Exciting entertainment, fantastic food, and pristine white-sand beaches await you in the upscale waterfront city of Clearwater. This vibrant metropolis on the Floridian Gulf Coast makes for an unforgettable beach vacation destination, whether you’re soaking up the sun or indulging in water activities. So, the only problem you’ll have while finding an oceanfront/beachfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida (FL), is the overwhelming number of options. All you need to do is show up to the shoreline, and you’ll see an overwhelming number of hotels to choose from. What’s more, they range from sprawling and upscale ones to smaller, boutique ones, but they all have amazing amenities. We’re here to eliminate the confusion of having to find a waterfront hotel in Clearwater that suits your travel style. To that end, here are the 12 best oceanfront/beachfront hotels in Clearwater, Florida (FL).
Table of contents
- Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
- Edge Hotel Clearwater Beach
- Opal Sands Resort
- Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- Sandpearl Resort
- Clearwater Beach Hotel
- Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel
- Hotel Cabana Clearwater Beach
- Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach
- Sheraton Sand Key Resort
- Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Clearwater Beach, FL
- Recommended Things To Do in Clearwater Beach, FL
- Best Beach Areas in Clearwater Beach, FL
Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
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The Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key is one of the best oceanfront/beachfront hotels in Clearwater, Florida (FL). It also happens to be one of Clearwater’s top gay-friendly hotels, so it’s perfect for the LGBTQ set looking for a place for a beachside vacation. Paradise awaits at this luxurious waterfront retreat, which sits right on Clearwater Bay. Choose from a host of amazing suites with private patios and balconies with stunning water views. Families with kids will love this family-friendly resort, as it has a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall, one of its bestselling points. Afternoons are best spent at the all-inclusive day spa, while the day can be wrapped up with dinner at the poolside bar and grill or the upscale waterfront restaurant.
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Edge Hotel Clearwater Beach
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The best luxurious stay for less on the beach is clearly Edge Hotel Clearwater Beach. In fact, it won the race for being Clearwater Beach’s no. 1 hotel by the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce! And it’s easy to see why. This top-rated accommodation sits right on the Gulf, at the southern end of Clearwater Beach. So, beach access is all but five minutes away. What’s more, the hotel has two sparkling pools overlooking the Gulf where you can swim and lounge all day long. There are also two fantastic restaurants to satiate the hunger pangs and a fabulous rooftop terrace with a fire bar. If you thought you’d have to compromise on the digs, then think again. All rooms and suites boast stunning views of the pool, the city, or the Gulf, which undoubtedly have the best views in the house.
Opal Sands Resort
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The Opal Sands Resort is the best oceanfront/beachfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida (FL), and also one of the overall best hotels in Clearwater, FL. This idyllic retreat of a four-star hotel is a gorgeous oceanfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida, with many on-site amenities. Since it sits at the southern end of the sandy Clearwater Beach, beach access is just five minutes away. Back at the hotel, sip on tropical cocktails by the walk-in pools and enjoy fresh seafood at the on-site waterfront restaurant. But what makes Opal Sands so popular is that all of its rooms have private waterfront balconies or patios! That’s rare since most hotels offer a mix of city, pool, and Gulf views. Luxe bathrooms, plush beds, and a slew of swanky mod-cons ensure that your stay here is as comfortable as it’s memorable.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
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The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is one of the best beach hotels in Clearwater, FL. Imagine having a sandy beach right as you step off your property; that’s the Hyatt Regency for you. What’s more, it even has daybeds, umbrellas, and beachside service, which means you can relax by the beach all day long. Additionally, you can enjoy swimming in the calm and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Back at the hotel, you’ll find a full-service spa and an oceanfront restaurant. But the winner is the rooftop pool, which has daybeds, cabanas, and unobstructed Gulf views. If you want to splurge, booking poolside cabanas also gets you poolside beverage and food services in a climate-controlled environment.
But that’s not all. The rooms and suites are luxuries redefined, with some suites even featuring kitchens/kitchenettes for longer stays. Finally, the best rooms of the lot are the oceanfront ones since they come with private balconies and stunning views.
Sandpearl Resort
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The Sandpearl Resort is one of the best oceanfront/beachfront hotels in Clearwater, Florida (FL). This high-end beach resort sits on a private beach with daybeds and umbrellas and free bike rentals, beach volleyball, and beachside beverage service. What fun! If you haven’t had your fill of water fun at the beach, head to the resort’s lagoon-style outdoor pool, which also has poolside service. Retire to the full-service spa during the hot afternoons, where you can get Floridian massages and treatments.
In fact, the hotel can even arrange for dolphin encounters and parasailing for those who’re up for some adventure. Moreover, the on-site marketplace is well-equipped for you to make meals, and the two onsite restaurants are great for when you don’t feel like cooking. Coming to the rooms, they’re as stylish as they get, with well-stocked minibars, plush bathrobes, and flatscreen TVs. And, of course, the best rooms are the ones with sweeping oceanfront views.
Clearwater Beach Hotel
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Clearwater Beach Hotel – the name says it all – is the best oceanfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida. This beachfront-on-a-budget hotel sits in a seafoam structure overlooking the bay, less than a five-minute walk from the beach. At the same time, it doesn’t skimp on amenities and has quality touches in the form of free Wi-Fi, free parking space, and an overall gorgeous setup. The winning amenity is, undoubtedly, the heated outdoor pool. It lies in a wonderful fenced-in area and is peppered with sun chairs for lounging after a languorous swim.
