Fun, sun, and room to spread out at this family hotel in Tampa

Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is best known for its golf. In March 2010, the resort hosted the Transitions Championship, part of the FEDEX Cup, on the Copperhead course. There are three other courses on property with the most scenic being the Island Course. Golf is still a big draw, but for families there are lots of wonderful activities in addition to hitting the links. For Summer 2010, Innisbrook is offering a great deal starting at $695 for a week in a one-bedroom suite.

Accomodations:
Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club has a variety of accommodations including a few Deluxe hotel rooms. Most of the resort rooms are suites with full sized kitchens. In 2009 the entire resort was purchased by Salamander Hospitality and infused with a $26 million renovation. The resort has four restaurants, or just pick up something chef- prepared at Market Salamander.

Location:
Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is located on 900 acres between Tarpon Springs and Palm Harbor, Fla. in the Tampa Bay area. Although the resort is not along the ocean, they offer tram service to nearby Honeymoon Island. Guests can then take a ferry to Caladesi Island, voted recently as a “best beach.”

Sleeps:
2 – 10

Highlights:
There are lots of family activities at the resort. For tennis players and golfers, Innisbrook offers complimentary junior golf and tennis lessons on specific days. Daily from 4 – 7 pm, families can golf together at the 9 hole, par 3 Fox Squirrel course for free. The Loch Ness Pool is the center for family fun and has two water slides, zero entry with sandy beach and fountains good for little ones and crawlers and beach and water volleyball for older kid fun. There are also poolside crafts for an extra charge. During our visit, family programming included a dive-in movie and family whiffleball tournament. If you want more excitement, Innisbrook is near Busch Gardens Tampa or take in a Ray’s baseball game at Tropicana Field.

Good to Know:
If the kids want to fish, get some poles and gear from the tennis center and try your hand at Lake Innisbrook. In the evenings, the golf courses are open as walking trails. The Island Course is the most scenic of the four. There are also lots of native Florida birds on property. Pick up picture cards at the Loch Ness Pool and head out on an early morning bike ride for the best viewing. Bring some bread and feed the turtles along the Nature Walk.

Contact:
http://www.innisbrookgolfresort.com/

June 18th, 2010 | by Sue Rodman