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In the greater Tampa Bay region, several Marriott hotels let you combine a beach stay with proximity to a major urban hub. Clearwater stands out for its distinctly beach-oriented focus, while Tampa concentrates most of the region’s urban infrastructure.
On Sand Key island, two Marriott properties clearly stand out: the Sheraton Sand Key Resort and the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key. For a short stay focused on rest, direct beach access and a calmer setting than downtown Clearwater Beach, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort stands out as a particularly appealing option.
Set away from the tourist bustle, the hotel benefits from a wide natural beach on the Gulf of Mexico, generous outdoor spaces and an atmosphere clearly geared toward relaxation. Its resort positioning, without being luxurious, makes it a coherent choice for enjoying the Florida coast while staying close to Tampa and its attractions.
For our complete guide to Florida, flight options, accommodations and activities, check out our United States: Traveling to Florida with points guide.
In the Clearwater Beach area, hotel rates can climb quickly, especially for properties offering direct beach access. During our stay, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort was priced at US$355 per night, or 63,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for a standard room.
At this price point, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort sits in the upper-mid range of beachfront hotels in Clearwater Beach. It’s generally less expensive than the destination’s most premium resorts, while being well above mid-range options that don’t offer direct beach access.
To earn points for this kind of stay, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada.
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is located on Sand Key island, just south of Clearwater Beach, in a setting notably calmer than the tourist center. Right on the Gulf of Mexico, the hotel offers immediate access to a wide, less crowded natural beach ideal for relaxing.
Although the property dates back to the 1970s, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort underwent a major renovation for its 50th anniversary. The common areas and rooms now feature a more current style, consistent with its resort positioning, without aiming for luxury but offering a good level of comfort.
From Tampa International Airport (TPA), it takes about an hour by Uber or car to reach Clearwater Beach and Sand Key, depending on traffic, making it a relatively accessible destination from a major air hub.
Check-in was smooth and professional. While our Nightly Upgrade Awards didn’t secure a suite upgrade, we received a corner Guest Room, 1 King, Gulf View, Balcony, offering more privacy and a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.
The lobby is functional and matches the classic style of a Sheraton beach resort. The overall look remains fairly simple and reveals the original 1970s architecture, with common areas that are more enclosed, less bright and less airy than at newer or recently redesigned properties.
The room at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort reflects the recent renovation: a modern, warm, nature-inspired style, with tones of blue, sand and light wood immediately evoking the Clearwater coastline. Driftwood-style patterns and finishes, paired with carpeting that evokes waves receding on sand, reinforce the relaxing ambiance typical of a beach resort.
The space is well designed for a Florida beach stay, with several storage options, a small nook for bags and a versatile round table, more functional than a simple desk. The king-size bedding is comfortable, and the bed, placed perpendicular to the picture window, faces the main wall where the TV is located.
The reasonably sized balcony is perfect for enjoying sunrise with a coffee, offering a real extension of the room and direct contact with the soothing natural surroundings.
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort has two main restaurants, each offering a different experience. For breakfast, we used Rusty’s Bistro, which offers a varied buffet of hot and cold dishes. The options remain classic, but table service for coffee and water is particularly attentive. The room is well organized, but surprisingly has neither windows nor a terrace, which is surprising for a hotel located right on the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mainstay Tavern offers a relaxed gastropub style, with an American menu and a few local specialties. The atmosphere is simple, almost cafeteria-like, with minimalist decor and, again, no outdoor view. The space is functional but not very inviting for a longer meal.
The hotel’s private beach is without question its main asset. Spanning over 13 acres, the fine white sand and warm Gulf of Mexico waters offer an exceptional setting for relaxing, walking or enjoying water activities. Loungers are plentiful and well spaced, and sand access is immediate from the hotel, reinforcing the beach experience.
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort offers a main oceanfront pool, typical of Florida resorts, surrounded by a wide deck with loungers and umbrellas. The atmosphere is relaxed, ideal for alternating between swimming, reading and rest. A rectangular hot tub rounds out the offering, simple but effective, and always popular with vacationers seeking extra relaxation.
For those who want to explore the Clearwater Beach area at their own pace, bikes can be rented through the Zebra app for $20 per one-hour block. It’s a pleasant option for exploring the surroundings while enjoying the sea air and a ride along the coast.
The fitness centre at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort is spacious, modern and very welcoming. The equipment is complete and well maintained, and the space has a pleasant atmosphere, ideal for keeping up a workout routine. It’s likely one of the nicest fitness rooms we’ve seen in a hotel of this caliber.
The Sheraton Sand Key Resort’s location is a real asset for enjoying Clearwater Beach while staying away from the downtown bustle. Set on Sand Key island, the hotel has direct access to a wide white-sand beach and a calm setting, ideal for relaxing along the coast.
The surroundings let you combine rest and activities: long walks along the beach, swimming in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, or exploring the area by bike thanks to rentals available through the hotel. The proximity to Tampa also offers the chance to discover urban and cultural attractions while easily returning to a peaceful beachside setting.
Our stay at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort was defined by calm and comfort. The hotel offers a relaxing setting facing the Gulf of Mexico, with a large beach, a spacious pool and well-maintained facilities. The room is pleasant, well suited to unwinding after a day at the beach, and Tampa’s proximity makes it easy to add urban excursions.
The recent renovation brings modernity and warmth, with a nature- and beach-inspired style that reinforces the peaceful atmosphere throughout. One downside: the dining options at the main restaurants remain disappointing. Without a terrace or coastal view, they struggle to make the most of the hotel’s exceptional location, and this is the main weak point of this beach experience.
To maximize this type of experience, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada, ideal for earning travel points toward your next stay.
And to plan your entire trip to Florida, check out our United States: Traveling to Florida with points guide.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide is with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card). It is also possible to earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
To learn everything about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for free hotel stays, follow our guides:
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