Hotel The Pier (St. Petersburg, USA)

Whilst the hotel has much character and unique charm; it is the friendly and attentive staff who, for many, top the list of reasons to return.

Perfect location for late night bars and restaurants - and yet the immediate area feels safe and trouble free.

Some are a tad on the small side, but compensated for by comfort and the high standard of facilities.

The negatives would be crucial in other places but, here, at the end of the day, they dont detract from the overall appeal. There's no elevator, but the quality of the rooms compensates. There's no bar or restaurant onsite so, if sitting on the veranda in the evening, you need to bring your own refreshments. The lack of bar and restaurant results in a peaceful and relaxing space.

Just across the street and yet miles away from the lifestyle enjoyed by hotel guests, is where the homeless sleep. You'd be a hard man to complain about this blot on the horizon though.

Parking is a game of chance and dismiss, entirely, any idea of it being free. There's a public parking lot next to the hotel + you can purchase a pass at the hotel. This doesn't guarantee a space though, so you could be paying for nothing! The ideal, given the circumstance, is to purchase the pass, hunt for a space with nothing other than grim determination; put your car there ... and leave it! Walk to wherever you want to visit or use a taxi or public transport.