Our extended family has lived in central Florida for 4 generations and have had a "few" favorite hotels over those years. We seen the cycle of "new --> wonderful --> decline" of many hotels. We found this hotel in the "wonderful" stage, and it has just stayed that way. It appeals to ALL ages due to many factors:
-- Value for the Price. Where else can you get a lving room + bedroom + kitchen, many units comfortably sleeping 5 for less than $150 a night directly on the beach? For family retreats, Grandma & Grandpa get the one room (plus separate kitchen) efficiency. It connects to a hotel like unit with 2 double beds where the brother with his young family stay. These units are next door to one of the larger units that house my family of 5 with the large living area where we can gather for common meals. There are several such combinations... and as the family changes (e.g. the oldest child grows up and gets married, they move into a hotel like room (it's less expensive), while the young families move into the larger units as they need more space.
-- It only has 20 units, which makes it calm, quieter, less busy, less noisy (even when there are kids), more intimate, etc. We can always get the common outdoor grill, picnic area at least once over the busy weekend, or the ping pong table, or the shuffle board. Both these games can be played by the very young to very old, in a "family" or "friendly" way. There are "private" areas and "common" areas to be found.
-- The beach, over the years beaches also come and go through buildup and erosion, some naturally and others unnaturally (through building of high rises, etc). Sea Chest's beach is one of the widest beaches on the west coast. You can see sea and shore life here. If you're a middle school science teacher, like my mom was, it's heaven. I can't list the number of times we've found live sand dollars, squid, sea anamoes, crabs, sea oats, etc. We always return them to the gulf so that this wonder can be preserved. On the other hand, the beach is large enough to play football, fly kites, etc, without getting each other's way or interrupting those who don't like that activity.
-- The owners are also very "real" people. This quality has been passed down from the last owner to "new" owner We've been coming over the last 20 years, not just for the family reunion but when we need to get "away". Ownership has only changed hands once. Its like the owners want to preserve this jewel as much as the customers who go here.

I was six weeks old when my parents first took me to the Sea Chest. Now, almost 26 years later it remains my favorite place in the world! My family and I would spend every Thanksgiving and Christmas there until I was 12 years old. After my two older brothers entered high school and college it was difficult to take vacations so we had stopped. Two years ago I convinced my father, who had been vacationing there since the 50's, to go back with me. I was very nervous that the new owners had changed it, however to my surprise it looked exactly how I remembered it. I've been back twice now and have another trip planned this December. I cannot wait to start a family so my husband and I can give our children the same vacations as my parents gave my brothers and I. The Sea Chest Motel is an amazing vacation spot. You will never have to worry about poor service, unclean rooms, or bad company. I will not stay anywhere in Treasure Island unless it is at the Sea Chest. A++

The area attractions are very inviting and I recommend that every visitor go to the Orange Blossom Grove for fresh squeezed orange juice and the best key lime pie ice cream! I love Treasure Island and absolutely adore the Sea Chest Motel!

We travel this area twice a year and this is the first time we have stayed here. This was the cleanest place we have stayed at including some of the better hotels etc. Our only problem was the one family who had 3 young boys who were up every morning by 7:15 and outside playing and yelling. The grounds are great, the pool a good size and a grill if you care to. Right on the beach. Everything you need is in the room.

My husband and I stayed at The Sea Chest in June for our anniversary. We had been there once before and were happy to find it as clean and charming as the first visit. The only negative I can comment on is the tight parking.
The location is great, the view from our room was perfect.
The pool area was clean. The owners and staff were all very friendly. There were a couple of families staying there that obviously made it an annual trip. They were having such a great time BBQing, and hanging out by the pool area. It's nice that small family run motels are still on the beach and have kept customers coming back year after year. As other reviews have said, don't be fooled by what you see from the street. The Sea Chest is a great place to stay. I hope they stick around for a while, especially with all the overbuilding occuring around them.