10 Family-Friendly Clearwater Beach Hotels

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The beach at Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach Florida
The expansive beach at Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Extra Holidays

Clearwater, Florida, is consistently ranked as one of America’s top beaches by readers of TripAdvisor — and it’s one of my family’s favorite vacation spots. There are lots of fun things to do in Clearwater for families and some terrific Clearwater Beach restaurants that we enjoyed during out visit. My family loved relaxing on the white sand beach and taking in the beautiful Gulf Coast views and gorgeous sunsets during our summer vacation. And, of course, where we stay matters! Here are our favorite Clearwater Beach hotels for making happy family memories.

The second hotel listed here, is the Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club, this was a special resort to my family. This hotel was inspired by Winter the Dolphin, who sadly passed away at the end of 2021. The hotel has a strong mission of marine conservation, preservation, and rescue which is all something that my family is passionate about too. Scroll down to read more about this hotel and why we loved it.

Read More: How to have fun when it rains on your beach vacation.

The kitchen and living area of a 2-bedroom unit at Club Wyndham Clearwater.
The kitchen and living area of a 2-bedroom unit at Club Wyndham Clearwater. Photo credit: Extra Holiday

This section is sponsored by Extra Holidays, which specializes in offering condo vacations at hotel prices in destinations around the world.

1. Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach

110 Coronado Dr.
Clearwater Beach, FL

Exquisite sunsets, white sandy beaches and the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico are at your doorstep when you stay in a Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach suite. Inside, the spacious accommodations include private bedrooms, separate living areas, a full kitchen, spa amenities, and a washer/dryer. In addition, the resort has a pool with sundeck, private cabanas, hot tub, and outdoor bar & grill. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness room and full-service spa. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Ocean Hai Restaurant, or order room service and have the Asian-fusion cuisine delivered to your suite.

Book your stay through Extra Holidays to get condo accommodations at hotel prices.

Suites range from a 758-square-foot one-bedroom suite that sleeps four with a king bed in the master bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room to a 1,520-square-foot two-bedroom Presidential Suite that sleeps eight with a king bed in the master bedroom, two full beds in the guest bedroom and one queen sleeper sofa in the living area. Note that a $150 refundable security deposit is required at check-in.

Why Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach works for families: 

  • Large suites can sleep up to eight
  • All suites have private bedrooms, full kitchens and a washer/dryer
  • Pool with sundeck, private cabanas, hot tub, and outdoor bar & grill
  • Fitness room
  • Full-service spa
  • Onsite Ocean Hai Restaurant serves Asian-fusion cuisine in the restaurant or in your suite via room service
  • One parking space is included, with additional self-parking space at $20.
kid friendly clearwater beach hotels for families
Staying at the hotel gives travelers a discount at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Photo credit: Breeze Leonard

2. Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club

655 S. Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

My family loved our stay at this hotel. Its name was inspired by Winter the Dolphin, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who was two months old when she was found entangled in a crab trap line near Cape Canaveral, Florida, in 2005. She was treated at Clearwater Marine Aquarium and fitted with a prosthetic tail that allowed her to swim, eat fish and thrive at the aquarium until her death in 2022. Her story was the inspiration for the famed “Dolphin Tale” movies. The hotel has a strong mission of marine conservation, preservation, and rescue; it has eliminated the use of single-use plastics and installed sea turtle-safe lighting.

The resort charges a daily Conservation Resort Fee of $9.95 per guest room as part of its partnership with Clearwater Marine Aquarium. All of that money goes directly to fund the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured marine life, and to provide a permanent home for animals who, like Winter, cannot be returned to the wild. In return, guests of Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club get a 20% discount on regular-priced admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium and a 20% discount on photo souvenirs, gift shop purchases and food and beverages. 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 in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico right outside our room! We also loved that this hotel is the first CMA-certified hotel with measures to protect marine life.

Why Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club 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

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SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out the 22 ways families can have fun in Clearwater, Florida.

Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach hotel
The Hyatt Regency is a beachfront hotel near Pier 60. Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach

3. Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

301 S Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

This Hyatt offers 286 oversized guestrooms and one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes or full kitchens, which makes it easy to keep a family fed and happy. And the location is within walking distance of many tours, restaurants and the famous Pier 60. Plus, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa has a wonderful spa.

Why Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa works for families:

  • Located near the famed Pier 60, which offers a nightly family-friendly festival
  • The 8th-floor pool deck offers the best sunset views
  • SHOR American Seafood Grill for dining in and room service options available
  • Suite with full kitchens accommodate larger families
  • Free wifi

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kids playing in the gulf coast
The Sandpearl is a luxury resort. Photo credit: Breeze Leonard

4. Sandpearl Resort

500 Mandalay Ave.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

The pet-friendly Sandpearl Resort is a luxury resort option for families. A  zero-entry lagoon-style pool, water sports rentals and kids’ club keep everyone busy. Or head to the 700 feet of private coastline beach for a day of fun in the sun. Suites feature full kitchens, dining rooms, and furnished balconies.

