Sea Chest Motel

Upon first impression, the
two-story cream colored Sea Chest Motel looks like many of the other budget
contenders on this hotel-speckled strip of beachfront land. But looking past
its generic exterior, the Treasure Island property surprises with a lovely pool
area surrounded by manicured lawns, and plenty of palm trees and tropical plants
dotting the large courtyard area that overlooks the beach. The vibe is casual
and beachy, with funky, if a bit tacky, pirate and treasure statuettes
sprouting amid shrubs and bushes on the grounds as a nod to the motel’s name.The interiors are bland and dated,
though well-maintained and clean. The small office is comprised of not much
more than a front desk, wicker chairs, a bookshelf packed with beach reads, and
a computer station available for guest use. Direct beach access and a pool
patio filled with lounge chairs and shaded tables make this a popular choice
with leisure travelers looking for a beach vacation on a budget. Spacious
apartments and suites with full kitchenettes suit families and groups that are
attracted by the clean facilities and affordable rates, though dated furniture and patterned bedspreads are eyesores.

The Sea Chest Motel is located
right on Gulf Boulevard, a busy main road in Treasure, which lies between
Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach. The touristy area is full of many other
motels and hotels, with several restaurants and shops within walking distance
and a bus stop right in front of the motel. The property has direct access to a
lovely beach. St. Petersburg is 20 minutes away by car and the nearest airport,
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, is a half-hour drive away (15 miles).

The Sea Chest Motel has spacious rooms,
suites, and one-bedroom apartments. Decor is dated and lacks character, with
cheap patterned bedspreads, carpeted flooring, wicker furniture covered in
tropical prints, and tacky dolphin lamps, though rooms are clean and make
efficient use of space. Potted plants attempt to revive the spaces with fresh
bursts of green. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and either basic
or fully equipped kitchenettes. The suites and apartments can sleep up to seven
people and have full separate kitchens with full-sized fridges, stoves,
microwaves, coffeemakers, and toasters, as well as separate living rooms with
dining areas. Bathrooms are small and standard, with shower/tub combos,
hair dryers, and toiletries limited to soap bars. Entrances are from the outdoor
courtyard area overlooking the pool, and each unit has lounge chairs right
outside its door on the ground-level patio or balcony. Some rooms have
lackluster views over the parking lot, but many overlook the pool or beach.
Street-side rooms might be affected by traffic noise from the busy main road
outside, and some guests complain about noisy air-conditioning units.

The centerpiece of the Sea Chest Motel is its lovely pool located in the courtyard flanked by the three wings of
the building and bordered by the beach. The grounds are well-maintained, with
manicured lawns and bushes, tropical plants, and palm trees dotting the
property. The pool patio has several umbrella-shaded tables and chairs as well
as teal lounge chairs circling the pool. There is a Ping-Pong table as well as
shuffleboard courts, and the motel has a barbecue grill area available for
guest use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the
motel, and there is a computer and printer available in the office, though
printing comes at a charge. A small bookshelf is packed with various reads and
guests can use the on-site laundry facilities. The property lacks a dining area
or restaurant, and there is no breakfast available, though several restaurants
are within walking distance.