Belleview Inn: An Elegant and Historic Hotel
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This historic hotel is the epitome of elegance and romance from the moment you pass the security guard entrance. For the first time ever, I was able to surprise my husband with a hotel stay to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. If the photos alone don’t convince you to stay here, let me tell you why you should.
Our journey starts with what you first see as soon as you get through the security gate. Security is high because there are also many gorgeous mansions (to me) and condominiums that people have purchased to retire and/or just soak in the beauty of the surroundings of the golf course and the Gulf of Mexico sea breeze.
The Lobby
The lobby is absolutely stunning with the sounds of the self-playing piano in the background. The chandelier entrance exudes romance. To really appreciate everything this historic hotel offers, make sure to read all about the historical significance Belleview Inn has had on Belleair and Clearwater, FL. Many famous people have stayed at this beautiful Victorian style hotel, including past presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.
The Outdoors
Surrounded by lush green grounds and manicured palm trees, the outdoors is breathtaking. With the sun shining and the fresh sea breeze, you can’t help but just want to lounge by the swimming pool and soak up the rays. At the end of the day, the hot tub is the perfect way to wind down. There is no access to the beach from the Belleview Inn, but they have a sister property nearby that you can park at and enjoy the beach for the entire day.
Classic Junior Suite
I actually booked a guest room and when we arrived, they had upgraded us to a classic junior suite at no extra charge. I was very pleasantly surprised! Our room was clean, organized, and well stocked with all the essentials.
Since we were celebrating our anniversary, we had a bottle of sparkling cider delivered to us. They were going to deliver champagne, but since we don’t drink they offered us this. It’s a nice gesture when a hotel recognizes your special occasion. Make sure you mention when you reserve your room if you’re celebrating something. By the way, the bathrobe is luxuriously soft & comfortable! It’s not yours to keep, but if you fall in love with it, ask about it at the front desk.
In the morning between 6:00-6:30am (don’t worry they won’t wake you up), they will deliver to every guest a basket with a few goodies. In our basket there was one crisp red apple, one croissant with a packet of butter, and one orange juice. There are also two complimentary water bottles already in the room.
The Indoors / Guided Tour
I would highly suggest that if you stay here, you make time for the complimentary guided historical tour. This gentleman was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much about the hotel. The times of the tour were 10:00am and 2:00pm and it ran about 1 hour. Check with the front desk when you arrive for times because this could change.
This ballroom is gorgeous with some preserved authentic Tiffany stained glass panels on the ceiling. This room would make a fantastic wedding reception area. Therefore, making this another reason why this hotel is historic and elegant.
Morton’s Reading Room is dedicated to the the men who started it all. Henry Plant and his son, Morton Plant, were responsible for revolutionizing the development of Florida with the railway system and much more. A lot of this history is explained by taking the complimentary guided tour as explained above. This room houses many photos of famous people and many memorabilia items you can view as well as a video you can watch about the hotel.
This iconic hotel has a lot to offer. From its beautiful architectural design, glamorous indoors, and pristine attention to historical detail, you will love staying here for your next vacation, honeymoon, event, or like we did – a staycation. There is no doubt that this historic and elegant hotel is the epitome of romance from the moment you pass the security guard entrance.
Make sure to visit more of my hotel reviews in Florida!
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