For beach lovers looking to stay close to the water during a Florida vacation, Hilton Clearwater Beach, with exceptional views and friendly service, is an ideal choice.
The Hilton Clearwater Beach is located directly on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in the heart of Clearwater Beach, Florida. For beach lovers looking to stay close to the water, where exceptional service, comfort, and easy access to the town’s activities are also important, this beachfront hotel is an ideal choice.
Arrival at Hilton Clearwater Beach
The hotel is about 30 minutes from the Tampa airport. The bell staff greeted me and directed me to the elevator, which quickly took me up a level to the lobby. The lobby is open and bright, with a hip vibe that is anything but a cookie-cutter hotel lobby design. The check-in process was quick and efficient, and I was on my way to my 8th-floor room (one of the two Hilton Honors floors) in less than five minutes.
I must add that this was an ideal trip from Phoenix. I was able to hop on a non-stop 4-hour flight (there are 3 to 4 non-stop flights daily) and after a short 30-minute rideshare, I was sitting on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. You can’t find a much easier way to get to the beach from Phoenix.
My Room at Hilton Clearwater Beach
I had a King Partial View room. It was a nice size room, decorated in neutral colors, and dominated by the Hilton Serenity bed. I was pleasantly surprised by my view. I was skeptical about the “partial view”. Sometimes, that can mean you have a view of the water if you stand on the toilet and stretch your neck the right way to see a tiny sliver of water.
Not at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. I had a gorgeous view of the harbor, the beach walk, Pier 60 and its gorgeous sunsets, and the beautiful expanse of beach and water. The balcony had a small table and two chairs – ideal for my early morning coffee and watching beach-goers and even a few brides heading off to take their vows.
I am one of the world’s worst bed snobs, but I slept great at this hotel. The bed was extremely comfortable and there was an assortment of pillows, including several fluffy down ones. The bath amenities were by Peter Thomas Roth and the towels were soft and thick. I loved the full-sized hairdryer, gourmet coffee, a plug on each side of the bed, and a mini-refrigerator.
Services and Amenities
Hilton Clearwater Beach offers a variety of services and amenities for leisure and business travelers, including high-speed internet available throughout the hotel and even at the pool and onto the beach; daily rentals of beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas; an ATM machine; 24-hour business center; computer in the lobby for airport check-in; direct beach access; small gift shop with souvenirs, snacks, and sodas; vending machines on each level; and pool and hot tub.
Coasters Lounge, located just off the lobby, serves up wine, beer and cocktails along with small eats and offers breathtaking sunset views. Reflections Restaurant, adjacent to the bar, is open for three meals daily, the Tiki Bar serves drinks and food down on the beach and Sand Bar and Grill offers food and drinks poolside.
I was a bit disappointed with room service, and that was probably the only negative I have with the entire hotel. Because of my West Coast schedule and then a dash off to the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, I didn’t have a proper dinner. Upon returning to the hotel at 10:50 p.m., I intended to have a light snack, but it was too late to order room service, which ends at 11 p.m. weeknights. Given the active beach community, it would seem more appropriate for room service to be available at least until midnight.
I opted for room service the next morning. It arrived quickly, but the order was not completely accurate and most condiments were missing. However, I definitely recommend enjoying breakfast downstairs at Reflections. The chef does an excellent job of serving tasty breakfast dishes to diners in the restaurant. The shrimp and grits dish was my favorite breakfast offering from the restaurant. There is also a daily breakfast buffet.
Overall Stay at Hilton Clearwater Beach
Hilton Clearwater Beach offered me a terrific experience during my stay in Florida. It is in a great location, adjacent to Pier 60, sitting on the beach, across from the harbor, and within walking distance of many of Clearwater Beach’s shops and restaurants. The signature Hilton blue beach umbrellas against the sugary-white sand create a picturesque setting for a vacation or a special occasion. I saw several weddings and a couple of reunions during my stay.
While the hotel does show a bit of age here and there, it is impeccably clean and well-maintained. Despite the room-service issues, the restaurant’s food was tasty. The staff is friendly and helpful. On the last day, I had to leave the hotel early, which meant I needed to make arrangements the night before for a cab back to the airport. The bell staff took down the information and assured me they would handle the arrangements. My cab arrived the next morning right on schedule. For me, it is a successful and memorable stay when I get a peaceful sleep in a great bed, have a beautiful view, can enjoy easy access to the beach, and everything I need is delivered with a smile.
Amenity Checklist
- 416 room & suites
- AM/FM clock radio
- Pool and hot tub
- Wireless Internet (free to Hilton Honors members)
- Valet
- Large flat-screen TV
- Desk/workstation in room
- Bedside outlets
- Nice bed linens
- Iron and ironing board
- Full-size hairdryer
- Makeup mirror
- Choice of pillows
- Robe (On Hilton Honors floors)
- Refrigerator in room
- In-room safe
- Self and valet parking
- Coffeemaker in room
- Business Center
- Exercise room
- On-site restaurants and bars
Hilton Clearwater Beach
400 Mandalay Avenue
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727.461.3222
Be sure to check out more great articles on Wander for places to visit during your stay in Florida. We also have more great suggestions for beach vacations.
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