 |
|
The dates are Friday-Saturday, June 13-14 @ St. Pete Beach, FL at the TradeWinds Resort. At the moment, it looks like the cost for the reunion dinner/dance will be at $90 per person. For those of you flying, you can get to St. Pete Beach via the airport at St. Petersburg which is the closest airport, or you can fly into Tampa or Sarasota airports, which are about a 30 minute drive to St. Pete Beach.
The TradeWinds has two properties to stay at, they're about a quarter-mile apart, or as I was told, the Sandpiper is one traffic light north of the TradeWinds Island Grand Hotel. The Island Grand (family oriented) and the Sandpiper (adult oriented). Brenda and I will probably staying at the Island Grand. Rooms at both facilities are very nice and comparable; however, if you prefer not having to cope with screaming rug rats during your stay, then the Sandpiper is your best bet. One other thing, our reunion happens to be on father's day weekend, so I have no idea if there will be more or less kiddies to deal with. Both properties have an adults only pool, and guests at one property can visit and use the facilities at the other. The reunion festivities will be at the Island Grand Hotel because the banquet rooms are larger, and I believe there are more bars and restaurants too. Between the two properties, I believe they're only holding around 30-40 rooms, if that. They may be on the pricey side for some folks, but it still is a decent discount we're getting -- much better than a government or AAA rate. Tell the reservationists that you're with the Hialeah High School 40 year reunion - class of '68 for the discounted rate below. Of course, you can stay at other nearby hotels and motels; however, if you do stay elsewhere and drive to the Island Grand, there is a $15.00 parking fee per night. Hopefully there may be public parking nearby. I just got an email from one of our classmates, she advised she was only able to get one night at the discounted rate and the other night at 10% off. I'm sure the AAA or government rate is better than 10% off. In any event, if you're planning on staying at the TradeWinds, call group reservations right away and check on both properties -- the Island Grand (which is where all of the festivities are going to be held) and the Sandpiper, down the street from the Island Grand.
The discounted group rates at our Island Grand and Sandpiper Resorts are: Island Grand Resort: Standard Hotel/Parlor Rooms @ $160.00 per room, per night, based on availability; Tropical Hotel Rooms @ $175.00 per room, per night, based on availability; Gulf-Front Parlor Rooms @ $185.00 per room, per night, based on availability; Standard One Bedroom Suites @ $190.00 per room, per night, based on availability; and Tropical One Bedroom Suites @ $205.00 per room, per night, based on availability. The Sandpiper Resort: Courtyard Hotel Rooms @ $150.00 per room, per night, based on availability; Courtyard One Bedroom Suites @ $175.00 per room, per night, based on availability; and Gulf-Front One Bedroom Suites @ $205.00 per room, per night, based on availability. All sleeping rooms are subject to a $20.00 Resort Fee and 12% tax. There is also a nightly Resort Amenity Fee $20.00 which covers parking; daily coffee/local newspaper; use of fitness center; local and toll free calls; beach cabana, water trykes, and paddleboats; sunset celebrations and more. You can visit the TradeWinds web site at: www.justletgo.com and click onto the virtual tour of the rooms, and click onto the room amenities to see what you're getting for your money. Their addresses are 5400 and 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. The toll free number for Reservations is: 800-360-4016, ask for group reservations. If two or more of you, or couples want to try to get a room next to or as close as possible to one another, ask for Roxanne in group reservations.
Presently, we're planning an informal get-together at one of the resort's bar or gathering areas for Friday night. I suspect the majority of folks will be coming in on Friday. Saturday evening/night will be the reception for an hour or so, followed by the dinner, dancing and whatever after that -- I'm thinking from 6 p.m to midnight. As soon as I finalize with all of the vendors involved, I'll be sending out another bulk email to everyone with the final cost per person, due dates for deposits/payments for the reunion reception, dinner and dance. Actually, the last vendor we're trying to lock up is a photgrapher and/or videographer. If any of you fit that description or know someone who does this kind of thing and would like to be our official memory maker please let me know.
Bill Burns
|