GOLF RESORTS

Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa: Victorian Charm and
Southern Hospitality

By Jay Mankus,
Regional Staff Writer

Location: Above the white bluffs of Clearwater, Florida sits Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa. This national treasure has enriched the lives of guests since 1897. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Belleview Biltmore is famous for its Victorian charm and southern hospitality.

While not as large as modern Florida resorts, Belleview Biltmore provides 243 guest rooms in a smaller, more intimate setting. Patrons can enjoy a variety of guest rooms starting with a quaint one bedroom suite, all the way up to the 3,400 square foot presidential suite.

Nestled upon 21 acres along the intracoastal waterway, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa offers world class amenities on and off their facility. Nearby residents of this Tampa Bay resort consider Belleview Biltmore to be one of West Florida's most picturesque landmarks.

Resort Attractions

Believe it or not, but one of the more romantic places at Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa may be on the tennis courts. Four red clay courts face due west, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Even if you do not play tennis, guests will flock to the walkway area near these courts to watch the sun set to the west over the baby blue waters of the gulf.

Tree-lined walking paths which form a circle around Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, allow couples to hold hands, talk and treasure each Florida sunset. If you would rather sit and watch the sunset, the elegant Carriage Porch provides a peaceful setting for your viewing pleasure.

From the north, guests have an unobstructed view of each sunset via the Sunset Cottage. The name says it all, this cottage is Belleview Biltmore's ideal location for sunsets. Visitors will see a breathtaking view of the sun setting over Clearwater Beach.

With sites such as these, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa is a perfect place to celebrate a wedding anniversary or an engagement with the one whom you love!

For those who adore sunsets, guests should request the East Wing for your stay at Belleview Biltmore. Even if your suite faces the main lobby, you are just a 60 second walk across the parking lot to Sunset Cottage.

However, if you plan on lounging around at the pool all day, request the South Wing when making your reservations. These suites face the spa & fitness center to the east and the pool area on the west side. Call 1-800-237-8947, extension 800 for individual and family reservations or extension 770 for large groups. Go to www.belleviewbiltmore.com for a complete synopsis of this resort.

During the day, guests will find the South Lawn to be another romantic location at Belleview Biltmore. The South Lawn is highlighted by a swimming pool with a cascading waterfall. Others features include two elevated whirlpools, a tanning island, children's playground and volleyball courts.

When you get hungry, the Terrace Cafe overlooks the South Lawn for your dining convenience. This cafe is an indoor/outdoor covered facility which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are a little too lazy on your vacation to walk on over to the Terrace Cafe, the Bay Breeze Bar is conveniently located at the west end of the swimming pool. This poolside bar offers light snacks and refreshments to keep guests cool and satisfied.

• Review: Belleview Biltmore Golf Club • Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge Overview • GolfFlorida.com Course Reviews

On a rainy day, guests can stay entertained by using Belleview Biltmore's 14,000 square foot spa and fitness center. Vacationers can choose to relax in the luxurious spa or start to work off the weight they may have gained from Belleview Biltmore's award winning cuisine.

For a causal snack, guests often visit the Lobby Lounge to hold them over until dinner. Then, depending upon the size of your party, guests can dine in the seclusion of Henry's Library or enjoy the splendor of the majestic Tiffany Ballroom.

Recent additions like the state of the art Belleair Amphitheater have led corporations to consider Belleview Biltmore as a retreat destination. Conference rooms, meeting areas and banquet facilities like the Candlelight, Starlight and Founders Rooms have made the Belleview Biltmore increasing popular for small businesses and corporate parties.

Nearby Attractions

Golfers can enjoy another historic monument at this resort, an original Donald Ross golf course design at nearby Belleview Biltmore Golf Club. While this facility is owned by the resort, the golf course is a few minutes outside of Clearwater in Belleair, Florida.

Built in 1925, mature trees now decorate Belleview Biltmore like a state park. Broad and twisted trunks reveal signs of decay from years of wind off the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors will experience what it is like to play a golf course that has stood the test of time. Belleview Biltmore Golf Club has been a favorite for local residents since it first opening on January 1st, 1927.

The clubhouse at Belleview Biltmore features an impressive pro shop which hosts a National Golf School. American Express ranks this golf school among the top 25 nationwide. Teaching professionals include Jim Linkin, the former PGA teacher of the year in the state of Florida.

The size of Belleview Biltmore's practice range is small considering the amount of students who attend this National Golf School each year. However, an excellent mini par 3 practice green, along with a decent sized putting green, allows Belleview Biltmore to host this golf school.

The National Golf School at Belleview Biltmore offers half day schools, corporate clinics, private instruction and on-course playing lessons. For $299 per person per day, golf school begins at 8:30 and runs through sunset. This includes a small breakfast, 3 hours of instruction, lunch, a 2 hour on- course playing lesson and unlimited play or practice from 3pm to sunset. For further information, go to the web at www.nationalgolfschool.com.

Additional benefits for your convenience include club rentals, for those travelers who do not like to lug around their clubs to and from the airport. Meanwhile, the Clubhouse Grille is a great place to grab a bite before or after a round of golf. This grille is where golf school students are served breakfast and lunch.

If the beach is more your style, take the complimentary shuttle to Clearwater Beach, available every day at Belleview Biltmore Resort. Walk the shops, lay out on the beach or enjoy recreation opportunities such as: parasailing, jetskiing, deep sea fishing and sand volleyball. Clearwater beach is famous for its pro sand volleyball tournaments, along with its stadium on the beach.

Visitors can also travel to Disney World, Busch Gardens, or go to a Devil Rays baseball game to see your favorite American League team in nearby St. Petersburg.

Why Vacationers Chose Belleview Biltmore

Over the last 104 years, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa has made a name for itself. This resort survived the Great Depression to become a national treasure. Today, Belleview Biltmore is known as the Queen of American Resorts. History, grace, elegance and hospitality all combine to make Belleview Biltmore unlike any resort in America.

Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa
25 Belleview Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 800-237-8947
www.belleviewbiltmore.com