by Peter Roos
Bay Palms & Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resorts Steve Diossy Inspired Resorts
Located directly on the best beach in the USA … Plaza Beach Resorts is a collection of three award winning resorts; The Plaza Beach Hotel – Beachfront Resort, Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort, and Bay Palms Waterfront Resort – Hotel and Marina in which you can: “Stay at One Resort and Play at All Three.” | www.plazabeachresorts.com
Plaza Beach Hotel Beachfront Resort, 4506 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, was our cover story in February 2020 after they had finished a retro-remodel complete with an automatic cotton candy machine, a bathroom decorated entirely in pennies and a lobby replete with check-in desks made out of classic Chevrolets.
This issue, our cover story is about two related, boutique waterfront resorts which provide a different kind of barrier island escape than one gets staying on the sandy shore of TripAdvisor’s favorite beach, even though they are literally just across the street. It’s a more peaceful vibe on the still waters on the bay side. It’s a safer spot for visiting manatees and dolphin who feed here regularly and the large fish such as snook, grouper, yellowjack, speckled trout, flounder, and many more varieties attracted by the deep glow illuminating underwater lights. The resort owners have doubled down on the marine biology theme by branding their boutique Bay Palms Waterfront Resort and Marina & Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort–“Steve Diossy Inspired Resorts.”
Steve Diossy is a self-taught, Chicago-born marine artist whose art is all about good times, laughs and a laid-back coastal environment. His clever comical depictions of sea creatures are almost everywhere you look at these resorts. From the murals on the front walls facing Gulf Boulevard to just below the roofline, and in all the rooms.
Based in Vero Beach, on Florida’s east coast, Steve’s piece “Raw Bar,” depicting a marlin, a mahi-mahi, a grouper, and a blue crab enjoying drinks on the dock, was a launching pad that led Steve to start his own brand. The inspiration for “Raw Bar” was a weekend with three friends in the Florida Keys which was spent “in the water and at the bar.” Steve built on this, creating more art full of detail, recurring characters, and plenty of humor.
Another fan favorite, “Tito’s Cheers,” was created in collaboration with Tito’s Vodka and features some fun marine characters enjoying vodka-based drinks. Of his art, Steve says: “It’s always more about us than the fish. “I feel we are all fish out of water. As anyone who grew up in Florida knows, we all love being in and around the water. That’s definitely where I’m happiest!” Through his artwork, Steve reflects a great love of his community and natural surroundings. By frequently escaping to the beaches, he fuels his inspiration and endless desire to create vividly humorous and color-driven works of art. Steve’s art, as well as apparel and other fun products, can be found at his official gallery in Vero Beach, and other authorized retailers in Florida, as well as at www.SteveDiossy.com. All his art pieces, as well as stickers and logoed Tervis cups are available at the lobby of the Plaza Beach Hotel.
Bayview Plaza and Bay Palms Waterfront Resorts:
St. Pete Beach is a 6-mile-long island and these waterfront resorts are directly in the center of the island. Everything is within walking distance: grocery and drug store, restaurants, and shopping are just two blocks up the street. Activities such as deep-sea fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, dolphin cruises, sunset cruises and many different island cruises are available close by.
Public transportation abounds here; you really do not need a car. High speed SunRunner buses with a terminal nearby connect St. Pete Beach to Tropicana Field. The performing arts centers, museums, attractions, restaurants, and shopping in downtown St. Petersburg. A PSTA trolley is available to experience all that the Pinellas beach communities to the north have to offer. St. Pete Beach is served by FreeBee. Get the app and you can summon a free electric ride anywhere in the city. Taxis, Ubers and Free Beach Ride vans are available too.
Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort is an award-winning boutique resort of only seven suites located on a quiet inlet off Boca Ciega Bay just south and west of Belle Vista. All rooms have been completely renovated this year including all kitchens and bathrooms. Many rooms offer private balconies to take advantage of the fantastic views. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see dolphin, manatees as well as an amazing variety of seabirds and fish. Right next door, and also completely renovated this year, the Bay Palms Waterfront Resort – Hotel and Marina is an authentic Florida boutique resort. It fronts on busy Gulf Boulevard, but out back it is situated on a quiet cul-de-sac of Boca Ciega Bay. With one of the largest privately owned fishing piers in St. Petersburg at 1,500 square feet, guests enjoy great fishing, watch manatees and dolphins, and dock their boats onsite. With a beautiful pool overlooking the Boca Ciega Bay, Bay Palms Waterfront Resort is a perfect destination for relaxation, and only 200 feet from the sandy beach on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Bay Palms offers some of the largest rooms in town, from spacious studio apartments with kitchenettes to large one-bedroom apartment suites. Enjoy all of the amenities: fitness room, wireless internet, parking, BBQ area, and private fishing pier.
