
Tampa Marriott Water Street
Best for conference attendees, sports/arena visitors, and travelers who want immediate access to Tampa’s Riverwalk and convention district.
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Tampa Marriott Water Street is a large, full-service waterfront hotel in downtown Tampa tied to the Riverwalk, convention center, and arena district; read this if you want a convention- or city-focused base with easy access to Tampa attractions. Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is a beachfront Hilton in central Clearwater Beach with spa and resort-style amenities; read this if you want beach access, pools, and a classic Hilton resort on Clearwater’s main strip.
Updated · about 24 miles (roughly 39 km) apart (downtown Tampa to Clearwater Beach)

Best for conference attendees, sports/arena visitors, and travelers who want immediate access to Tampa’s Riverwalk and convention district.

Best for beach-focused stays, guests who want direct access to Clearwater Beach and nearby Pier 60, and those seeking an on-site full-service spa.
When Tampa Marriott Water Street wins: choose the Marriott if you need large, flexible meeting and event space, want to be in the heart of downtown Tampa near the convention center and Amalie Arena, or prefer a rooftop pool with bay and Riverwalk access.
When Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa wins: choose the Hilton if you want to be literally on Clearwater Beach with direct beach access and beachfront amenities, multiple on-site restaurants and bars, and a full-service spa at the resort.
Bottom line: pick Tampa Marriott Water Street for city, meetings, or arena/convention convenience; pick Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa for a traditional Gulf Coast beach resort stay with spa services and immediate access to Clearwater Beach and Pier 60.
| Category | Tampa Marriott Water Street | Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Urban waterfront, convention and entertainment-focused | Beachfront resort, leisure and family/beach crowd |
| Location | 505 Water Street — on Tampa Riverwalk, steps from convention center and Amalie Arena | 400 Mandalay Ave — on Clearwater Beach, steps from Pier 60 and Beach Walk |
| Size (guest rooms) | About 727 guest rooms and suites (property materials) | 418 guestrooms (supplier listing) |
| Audience / age policy | All-ages, family-friendly (children welcome; up to two children 20 and under stay free in parent’s room) | All-ages (not adults-only) |
| Pools & water access | Single heated rooftop outdoor pool (3rd floor) with hot tub and pool bar; bay/Riverwalk nearby | Two outdoor pools plus private beach access and beach bar/cabanas (surcharge) |
| Dining & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Anchor and Brine, Lona, Riverwalk Terrace, PERK, Pool Bar & Grill, Bright Ice, A La Carte) | Three restaurants, three bars/lounges and a coffee shop (room service limited hours) |
| Spa & wellness | Spa services available at adjacent Spa by JW® via skybridge (10 treatment suites) and on-site fitness center | Full-service on-site spa offering massages, body treatments and facials plus 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive — roughly 50,000 sq ft / many ballrooms and up to 2,000+ capacity depending on configuration | Conference space: 37,000 sq ft and 17 meeting rooms |
| Accessibility & family features | Accessible rooms and features, connected to JW Marriott (skybridge); family-oriented programming and kid-friendly amenities | Wheelchair-accessible paths, accessible rooms and pool, children stay free in rooms per property policy |
| Typical pickup points / nearest airport | Nearest major airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA); short rideshare or streetcar access locally | Nearest airport listed: St. Petersburg–Clearwater Intl. (PIE) and Tampa Intl. (TPA) farther away |
Tampa Marriott Water Street sits on the Riverwalk beside the convention center and arena, designed for walkable access to downtown attractions.
Choose the Marriott if you want immediate access to Tampa’s downtown events, museums, and convention scene.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is on Mandalay Avenue in central Clearwater Beach, a short walk to Pier 60 and beachfront promenades.
Choose the Hilton for direct beach access and being in the heart of Clearwater Beach’s promenade and Pier 60 area.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers a wide range of city- and waterfront-oriented rooms and suites, some with balconies and Stay Well options.
If you want larger suites and waterfront views near downtown attractions, the Marriott’s variety and size suit meetings and families.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa lists a broad mix of rooms and suites focused on Gulf or harbor views, many with balconies.
The Hilton is built for beach-facing stays: choose it for rooms and suites with Gulf views and balcony access to the shoreline.
Tampa Marriott Water Street has a diverse on-site dining lineup that covers breakfast, seafood, Mexican, coffee and poolside service.
Pick the Marriott if you want a broader, city-style set of restaurants and late-night bar energy near downtown venues.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers multiple on-site restaurants and bars, plus beachfront and poolside beverage service.
The Hilton focuses on straightforward resort dining with beachfront and poolside convenience rather than a downtown restaurant scene.
Tampa Marriott Water Street has a single heated rooftop outdoor pool with a hot tub and a pool bar overlooking the bay.
The Marriott’s rooftop pool is a downtown, waterfront amenity best paired with Riverwalk access rather than a beach day.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa provides two outdoor pools plus direct private beach access and beach amenities.
If your trip centers on sun, sand and multiple pools, the Hilton’s beachside setup is the practical choice.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers a complimentary fitness center and access to Spa by JW at the adjacent JW Marriott via skybridge.
The Marriott combines city nightlife and a nearby full spa (adjacent property) for a mixed wellness-and-entertainment trip.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa runs a full-service on-site spa and 24-hour fitness facilities for resort guests.
Choose the Hilton for a conventional resort spa and easy access to evening beachfront activities such as Pier 60 sunsets.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — far larger configurable meeting and ballroom space next to the convention center and arena.

Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — direct beach access, two pools, beach bar and proximity to Pier 60.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — downtown location, business center, convention connectivity and easy airport access to TPA.

Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — resort amenities, on-site full-service spa and beachfront dining.
Tampa Marriott Water Street — it has significantly larger and more configurable event space and sits adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center.
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — it’s on Mandalay Avenue on Clearwater Beach within steps of Pier 60 and Beach Walk.
No — both properties are all-ages; families with children are welcome at both hotels.
If you want to focus on Tampa activities, stay at Tampa Marriott Water Street. If you want beach time, stay at the Hilton; travel between them is typically a 40–60 minute drive depending on traffic.
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