Is Tampa Marriott Water Street worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes—Tampa Marriott Water Street is worth considering if you want a modern, waterfront downtown hotel with easy access to the Tampa Riverwalk, convention center, and nightlife. It’s a particularly good fit for families, convention attendees, and guests who prioritize on-site dining and a rooftop pool; weigh the paid parking and optional extras against your budget.
In this guide
Location & getting around
Tampa Marriott Water Street sits at 505 Water Street in downtown Tampa, directly on the Tampa Riverwalk and adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center. That makes walking to Amalie Arena, the Riverwalk, and nearby attractions straightforward.
You can use the free TECO Line heritage streetcar (near Dick Greco Plaza) to reach Ybor City, and water taxi services depart close by for Harbour Island, Davis Islands, and Hyde Park. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the closest airport; driving times are often about 15 minutes depending on traffic.
- Address: 505 Water Street, Tampa, Florida, 33602, US
- Walk: Tampa Riverwalk, Amalie Arena, Convention Center (short walk)
- Streetcar: TECO Line stop nearby (Dick Greco Plaza)
- Water taxi: departures nearby for waterfront sightseeing
| Nearby place | Typical walk/drive |
|---|---|
| Tampa Convention Center | About a 5–7 minute walk |
| Florida Aquarium | About a 10–12 minute walk |
| Tampa International Airport (TPA) | About a 15-minute drive |
Rooms, views and family-friendliness
The hotel offers a range of room types and several include outdoor space; room names include Room, Deluxe Room, Balcony, Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony, Room, Balcony, City View, Room, Balcony, Room, Tub, Room, Water View, and Room (Mobility/, Tub). Some rooms have balconies with marina or city views.
The property is explicitly family-friendly: children of all ages are welcome, and up to two children aged 20 or younger can stay free using existing bedding. If you’re traveling with young children, note the hotel warns that balconies, patios, and terraces may not suit every child and to contact the property with concerns.
- Select room names exactly as listed: Room; Deluxe Room, Balcony; Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony; Room, Balcony, City View; Room, Balcony; Room (, Tub); Room, Water View; Room (Mobility/, Tub).
- Some rooms feature outdoor balconies or terraces — check the specific room description when booking.
- Stay Well technology is available in a limited number of rooms (35 rooms designated).
| Room examples (exact names) | Typical feature |
|---|---|
| Room, Water View | 1 King Bed with water view |
| Deluxe Room, Balcony | Balcony with city/water outlook (1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds) |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony | 1 King Bed + 1 Double Sofa Bed and balcony |
Pools, fitness and spa access
Tampa Marriott Water Street has one heated outdoor rooftop pool on the third floor with an adjacent hot tub; pool hours are generally listed as 6:00 AM–10:00 PM (some sources show 6:30 AM start). Pool towels are provided and cabanas/palapas are available for an additional fee.
There is a complimentary, recently redesigned on-site fitness center with a full complement of cardio and strength equipment. The hotel itself does not operate a full-service spa, but guests can reach Spa by JW® at the adjacent JW Marriott Tampa Water Street via a glass skybridge for treatments.
- Rooftop pool: heated, third floor; hot tub included; towels provided
- Cabanas/palapas: available for a surcharge (listed by the hotel as $100.00 on some pages)
- Fitness: complimentary on-site fitness center; 24-hour JW Marriott fitness center accessible via skybridge
- Spa: Spa by JW® is at the adjacent JW Marriott (accessible by skybridge)
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pool | Heated rooftop pool; generally open 6:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Fitness center | Complimentary; full cardio and strength equipment |
| Spa access | Spa by JW® at adjacent JW Marriott (separate service fees apply) |
Dining & nightlife on-site
The hotel has multiple on-site dining venues covering breakfast through dinner, plus grab-and-go and dessert options. Key outlets include Riverwalk Terrace (breakfast & brunch), PERK (coffee/cafe), Anchor and Brine (seafood with a raw bar and outdoor waterfront terrace), Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval (modern Mexican), Pool Bar & Grill (poolside), Bright Ice (ice cream), and A La Carte (in-room/grab-and-go).
