RumFish Beach at TradeWinds

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what really gets me about RumFish Beach? It’s one of those places that actually lives up to its name – and honestly, that’s rarer than you’d think on Gulf Boulevard. I mean, this whole stretch of St. Pete Beach can feel pretty cookie-cutter sometimes, but TradeWinds managed to create something that feels genuinely different here.

The first thing that hits you isn’t even the beach access (though that’s obviously fantastic) – it’s walking into the lobby and seeing this massive 33,500-gallon aquarium that’s basically the centerpiece of everything. I know, I know, it sounds gimmicky when you read about it online, but when you’re actually standing there watching grouper and snapper swim around while you’re checking in… well, it works. The kids obviously lose their minds over it, but honestly, I found myself stopping to watch the fish every time I walked through. There’s something weirdly calming about it, especially after a long day dealing with beach crowds and Gulf Boulevard traffic.

What really sold me on this place though is how they’ve managed the whole beach situation. Look, St. Pete Beach gets absolutely packed during season – we’re talking shoulder-to-shoulder chaos from February through April. But RumFish guests get this dedicated beach area that feels way more civilized than the public stretches near the Don CeSar or down toward Pass-a-Grille. The sand’s that perfect sugar-white stuff you expect from this part of Florida, and the water’s usually pretty calm since you’re on the Gulf side. Plus, and this is key – the beach bar actually makes decent drinks. Not those watered-down tourist traps you get at some places, but real cocktails that don’t make you wince.

The rooms themselves are solid – nothing revolutionary, but they’ve got that coastal vibe down without going overboard on the nautical theme. Good AC (crucial in Florida summers), and most importantly, the soundproofing actually works. Gulf Boulevard can get pretty noisy with all the beach traffic, but I barely noticed it from the third floor. Parking’s handled well too, which is honestly half the battle at beach hotels – you’re not circling around looking for a spot after every dinner run.

I’ll be straight with you though – this isn’t the fanciest place on the beach. The Don CeSar down the road has more old-school glamour, and some of the newer builds have flashier amenities. But there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about RumFish that I really appreciated. The staff seems to genuinely enjoy working there (always a good sign), and they know the area well enough to point you toward the good local spots instead of just the obvious tourist traps.

If you’re planning a visit, try to avoid the absolute peak of spring break if you can – even the best beach hotels get a little chaotic then. But pretty much any other time, RumFish strikes this nice balance between being lively enough to feel like a vacation but chill enough that you can actually relax. That’s harder to find than you’d think, especially somewhere with this much personality.