6 Activities Your Wedding Guests Will Love at Belleview Inn
If you’re considering a destination wedding, Belleview Inn, nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast in exclusive Belleair, is the perfect blend of something old and something new. Built in 1897, the historic Florida retreat was renovated in 2018 and today sits just minutes from Clearwater’s world-famous, sugar-sand beaches.
The perfect mix of Old Florida charm and modern amenities, it’s no surprise that so many couples choose this timeless retreat as the backdrop for their big day. But Florida weddings are about so much more than just the ceremony — for friends and family traveling from afar, it’s a vacation in and of itself.
Choosing the right venue takes the stress out of not only planning the wedding, but all of the other activities for your guests during their time in the Sunshine State. And at the Belleview, you’ll be in the company of famous former guests, including former President Barack Obama and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Here’s a look at all the ways your guests can have the experience of a lifetime during their time at the Belleview Inn.
ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR WEDDING GUESTS
1. Spend the Afternoon Poolside or Beachside on One of America’s Top Beaches
The Belleview Inn’s outdoor pool has served as the property’s centerpiece for more than 100 years, providing a true oasis for guests, whether they seek relaxation or recreation. Fresh towels, comfortable loungers and drinks make it the perfect spot to relax the day away. Guests can also access Sandpearl Resort’s soft-sand private beach, listed as one of America’s top beaches. Lay out and soak in the warm Florida sunshine and take yourself back in time to the leisure and bliss that was Old Florida.
2. Play a Round of Golf at the Belleair Country Club
Guests of the Belleview Inn get a little something extra – access to the members-only Belleair Country Club. As old as the inn itself, the club features two 18-hold premier Donald Ross courses with touches of bold old and new. If you’re hungry, grab a bite at the stylishly casual 19th Hole Lounge, or go all-out with a Florida feast in the impressive, Southern-inspired main dining room. For the ultimate in drinks and sports, get cozy in either the Sam Parks Lounge or the 1897 Lounge, where the dark-wood atmosphere harkens back to a different time, but the large-screen TVs showcase the day’s sporting events from around the world.
3. Enjoy (Free) Breakfast in Bed
The reimagined rooms at the Belleview Inn are about so much more than luxury bedding and elegant decor. Each morning, guests start the day off right with a complimentary breakfast basket filled with freshly baked goods and juice delivered right to their door. Early risers are also welcome to take their baskets out and about to enjoy breakfast, whether from a rocking chair beneath one of the inn’s sweeping verandas or out on the Grand Event Lawn with a blanket for a sunrise picnic.
4. Take a Bike Ride
Breakfast isn’t the only thing at the Belleview that comes with a basket. The resort also offers complimentary bicycle rentals so guests can head out on two wheels to explore the surrounding neighborhoods. What many consider to be the most scenic section of the 50-mile long Pinellas Trail bike path is nearby, as well as beaches, parks, shopping and even Dunedin Stadium, the winter-weather home of the Toronto Blue Jays.
5. Take a Step Back in History
This iconic Gulf Coast getaway was built at the end of the 19th century by famed railroad and steamship magnate, Henry Plant. Before it was renovated in 2018, a Florida artist and historian spent three years learning as much as he could about the famed Gilded Age property and its famous clientele. His collection, and even more artifacts from a bygone era, are on display in the Morton Reading Room — a cozy, wood-paneled study that serves as the perfect place to get away from it all with a vintage red.
6. Play Some Leisure Lawn Games
Take a trip down memory lane with an evening of nostalgic lawn games, like bocce or corn hole, on the inn’s front lawn. Add a round of champagne to make it a truly celebratory experience. Another perk of the Grand Event Lawn is it’s perfectly sized for intimate gatherings, and its picturesque charm sets the stage for the once-in-a-lifetime event that your friends and family will talk about for years.
