If you are unfamiliar with the Cambria in Madeira Beach, you need to check it out! My sister and I recently hosted a surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration for our parents there and it was spectacular! We were impressed every step of the way, from planning to set-up and throughout the event.

A few things that really stood out for me personally were the overall location, value in the product delivered, flexibility and ease of the planning process and overall professionalism of the entire staff.

In terms of location, the hotel is one block from the beach and has an amazing rooftop pool and bar with open views of the ocean and sunset. This was the perfect overflow "after-party" spot for our guests that wanted to continue celebrating after our event concluded. The event room itself is very nice and well appointed, but the real showstopper is the huge 3rd floor terrace that opens off the room that overlooks the harbor and intracoastal waterways. Use of this space would transform any event and certainly made ours unforgettable. We were able to have formality indoors with food, cake, bar and the party on the terrace with live music, dancing, seating areas and 360 photo booth.

The other standout experience that deserves expanding on was the ease of planning and setup. From the moment we met Shonne, the director of events, we felt at ease. We were on a very tight deadline and on a budget. We never felt pressure throughout the process. Everything felt doable. As our guest list continued to expand and we needed to make adjustments, we were always met with a positive attitude and helpful suggestions on what we could do to keep within our budget and still cater to our guests. Setup was also managed with relative ease. If there was an issue, someone was always there to help with a smile and can-do attitude. It's important to note that the decor offerings are limited to black linens, cocktail tables, standard rounds and 6' tables. For us, this was welcomed as it provided a blank slate that allowed us to source our own decor, stay on budget and make our event truly ours.

Through the years I've planned several events, personally and professionally, at different corporate hotel locations where I felt like we were "just another event" and there always seemed to be stress at every turn. Not at the Cambria Madeira Beach. Everything felt like it was done with ease....and that's just how it should be when celebrating life's moments on the beach!! :-)