Family Fun at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort
St. Pete Beach, Florida

by Tammie Thompson

After an arduous day of travel, our arrival at the TradeWinds Island Grand coincided with a thunderstorm. The rain pelted us as we were escorted to our beachside condo. The kids thought it was pretty funny. I was less impressed as this was supposed to be a family foray into sunny Florida.

First on our agenda was food. At 9:00pm, I thought it would be a tough call. No problem, Pizza Hut to the rescue! Kid food - available all day - wow. After our pizza we decided to check out the hot tub. The rain was still coming down. The towels were soaked, no matter; a dose of warm rain got the giggles going. Memories made.

The next morning we opened up the sliding glass door to a gorgeous sunny day. Florida - hallelujah. Our beachside condo was perfect. A small sitting area, efficiency kitchen and separate bedroom that is ideal for families. While enjoying our breakfast and the ocean view, a little bird flew in the living room. More giggles. Dressed in jammies, we chased him out. Fun stuff.

Off to the beach! The beach was huge, with wooden cabanas for escaping the sun. A bit dated, the cabanas did make for great fort building. A dip or two in the gentle surf and it was back to the room for some lunch. We hit the deli for ease, but with the efficiency kitchen, lunch doesn't have to be a big ordeal of restaurants and giant bills.

The kids hung out on the patio, alternating between the lounge chairs and the hammock. People watching, I couldn't believe how many families were staying at the TradeWinds. Family central, it was only a matter of minutes before my five-year-old daughter had a new best friend. That's the key to the TradeWinds. Families visit year after year, meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

The TradeWinds Island Grand is part of the TradeWinds Island Resorts, the largest resort complex on Florida's Gulf Coast. Guests are welcome to use the amenities at all three TradeWinds resorts (TradeWinds Sirata Beach and TradeWinds Sandpiper), so there's plenty to do. We set out to explore the Island Grand. No easy task as it has many intertwined paths throughout the lush grounds. Guests can also traverse the property by waterway via paddleboat or gondola. Another great diversion for the kids.

We weren't able to hit all of the resort's restaurants, but our favorites were the Old Florida Shrimp Shack and Flying Bridge. Kid food AND adult food, plus a great atmosphere kept us going back.

The TradeWinds Island Grand was a hubbub of activity. The TAZ Team (TradeWinds Action Zone) was always on hand with a new activity. We didn't have enough time to hit them all - but here goes: aerobics, aqua aerobics, beach Olympics, crafts (birdhouses, picture frames, rain sticks, sand dollar art, flowerpots, lollipop puppets, shark necklaces, surfin' starfish), face painting, family movie, family scavenger hunt, wildlife feeding frenzy, human flea market, laser tag, mini golf, Pilates, pool games & relays, poolside bingo, shark tooth/shell hunt, tie dye, water basketball and volleyball, whew!

I finally opted out, and grabbed a frozen concoction from the bar. Serenity on a family vacation? You bet. The kids were so busy with their new friends, they didn't bug me. I actually read a book! Even the tots were taken care of. The KONK Club (Kids Only No Kidding) is a full service daycare/camp program. It is available for kids 3-11 daily and some evenings.

We checked out the KONK Club one evening. My nine-year old didn't want to go. But we were greeted by Beaker (the big bird mascot of the TradeWinds), pizza, and some very enthusiastic counselors who were able to cajole a smile out of him in no time. The KONK Club is conveniently located in an enclosed facility with bathroom, has its own kiddie pool with plenty of shade, and has lots of games and crafts to keep all of the kids busy. Returning from my night out, I found the kids well fed, adorned in paper leis, with plenty of crafts to share. They didn't want to leave, always a good sign when evaluating child care. During weekends and holidays, the KONK Club offers themed evenings to keep kids interested. Older kids will love Kidscape, adjacent to the Island Café. A video arcade packed full of kids and games, the best part is that you can enjoy a "quiet" meal at the Island Café while keeping an eye on them.

There's no doubt you'll find family fun at the TradeWinds resorts. The Island Grand is the most impressive of the properties, but a stay at the Sirata Beach or Sandpiper will earn you access to all of the Island Grand's amenities (and save you some bucks too). Factor in the Explorer Value Pass when making reservations. The pass gets you free access to beach cabanas, paddleboats, fitness center, tennis courts, shuttle, aerobics, daily activities, local phone calls and more. Rates range from $12 - $17 per unit.

Families looking for interaction and lots of activity will love the TradeWinds. Non-stop fun can tire you out. I did get through my book though.

TradeWinds Island Grand Stats: 585 deluxe guest rooms, including 378 hotel and parlor rooms, 200 suites and 7 penthouse and hospitality suites. All guest rooms and suites feature refrigerators, irons and ironing boards, dishware, toasters, hair dryers, coffee maker with daily complimentary coffee, in-room safe, pay-per-view movies, cable color TV and room service. The property includes nine restaurants, 35 acres of beach, five swimming pools, two whirlpools, and tennis courts.

For more info see tradewindsresort.com.