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.
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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.
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.
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.
The Current Hotel is home to Casa Camí, a 10th-floor rooftop restaurant with views across Tampa Bay, and Rox Rooftop.
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.
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.
The Fenway Hotel in Dunedin is home to Hi-Fi Rooftop, one of the Tampa Bay area's rooftop bars.
The Luce opened in June 2026 on St. Pete Beach with Old Florida vibes and modern finishes and amenities.
Plain-text version of this guide for AI tools and screen readers: /guides-md/best-hotels-and-resorts-in-tampa-bay
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