
Tampa Marriott Water Street
Best for meetings, weddings, and travelers who want easy access to downtown attractions and a wide choice of on-site dining.
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Tampa Marriott Water Street is a large, event-focused downtown Tampa hotel with waterfront views and a rooftop pool; read this if you want convention access, lots of on-site restaurants, or a central Riverwalk base. Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach is a branded, midscale beachfront hotel on St. Pete Beach; read this if you want direct beach access and a simpler, beach-resort stay.
Updated · About 40–60 minutes by car (roughly 24–30 miles) between downtown Tampa and St. Pete Beach.

Best for meetings, weddings, and travelers who want easy access to downtown attractions and a wide choice of on-site dining.

Best for beach-focused stays, easy access to Pass-a-Grille/Upham Beach, and a straightforward, branded beachfront experience.
When Tampa Marriott Water Street wins: choose it for conventions, weddings, or if you want many on-site restaurants, a rooftop pool with bay views, and direct access to the Tampa Riverwalk and arena.
When Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach wins: choose it for a traditional beachfront stay with a pool, poolside dining and a short walk to Pass-a-Grille and local Gulf beaches.
Bottom line: pick Tampa Marriott Water Street for an action-packed downtown base and event space; pick Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach for a simpler, well-rated beachfront hotel if the sand and surf are your priority.
| Category | Tampa Marriott Water Street | Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, downtown, event-focused hotel with many food outlets and meeting spaces | Branded midscale beachfront hotel geared to beachgoers and leisure stays |
| Location | 505 Water Street — on the Tampa Riverwalk, steps from the Convention Center and Amalie Arena | 6100 Gulf Blvd — on St. Pete Beach, a short drive or walk to Upham Beach and Pass-a-Grille |
| Size (guest rooms) | About 727 rooms and suites (wedding-block reference) | 144 guestrooms |
| Ages / family friendliness | All ages welcome; family-friendly programming and kids policies | All ages welcome (not adults-only) |
| Pools / waterfront | Heated rooftop outdoor pool (3rd floor) with hot tub, pool bar, cabanas available for a fee | Outdoor pool plus direct walk-to-beach access and beach towels/cabanas (surcharge for cabanas) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets: Anchor and Brine (seafood), Lona (Mexican), Riverwalk Terrace (breakfast/brunch), PERK, Pool Bar & Grill, Bright Ice | One on-site restaurant/bar: Coconut Charlie's (beachfront) plus a beach bar and pool offerings |
| Spa & wellness | Spa services available at Spa by JW (adjacent JW Marriott) via skybridge; on-site fitness center | Not published |
| Known for | Large meeting and event capacity (extensive ballrooms and meeting rooms) and Riverwalk access | Beachfront location and beachfront restaurant (Coconut Charlie's); highly rated by guests |
| Parking & transport | Valet parking (fee), electric charging station; walkable to local transit and water taxis | Self parking onsite (surcharge); nearest airports listed (PIE, TPA distances provided) |
| Accessibility features | Accessible rooms and facilities; accessible fitness center and routes | Wheelchair-accessible pool and many accessible features; multiple accessible room types listed |
Tampa Marriott Water Street sits on the Tampa Riverwalk next to the Convention Center and Amalie Arena, ideal for downtown activities and events.
Best if you want immediate downtown access and waterfront city views.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach is a branded beachfront hotel on Gulf Boulevard, close to Upham Beach and Pass-a-Grille.
Best if you want sand and direct beach access rather than city proximity.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers a wide mix of rooms and suites, including balconies and waterfront views.
Choose Tampa Marriott for larger room variety and suites with waterfront or city views.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach lists 144 guestrooms, many with balcony/patio and partial or resort/gulf views.
Choose Hilton Garden Inn for simple, beach-oriented rooms with many accessible options.
Tampa Marriott Water Street is a multi-outlet dining property with options for every meal and event catering.
Go to Tampa Marriott for more restaurant variety and stronger event-catering options.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach has a beachfront restaurant/bar (Coconut Charlie's) and pool/beach drink options.
Pick Hilton Garden Inn when beachfront dining and quick access to sand-side food are priorities.
Tampa Marriott Water Street features a heated rooftop outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the bay.
Ideal for guests who want a city-pool experience with bay views and a poolside bar.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach offers an outdoor pool plus direct walk-to-beach access and beach amenities.
Best for travelers who prioritize beach time and shore-based activities.
Tampa Marriott doesn’t have its own spa but guests can use Spa by JW at the adjacent JW Marriott via skybridge.
Choose Tampa Marriott if you want spa treatments plus easy downtown nightlife and fitness options.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach focuses on beach leisure; local nightlife is beach- and bar-oriented rather than urban.
Choose Hilton Garden Inn for low-key beach nightlife and water-activity options rather than a city club scene.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — extensive ballrooms, meeting rooms and immediate convention-center access.

Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach — direct beachfront location and short walks to Pass-a-Grille and Upham Beach.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — multiple restaurants and casual outlets for varied meals throughout the day.

Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach — many room types with balconies and extensive mobility/hearing-accessible options.
Tampa Marriott Water Street — it has large ballrooms, many meeting rooms, and direct adjacency to the Tampa Convention Center.
Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach — it is a beachfront property on St. Pete Beach with direct beach access; Tampa Marriott is downtown on the Riverwalk, not on the Gulf.
Yes — the hotel’s guests can use Spa by JW at the adjacent JW Marriott via the skybridge; Tampa Marriott itself does not operate an on-site spa.
Yes — both properties welcome guests of all ages (neither is adults-only).
Explore how Tampa Marriott Water Street stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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