If you were impressed by the amenities, wait till you see the rooms, all of which have microwaves and fridges. Not only are they all spacious and bright, but they all (yes, all!) have furnished balconies overlooking the greenery or the Gulf in the distance. The best bit? Since the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, all rooms have kitchens for travelers who want to cook meals themselves.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
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The Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is the best oceanfront/beachfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida (FL) for travelers who want to splurge on a beachside vacay. This swanky five-star Hilton outpost sits directly on the sparkling sandy shoreline of Clearwater Beach. So, you step on the sandy beach right as you step off the property – what could be better? Once you’re done with beach time, continue your water time at the luxurious poolside, which has daybeds and food and beverage services too. So, you can enjoy tropical drinks once you take a refreshing water dip. What’s more, the hotel also has a Starbucks, a spacious fitness center, and many fine dining options.
You’ll absolutely love the rooms at this hotel, most of which come with private balconies and patios. But that’s not all. They all have high-end bath products, luxe bathrooms, sumptuous bedding, and 24-hour room service for the ultimate laidback getaway. So, you can’t go wrong with the Hilton if you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious Clearwater getaway.
Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel
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If you want to be close to the iconic Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach, then we’d recommend the Pier House 60 Clearwater Beach Marina Hotel. This beachfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida, has a perfect location right in front of the pier and the sandy beach right out front. So, if you want to swim in the sea, lounge on the beach, or indulge in water activities, you just need to get out of your room! Wake up to a free and delicious continental breakfast, after which you can head to the beach. If you prefer to stay at the hotel, there’s a lovely heated outdoor pool and even a fun rooftop bar where you can hang out. All rooms and suites have flatscreen TVs, but the balcony rooms are rather special, as they boast breathtaking water views.
Hotel Cabana Clearwater Beach
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Sitting right on Clearwater Beach’s sandy shores is the Hotel Cabana Clearwater Beach, the best oceanfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida (FL). This hotel is for discerning travelers who’re looking for boutique accommodations amidst Clearwater’s many sprawling resorts. There’s a lot to love at the boutique all-white Clearwater hotel, which sits on the quieter north side of the beach. Choose from a host of well-equipped suites with gorgeous beach decor, kitchenettes, and flatscreen TVs. In fact, the newest rooms even have full kitchens, but they all have free Wi-Fi and a free parking space each. Besides the soft sandy shore right out front, the hotel has many other onsite amenities, such as a dreamy deck with a heated pool and a beautifully landscaped courtyard. So, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your bae, this place is.
Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach
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Enjoy a relaxing retreat on the sandy shores of the Floridian Gulf with the spectacular Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach, a wonderful oceanfront hotel in Clearwater. This hotel has immaculate and modern suites that come with all comfy mod-cons. These include flatscreen TVs, coffee machines, and luxe bathrooms with bespoke bath products. If you want to splurge, the best rooms have views of the water. But we feel that you’ll spend most of your time outside, such as on the pool deck surrounded by palm trees. There’s also a small private beach right out front, with daybeds and umbrellas for relaxing after a swim in the Gulf waters. When the hunger pangs come calling, the waterfront bistro is perfect, as it serves everything from breakfast to dinner. Are you having late-night cravings? The 24-hour snack shop is your best friend.
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
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The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is the absolute best oceanfront/beachfront hotel in Clearwater, Florida (FL). This tropical oasis sits right on Sand Key beach, which means sandy beach fun begins right as you step off the property. There are a ton of other entertainment options at the hotel, including three state-of-the-art courts, many onsite dining options, and even watercraft right outside the hotel. Besides the beach, you can also cool off by the oceanfront pool while you sip on cocktails from the pool bar. However, you’ll love the rooms and suites here the most, as many of them offer partial or complete views of the ocean. For an absolutely fabulous vacation, choose the seafront rooms and suites, which are the best of the lot.
Recommended Beach Bars/Restaurants in Clearwater Beach, FL
- Shephard’s Ocean Flame Interactive: This beautiful restaurant overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is peppered with modern decor. What’s unique is that it’s an only-breakfast place, but it’s open all days of the week, and the food is delicious. When the weather is nice, you can even sit outside on the patio overlooking the waterfront.
- Columbia Restaurant, Sand Key: This family-owned and operated restaurant is waterfront dining at its finest. Old-world charm aside, it’s famous for its award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine, which you can dig into while soaking in the views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Must-try dishes include fresh seafood, roast pork a la Cubana, and Paella a la Valenciana. Wash it all down with fine Spanish wine such as Campillo or Montecillo.
Recommended Things To Do in Clearwater Beach, FL
- Clearwater Sunset Celebration Cruise: There’s no better way to end a day in Clearwater than by sailing the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico while watching a Floridian sunset. This sunset cruise of Clearwater Bay goes through Clearwater Pass, even as you learn all about the Gulf Coast’s stunning natural wonders along the way.
Best Beach Areas in Clearwater Beach, FL
Clearwater Beach, off the coast of Florida, is part of the wider Clearwater and has some of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. So, it’s only natural that we give you a rundown of the best beach neighborhoods in town. We begin with South Clearwater Beach, the island’s main tourism hub and home to its best dining, entertainment, sightseeing, and shopping. Plus, since it overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, South Beach has some of the best mid-range and luxury hotels and condos that overlook the lovely turquoise waters.
Next, there’s North Clearwater Beach, which is less crowded than South Beach and has a small-town charm, crystal clear waters, and gorgeous white beaches. If you’re looking for a couples getaway, then head to Sand Key. This barrier island is all about white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and long and languorous days by the beach. Finally, if you’re looking for a charming small beach town atmosphere, you’ll love Indian Rocks Beach, which has three miles of beautiful beaches and the small-town charm.