
Tampa Marriott Water Street
Best for convention groups, business events, and travelers who want easy access to Tampa Riverwalk attractions.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Tampa Marriott Water Street is a large, waterfront urban Marriott in downtown Tampa that suits convention attendees, families, and guests who want immediate Riverwalk access. The Don CeSar is an iconic historic Gulf-front luxury resort on St. Pete Beach for travelers prioritizing beachfront location, resort leisure, and a classic hotel experience.
Updated · about 25–30 miles apart (drive)

Best for convention groups, business events, and travelers who want easy access to Tampa Riverwalk attractions.

Best for beach stays, resort-style relaxation, and travelers who want a historic Gulf-front property with an on-site full-service spa.
When Tampa Marriott Water Street wins: pick this if you need proximity to the Tampa Convention Center, Amalie Arena, Riverwalk attractions, large meeting spaces, or want a rooftop pool with bay views while staying in downtown Tampa.
When The Don CeSar wins: choose The Don CeSar if a Gulf-front beach location, an on-site full-service spa, classic resort style, and beachfront access are the priorities for your trip.
Bottom line: both are upscale Florida options but serve different trip types — Tampa Marriott Water Street is an urban, meeting- and family-oriented waterfront hotel in downtown Tampa; The Don CeSar is a beachfront resort on St. Pete Beach focused on seaside leisure and resort amenities.
| Category | Tampa Marriott Water Street | The Don CeSar |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary waterfront urban hotel focused on meetings, dining, and family programming. | Historic Mediterranean-style Gulf-front resort with resort leisure and spa focus. |
| Location | 505 Water Street, downtown Tampa on the Tampa Riverwalk, steps from the convention center and arena. | 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, directly on the Gulf of Mexico beachfront. |
| Size (guest rooms) | About 727 guest rooms (property and meetings materials). | 277 guestrooms (supplier listing). |
| Ages / audience | All-ages; family-friendly (children welcome; up to two children 20 and under stay free in parent/guardian room). | All-ages; not adults-only (supplier listing: adultsOnly: false). |
| Pools & waterfront | One heated rooftop outdoor pool with hot tub and Pool Bar & Grill; bay/Riverwalk waterfront but not beachfront. | One outdoor pool and direct beach access with beach sun loungers, umbrellas, cabanas (surcharge). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site outlets including Anchor and Brine (seafood), Lona (Mexican), Riverwalk Terrace, PERK, Pool Bar & Grill, Bright Ice, A La Carte. | Two restaurants, one coffee shop/cafe, and two bars/lounges; 24-hour room service available. |
| Spa & wellness | Spa services available via Spa by JW at the adjacent JW Marriott (connected by skybridge); on-site fitness center complimentary. | On-site full-service spa with treatment rooms and reservations required; fitness center available. |
| Meetings & events | Extensive meeting and event space (tens of thousands of sq ft, large ballrooms adjacent to the convention center). | Conference and meeting space totaling about 38,000 sq ft (supplier listing). |
| Parking & access | Valet parking (daily fee), EV charging, nearby public garages; car not required thanks to Riverwalk, water taxi, and streetcar access. | Self parking and valet available for a fee; nearest major airport preference: Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA). |
Tampa Marriott Water Street sits on the Tampa Riverwalk in the Channel District, a short walk to the convention center, arena, museums, and Riverwalk attractions.
Choose Tampa Marriott Water Street if you want downtown access, museums, and convention/arena proximity.
The Don CeSar is located on St. Pete Beach with immediate Gulf-front access and beachfront activities steps from the hotel.
Choose The Don CeSar if your priority is staying on the sand and enjoying classic Gulf Coast beach time.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers a large inventory of room types, many with balconies or water views and some Stay Well rooms.
Rooms at Tampa Marriott Water Street are geared toward business and group travelers, with many room options and some balcony views.
The Don CeSar lists a range of Luxury and Grand rooms, junior suites, and balcony suites with classic resort styling.
The Don CeSar’s rooms emphasize a historic resort feel and beachfront orientation, with a variety of suite and balcony choices.
Tampa Marriott Water Street collects several full-service and casual dining venues on one property, from seafood to Mexican to coffee and ice cream.
Tampa Marriott Water Street is a convenient dining hub for varied tastes, especially for groups and families.
The Don CeSar offers a smaller set of on-site food-and-drink outlets with room service and beachfront dining options.
The Don CeSar focuses on traditional resort dining and beachfront beverage service rather than a wide urban restaurant lineup.
Tampa Marriott Water Street’s signature leisure amenity is its heated rooftop pool and hot tub on the third floor with bay views.
Pick Tampa Marriott Water Street for a rooftop pool with city/bay views and easy downtown access — not for beachfront swimming.
The Don CeSar’s signature amenity is its Gulf-front beach setting combined with resort pool and beach services.
The Don CeSar is the clear choice for straightforward beach days and beachfront resort amenities.
Tampa Marriott Water Street provides a complimentary fitness center on-site and spa services via the connected Spa by JW at the adjacent JW Marriott.
Choose Tampa Marriott Water Street for fitness and easy access to a large local nightlife and event scene; spa services are at the connected JW Marriott.
The Don CeSar offers an on-site full-service spa and a more resort-paced evening experience focused on bars and beachfront relaxation.
The Don CeSar is the better pick if on-site spa treatments and relaxed beachfront evenings are central to your stay.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center with extensive ballroom and meeting space.

The Don CeSar — direct Gulf beachfront location with beach services and resort-style pool.

The Don CeSar — an on-site full-service spa listed in the supplier amenities.

Tampa Marriott Water Street — multiple restaurants, a coffee shop, ice cream shop, and family-friendly programming.
The Don CeSar — it sits directly on St. Pete Beach and lists beach sun loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas among its amenities.
Tampa Marriott Water Street — it’s adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center and within walking distance of downtown venues.
No — neither property is an all-inclusive resort; both list breakfast and internet as optional paid items in their policies/descriptions.
Yes — both properties welcome families; supplier data and property materials indicate The Don CeSar is not adults-only, and Tampa Marriott Water Street is marketed as family-friendly.
Explore how Tampa Marriott Water Street stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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