# 8 Best Hotels & Resorts in Tampa Bay (2026) A pink palace from 1928, rooftop-bar hotels, and Clearwater Beach resorts that top Florida lists. From the Don CeSar's century-old glamour to a brand-new beachfront hotel, Tampa Bay's best stays range widely. Picks lean on 2025 and 2026 recognition from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and Condé Nast Traveler readers. Rates and awards change, so confirm before booking. Spots are numbered for easy browsing, not as a strict ranking. Updated: October 2026. Source: Real Tampa Bay Media, https://realtampabay.com/guides/best-hotels-and-resorts-in-tampa-bay ## Spots ### 1. The Don CeSar The "Pink Palace" since 1928. - Neighborhood: St. Pete Beach - Address: 3400 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL The Don CeSar has defined glamour on St. Pete Beach since it opened in 1928 and won top billing in the 2026 Best of St. Pete-Clearwater awards. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Highlights: Opened 1928; Best of St. Pete-Clearwater 2026; National Register ### 2. The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club A historic downtown St. Pete resort. - Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg - Address: 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL The Vinoy took top spot among the Best Downtown Hotels in the 2026 Best of St. Pete-Clearwater awards and is celebrating its 100th birthday. Its Elliott Aster restaurant opened in 2025. Highlights: Best Downtown Hotel 2026; 100th birthday; Elliott Aster restaurant ### 3. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Tampa's first true luxury hotel. - Neighborhood: Water Street Tampa - Address: 510 Water St, Tampa, FL Tampa Magazine describes the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street as Tampa's first true luxury hotel. It houses Driftlight Steakhouse and the 27th-floor Beacon rooftop lounge. Highlights: Luxury downtown hotel; Beacon rooftop; Driftlight Steakhouse ### 4. The Current Hotel Bay views at Rocky Point. - Neighborhood: Rocky Point - Address: 2545 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL The Current Hotel is home to Casa Camí, a 10th-floor rooftop restaurant with views across Tampa Bay, and Rox Rooftop. Highlights: Bay views; Rooftop dining; Rocky Point ### 5. Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa Ranked No. 1 among Florida resorts. - Neighborhood: Clearwater Beach Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards placed the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa at No. 1 on its list of the Top 15 Resorts in Florida. It has Sandava Spa on-site. Highlights: Condé Nast Traveler #1 in Florida (2025); Spa on-site; Clearwater Beach ### 6. JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa A Michelin-recommended hotel. - Neighborhood: Clearwater Beach The JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa placed No. 2 on Condé Nast Traveler's Top 15 Resorts in Florida (2025) and was recognized as a MICHELIN-recommended hotel for 2025. It has a rooftop bar, The Deep End, on its 11th floor. Highlights: Michelin-recommended hotel; Condé Nast #2 in Florida; Rooftop bar ### 7. The Fenway Hotel Dunedin boutique stay with a rooftop. - Neighborhood: Dunedin The Fenway Hotel in Dunedin is home to Hi-Fi Rooftop, one of the Tampa Bay area's rooftop bars. Highlights: Boutique hotel; Rooftop bar; Dunedin ### 8. The Luce, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Opened in June 2026. - Neighborhood: St. Pete Beach - Address: 6300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL The Luce opened in June 2026 on St. Pete Beach with Old Florida vibes and modern finishes and amenities. Highlights: Opened June 2026; Old Florida style; Gulf Boulevard ## About this guide Picks are compiled from local publications and public sources and are not a paid ranking. Spots are numbered for browsing, not as a strict ranking. Hours and prices are intentionally omitted because they change; confirm details with each venue. All guides: https://realtampabay.com/guides Header photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Pete_Beach_FL_Don_Ce_Sar01.jpg).