The Saint Hotel

We ended up at The Saint after an Air BnB fell through at the last minute, and Randy quickly helped us book the right room at a great price. He was professional and cheerful throughout. They have a pool, hot tub, restaurant, and the beach is just steps away. Bikes, coolers, umbrellas, beach chairs, water, ice, and luggage help are complimentary. The place is clean, with comfortable beds and good linens. We liked the open-air sunset views and very good food at 82 Degrees. There’s also a great Italian bakery around the corner, plus amazing sandwiches and flat breads nearby. The stay felt intimate and laid back, with all the amenities. Take the ferry from Fort DeSoto to Shell Key for a taste of Florida’s beauty.

The attached 82 Degrees was a real highlight. I highly recommend the “Firecracker Roll” and “She Toxic Roll”. The area is easy to explore on foot, with bars and restaurants nearby, and parking was free. At Upham Park Beach we played volleyball on the great sand, though there were no boundary lines. We met some high-level players, had mimosas at Paradise Grill, then cooled off in the ocean. The staff were friendly and attentive from the start, and the amenities were impressive: free bike rentals with a lock, plus a wagon with a boogie board, umbrella, towel, and cooler with ice. We also grabbed beers at the front office to take along. Our room was a bit humid, and the memory foam bed in the master bedroom felt somewhat damp, so we switched to the pull-out couch and turned off the AC to sleep drier. The hot tub wasn’t working, and the cornhole bags were worn and not really usable. I’d recommend it for a younger group without kids looking for good value for the cost.

Randy, who oversees things and keeps the place looking special, was kind and responsive. We realized at bedtime that we didn’t have a flat sheet, texted him, and got one within 10 or 15 minutes. The attached restaurant was also a treat: we had two free drink tickets for each night, and the drinks and food were very good. The place has a relaxed, fun personality, with games, blow ups, and bikes you can use during your stay. We spotted nanday parakeets several times, the first wild ones we’d seen. We stayed in two different rooms, each with its own character, and both were clean and easy to relax in. We hadn’t known the area when booking, only that it was by the beach. The town was recovering from a hurricane, and not all businesses were open, though the ones we found were very nice. I might have hesitated if I’d driven past The Saint without knowing what it was like, and if I’d known about the damage I may not have booked. I’m glad we did, because the stay was fabulous: nice rooms, outdoor activities, conversations with other guests, restaurants we could walk to, and a beautiful beach about a five-minute walk away.

Randy welcomed us when we arrived on January 1st and made a lovely first impression. We stayed through the 4th and had a wonderful visit. The rooms were very clean, comfortable, and beautifully furnished. We enjoyed both the hotel and the restaurant, and the staff gave attentive, excellent service throughout. We can’t wait to return.