Where to Stay in St. Pete-Clearwater for Your Florida Beach Holiday

Choosing where to stay in St. Pete-Clearwater is a little like choosing your perfect beach day. Do you want to be right in the middle of the action, with restaurants and attractions on your doorstep? Somewhere the kids can spend the day bouncing between pools, slides and sandy shores? Or perhaps a stylish beachfront resort where the biggest decision of the day is whether to order another cocktail?

With 35 miles of sugar-sand beaches and over 350 sunny days a year, there’s certainly no shortage of places to enjoy the great outdoors here. Clearwater Beach was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Florida in TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards, while St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach and the many smaller coastal communities each have their own award-worthy feel.

There’s also plenty to tempt you away from the sand when you fancy a change. St. Pete-Clearwater is home to more than 600 murals, brilliant museums, 6 Michelin-recognised restaurants and the laid-back Gulp Coast which has over 45 local breweries.

So, where should you stay? Here are 7 hotels to consider for the ideal beach holiday, along with what makes each hotel a winner. 
 

Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key

Best for a quieter beachfront escape

If you like the idea of Clearwater Beach but don't necessarily want to stay right in the thick of it, the Clearwater Beach Sheraton on Sand Key is worth a look. The resort sits on a quieter stretch of coastline, with its own private beach, while Clearwater Beach is just across the bridge when you're ready for restaurants, shops and the lively atmosphere around Pier 60.



There's also plenty to do without leaving the resort. You can spend the morning on the beach, cool off in the outdoor pool or try one of the nearby watersport activities. For dining, Rusty’s Bistro serves seafood and steak while Slo Joe’s Turtle Bar is the place to grab a cold drink by the pool. 
 
It's a good choice for anyone who wants the best of both worlds - a peaceful place still close enough to the action of Clearwater Beach's attractions. 
 

RumFish Beach Resort

Best for families who want beach time with a few extras

Keeping the kids entertained shouldn't be a full-time job, and RumFish Beach Resort makes it particularly easy. Sitting directly on St. Pete Beach, the resort has 4 pools, 2 whirlpools, beach activities and a packed programme of things to do.



Then there's the rather impressive 33,500-gallon aquarium at RumFish Grill. Kids can get up close to marine life at the touch tank, while the whole family can enjoy dinner surrounded by one of the resort's biggest talking points.

And there's an extra bonus to staying here: as a RumFish guest, you can use the facilities at neighbouring TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, so you get access to even more pools, activities and restaurants.

There's also a beach lounge with fire pits and evening s'mores, plus access to even more activities at the neighbouring TradeWinds resort. With so much happening on the doorstep, this is a particularly good pick for families who don't want every day to involve getting in the car and heading somewhere else.
 

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort

Best for families who want plenty going on

If your children spot a 3-storey waterslide before they've even put their bags down, TradeWinds Island Grand Resort could be a winner. The resort sits on 28 beachfront acres and has 5 pools, a high-tide waterslide, waterway paddleboats and a seasonal floating water park, alongside kayaking, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, mini golf and plenty of daily activities.



There are dedicated kids' programmes for ages 5 to 12, while parents can find a quieter corner when they need one. And when everyone has worked up an appetite, there are several restaurants and bars to choose from, including Palm Court Italian.

Just like RumFish Beach, staying at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort also gives you access to the facilities at the neighbouring RumFish Beach. That means you can wander over to enjoy its pools, touch tank, aquarium and restaurants, too.
 

Barefoot Beach Club

Best for laid-back beach days

Barefoot Beach Club in Madeira Beach keeps things simple, which is exactly what some Florida holidays need. This beachfront hotel puts the Gulf right outside your door, with a lagoon-style swimming pool just steps from the sand. Choose a Beachfront Studio for those all-important Gulf views or a Poolside Studio if keeping an eye on the family from the pool sounds more your speed. There are also spacious 2-bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms, giving families a little more room to spread out.



Better still, you're only around a five-minute walk from John's Pass Village, where you'll find shops, restaurants and bars to explore when you fancy a little local atmosphere. If your ideal day involves a swim, a bit of sunshine and absolutely no complicated plans, Barefoot Beach Club fits the bill.
 

Holiday Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach Harbourside

Best for families who love the water

Located in Indian Rocks Beach, the Holiday Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach Harbourside is a brilliant choice when you want your hotel to be part of the holiday fun. You’ll have easy access to the beach, plus an outdoor pool, hot tub and an 18-hole miniature golf course that winds its way through the property.



The real selling point for families, however, is the neighbouring Splash Harbour Water Park. Here, you can enjoy discounted access to the park, where waterslides, a lazy river and a zero-entry pool provide another way to cool off beneath the Florida sunshine. And when the day's adventures are done, take a stroll along Indian Rocks Beach.
 

Holiday Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach

Best for a classic Clearwater Beach getaway

Want to be close to the famous Clearwater Beach without paying for a beachfront location? The beach and Pier 60 are around a 5-minute walk away, putting some of Clearwater's most popular attractions right on your doorstep.



At Holiday Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach, the heated outdoor pool overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, with Rum Runner’s Tiki Bar on hand for drinks and snacks when you need to refuel between swims. There are also on-site kayak and jet ski rentals, so you can add a little more adventure to your beach day without going far.

Clearwater Beach is lively, but you can still find plenty of ways to slow the pace down. Spend a morning swimming in the Gulf, grab one of the area's famous grouper sandwiches at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, then head to Pier 60 for the evening.
 

The Don CeSar

Best for couples seeking a romantic escape

You can't really miss The Don CeSar. The huge pink building has been part of St. Pete Beach since the 1920s and has earned its nickname, the Pink Palace, along the way.



Inside, you'll find two heated outdoor pools, a private stretch of beach, several places to eat and drink, and plenty of spots to sit back with a cocktail. For couples, the 11,000-square-foot Spa Oceana is a big draw, with treatments, relaxation areas and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Gulf.

For dinner, Maritana serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes for a special touch to your evening. And when the sun begins to set, grab a cocktail at Beacon Pool Bar and watch the sky turn golden over the Gulf. Because if you're going to do a Florida beach escape, you might as well make it a little bit glamorous.
 

More Than a Beach Holiday

Of course, where you stay is only part of the story. One of the things that makes St. Pete-Clearwater so appealing is how much there is to do once you've had your fill of the beach.

Spend an afternoon exploring downtown St. Pete's murals and museums, including The Dalí Museum, home to more than 2,500 works and the largest collection of Dali's work outside Spain. Or swap the art for a plate of fresh Gulf seafood, a Michelin-recognised meal or a locally brewed pint along the Gulp Coast.

And with 24 destinations to explore, you can easily venture beyond the big-name beaches. Head out on the water, explore the smaller beach towns, discover a new favourite restaurant or simply follow the sunshine and see where you end up.

It's also easy to add a St. Pete-Clearwater stay to a wider Florida adventure. Tampa International Airport is around 30 minutes away, while Orlando is only around 90 minutes by car, making a twin-centre holiday a great way to combine theme-park thrills with Gulf Coast downtime.


Beach days are here. Discover our St. Pete-Clearwater holidays and find the hotel that fits your kind of Florida escape.