The Lamara Motel is by far the worst hotel/motel I've ever spent time in. My girlfriend and I booked the motel over the phone from Denmark, which was quite a hassle, as the managing lady, Helen, doesn't speak English very well, and her husband none, while their daughter, who usually runs the place, was in Poland. The phones are hardly ever answered at the motel, which makes booking terrible.
After actually arriving at the motel, we were actually quite satisfied with the place, which was clean, tidy and had all the comforts of an efficiency. However, it didn't take us long to discover, that another rooms rent was more important to the landlady than the comfort of her visitors. She had rented out another room to three locals, who were all criminals and would drink, be loud during the night, and smoke marihuanha on their balcony/staircase every night. These people (two guys, both dating the same girl, who also lived with them) would disturbe us up to five times a day, sometimes late at night.
Having discovered this, we wanted to switch motels, and therefor asked that we get our money back (we had booked and paid for a three week stay, and had only stayed for a week). This however, did NOT please the landlady, who at this point turned into the rudest, accusing and unpleasant woman I have ever met. Only very reluctantly did she disgruntled return to us HALF of what we'd paid, but at this point we just wanted to leave. We did however have to threaten to call AAA and to write reviews such as this, if she would not return any of our money.
After having returned at least some of our money, we were actually quite contempt, as long as we got away. The landlady, however, was not going to let us leave so easily. She verbally attacked my girlfriend, and again accused us of all sorts of things, while I was out looking for another motel.

Having finally found one in Clearwater (which is, by the way, a MUCH nicer place than St. Pete's), we were able to save the remaining weeks of our vacation.

But as for the Lamara; don't go there, ever.

We stayed at Lamara for a week in the end of April'06. Our efficiency was nice, clean and quiet. The pool is great. It's surrounded by a beautiful tropical flower garden (whoever does landscaping there - excellent job!). Our four year old loved spending time there. The beach is two blocks away, and everything you need is within walking distance (a supermarket, a drug store, a nice bagel place, even a German bakery and a coffee house with $8/hour internet). And yet you feel like you are away from it all. Free Saturday morning pancake breakfast was also a big hit with our 4yo. Lots of nice restaurants in the neighborhood, and if you grow tired of eating and baking in the sun, just hop in a car and drive to St Petersburg (15 min away) to visit the botanical gardens or Dali Museum; to Tampa (nice zoo, 30 min away), or to Fort DeSoto park.
I highly recommend this place to anyone vacationing with kids.

My husband and I stayed at the Lamara for 16 days Dec 20-Jan 4,2006. We arrived late,around 830 pm and Helena gave us our choice of rooms by the pool as requested with kingsized bed as requested. Helena is not harsh as one reviewer said. she is a very sweet Polish lady who speaks English with an accent and who trys very hard to make your stay enjoyable!
our room was very roomy and comfortable and had everything we needed. The kitchen was supplied adequately so we were able to prepare meals in as desired.
The pool was very nice but too cool for me the first week. They have it heated by a solar system and works best if it is over 70 degrees. The 2nd week,others were swimming.They kept it clean!
The residential area is Not a bad area! It is just a nice little walk to the beach, about 3/4 of a mile. It is close to grocery, drug store and a wonderful historic area with nice shops. And the trolley stop is close and is wonderful for getting around! No car needed here!
For the those on a budget and wanting to stay longer than a 3 day weekend, the value here is tremendous,
My only negative comment would be that care needs to be taken to clean around the corners and baseboards a little more carefully, But I am a perfectionist and VERY picky. It really was not bad otherwise.
We will go back to the Lamara,We loved the restaurants and the area in general!

On arrival we were given a lecture on what a very good rate that the owners daughter had given us! To me a price is a price and is a payment for a service provided, not a bonus as we were made to feel (it was as if they wanted more money!) When we entered our room it had a funny smell, but this was the same in all rooms, nothing a can of air freshener could not repair. It was quite late when we arrived and we did not inspect the room too much after a long flight and a few hours drive to get there. When we got up the next day to take a shower or bath we were disgusted as the bath was full off long brown hairs and there was no way that this or the rest of the apartment had been cleaned. we would understand if the motel was cheap but there is plenty of other hotels/motels in the surrounding area that was a few dollars more and would be like a palace compared to this place. not wanting to complain for the fear of being charged more money we just slept there, would not eat or drink using their utensils as dirty as well. Could be a good motel with the right people in charge, but at the moment is more like a halfway house. SORRY! but would never stay here again!!!!