sand Bar Bill’s tiki bar is a casual, local hotspot serving beach food -- including great burgers -- and
cocktails outdoors on the patio. Guest laundry
facilities are available on-site.
