The Sandpearl Resort Opens on Clearwater BeachBy c.j. pollick
CLEARWATER - At a cost of over $10-million, the 253 room Sandpearl Resort opened for business on Monday. With plenty of white-sand beach, 203 hotel rooms, 50 condominium units, wireless Internet, large pool, spa, gym, 33 off-site boat slips, two restaurants, and a host of special services, the Sandpearl Resort hopes to receive the areas first five-star hotel rating. Located where the popular Clearwater Beach Hotel once stood, the Sandpearl became another JMC Communities of St. Petersburg highrise development project on Clearwater Beach. With the completion of the Sandpearl Resort, JMC plans to begin development of the old Holiday Inn Sunspree on South Clearwater Beach. Due to the state-of-affairs of the nation real estate market and mortgage loan rate issues, completion of the Sandpearl Resort is a most welcomed sight on Clearwater Beach. It is hoped that within the next few years at least two other Clearwater Beach hotels can be completed. With room rates ranging from a low of about $160 and reaching a high of $1,000 a night, the Sandpearl expects to attract the "upscale" hotel market where organizations could host special events and weddings in their spacious meeting-room spaces. The main ballroom has been appropriately named The Hunter Ballroom after the previous owners (Hunter family) of the Clearwater Beach Hotel. General Manager of the Sandpearl is Stuart Arp of Coral Hospitality of Naples, a professional hotel management firm that manages about 35 other projects. For the many local residents and visitors that recall the old Clearwater Beach Hotel's ornate wooden bar, you can find this wonderful refurbished bar at the beachside Tate Island Grille. According to one employee of the 250 resort employees, Mike Cheezum did a spectacular job on this hotel and refused to cut corners. He was very particular about everything that went into the project." Two large chandeliers hang in the oversized hotel lobby with historic pictures tastefully placed on the walls reminding visitors of Clearwater Beach's history. Yes, even the historic old hotel dinner-bell was cleaned and now proudly hangs outside by the spacious pool over area with a rope that could be pulled to remind some folks of those wonderful yester-years on Clearwater Beach. Looking for the next special place for a wedding or party? Try Clearwater Beach's newest hotel - The Sandpearl Resort. |