Opal Sol

Those fresh cookies on our floor each day became something we looked forward to. The whole stay felt peaceful, almost like being on a cruise, and we had a balcony view stretching along the beach toward the pier. There was lots of room for our luggage, and the room was very clean. We had great meals at Toast, Drift, and the Cafe, and the service was excellent. With beachfront access, an enclosed walkway to the opal sands amenities, and three pools, my family and I had the best time here. Five stars across the board.

The parts of Opal Sol that stood out most were the immaculate grounds, the spacious Executive King Suite, and the huge balcony. The panoramic Gulf views and sunsets were beautiful, and the three pools plus a jacuzzi gave us room to relax even when it was busy. The resort is exceptionally well maintained and, to me, one of Clearwater's most beautiful properties. Drift was a different story. Service moved very slowly, even though there was no wait to be seated and the dining room seemed to have a normal number of guests. We arrived about 45 minutes before closing. Staff kept saying they were busy, and with people arriving after us, it felt like they weren't especially keen to seat us. The hospitality there didn't match what we experienced elsewhere at the resort. My steak came out completely raw in the middle. I usually order medium rare, but this wasn't close, and even our waiter seemed surprised. They did take it back, but it added to an already uneven meal. I was also surprised that room service stops at 10 p.m. After an evening out, having a late snack delivered would have been convenient. The snack shelf on each floor was regularly restocked, though, and we appreciated that thoughtful touch. The room itself was beautiful, roomy, and elegant, and the views and pool facilities were fantastic. I'd return for the property, cleanliness, and accommodations, but the food service and limited late-night options kept the stay from being the five-star experience it might have been.

The balcony looked out over a breathtaking view, and spending time there was so relaxing. We had the best weekend celebrating our anniversary, and were grateful to enjoy a place that felt almost like the top of the world. The resort and staff were welcoming, beautiful, classy, and fun throughout our stay. The location was unmatched, with easy access to pretty much anything we'd want to visit. The pool, restaurants, service, cleanliness, amenities, atmosphere, and people were all great. We're already looking forward to coming back :)

The bartenders made the stay especially welcoming. Vera was so friendly, and I really appreciated that. The hotel has a peaceful, upscale feel, with a great beach location and amazing ocean views. My room was clean, stylish, and comfortable. I had a wonderful time and will definitely come back.