1. Tradewinds Island Grand Resort
The Tradewinds is a classic if you’ve lived around the area long enough. I grew up going to church camps here and even got married here! You cannot beat the Tradewinds Resort in the amount of activities they have available for the entire family. Each day has an itinerary full of activities. Tradewinds offers 5 different pools, 3 story water slide, paddle boats, floating water park on the ocean, and daily poolside crafts. The resort calendar is jam packed with an activity just about every hour. Enjoy poolside trivia, tye-dye, live music, bingo, and more…if you can get your kids off the water slide!
2. Rumfish Beach Resort
The sister resort to Tradewinds and just 60 flip flops away! If you stay at one, you get access to everything both have to offer. At the Rumfish you’ll find a firepit with nightly smores, a touch tank experience, a 33,500 gallon aquarium, and a zipline over the beach! At both resorts, the best rooms are
3. SandPearl Clearwater Beach
If you’re looking for a more elegant escape to the beach, this is my favorite place! Located on the north end of clearwater, the Sandpearl offers a more quiet place on the beach, but still many kid-friendly activities!
4. The Don Cesar
A true classic and the “pink palace” of Tampa, staying at the Don is iconic. Walking down the halls, you are taking a trip back in time when Art Deco architecture ruled. The Don has multiple pools and activities for the whole family, plus some award winning restaurants! The regular rooms are definitely on the smaller side, so if you are staying with kids, I suggest booking a suite.
5. Opal Sands
The Opal Sands offers gulf views from every room at the resort! It’s a smaller resort than most on this list, but it’s updated, modern and chic! If you’re looking for a great place to stay on the beach, eat good food, and get drinks from the Tiki Bar, this is the place! It’s simple, yet checks all the boxes!
6. Wyndham Grand Clearwater
A beautiful resort in Clearwater with great rooms, including family bunk bed rooms and the perfect location to walk everywhere on Clearwater beach. The Wyndham doesn’t sit directly on the beach, since there is a road in between the hotel and ocean, but they still offer ocean views and a great pool for the family.
7. JW Clearwater
This resort is more secluded than the others and sits on a stretch of private beach at the end of Clearwater. Picking a JW is a safe bet because you know you’ll get nice rooms, a decent restaurant, and Marriott service!