The Czyszczon family purchased their first property, the Plaza Beach Hotel in 1988, then in 2002 purchased the Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort, and in 2008 purchased the Bay Palms Waterfront Resort and Marina. The family is very active in the day-to-day operations, on property daily, and has a friendly staff ready to assist you with your authentic Florida vacation. Approved by AAA for Quality and Standards, these resorts received the Green Lodging seal from the state of Florida as well as Greenleader’s Gold Award from TripAdvisor for their efforts in conserving and recycling. Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless internet access. Complimentary self-parking and EV and Tesla charging are available onsite. As a guest of the Bayview Plaza and Bay Palms Waterfront Resorts, you will have full use of all the amenities at the Plaza Beach Hotel – Beachfront Resort including the private beach, large, heated pool overlooking the beach, beach chairs, beach towels, parking and many more amenities. See for yourself why so many people return to Plaza Beach Resorts year after year.
A true family friendly resort, “it’s our family providing other families a genuine and memorable family vacation, where there is something for everyone amongst our properties,” says proprietor Robert Czyszczon. Feel free to shop on any travel site, but for the guaranteed best rates visit PlazaBeachResorts.com. When you call about a stay at any of the Plaza Beach Resorts, please tell them you read about them in Paradise News. You will really enjoy the variety that comes with their offer, “Stay at One Resort and Play at All Three.”
Visit www.plazabeachresorts.com, email frontoffice@plazabeach.com or call toll-free 1-800-257-8998.
Amenities include:
- Heated Beachside and Bayside Pools
- Sugar White Private Beach filled with colorful Adirondack chairs.
- Free Morning Coffee in the lobby
- Daily Social Hour from 4-5pm with free beer and wine
- Mini-Golf, Ping Pong table • Pool table, Shuffleboard
- 1950s styled Cornhole boards
- Foosball Table, large size Connect Four
- Human Size Chess / Checkers Field
- Two world-class Beach Volleyball courts
- Chris’s Beach Bar (a local’s beach bar favorite)
- Beachside and Bayside BBQ grills
- Private Fishing Piers
- Fishing Poles available
- Automated Cotton Candy Machine
- Washer and Dryer on site
- Beach Cabanas available
- Parking for each hotel guest with Tesla and EV charging available
- Fitness Room Usage
- Wireless High-Speed Internet Access
- Completely renovated
- Blazing Fast 5ghz Wi-Fi
- Full kitchens
- Nonsmoking rooms
- 42- 65-inch LED Smart TVs
The opportunity to play on the beach and on Boca Ciega Bay is the sauce that make these two old Florida resorts special. The owners have packed lots of fun activities into all three of their resorts, and especially the Plaza Beach Hotel-Beachfront Resort on the sand. That is where you go to check-in for the Bay Palms and Bayview Plaza, so you have an opportunity to get a good look at it. These three smaller hotels have been updated as much as possible without losing the “old Florida feel.” Here are some 5-star online reviews from guests who loved it.
“Loved this place! Room was clean and had a cooktop stove, sink, full-size refrigerator, kitchen table and 2 chairs. The beds were extremely comfortable, and both had three pillows. Our room was on the bottom floor, and we literally walked right out to the water. Our view was the exact view that is on the website photo. There is a tiki bar on the beach that was so fun, and the bartender was great. Volleyball was being played on the beach daily. Everything on the grounds were clean and well-kept. The bathroom in the actual resort office is something everyone needs to see all the walls the floor and the ceiling are done in pennies and it’s absolutely beautiful the staff were amazing and easy to work with check in and out extremely easy. I will definitely be back to this resort! “
“Hidden Gem!!! Loved my stay at the Bay Palms! The rooms are quaint and pleasantly decorated. If you want a small kitchenette that is available. There is a beautiful deck overlooking a nice marina where you can sit and watch a beautiful sunrise or watch the manatees swimming! Check in was easy and the employees were very informative and helpful! I thoroughly enjoyed my stay!!! This is not a “fancy hotel” I would call this a hidden gem!!!”
7-NIGHT-DEALS-STEALS
The longer you stay, the more you save! See our best offers for your St. Pete Beach vacation.
PETS ARE PART OF THE FAMILY
The Bay Palms Waterfront Resort suites have been completely renovated, we’ll definitely have something for you and your best friend.
Plaza Beach Hotel Beachfront Resort
4506 Gulf Blvd St Pete Beach, Fl 33706
Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort
4321 Gulf Blvd St Pete Beach, Fl 33706
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort
4237 Gulf Blvd St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(800) 257-8998
www.plazabeachresorts.com