Best Beach Resorts

Affectionately nicknamed the "Pink Palace," the Don CeSar has defined glamour on St. Pete Beach since it first opened in 1928. The resort’s Mediterranean-style architecture, pink facade, and storied past make it a cultural landmark. Designed by noted architect Henry H. DuPont, the hotel soon became a luxurious retreat for the rich and famous, hosting guests such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Babe Ruth and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Today, this grand hotel combines Gatsby-era glamour with modern luxury, offering direct access to St. Pete Beach, award-winning restaurants and Spa Oceana – an 11,000-square-foot sanctuary with stunning Gulf views. While it continues to be a favorite with celebrities and luxury travelers, the Don is also family-friendly and pet-friendly.

With a prime location on beautiful Clearwater Beach, within walking distance of popular Pier 60 and its nightly sunset celebration, the Wyndham Grand offers a blend of comfort and coastal sophistication. Most rooms at this large, contemporary resort offer a terrace or balcony, and guests can choose from deluxe rooms and several suite types, including a presidential suite with stunning Gulf views. Those traveling with younger children may want to book a room with a king bed and a bunk bed. 

During your stay, enjoy premium amenities such as a heated outdoor pool, the tranquil full-service Pallavi Spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and Ocean Hai, a AAA four-diamond restaurant serving Asian-fusion dishes and fresh, locally sourced seafood.

Sandpearl Resort delivers a luxe experience on the sugar-white sands of Clearwater Beach. You can feel good about your stay, as well, because Sandpearl is eco-friendly (it was the first Florida resort to receive a Silver LEED designation from the U.S. Green Building Council). Relax in a lagoon-style pool, enjoy gathering around beachfront fire pits in the evening, treat yourself to a relaxing day at the on-site spa and dine at Caretta on the Gulf, a AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. Art lovers will appreciate the tastefully appointed public areas, with works by Florida artists such as Mark Pulliam and Christopher Still.

Accommodations at Sandpearl range from standard guest rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites with Gulf views, perfect for families or longer stays.

Spread across 20 beachfront acres, TradeWinds is a family-focused beach resort bursting with amenities. In fact, the list of things to do at the resort's two hotels (Island Grand at TradeWinds and Rumfish Beach at TradeWinds) is so extensive, you might need to create a vacation calendar to take advantage of amenities such as a kids' camp, mini golf, "dive-in" movies, paddleboats, wellness classes, pool parties, pirate shows, nightly campfires and more. (Did we mention the three-story inflatable slide and floating water park?)

Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to relax, too, with multiple pools and restaurants on-site. The wide range of activities makes this resort particularly good for families, or multi-generational families who want to create memories together. Accommodations options are just as varied, with everything from rooms to spacious villas and penthouses.

With its striking, curved architecture designed to offer every room a Gulf view, Opal Sands is a modern marvel along Clearwater Beach. All accommodations – whether a standard room or one- or two-bedroom suite – feature floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the shoreline. Guests can relax by the zero-entry Gulf-front pool, enjoy spa services, and dine at several restaurants including Sea-Guini, a Mediterranean-inspired seafood restaurant. 

Just next door is Opal Sol, Opal Sands' sister property, which guests can access via a glass sky bridge to reach more restaurants, a spa and several sparkling pools.