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- Best Kid-Friendly Clearwater Hotels Close to the Beach
- 1. Winter The Dolphin's Beach Club
- 2. Sheraton Sand Key Resort
- 3. Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- 4. Sandpearl Resort
- 5. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
- 6. Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- 7. Opal Sands Resort
- 8. Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
- 9. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach an IHG Hotel
- 10. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
- 11. Edge Hotel
- Other Hotels Near Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida is highly recommended as a family-friendly getaway in the Sunshine State. Some of the top resorts in Florida are located off Clearwater Beach. Enjoy the white sand as you take in the beautiful Gulf Coast views on your Clearwater Beach family vacation!
Best Kid-Friendly Clearwater Hotels Close to the Beach
Planning a visit to Clearwater, Florida? You’ve picked an awesome vacation destination! Our family loved our time in Clearwater. We found lots of fun things to do in Clearwater and ate at some terrific Clearwater Beach restaurants. But our vacation also was a success because we picked the right family-friendly hotel — the new Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club Resort.
But that’s just one of the terrific kid-friendly Clearwater beach hotels. We hope this hotel guide will help you find the right accommodations and jump start your family vacation!
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1. Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club
Address: 655 S. Gulfview Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
This hotel was inspired by Winter the Dolphin, star of the famed Dolphin Tale movies. It’s known for being both family-friendly and eco-friendly. If you’re visiting Clearwater and are excited about visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, consider staying at Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club to have a fully immersive ocean-inspired vacation!
Staying at Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club also gives you a 20% discount on regular-priced admission to CMA (Clearwater Marine Aquarium) and 20% discount on photo souvenirs, gift shop purchases and food and beverages at CMA. The hotel offers concierge support for all CMA ticketing. There’s even a dedicated ticket booth and entrance to the aquarium for all Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club guests.
The best part of our stay was when we spent time in the stunning beachfront outdoor pool and then swam into the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico located right outside our room! We also loved that this hotel is the first CMA-certified hotel with measures to protect marine life.
Why It Works for Families:
- You’ll save money on tickets to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Ask about ticket purchases when you check in.
- You can book a poolside room with direct access to the pool.
- Some rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests.
- The hotel is located right on the beach
- A small store right across the street (within walking distance) is convenient for any last minute necessities like sunscreen for the kids.
2. Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Address: 1160 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is a Marriott brand waterfront hotel in Clearwater. One of the best part about this hotel: It is the only resort in Clearwater Beach that does not charge a resort fee or a parking fee!
And, because it’s a Marriott property, you can earn — and redeem — Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points to stay here. You also can earn points with a Marriott credit card. That’s how TravelingMom Christy Emmanuel and her family became Platinum Elite Bonvoy members. That means they get perks such as room upgrades and free breakfast.
Why It Works for Families:
- It’s just steps from Sand Key Park’s nature trails and beaches, both great places for families to hang out.
- This hotel has 13 acres of private beach access and outdoor pools.
- If you an active family, there is a fitness center and tennis courts.
- There are 5 different on-site dining options.
- Free parking
TravelingMom Tip: Check out the 22 ways families can have fun in Clearwater, Florida.
3. Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Address: 301 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
The location of this Hyatt makes it a great hotel for families because you will be within walking distance of many tours, restaurants and the famous Pier 60. The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa has a wonderful spa.
Why It Works for Families:
- Located near Pier 60, which is a popular location in Clearwater. Many activities and tours are located near Pier 60 and there’s a nightly family-friendly festival.
- The 8th floor pool deck offers the best sunset views.
- Room service options for a quiet night in.
- Suite options for larger families.
4. Sandpearl Resort
Address: 500 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
This resort is a Condé Nast Traveler 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards nominee! The Sandpearl Resort is a luxury resort option for families. The pool and kids club are two of the main reasons why families choose this resort.
Why It Works for Families:
- The Sandpearl kids club, Camp Ridley, (for kids ages 5-10) lets kids make new friends while enjoying fun activities and learning about Florida’s unique animals. The camp is offered daily for guests.
- Lagoon-style pool is climate controlled so it can be enjoyed year-round. You can also reserve a luxurious poolside cabanas.
- The pools offer Dive in Movies & Mermaid Tales (available seasonally).
- Spacious rooms and suites are great for families.
5. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Address: 100 Coronado Drive Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Did you know that for the sixth time in a row, Wyndham Rewards is the best hotel loyalty program for travelers of all spending levels, according to WalletHub, which gives it a score of 71 out of 100? The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is the newest AAA 4 Diamond hotel along the stunning Gulf shore.
Why It Works for Families:
- The hotel has Winter-themed rooms and bunks for fans of the Dolphin Tales movies.
- The Winter & Friends Package includes admission to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium when you book your room.
- Prime beachfront location
TravelingMom Tip: The 10 Best “Must-Try” Clearwater Beach Restaurants
6. Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Address: 400 Mandalay Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33767, USA
This Hilton resort offers you a private beach escape while being centrally located to some of the main attractions in the area. The Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers 10 acres of beach property and is footsteps away from Pier 60.
TravelingMom Nasreen Stump, a road warrior who regularly drives cross-country from Texas to New Hampshire (alone with 4 kids!) is a big fan of Hilton. As a member of the Hilton Honors loyalty program, Nasreen has gotten terrific customer service just by calling the toll-free 800 number when she has had a problem.
Why It Works for Families:
- Private cabanas
- The hotel can arrange snorkeling trips, deep sea fishing, and more adventures right in Clearwater.
- Located only one mile from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Beachview rooms
7. Opal Sands Resort
Address: 430 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
If you’re looking to stay at one of the”bes” resorts in Clearwater, consider the Opal Sands Resort. It was named one of the 500 best properties in the world in 2021, as chosen by readers of Travel + Leisure. It was also voted one of the top 30 resorts in all of Florida!
I do recommend a stay like this for families with older children because this a modern resort with a stunning art collection that appeals more to families with tweens and teens.
Why It Works for Families:
- The zero-entry Gulf-front pool area
- Many activities on-site, water sports, massages for mom and much more
- Families rave about the panoramic water views from this contemporary Clearwater Beach retreat
- Within walking distance to many restaurants, activities and shopping areas.
8. Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
Address: 1201 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
The Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Keys works for families thanks to its all-suite configuration and an outdoor pool with 35-foot waterfall! This is a great place to stay with young kids; they’ll love Lisa’s Klubhouse which provides tons of fun, supervised activities for kids.
TravelingMom Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards always recommends suite hotels for traveling with kids. That extra space makes all the difference!
TravelingMom Tip: This is a Marriott property, so join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty club before you book to get the best deals and accumulate points for perks on future stays.
Why It Works for Families:
- All guest rooms come with a microwave, refrigerator and most rooms include a private balcony.
- The suites have plenty of room for families to spread out.
- Several resort restaurants, including a Pizza Hut Express which can be enjoyed poolside or in your suite.
9. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach an IHG Hotel
Address: 521 S. Gulfview Boulevard Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
One of the biggest perks to staying at a Holiday Inn hotel is that kids ages 18 and under stay for free when sharing their parents’ room. Plus, up to four kids ages 11 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn on-site restaurant. This is a great option for families that are looking for a budget and kid-friendly hotel.
TravelingMom Tip: Join the IHG Rewards loyalty program before you book. It’s free to join and being a member gives you the guaranteed lowest rate on your room.
Why It Works for Families:
- The ocean view swimming pool
- Within walking distance of Clearwater Beach
- Free Wifi
- Suites include a full kitchen
10. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central
Address: 21338 US 19 N, Clearwater, Florida 33765
This hotel is not located on Clearwater Beach but is centrally located between St Petersburg airport, Tampa and Clearwater Beach. If you’re planning to venture out to nearby destination you might want to consider a hotel like the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham. Plus, the hotel is pet-friendly and includes free breakfast and free wifi. A great budget-friendly option for families.
Why It Works for Families:
- Free breakfast
- Pet-friendly
- Easy access to The Dali Museum, Tropicana Field, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches
- Budget-friendly
11. Edge Hotel
Address: 505 South Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
The Edge Hotel has been voted Clearwater Beach’s #1 Hotel by The Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Edge Hotel describes its property as “modern luxury.” This is another hotel that I’d recommend for families with older kids (tweens and teens) because it does not offer on-site activities for younger kids.
Why It Works for Families:
- 2 pools and a rooftop bar
- 3-minute walk to the beach
- Better for families with teens
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