Bilmar Beach Resort

 

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Jackie K.

Brooklyn, NY

8/5/2007

I recently stayed at the Bilmar for 4 nights on a long-overdue vacation w/ my husband. My overall impression of the Bilmar is a good one: friendly, easy-going, attentive services from the front desk associates to the wait staff in the hotel restaurant. Everyone was interested in making sure that if we needed directions to anything or an additional service at the hotel, we were taken care of.  For example, we arrived 5 hours before check in. They offered to hold our bags til the room was ready and head out to the beach to get some sun while we waited. We both changed and were walking out the door when a guest attendant flagged us down and told us a room was available on the first floor if we wanted it. Very accommodating.

The location is unbeatable in my opinion. I came wanting a hotel right on the beach so no car or bus service was necessary and that's what I got. Located on Treasure Island right at a very busy intersection, the Bilmar is on the gulf side and the beach was literally right outside the sliding glass doors of my room. Late July-early August is considered the off-season because it's rather hot, but that meant we had the beach pretty much to ourselves and cabanas were readily available. It was terrific.

As far as the hotel itself, it is a 50s resort on the exterior that was recently renovated in 2006. That meant I wasn't afraid to sleep on the sheets and the bathroom area was nice and new. There was also a minifridge and microwave which was handy for storing cold beverages and snacks. The room was pretty spacious and we were on the first floor. The advantage to this was that we could walk out onto the beach. The disadvantage is that people could walk directly by your room. If you don't mind this, and we didn't, it was ideal. I'd give it about 3 stars for cleanliness. All the surfaces you'd want to touch were clean, but there was some dust behind the headboard and under the tables, a few dead bugs here and there (I mean ants, which are part of the Florida experience, to be honest). They are extremely generous w/ the towels and I didn't ask for them to come clean the room while we were there, so I'd say for two people it's ample.

Bazzie's, the restaurant/bar by one of the pools was not so clean. We had the breakfast buffet one morning on the late side and the eggs were literally rubber and full of holes, the tables weren't exactly the cleanest, but the waiter was nice and attentive. We didn't go back there. Sloppy Joe's, the restaurant attached to the south end of the hotel was great. Cheap drinks, nice staff, great location right off the beach, and pretty tasty food. Silverware wasn't clean but it seems like I'm finding that more and more. I stuck w/ finger food there just to be on the safe side. The pina coladas were really tasty and you cannot beat a $3 margarita, EVER.

More about the location: a Walgreen's directly across the street w/ liquor store attached (a plus); little local Italian restaurant just across the street and around the corner called Gigi's (a big plus--one of those places that retains a 70s interior and has a few aquariums); and Ricky T's Grille (adjacent to Walgreen's) that served a terrific breakfast til noon and had a wonderful staff of locals who made you feel at home (also a big plus). The beach trolley runs the length of Gulf Blvd. so if you want to explore the other beaches to the north or south, you just hop on from in front of Sloppy Joe's or Walgreen's depending on the direction. This was a huge help since we didn't rent a car there. The buses are extremely reliable as far as time is concerned and makes a car kind of pointless unless you have specific things you want to see not serviced by a bus route.

Overall, a great place to stay for a reasonable rate. I booked at $110 per night for a double room right on the beach through Orbitz. I highly recommend researching prices and deals all over the internet before resorting to booking through the hotel. I wouldn't say it is the most romantic place depending on what you're looking for. Good for young families on a budget as well as college students and young couples in that price range also. I'm not sure what the nightlife is like, seemed very quiet during the week, but busy on Saturday despite the off-season. Let me say if you want a lot of amenities, if you want multiple on-site dining options, or if you expect a high level of luxury, you probably shouldn't stay here. Try the Tradewinds just down the street. If you're looking for a cheap, reliable, comfortable, calm beach vacation, try the Bilmar.

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Carolyn R.

Chiefland, FL

2/20/2009

It was lovely. Lovely. We had a beachfront room and that made the price worth it. It was Friday night and there was karaoke in the bar...looked like a lot of senior locals. We, in our 40s, were a little out of place but stayed for two drinks and to listen. Needs more seating as we had to stand the entire time. Room was nice but the same as most chains like Ramada or Holiday Inn. You definitely pay for the atmosphere, even in the off season. If it hadn't been my birthday, we would not have stayed at the beach in January for $179 a night. Special occasion only.

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Elite '09

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kimi w.

El Cerrito, CA

3/19/2007 1 photo

I will have to update this review in a couple of weeks. So far, the folks at Bilmar have been nothing but helpful to me and our wedding guests. I took a tour of the premises and was very impressed. Most of the rooms face the beach, there's a pool, restaurant, and beach bar on the premises and clean, recently renovated surroundings.

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mark D.

Jacksonville, FL

2/7/2008

Great Florida Gulf Coast Hotel!

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