Breakfast and many meals are available for a fee; Riverwalk Terrace hours are listed for breakfast and brunch. Several outlets are cashless and accept mobile payments.
- Riverwalk Terrace: waterfront breakfast & brunch (Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–11:00 AM; Sat–Sun 6:30 AM–1:00 PM)
- Anchor and Brine: seafood lunch & dinner (hours vary; includes outdoor terrace/firepit seating)
- Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval: dinner service daily 4:00 PM–11:00 PM
- PERK and A La Carte: coffee, grab-and-go and in-room dining
| Restaurant | Primary service |
|---|---|
| Riverwalk Terrace | Breakfast & Brunch |
| Anchor and Brine | Seafood — Lunch & Dinner |
| Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval | Dinner |
Meetings, events and weddings
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers large, configurable event spaces including a Grand Ballroom (17,169 sq ft) and extensive meeting facilities totaling tens of thousands of square feet. The property markets itself for conferences, incentives, and weddings, and has multiple pre-function and waterfront foyer spaces.
Capacities vary by room: the Grand Ballroom and other ballrooms list capacities suitable for large events and weddings. If you’re planning an event, confirm current capacities and setup options directly with the hotel or event sales team.
- Grand Ballroom: 17,169 sq ft (large events and conferences)
- Florida Ballroom: 8,432 sq ft with floor-to-ceiling windows; noted wedding capacity listed up to 320 (wedding use)
- Total event space: the hotel advertises roughly 50,000 sq ft (check with hotel for the most current figures)
- Multiple boardrooms and meeting rooms for small-to-large gatherings
| Venue | Noted size/capacity |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | 17,169 sq ft (large conferences) |
| Florida Ballroom | 8,432 sq ft (used for weddings and events) |
| Outdoor Terrace / Patio | Waterfront ceremony options available |
Practical matters: cost extras, pets, and accessibility
There are several paid extras to factor into your budget: valet parking is available at a daily surcharge (rates vary by source and date), cabanas/palapas are charged separately, and some guests may see a destination fee listed by third-party sites. Free Wi‑Fi is available for Marriott Bonvoy members; non-members may be charged.
Pets are allowed with a non-refundable pet fee (the hotel lists $150.00 per stay, with a 50 lb limit and up to 2 pets per room). Service animals are accepted without fee. The hotel provides accessible features and accessible routes to amenities; check specific room accessibility options when booking.
- Check-in: from 4:00 PM (arrivals accommodated until midnight); Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Valet parking: available for a daily surcharge; self-parking must be arranged with the hotel
- Wi‑Fi: complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy members; other guests may be charged
- Pets: non-refundable fee listed at $150.00 per stay (hotel policy), 50 lb max, up to 2 pets
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | From 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Parking | Valet for a surcharge; height restrictions and EV charging available |
| Accessibility | Accessible routes and accessible features; accessible rooms available |
Pros & cons — quick breakdown
Here are the main advantages and drawbacks based on the hotel’s features and typical guest priorities.
Use these points to decide whether the hotel fits your trip (family visit, convention, riverfront sightseeing, or dining-focused stay).
- Pros: Waterfront downtown location on the Riverwalk; rooftop pool and pool bar; multiple on-site restaurants including seafood and modern Mexican; large event space for conferences and weddings; family-friendly policies; fitness center and skybridge access to JW Marriott spa and additional amenities.
- Cons: Paid parking and other surcharges (cabanas, club lounge), some Wi‑Fi limitations for non-Bonvoy members, balconies and terraces may require extra caution with small children, and the hotel does not operate an on-site full-service spa (Spa by JW is at the neighboring JW Marriott).
| Decision factor | Good fit if... |
|---|---|
| Location | You want downtown riverfront access, walking to major attractions and easy public transit |
| Events | You're hosting a conference or wedding that needs large, configurable spaces |
| Budget | You're okay with paid parking and optional extras, or are using loyalty benefits |
