Karl Chafe: The Sirata Beach Resort in St Pete Beach, Florida is a well-cared-for value-priced beachfront property surrounded by warm Gulf breezes. You feel like you're having a tropical vacation.
Karl Chafe: Our room looked out over the resort property. Where to go first? Pool? Lunch? Beach? They're so close together, it was easy to do all three.
Karl Chafe: Slightly different angle from the balcony/hallway outside my room.
Karl Chafe: A great spot to relax on a sunny afternoon, sipping on a Rum Runners punch while enjoying a tasty snack.
Karl Chafe: An impressive selection of spirits.
Karl Chafe: It didn't take long for us to claim "our" spot.
Karl Chafe: Several times throughout the day, there was live entertainment in the beach restaurant.
Karl Chafe: The beach at the Sirata is literally hundreds of feet wide.
Karl Chafe: The view from my lounge chair.
Karl Chafe: This beach is so long, I can't even see where it ends.
Karl Chafe: Couldn't resist snapping this postcard-like photo.
Karl Chafe: This is what vacations are meant to be: relaxing, worry-free escapes (and a little shopping adventure doesn't hurt either, according to my Coach-purse loving wife).
Karl Chafe: The Pass A Grille area is a charming historic community, a short drive from the Sirata resort.
Karl Chafe: Boardwalk area in Pass A Grille. It was a pleasure driving around St. Pete's: not too much traffic and clear signage.
Karl Chafe: The Pink Palace - Loew's Don CeSar hotel - is an upscale and iconic St. Pete's Beach property built in 1928.
Karl Chafe: The Don features two heated pools and 277 rooms, including 36 suites.
Karl Chafe: The view from the Don.
Karl Chafe: In St. Pete's you can stroll miles of white sandy beaches with cabanas, parasailing and brilliant West Coast sunsets.
Karl Chafe: Getting ready to watch the sun set after an epic day in the Tampa area.