Sea Chest Motel

Upon first impression, the two-story cream colored Sea Chest Motel looks like many of the other budget contenders on this hotel-speckled strip of beachfront land. But looking past its generic exterior, the Treasure Island property surprises with a lovely pool area surrounded by manicured lawns, and plenty of palm trees and tropical plants dotting the large courtyard area that overlooks the beach. The vibe is casual and beachy, with funky, if a bit tacky, pirate and treasure statuettes sprouting amid shrubs and bushes on the grounds as a nod to the motel’s name.

The interiors are bland and dated, though well-maintained and clean. The small office is comprised of not much more than a front desk, wicker chairs, a bookshelf packed with beach reads, and a computer station available for guest use. Direct beach access and a pool patio filled with lounge chairs and shaded tables make this a popular choice with leisure travelers looking for a beach vacation on a budget. Spacious apartments and suites with full kitchenettes suit families and groups that are attracted by the clean facilities and affordable rates, though dated furniture and patterned bedspreads are eyesores.

The Sea Chest Motel is located right on Gulf Boulevard, a busy main road in Treasure, which lies between Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach. The touristy area is full of many other motels and hotels, with several restaurants and shops within walking distance and a bus stop right in front of the motel. The property has direct access to a lovely beach. St. Petersburg is 20 minutes away by car and the nearest airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, is a half-hour drive away (15 miles).

The Sea Chest Motel has spacious rooms, suites, and one-bedroom apartments. Decor is dated and lacks character, with cheap patterned bedspreads, carpeted flooring, wicker furniture covered in tropical prints, and tacky dolphin lamps, though rooms are clean and make efficient use of space. Potted plants attempt to revive the spaces with fresh bursts of green. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and either basic or fully equipped kitchenettes. The suites and apartments can sleep up to seven people and have full separate kitchens with full-sized fridges, stoves, microwaves, coffeemakers, and toasters, as well as separate living rooms with dining areas. Bathrooms are small and standard, with shower/tub combos, hair dryers, and toiletries limited to soap bars. Entrances are from the outdoor courtyard area overlooking the pool, and each unit has lounge chairs right outside its door on the ground-level patio or balcony. Some rooms have lackluster views over the parking lot, but many overlook the pool or beach. Street-side rooms might be affected by traffic noise from the busy main road outside, and some guests complain about noisy air-conditioning units.

The centerpiece of the Sea Chest Motel is its lovely pool located in the courtyard flanked by the three wings of the building and bordered by the beach. The grounds are well-maintained, with manicured lawns and bushes, tropical plants, and palm trees dotting the property. The pool patio has several umbrella-shaded tables and chairs as well as teal lounge chairs circling the pool. There is a Ping-Pong table as well as shuffleboard courts, and the motel has a barbecue grill area available for guest use.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the motel, and there is a computer and printer available in the office, though printing comes at a charge. A small bookshelf is packed with various reads and guests can use the on-site laundry facilities. The property lacks a dining area or restaurant, and there is no breakfast available, though several restaurants are within walking distance.