Bayside Inn Pinellas Park - Clearwater

I’m happy with the room, especially for the price. It’s roomy, has lots of storage, and the mini fridge has a good amount of space plus a freezer. I haven’t seen any bed bugs or roaches. The pool looked big and clean, there’s a kids’ play area, and Freedom Lake Park and Walmart are both within walking distance. There’s also a restaurant on site, and they take pets with an outdoor area for them. It seems to have a little of everything. The weekly rate is a particularly good deal. You do have to pay a $50 deposit at check-in, but you get it back when you check out. The online reviews made me wary, so I’m glad I came anyway. It could be cleaner, though I usually clean my own room wherever I stay.

The room my friend was staying in was disturbing, and the bathroom power and sink area kept shutting off and needing a reset. There was trash around the parking lot and pool, and I didn’t see any staff the whole time I was there. I was only visiting, but I saw children of different ages running around without supervision, with a highway less than 100 feet away. There was also a drug odor everywhere while the kids were running around. Absolutely crazy. Florida should take a closer look at the license issued to this establishment.

Housekeeping never came during our two-day stay, not even to clean or replace towels. When I raised the problems with the front desk, they wouldn’t refund us or move us to another room. Be warned, the place has a no-refund policy, so once you check in, you won’t get your money back. The room itself was nasty: stained sheets with cigarette holes, two roaches in the bathroom, a disgusting clogged tub, and a supposed non-smoking room that smelled like an ashtray. You’d be better off on the sidewalk. There are better hotels on this street if you look around. Don’t waste your money.

I spent over $900 for 12 days and ended up feeling stuck because I’d booked a nonrefundable stay. The website makes the place look fabulous, so don’t be fooled. My first room smelled like a dog kennel and bathroom, almost enough to make me gag, so I asked the office for a different one. There were no hangers, and the manager was unfriendly and made me feel unwelcome. They also charge a $50 deposit that they say won’t be returned until three weeks after checkout. If I’d known how nasty it was, I would’ve paid extra to stay elsewhere. Never again, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Book somewhere else.