After weeks of waiting for Spring Break flight prices to drop, we finally found some decent award bookings for a Delta flight to Ft. Lauderdale. While we prefer the west coast of Florida, we never turn down an opportunity to visit Hollywood since one of our favorite restaurants is always an enticement: GG’s Waterfront - try their Cioppino soup! Mmmm - delicious.

Well, 2 days before take off the 2023 Historic Fort Lauderdale flooding event starts and we start figuring out what to do. Obviously, heading into a flood zone will not be vacation worthy. After more time making cancellations and finding another option, we luckily find an Allegiant Air flight into PIE airport in St Pete, Florida.

We start off in Treasure Island at a new Opal Resort called the Treasure Island Beach Resort. With condo-like options with kitchens and multiple bedrooms, this was a great beach front location to give us the resort feel of a true vacation. With 2 balcony’s, great views, a beach front pool, and terrific tiki bar near the beach path - the 2 nights we stayed here was fantastic.

Just to get a little change of scenery, we moved on to The Westin in Sarasota for some rooftop scenes. The rooftop bar (excellent cocktails), pool and views are fantastic here. Free shuttle to Lido beach, St. Armands Circle and downtown was very convenient - especially in high traffic times. Arm bracelet room key is highly appreciated - especially in beach locations.

We enjoyed 3 totally different meal experiences in Sarasota but they were all sooooo delicious.

1. Juicy Seafood - casual seafood in a bucket - don’t let the shopping plaza location fool you. If you don’t mind wearing a bib and gloves to tear apart your seafood, this place is so good.
2. Shore St. Armands - layered cobb salad and a grapefruit martini late lunch after beach time was refreshing and filling.
3. Element - Steak & seafood - excellent service, a lot of local regulars at the bar and the steak was perfect.

Links in this article:

• https://ggswaterfront.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Fort_Lauderdale_floods#:~:text=A%20historic%20flash%20flood%20event,fell%20in%20nearby%20Dania%20Beach.
• https://www.opalcollection.com/treasure-island/
• https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/srqwi-the-westin-sarasota/overview/
• https://juicyseafoodsarasota.kwickmenu.com/
• https://www.dineshore.com/
• https://www.elementsrq.com/