My Stay at Clearwater Marriott Suites on Sand Key

Getting There & First Impressions

We landed in Tampa around 9:30, and I have to say — I loved the layout of Tampa International Airport. It was my first time flying in there, and it was so easy to navigate.

I loved how the terminals are separate from the main area because it didn’t feel crowded, and there wasn’t that chaotic fight-to-get-out airport feeling.

Since we knew we’d be walking distance from a lot and had access to transportation options, we decided not to rent a car. And honestly? This saved us so much money. Between the rental car cost and daily hotel parking fees, it just didn’t make sense for this trip.

We arrived at the hotel a little after 10:00, which was way before official check-in. I didn’t ask for early check-in, but I had contacted them ahead of time to ask if they could hold our luggage, and they absolutely could.

Around noon, I got a call that our room was ready. YAY.

The Room: 10/10, No Notes

We headed to our room on the 6th floor, and WOW. We truly got the best of both worlds.

Full disclosure: this hotel is not directly on the beach. It’s on the bay side. But when you walk to your room, the hallways are outdoors, so if you’re on a higher floor, you get beautiful views.

The room itself was so spacious. There was a living room area with a TV, chair, couch, mini fridge, sink, microwave, and coffee maker. Then you walk through to the closet, bathroom, and bedroom.

We had a king room, another TV in the bedroom, and the main event: the balcony overlooking the bay. I spent so many mornings and evenings out there while we were getting ready for the day or winding down at night.

The Grounds: Clean, Easy & Family-Friendly

The hotel grounds were very well maintained and clean. The front entrance is where you’ll catch the Jolly Trolley and the complimentary beach shuttle. You’ll also find the spa and a car rental service nearby if you decide you want a car later.

When you walk through the lobby toward the back, that’s where the fun starts. To the left, there’s a kids club — and make sure you say hi to Lisa the Macaw. To the right, you’ll find the beach towel station, which was always fully stocked with clean towels.

The Pool Area Was a Big Win

The pool area was honestly great. The main character is definitely the waterfall by the pool, and the whole area felt fun without feeling impossible to enjoy.

The pool was spacious, with an area for volleyball and other spots where you could just hang out. I believe the deepest part was around 5 feet, with more shallow areas too.

They also had yard games like giant Connect 4 and cornhole, plus a splash pad for littles. And the chair game? Basically non-existent. We never had trouble getting chairs, which is always a win.

They also have cabanas available to rent, boat rentals nearby, and fire pits that they light in the evenings, which adds such a cozy little touch after a pool day.

Kokomos Pool Bar

We had lunch a few times at Kokomos, the pool bar, and everything we tried was delicious. The portions were huge, and the drinks were so good.

We had coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and of course chips with pico, cheese, and guac. I tried working my way down the drink list, but they had so many options.

They also had TVs in the bar area showing sports, so it was an easy place to hang out without leaving the pool area.

Backwaters

Our first night, we walked to the shopping center next door and ate at Backwaters. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious.

I had grouper topped with crab, vegetables, and rice. My husband ordered a huge seafood platter with different kinds of fish, and we split calamari.

It was really good, and I would definitely go back.

Maggie Mae’s

On our second morning, we walked back over to the shopping center and had breakfast at Maggie Mae’s. I had a huge mimosa and eggs Benedict with breakfast potatoes.

The potatoes were made to perfection. My only complaint is that I like a runny egg with my Benedict, and this was more hard-boiled egg energy, but it was still good.

My husband had a whole breakfast situation with eggs, pancakes, and more, and he loved it.

Columbia Restaurant

Dinner at Columbia went a little downhill, but honestly, it was mostly from my own doing.

I really wanted to try the paella, but I didn’t read the fine print that it would take almost an hour to cook. And you know me — I was hangry.

I asked the waiter what he suggested and ordered that, but I didn’t think to ask if it was spicy. Spoiler alert: it was spicy. It tasted good, but it did not sit well with me afterward.

We also had a shrimp appetizer in garlic butter sauce that we dipped bread into, and I was obsessed. I would go back, but I’d definitely order something different next time.

Watercolour Grill

On our third day, we skipped breakfast and had dinner at Watercolour Grill, the hotel restaurant. The views were amazing, but we opted to sit inside because at that point, we were dealing with some sunburn.

We had the jumbo crab cake, and yes, it was actually huge. We both ordered the chicken cordon bleu, which came with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

The crab cake had big crab lumps and a delicious sauce, and the chicken was huge. This meal was absolutely delicious.

The Bistro & Morning Coffee

The hotel also has a Bistro where you can grab quick items, and they serve Starbucks coffee. It’s not a full Starbucks, but you can get coffee, lattes, mochas, and similar drinks.

I got an iced vanilla latte every morning, and it was really good.

Yes, You Can Still Go to the Beach

Even though this hotel is not directly on the beach, you can absolutely still go to the beach. The hotel has a complimentary golf cart shuttle that takes you over.

Before you leave, stop at the front desk to grab your beach towels and vouchers for beach chairs and umbrellas. The ride over is quick — about 3 to 5 minutes.

They drop you off right near the beach. You’ll walk a minute and see a concession stand where you can purchase food and drinks. Then you’ll walk a little farther to the stand where you turn in your voucher.

The beach chairs and umbrellas are already set up, so you just pick an empty spot and enjoy. When you’re ready to come back, the golf cart driver gives you a card to call, and they were quick.

The Jolly Trolley Perk

Another big perk of staying here is that the Jolly Trolley stops at the hotel, and guests get access for free.

We didn’t end up using it during this stay, but it’s a great option if you want to head over toward Clearwater Beach without renting a car or dealing with parking.

You’ll want to look at the South Beach Route here: Jolly Trolley Tracker

Best For

I would recommend this hotel for travelers who want Clearwater access without being in the busiest part of Clearwater Beach.