Thunderbird Beach Resort

We had a really good time for our anniversary, which falls on the Fourth of July. The live music and fireworks on the beach were fun, and the place felt kid-friendly without people getting rowdy or obnoxiously drunk. The hotel is old and repairs were underway, but the construction didn’t disturb us. The rooms were clean, updated, and very nice. It is a bit expensive for an older place, and the walk to the beach felt long. We still made lovely memories. At first, we thought we might have to leave. Even with a month-ahead booking for a gulf-front room, or any room, it seemed to be first come, first served, and we worried our reservation might not be honored. Our ground-floor room also opened onto a public walkway with chairs by the bar, so there was no privacy. I told Precious at the front desk it was our anniversary and asked for a balcony room. She listened and moved us to an efficiency at no extra cost.

There’s a reason people return year after year. We’ve been coming to the Thunderbird for 17 years, always booking the same rooms, and we’ve never had a bad stay. The staff make you feel like family and are always willing to go above and beyond. Cupcake at the bar is loving and welcoming, and Tiffany has always made sure we had everything we needed. I’ve watched the place change into what feels like my second home. It keeps its vintage look while still feeling modern, which makes it so homey. I’d give it ten stars if I could.

Our long weekend was fantastic, and we’ll likely come back. The hotel is having some work done, so things felt a bit hectic, but it was still a nice place to stay. The mini-split AC units weren’t very effective, and we were warm even overnight. My main other complaint was the pool: by the end of the day, I could see quite a bit of scum floating on it.

We had a great time and plan to return. The friendly staff, our suite by the beach and pool, and the live entertainment each day all added to the fun. We enjoyed the music, which went on until around 11 each night. There were two pools, a hot tub, and other things to do, too. The room was clean, and we didn’t see any bugs. We’d booked a regular room and got upgraded to a suite. It felt like a step back in time at an updated retro motel. One thing to watch for with third-party bookings: instead of a refundable deposit, there’s a motel fee that you don’t get back.