We recently stayed at Shephard's in January of 2012. We were hesitant based on some of the negative reviews we saw, but decided to check it out and go elsewhere if it looked to be not so nice.
We checked in within an hour of our plane touching down in Tampa. We had booked the room online. It was a seamless check in, the "studio queen" room we reserved was ready for our arrival. self parking was easy and the room was perfect.
After a quick change and some time gawking at the open water of the gulf and channel outside our room after leaving a New England winter behind for a while, we were at the waterfront bar ordering a couple of beers, listening to live music, and literally watching the dolphins crest while swimming through the channel.
The staff was friendly and polite, the waterfront bar was great with decent food and very fair prices, room was very clean, new, nicer than expected. View was very nice from the 5th floor room we had, AC worked well, mid week breakfast buffet wasn't overly stocked, just basics, but priced right (maybe 7 bucks) and tasted good.
IF you''re expecting to be on the main beach, this is just off it on the channel, still great location with their own beach. We were there mid week January, but I could see where the "pool side" rooms could be loud during prime season with the band being so close, book a "tower" room off to the side to avoid this problem, or go to the party and enjoy yourself. Pool and hot tub were slightly dated, but clean and in good working order, no complaints at all.
We're in our mid 30's and thoroughly enjoyed the room and the rest that Shepherds had to offer, we will definitely return.
- Shephards Beach Clearwater
- Shephards Beach
- Shephards Beach Hotel
