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Hotel at a Glance: Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key

Siting just 200 yards from the beach, this newly renovated 4-star hotel on Florida’s Sand Key barrier island is an ideal home base for travelers looking to soak up some sun and stroll barefoot along the state’s famous Gulf Coast. Of course, you don’t even have to leave the property to get your fill of ocean views and salt-tinged air. Each swanky, well-equipped guest room features private balconies that boast views of Clearwater Bay, and Watercolor Grillhouse—one of the five on-site dining options—serves its certified Angus steaks with a side of waterfront vistas.

• Take an epic dip in an epic pool, whose epicness stems from a 35-ft. cascading waterfall. Otherwise, feel free to stay dry and snag one of the poolside cabanas.
• Let the kids do their own thing thanks to the hotel’s many daily age-appropriate activities, held at Lisa’s Clubhouse. There’s also a pool just for kiddos, too.
• Unwind after a long, sunny day atop a plush, pillow-top mattress, which is the perfect perch for enjoying HBO and other premium cable channels on your suite’s 42” flatscreen TV.
• Pamper yourself with a massage at the on-site spa, which also offers facials, body wraps, and mani-pedis.
• Kick your morning into high gear with a daily continental breakfast (included with your stay) and a cup of coffee at the on-site Bistro On The Bay.

Clearwater, Florida: Seaside Spectacles and Family-Friendly Beaches

At Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60, every sunset is a cause for celebration. Buskers belt out tunes, circus performers breathe fire, and stilt walkers teeter along the beachfront as the sun dips below the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a testament to how integral the beach—a short drive across the Intracoastal Waterway—is to Clearwater’s culture.

In 2013, Clearwater was named the nation’s best beach town by readers of USA Today. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to one of the city’s biggest celebrities, Winter the dolphin, who starred in Dolphin Tale alongside Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. You can stroll the city’s Dolphin Trail to see more than 100 whimsical statues of bottlenose dolphins. Or take the 30-minute drive to Caladesi Island State Park, where you can fish or kayak near 3-mile trails that wind through mangroves and bays.

Also a 30-minute drive away is downtown Saint Petersburg, which is full of upscale dining and shopping venues. Head to laid-back Pass-A-Grille to find an outdoor art market, boutiques, and an ice-cream shop right on the seashore.