Clearwater Beach is one of my family’s favorite Florida getaways, thanks to its sugar-white sand, calm Gulf waters and unforgettable sunsets. After exploring the area’s family attractions, restaurants and beaches, we found hotels that make traveling with kids easier, whether you’re looking for spacious suites, beachfront pools or budget-friendly value.
Highlights:
- Family-friendly hotels with amenities that simplify beach vacations, including suites, kitchens, pools and direct beach access.
- Resort options for every travel style and budget, from luxury beachfront escapes to value-focused stays with money-saving perks.
- Convenient access to Clearwater’s top family attractions, including Pier 60, Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the area’s restaurants and outdoor activities.
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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 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.
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 Dolphin Sands Clearwater Beach, an Ascend Collection Hotel works for families:
- Option to 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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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, 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.
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 1,510-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.
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
- One parking space is included, with additional limited paid self-parking spaces available.
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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 and a rooftop pool.
Why Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa works for families:
- Located near the famed Pier 60, which offers a nightly family-friendly Sunset Celebration
- The 8th-floor pool deck offers the best sunset views
- SHOR American Seafood Grill for dining in and room service options available
- Suites with full kitchens accommodate larger families
- Jolley Trolley stops here
- Free wifi
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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 for a day of fun in the sun at the beach. 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
- 12,000-sqare-foot full-service spa onsite
- Pet-friendly rooms available for dogs up to 30 lbs
- 700 feet of private coastline
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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.
Join the Hilton Honors loyalty program before booking to earn points during your stay.
Why Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa works for families:
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430 S Gulfview Blvd.Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
The chic, small 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
- Three on-site restaurants including the award-winning SeaGuini
- 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 or take a complimentary bike
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1201 Gulf Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
The Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key works for families thanks to its all-suite configuration and an outdoor pool with a 35-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 (2023 Open Table Diners’ Choice Award Winner) for fine dining; Watercolour Lounge for sushi and cocktails; 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!
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.
- All-suite hotel means every room has plenty of space for families to spread out.
- Multiple resort restaurants to choose from
- Full-service spa
- Utilize the Jolley Trolley to visit 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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521 S. Gulfview Blvd.Clearwater Beach, FL33767
One of the biggest perks to staying at a Holiday Inn is that kids 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 the 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.
Why Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach works for families:
- Ocean-view swimming pool includes wading area
- On-property kayak and jet ski rentals
- Guests rave about the Tiki Bar for poolside drinks and snacks
- Onsite laundry
- Within walking distance of Clearwater Beach
- Free WiFi
- Suites include a full kitchen
1160 Gulf Blvd.Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key is located right on the water, with 13 acres of private beach access and a beachfront pool with sun loungers and shady areas. The 375 recently renovated rooms have either a king or two queen beds and all feature outdoor space in the form of 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.
Why Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key 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 white sand beaches
- Pool deck with sun loungers, nearby fire pit and a seasonal poolside cafe
- Room key allows up to 4 guests to ride the Jolley Trolley at no charge
- Several onsite dining options
- Resort is smoke-free
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505 S. 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. Your stay included 2 complimentary tickets to Splash Harbour Waterpark. Be sure to check out the views from the rooftop terrace.
Why Edge Hotel works for families:
- 2 pools, including Clearwater Beach’s only glass wall pool, and a rooftop bar
- 3-minute walk to the beach
- Complimentary Daily Continental Breakfast
- Great food options including a taco truck and tiki bar
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FAQs
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa and Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa are both just steps from or within easy walking distance of Pier 60, making it easy to enjoy the nightly Sunset Celebration.
Yes. Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club partners with Clearwater Marine Aquarium to support marine rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Guests also receive discounts on aquarium admission and purchases.
Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa and Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key all offer spacious suites. Several properties also feature full kitchens, making them ideal for larger families.
SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.
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