Hotels

St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach have national chain hotels and motels of every name and description. You can also use the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau's free reservations service (tel. 800/345-6710) to book rooms at most of them. The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce lists a wide range of hotels, motels, condominiums, and other accommodations in its annual visitor guide, and also publishes a brochure listing members of its Superior Small Lodgings program.

As is the case throughout Florida, there are more short- and long-term rental condominiums than hotel rooms here. Many of them are in high-rise buildings right on the beach. Among local rental agents, JC Resort Management, 17200 Gulf Blvd., North Redington Beach, FL 33708 (tel. 800/535-7776 or 727/397-0441; fax 727/397-8894; www.jcresort.com), has many from which to choose.

B&B On the Rocks -- The Laughing Lizard B&B, located on Indian Rocks Beach, was built in 2005 and is billed as a contemporary throwback to island-style architecture. Inside the three-story Key West-style home, you'll find the antithesis of quaint B&Bs with an elevator, 42 windows all with a view of the Gulf and of Gulf Boulevard, and guest rooms with private bathrooms and kitschy names such as Nautical Newt, Crimson Chameleon, and Gallivanting Gecko. Owner Jan Ockunzzi is artist in residence, with a studio on the first floor, and her husband Bill is the mayor of Indian Rocks Beach. A nightly happy hour features homemade sangria, crackers, and dip; and for those looking for lizards, the only ones you'll find are in Jan's collection consisting of clay, cloth, glass, wood, and plastic versions. Rates are $130 to $170. Head to 2211 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach (tel. 727/595-7006; www.laughinglizardbandb.com).