Why Sandpearl Resort works for families:

  • Connecting rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens can accommodate larger families.
  • Lagoon-style pool is climate-controlled so it can be enjoyed year-round
  • Luxurious poolside cabanas with HDTVs, fans, couches and refrigerators can be rented
  • Full-service spa at Sandpearl
  • 700 feet of private coastline

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Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
The beachfront property is just steps away from Pier 60. Photo credit: Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

5. Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

400 Mandalay Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33767

The Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers 10 acres of beach property, four beachside covered decks, private cabanas, a heated pool and a tiki bar on the sand. And there’s a full-service spa, fitness center and EV charging for the adults. Plus, it’s just footsteps away from the popular Pier 60.

SheBuysTravel contributor 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. If you aren’t already a member, join the free loyalty program before you book to earn points during your stay.

Why Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa works for families:

  • Private cabanas
  • The hotel can arrange snorkeling trips, deep sea fishing and more adventures right in Clearwater
  • Located steps from Pier 60 and just a mile from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • Beach view rooms
  • Connecting rooms available

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Opal Sands Clearwater Beach hotel
Opal Sands is a modern beachfront property. Photo credit: Opal Sands Resort

6. Opal Sands Resort

430 S Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

The chic, pet-friendly Opal Sands Resort 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. Every one of the contemporary 230 rooms offers stunning views of the Gulf, private balconies, luxurious bedding, and upscale amenities. The one- and two-bedroom suites have a kitchen with a cooktop, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, and wet bar.

I recommend a stay like this for families with older children because this is a modern resort with a stunning art collection that appeals more to families with tweens and teens.

Why Opal Sands Resort works for families:

  • Zero-entry Gulf-front pool
  • Many activities on-site
  • Full-service spa
  • Families rave about the panoramic water views from this contemporary Clearwater Beach retreat
  • Within walking distance of many restaurants, activities and shopping areas

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clearwater beach hotel views
Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites provide comfortable amenities for families. Photo credit: Breeze Leonard

7. Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key

1201 Gulf Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

The Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Keys works for families thanks to its all-suite configuration and an outdoor pool with a 65-foot waterfall! This is a great place to stay with young kids, who have their own splash pool and Lisa’s Klubhouse, which provides tons of fun supervised activities for kids. Larger suites can sleep up to 6 people. All suites come with a mini fridge and microwave.

Onsite dining options are Watercolour Grillhouse for fine dining; Watercolour Lounge for sushi and cocktails and sushi ; Kokomos Bar & Grille for grilled cuisine and ocean views; and Bistro on the Bay for to-go meals.

SheBuysTravel Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards always recommends suite hotels for traveling with kids. That extra space makes all the difference!

SheBuysTravel 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 Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key works for families:

  • All guest rooms come with a microwave and 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 that can be enjoyed poolside or in your suite.
  • Full-service spa
  • Free rides on the Jolley Trolley to nearby restaurants, attractions and Sand Key Beach Park, where you’ll find a beach, park, concessions, umbrella and cabana rentals, a boardwalk and nature trail, outdoor showers, playground equipment and shelters with grills

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Gulf view from the balcony of the Holiday Inn, a family friendly hotel in Clearwater Beach FL
Gulf view from a Holiday Inn balcony. Photo credit: Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach

8. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach an IHG Hotel

521 S. Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL33767

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 2 kids ages 11 and under eat free for each adult ordering from the main menu at hotel’s featured restaurant, Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar. This is a great option for families who are looking for a budget- and kid-friendly hotel.

SheBuysTravel 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:

  • Ocean view swimming pool with food service from the poolside Tiki Bar
  • On-property kayak and jet ski rentals
  • Family arcade room
  • Onsite laundry
  • Within walking distance of Clearwater Beach
  • Free WiFi
  • Suites include a full kitchen

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Sheraton Sand Key Resort Clearwater Beach hotel
The Sheraton Sand Key does not charge a resort fee. Photo credit: Sheraton Sand Key Resort

9. Sheraton Sand Key Resort

1160 Gulf Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is a Marriott-brand waterfront hotel. One of the best things about this hotel: it is the only resort in Clearwater Beach that does not charge a resort fee or a parking fee!

Sheraton Sand Key Resort is located right on the beach, with 13 acres of private beach access and a beachfront pool with sun loungers and shady areas. The 375 rooms (currently undergoing extensive renovations) have either a king or two queen beds and a private balcony or patio.

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 SheBuysTravel writer Christy Emmanuel and her family became Platinum Elite Bonvoy members. That means they get perks such as room upgrades and free breakfast.

Why Sheraton Sand Key Resort works for families:

  • Just steps from Sand Key Park’s nature trails and beaches, both great places for families to hang out
  • 13 acres of private beach access and outdoor pools
  • Fitness center and tennis courts
  • Onsite dining options include Rusty’s Bistro and a poolside cafe
  • Free parking
  • No resort fee

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Pool area of the Edge Hotel in Clearwater Beach FL
Check out the view from the rooftop terrace. Photo credit: Edge Hotel

10. Edge Hotel

505 South Gulfview Blvd.
Clearwater Beach, FL 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 onsite activities for younger kids. Be sure to check out the views from the rooftop terrace.

Why Edge Hotel works for families:

  • 2 pools and a rooftop bar
  • 3-minute walk to the beach
  • Better for families with teens

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Other Hotels Near Clearwater, Florida




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