Barefoot Beach Resort

This is an older apartment complex that was built in the 1970s and later converted into vacation-rental condos. It consists of multiple pastel-colored two-story buildings with a pool and courtyard in the middle of the complex. The grounds are nicely kept, with trimmed shrubbery and palm trees throughout plus lamp posts illuminating the concrete paths winding through the property at night. There's not much in the way of indoor public areas, however, except for a small rental office decorated in pastels and with a single wicker chair. Guests tend to gather around the outdoor pool and grilling areas between the buildings. But the biggest draw is the beach -- it's just across the street, and is quiet and beautiful. The atmosphere at the resort is laid-back, relaxing, and homey. A sign in the office, for example, says, "If you're not barefoot, then you're overdressed." Barefoot Beach Resort mostly appeals to self-sufficient families and couples who want to prepare their own meals and enjoy the beach.

This resort is located on five acres overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and across the street from a Gulf of Mexico beach. Other hotels and condos surround the resort, and there are restaurants and cafes within walking distance, but otherwise it's all about the beach in this sleepy town. Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, where admission is free, is a three-minute drive from the resort. The beaches of Clearwater are about 25 minutes away, while St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach are a 30- to 40-minute drive. Tarpon Springs, a fun waterfront town that's a nice day trip, is about 45 minutes away, and Busch Gardens takes 50 minutes to reach by car. Orlando and its theme parks are a couple of hours away. For getting around the Indian Shores area, guests can take the Suncoast Beach Trolley, which has a stop nearby and comes by about every 30 minutes. A small fare is charged. Tampa and the Tampa International Airport are 40 minutes away, while St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is only 30 minutes away.

All accommodations are condos, with either one or two bedrooms and full kitchens. Because each unit is individually owned, decor varies and some are more pleasing than others. Most are sunny and bright, with a Florida-tropical look defined by wicker and white wood furnishings set about tile floors plus bright and pastel-color fabrics providing a few pops of color. All condos have modern, fully equipped kitchens with granite counters, cookware and dishes, and four-person dining areas. Living areas include sofa beds and TVs -- most are flat-screen, but some are tube style -- along with DVD players. Wi-Fi is free and all units are air-conditioned. Bathrooms are basic, with generous vanities and large glass-door walk-in showers, and some show signs of beach humidity such as mildew and water stains in the showers. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Some first-floor units have small patios with plastic furnishings and nice views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Keep in mind that there is no daily housekeeping service.

While the name may conjure visions of a sprawling seaside property with multiple dining venues and all manner of leisure activities, this is essentially an apartment building, with features to match. The outdoor pool is small, but it overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, and there's a large deck surrounding it with plenty of lounge chairs for relaxing poolside. The beach across the road is lovely, with a wide swath of white sand. A grilling area between the condo buildings is a shady place with benches and tables where guests can cook outdoors. A tiny laundry room provides a stacked washer and dryer unit for guests to use. A resort fee includes use of beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels, bottled water, use of bicycles, discount tickets to Busch Gardens, and beachfront fitness classes including yoga, Pilates, and Zumba. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort and there's a dock on-site for guests to tie their boats.