A “Sol” Mate Stay: A Q&A with Opal Sol’s First Guests

The Shirks weren’t just the first official guests to check into Opal Sol in February 2025, they were also the first official guests to check into Opal Sands back in February 2016. We caught up with the loyal Opal Collection duo to find out what keeps them coming back – and why being “first” has become something of an Opal tradition.

When husband and wife Stephanie and Phil Shirk were asked who came up with the idea to be the first official guests to check into Opal Sol when the Clearwater Beach resort opened in February 2025, the couple exchanged a glance and laughed. “Actually, it was all Jeff [Castner, the GM],” said Stephanie. “He pretty much insisted on it,” added Phil. “I think he thinks we’re good luck.”

That’s because when Opal Sands – the neighboring “sol” mate property to Opal Sol and now connected via a scenic skyway bridge – first opened back in February of 2016, the Shirks were actually the first guests to check in there. Well, eventually.

“We arrived early and they were still putting some finishing touches on the resort, so we actually couldn’t check in right away,” said Stephanie. After a pit stop at a local beach bar, the couple returned and finally checked in. They were only a few minutes into absorbing the modern chic accommodations and admiring those gulf-facing views when there was a knock at the door. Castner had sent a team to bring up balcony furniture asap. “They said something along the lines of ‘Well, you’ll need some comfy furniture to sit and enjoy that view,’” said Stephanie. “That set the tone for the visit – it felt like everyone there was just always looking out for us. We ended up coming back again only five months later.”

“I think that touched [Castner’s] heart,” said Phil. “You could tell he appreciated we were amenable.” Now, eight years later, the Shirks have stayed at Opal Sands more than 20 times, turning the resort into something of their home away from home. Which is why, it only made sense that they bring their good luck vibes to the recent opening of Opal Sol. Here, we sat down with the first official guests of both Opal Sands and Opal Sol to hear what they think makes Clearwater Beach’s impressive new resort duo the stuff of Florida beach vacation dreams.

INSIDE A STAY AT CLEARWATER BEACH’S NEWEST LUXURY RESORT

First some quick background context: You’ve obviously become quite the regular guests of Opal Sands over the years – what keeps you coming back to this resort and Clearwater Beach?

Stephanie: “For one, every single room is absolutely beautiful because every single room looks out to the gulf. And, it’s the same at Opal Sol.”

Phil: “Yes, a guaranteed full – not partial – water view is a very unique thing to find in a resort, let alone two resorts.”

Stephanie: “But it’s also just a joy to be there because of the staff.”

Phil: “It kind of feels like a homecoming. Where everyone knows you. Like ‘Cheers,’ but it’s in a Clearwater Beach luxury resort.” [laughs]

With regards to the staff, are there certain resort team members you look forward to seeing?

Stephanie: “We obviously love Jeff, but we’ve also made many longtime friends, like Nick, the bartender at Reflections [the pool bar] who never forgets our favorite drinks; Marco, at the bell stand, who is the best greeter; Jake at Sandbar…we can name drop a lot of people.”

Phil: “And we also make sure we do when we fill out post-stay guest surveys. We want them to be recognized for the great hospitality they bring.”

Getting back to Opal Sol: What was your first impression when walking into the property this past February?

Stephanie: “Justin [Foster, the assistant general manager at Opal Sands] actually drove us over from Opal Sands, where we had stayed the night before. When we walked in, all the staff – with Jeff positioned at the front – had assembled and everyone started clapping. It was actually Valentine’s Day, so we were given a rose along with our champagne. It was a beautiful property, and we received a very warm reception for sure.”

Phil: “Jeff showed us around, but since he knows we’re pool people, he made sure to walk us out to check out the two pools, where we met the managers at Current [the pool bar], Nickey and Nichole. We spent a lot of time chatting with Nicole during that trip – I think she was on duty the whole time during our stay – but the bartenders, Kendall, Vera, Chris, and Joe, were also great.”

Hopefully, after the hoopla of the grand opening, you got to check into your Opal Sol room – no delay?

Stephanie: “Yes, and, oh my god, it was like paradise. We had a corner suite on the 11th floor and it had the most stunning view of the beach and gulf with floor-to-ceiling windows that pretty much spanned the front and side of the suite. During our stay, I don’t think we ever closed the curtains. It felt like you were sleeping outside right beside the ocean. There was also a hot tub and an outdoor shower on the balcony. They might just be Clearwater Beach’s most luxurious suites with décor that is so breezy and cool.”

You were there for about a week – what kinds of things did you do? Did you stay solely at Opal Sol or pop over to Opal Sands at all?

Stephanie: “We went over to Opal Sands to say hello to Nick and catch up, but we spent a good amount of time on-property at Opal Sol to really experience it and soak it all in. We ate at the signature on-site restaurant of Drift – we loved Bill the server – and at Toast, the breakfast restaurant, but like we said, we’re pool people, so we were at Current daily.”

Phil: “It was snowing back in our hometown, so we spent a lot of it outside really soaking up the warmth.”

Was there a particular moment or memory during your most recent Opal Sol stay that stands out to you?

Stephanie: “I would have to say it was when we first walked into our room and saw that view. It was just wow.”

Phil: “We were snapping photos left and right and sending them to our sons.” [laughs]

Stephanie: “We knew we were going to rebook right away. And we actually did for the following May.”

Phil: “That’s right, we’ll be back at Opal Sol for Kentucky Derby weekend. Horses have always been a big part of our family. Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Do I want to go to the Kentucky Derby or just watch the derby from the beach?’ We picked the beach this year!”

Okay, so here’s the million-dollar question: While guests get access to all the amenities and offerings of both resorts regardless of where they stay, for you – moving forward – is there one resort you’d want to be your basecamp?

Stephanie: “Honestly, we really like them both. Opal Sol is new and novel, but we’ve established so many friends at Opal Sands and we enjoy our time seeing them.”

Phil: “I also think it’ll depend on what we vibe we want each time. I think Opal Sands has a little bit more of a quiet, secluded mood, whereas Opal Sol is great for larger groups and families who want to enjoy the buzzy nature of the Clearwater Beach.”

Stephanie: “Either way, it’s nice to know we’ve got the best of both, just a stroll across the skyway bridge.”