After planning our family vacation for 6 months, we were thrilled with the Alden Resort....the pictures on their website do not do it justice! The landscaping was beautiful and had a tropical feel...we also felt secluded from neighboring hotels...we stayed in the Antigua Suite, ground floor and it was perfect for us...we have a 3 and 6 year old and were able to watch them and enjoy a cocktail at the Cabana Bar (conveniently located next to the playground....someone had a great idea when planning that!) the beach was awesome (it helped we had perfect weather) and very close to the resort...went to Busch Gardens one day (discount tickets at the front desk) and enjoyed that immensely...although came to about $300 for the day....There's a zoo and aquarium in Tampa we will do next year instead. The front desk people were great and housekeeping very efficient...they even cleaned at a certain time so our daughter could nap in the afternoon. We found the pools to be clean and not crowded,even with the hotel filled to capacity. All in all, it was a fabulaous vacation and we can't wait for next year!!

It was our sixth year at the Alden and once agian we were welcomed and happy to return. Our children felt like it was there own beach house.But on the night before our departure I had to put my two cents in. You see we were joking with friends we met and from where I was sitting I saw one of the castodians dismatling the volley ball net. Two young kids,between the age 11-14 well they were throwing a frisbee to each other. In a split second one of them ACCIDENTLY hit this man in the head. He was so upset that he threw all the gear in his hands to the ground and started screeming at these kids. We let it go for a while,but he was not giving up.Unfortunatly I went over to him and opened my big mouth,I didn't think we would be band never to return to one of our favorite resorts.Needless to say hotel managment did not want to hear our side and told us (my family which includes an 11,8 and 4 year old)to find other accomidations for the remainder of our vacation, which we did and we are happy to say we found another favorite beach house in St. Pete.

We just got back from our week at the Alden (4/23/05 - 4/30/05) and we all had a great time. We stayed in Building 1 in the Cayman Suite that overlooked the ocean. Waking up to that ocean view was great. The room was very clean, good sized and had plenty of room for all our clothes. We requested a non-smoking room and that's what we got. Everyone who worked there was very helpful, our rooms were cleaned every day and we always had plenty of towels. The kids had a great time and we felt comfortable letting them run between the beach and the heated pool. We went with a couple other families and the six kids ages ran from 10 to 14. We also bought a couple beach chairs at Walmart (much cheaper than renting them). There are plenty of restaurants around the Alden. One of the best ones we went to was called Cody's (very children friendly). It was about 20 minutes from the Alden. Their steaks are the best (we went there twice to eat...couldn't get enough)! We would definitely go back to the Alden Beach Resort. I researched many hotels before we decided on the Alden and we were not disappointed.

April 17-21, 2005 school vacation break with 3 other families and their kids (ages ranged from 5 to 16). We stayed in Lanai Suite with gulf view - gorgeous view ! The "suite" itself is much smaller than the photos online - almost "narrow" type of spacing. But still, it was clean and efficient with nice balcony, plenty of towels for showers and blue towels for the pool areas. Pools are VERY nice. Nice tennis courts - free use of rackets and balls with a small "deposit", boys enjoyed basketball and we all played beach volleyball. The Tiki Hut is a great hangout *Say hi to Kitty and Elaine - great bartenders)- right on the beach, next to the kids sand playground - felt this was a very safe and family friendly place. Front desk people were very helpful and check in was painless. Walking distance to a 7 Eleven, Skidder's (decent breakfast and dinner), heard raves about the seafood restaurant across the street - but couldn't get in (we were a very large group). We also ate next door at the Irish Pub (at Holiday Inn?) and the food turned out to be VERY good and very reasonable - also family friendly. Stay away from Open Mike Night at the Comedy Club next door though- ugh. The headliner was VERY good - but pure torture to sit through most of the other acts. Also ate at Gigi's Italian - very good. Take a ride up to Clearwater Beach (about 25 minutes slow ride up Gulf Blvd) and take the Little Toot (tugboat ride) for $12 per adult, $7 per child ($3 off coupons in one of the promo flyers) - it is the BEST dolphin viewing excursion in the area and the least expensive. Even locals take the Little Toot. If you are into Jet Skiing - head up to John's Pass - Madeira Beach area (10 minute car ride)- a bunch of wave runner stands with decent prices (under $65 for an hour) - cheaper than most on St. Pete Beach and Clearwater. Plus the John's Pass Boardwalk is worth the visit for shopping and decent food and entertainment (Sculley's, Tiki Hut, and Friendly Fisherman's Restaurant are good for food and outdoor music) - though the Boardwalk seems to close early during the weekdays. All in all. Great family vacation and the weather was perfect too ! Would stay at Alden again.