Sandpiper or Camaron Cove for hard to entertain relatives?

[donnaval]

We will be spending a week at Camaron Cove in Indian Rocks Beach followed by a week and Sandpiper Beach Club (in January, can't wait!) Anyway, we feel obligated to invite sister-in-law and hubby to spend a few days with us at one place or the other. They never do anything on their own at all--and I mean they do nothing but stay home, never go out to eat, have no hobbies, never go on vacation. They do go back home to Italy every couple of years but when they go all they do is sit in one relative's house or another, they never "tour" Italy. They really love it when we invite them to spend some vacation time with us.

The problem is, we can only handle spending a few days with them, and it's best if those days involve some sightseeing or activities that 70-year-olds can participate in. We'd go crazy just doing beach time with them.

Does anyone have experience with both locations? Pros and cons about the resorts, or advantages of one area over the other?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[caribbean]

Both resorts are very nice. I own at Sandpiper and love the beach there, but Cameron Cove is in a nice location as well. Neither resort is going to have any type of activities. Good restaurants in both locals. Maybe closer drive to things to do in Tampa & St Pete from Cameron Cove. Several musuems in Tampa, Busch Gardens, baseball at Tropicana Field in ST Pete, hockey in Tampa. Several hour drive over to Orlando and all it has to offer. Nice mall for shopping in Tampa at International Mall. Outlet shopping in Ellenton which is closer to Sandpiper. What kinds of things do they like and maybe we can give some more specific ideas.

 

[donnaval]

Thanks for the info! We usually vacation on the east coast so this is going to be new for us, too. It sounds like either place will present us with lots of options. We don't usually participate in too many resort activities and like to get out and about.

As to what the in-laws like to do....er, well, nothing. What I mean is, they are totally, utterly and completely devoted and involved in the lives of their children (all 40ish) and grandchildren. They have no social life outside of family get-togethers. It is like pulling teeth to get them to go out to eat because they only eat at home and they only eat what my SIL learned to cook when she was growing up in Italy--it was interesting explaining the menu to them on a cruise we took with them lol. My sister-in-law would much rather cook for everyone than go out for a meal. My brother-in-law is only interested in family and comparing everything he sees to the way things were in Italy 50 years ago (the US always falls short, sigh). Couple all that with an almost 20-year age difference, spending extended periods of time with them is always a challenge!

But having said all that, they seem to let loose a little and relax when we are able to talk them into going away for a few days. They will go along with anything we suggest doing and they have FUN! They spend the next year or so telling their children what a good time they had. So we do like to get them out of their shells once in a while.

They are still highly skeptical of the whole timeshare scene, despite having been on several nice trips with us.

 

[JLB]

Sandpiper . . . but your relatives will probably still be hard to entertain.

We are checking in 1/12. If you are there the same week, maybe I can do shadow characters with my hands for them.

 

[Vodo]

Have recenty stayed at both resorts and absolutely, without a doubt, prefer The Sandpiper. Siesta Key's beaches have the most wonderful powder-white sand (the beach at Camaron Cove is darker and shelly), and for a nominal one-time fee for the week, the resort will put out a reserved umbrella or small cabana for you each morning and take it down each evening. There are plenty of complimentary chairs awaiting you right on the beach (you have to provide your own at Camaron Cove). The Sandpiper's location is very convenient to shopping and restaurants (just a hop, skip and a jump over a little bridge, there are plenty of eateries and shopping centers). At both resorts, the units are large and fairly well maintained for older properties. The only downside at The Sandpiper is that you won't likely have a beach view from your balcony unless you get one of the gulf front units (whatever RCI shows is the unit will be assigned; they do not juggle their units at either resort). Once we reconciled ourselves to the lack of a beach view, we discovered it didn't matter that much. While we could see the beach from our unit at Camaron Cove, the sunset was blocked by the building on the side we were on, so it didn't overly enhance our stay anyhow.

Both are nice resorts and we would happily return to either, but The Sandpiper is far and above superior for us.

Cindy

 

[rapmarks]

If you look at my post yesterday on the Longboat Key thread, you will see I have listed several things to do in siesta Key area. (too lazy to repost)

 

[gretel]

I stay in both areas pretty often. While the beach is better in the Siesta Key area, I think there is much more to do in the Tampa area.

One day at Busch Gardens will wear out your guests! Reserve the Serengeti Dining Safari and you'll have them talking about the experience for years to come.

Another trip to the Dali museum followed by dinner at Columbia's and you are finished with day two.

The last day could be a day of shopping with dinner and racing at the Derby Lane greyhound track.

There are your three fun-filled days (and your week on the beach in Siesta Key left unspoiled).

 

[donnaval]

Thanks so much everyone! Darn JLB, we will be there the week of 1/26 so can't take advantage of the shadow character show, which would have without a doubt tipped the scales toward the Sandpiper (esp. if you could do an Italian crane which I will be told is a far superior bird to the common Florida kind).

I will definitely look into all of those great suggestions. With so much to do I won't have to worry about those three days of my vacation.

(gretel--lol! thanks for that:hysterical: )

 

[rapmarks]

the crane is the Florida state bird, the building crane that is.

 

[JLB]

That's funny, and I'm glad to see the laziness thing passed.

the crane is the Florida state bird, the building crane that is.

 

[anne1125]

Gretel, the Serengeti Dining Safari is pretty expensive. Is it worth the price? How long did the entire thing take? $122 for 2 people seems a lot.

Thanks.

Anne

 

[Laurie]

Gretel, the Serengeti Dining Safari is pretty expensive. Is it worth the price? How long did the entire thing take? $122 for 2 people seems a lot.

Anne, I checked earlier this morning too because we'll be down thataway in January, and it does sound interesting but expensive - the $122 doesn't include park admission, so that's another $110 for 2, = $232.

The safari part is only 30 minutes, just do a mouse-over on "Things to know before you go". As part of this package, the safari you go on is at 1 pm. Then you get a certificate to use at the restaurant anytime during your park stay.

Or, you can just sign up for the safari at $34/ person (plus park admission).

At least, that's what I gathered. We might decide to do it, but more likely we'll wait til we work out a trip to South Africa game park! (that's our maintenance fee for a whole week at Dikhololo...)

 

[anne1125]

Laurie, we may just do the safari for less money and eat elsewhere.

Anne

 

[JimJ]

Tarpon Springs, FL is about 15 miles north of Cameron Cove (30-45 min drive). It is a Greek community with lots of good Greek restaurants. With the Italian background of your relatives this might be an enjoyable day trip for them.

 

[gretel]

I did the safari and dinner at the restaurant separate. It was less expensive and well worth it!

The safari brings you right into the Serengeti with plenty of food to feed the animals. It was memorable. The restaurant has a great view and the food is ok. FYI: If you don't book the safari in advance you run the risk of them selling out for the day.