The Tradewinds is not impressive as you pull into the drive, but beyond the lush landscaping is a beautiful resort with upscale amenities. We arrived prior to check-in time, so our room was not yet ready but we were given temporary passes to use the amenities. The resort is large and hosts an adult pool, a shaded pool 2 other pools and at least 3 hot tubs. Cabanas and beach towels are complimentary. There are at least 3 restaurants of varying levels of formality, a Tiki Bar and a pizza and ice cream kiosk. There are several complimentary activities and lots of activities available for additional charges. There was plenty of activities for children. The room was clean and updated, with a kitchen area of a sink, microwave and refrigerator. There is a spa onsite. The beach and resort are clean, and the staff was friendly, approachable and professional. There are restaurants, gas stations and a grocery store near the resort. Tradewinds offered a great experience for my family. The only warnings to offer are that there is a resort fee tacked onto the room rate that doesn't appear to offer much in the way of value; and, local residents can use the pools and resort amenities and some demonstrated drunken behavior and disregard for hotel guests.

We were lucky to find availability. The place is dated, from an earlier era of resorts. It served us quite well.

From our first greeting at the resort's front desk to our goodbye at checkout, our experience with the Beachcomber was nothing but blissful. The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. The maid service was friendly and dependable,and the front desk offered a great resource for everything we needed. In addition, charming and lively Jimmy B's was a delightful surprise, offering good food and beverage and a view of the sunsets that took our breath away. The daily live entertainment was a great bonus and offered a lot of fun! Watch for the resort staff as they bike the food from the main restaurant to beachside - so quaint! The pools were spotless too. Our room had a fridge and walk-in closet that we used as a dressing area - handy! The rooms are plain and basic, but clean. We would definetely go back!

The Safety Harbor area itself is awesome - it's convenient to Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and Clearwater. If you're there on the 3rd Friday of the month they throw a little street fair on the main drag that really gives it a much more "dressed down" feeling that the town typically has otherwise (it's a bit "pinkies up" here) The Spa is nice - the grounds are beautiful, and the staff is very nice. The rooms are certainly adequate, but not as upscale as the "spa" or "resort" moniquers would intimate. But then - you're in Florida, what are you sitting in a hotel room? The "feel" of the hotel is succumbing to the tough economy - there is clearly reduced staff from the last visit, and while we were there daily newspaper service ceased. The "room rate + daily resort fee" is somewhat ridiculous - NO hotel should charge a fee that sounds optional when it totally isn't. There was a time when you could pay extra to use the facilities IF YOU WANTED TO - but now you pay regardless of your desire. IMO - charge me a room rate and be done with it. What's next - a towel or sheet fee? Last time we were here at least one (if not all?) of the pools were springwater fed - this meant no chlorine! Now, all 3 pools have chlorinated water - and TONS of it at that (I only swam once in the outdoor pool and it was cloying - could not swim again) The (cheap) rooms are definitely showing their age. Tube TVs, ancient and ailing fixtures in the sinks and tub, worn carpets, etc. Some areas of the resort are looking quite trodden, and my guess is that they're on the verge of some major renovations - or they may face a declining client profile. Then there's the guests. Because this facility is now offering "bargains", it's attracting bargain clientele. There's no way to state that without sounding a little elitist, but that's the fact - there are more "NASCAR types" than there are "Wallstreet types" than the last time we visited - and it clearly shows in the overall experience. If you're looking for a quiet (and smoke free) "resort getaway" this may not be your best bet. I watched a neighbor smoking on his lanai throw a butt right onto his neighbors lanai. Nice. One of the biggest disappointments was the non-stop light rock soundtrack at the pool, and the fact that the pool was both smoking and drinking (with no apparent concern over the use of glass). Again, if you love Cancun because it's a party town, you'll love it here. If you don't care to hear non-stop music, with people in various stages of intoxication screaming conversation over said music, you will likely not be using the pool area. Anywhere that mixes kids, smoking, and drinking is "doing it wrong" in my book. But that's as bad as it gets - the spa and facilities remain awesome, and the town is simply charming. Great places to dine and take in local color can be found at The Athena (early risers will appreciate the 6 AM opening time) and The Paradise, and while The Whistle Stop grill is only outdoor seating and looks quite casual, the food simply must be tried. The carnitas tacos are SUPERB, and the black beans and rice were quite possibly some of the best I've ever had. The grouper sammich is also notable. If you need energy some afternoon stop in and grab a triple berry smoothie. There plenty of parking all over the place, but the resort does get full on weekends as they host numerous activities. On weekends the hotel itself has performers in the front courtyard, and those we saw were quite accomplished. Great way to wind down a busy Friday or Saturday. The town now boasts chain venues in a Starbucks and a Cold Stone Creamery - so if overpaying for mediocre coffee and ice cream are your thing you're totally covered. There is also a Crispers, which is run by Publix (home of the greatest deli sammich in the known universe - the Boar's Head Ultimate on multi-grain!) - it's dress-down dining but it's not bad at all.

The desk staff was very welcoming. They gave us discount certificates to use at the bar and we made good use of those. The bar staff and all staff were very nice. We liked the room. It was big and just right for a getaway by the water. Everything was clean and the place looked like a resort rather than a motel. We enjoyed the free breakfast at the restaurant but dined elsewhere for our other meals. I would like to try dinner at the restaurant, it has a lovely view. Next time. Dunedin has a lot to offer if you don't need a beach.