11 of the Best Hotels Near St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) for Families

The St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is known for family-friendly fun, whether you are staying for a few nights or a few weeks. There are many different hotels, restaurants, and attractions to appeal to anyone in your family and to keep everyone busy the entire trip. Several hotels cater to families and extended stay scenarios. 

The following are 11 of the best hotels in the St. Petersburg-Tampa-Clearwater region of Florida.

La Quinta by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airport

If you are looking for a great location that has just about everything your family could want or need, The La Quinta by Wyndham St. Pete-Clearwater Airport hotel should be high on your list. Located directly off I-275, the hotel sits two miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and 12 miles from the Tampa International Airport.

Along I-275, there are several restaurants, strip malls, and other retail shopping opportunities. Several Gulf of Mexico beaches and shore attractions are just a short drive away. Tourist attractions in the vicinity include but are not limited to The Dali Museum, Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, Sunken Gardens, and Tropicana Field. 

You can start your day on the beach, take in a tourist attraction like The Dali Museum, then head out to see the Tampa Bay Rays, NFL’s Buccaneers (with Tom Brady), or a Tampa Bay Lightning game.

The hotel comes with many amenities. These include free WiFi, daily housekeeping, pet-friendly rooms, an outdoor pool, a business center, laundry facilities, and a fitness center. 

The rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen HDTV, desk, coffee maker, iron, ironing board, and hairdryer. You can start every morning with the “Bright Side Breakfast,” which includes eggs, waffles, cereal, and more.

If you flew into the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, a free airport shuttle will take you to your hotel. For those who drove to the hotel, there is free parking. Additionally, there is express check-in and check-out as well as late check-out upon request.  

Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater/St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road

The Hampton Inn & Suites, Clearwater St. Petersburg-Ulmerton Road is five minutes away from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Getting to the beach takes about 25 minutes and downtown St. Petersburg and all it offers is a 15-minute drive. 

St Pete offers waterfront parks, theaters, shopping malls and boutique stores, dozens of restaurants, and tourist-oriented theme parks. Other local attractions include the Tampa Zoo and Zooquarium, multiple ocean and bay-oriented tours, and attractions that range from go-carts to fixed amusement rides. 

You can start every day with a complimentary breakfast, and the WiFi is free. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, business, and fitness center. Other amenities include, but are not limited to:

• Free parking
• Digital Key
• Mini Fridge (in selected rooms)
• LCD TV
• Desk
• Coffeemaker

The hotel is not ped-friendly. It has multiple amenities for the disabled. It does have rooms with different amenities, so pay attention when booking and if you have a question, make sure you ask. Do not assume!

Located in Pinellas Park on the Tampa Bay side, if you decide to travel outside the immediate vicinity, I-275 is a short drive away. Tampa is right across the bridge. Clearwater is to the west—ten minutes away.

Fairfield Inn and Suites St Petersburg Clearwater

This hotel is located in the northern part of Clearwater Beach and is a short walk from Mandalay Channel. It is also close to Caladesi Island State Park, Sunsets at Pier 60, and Sand Key Park. The nearest major road is Rt. 60, which crosses the Channel into Clearwater. Other attractions include:

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• Capitol Theater
• Busch Gardens Tampa
• Clearwater Beach 
• North Clearwater Beach

The key amenities at the hotel include a beauty shop, ATM, coffee in the lobby, on-site parking, multiple non-smoking public areas, play yard, outdoor pool, business center, fitness center, free breakfast, on-site laundry, free high-speed internet, and for a price faster internet. The front desk also has safe deposit boxes. 

Hotel room amenities include coffee and tea, individual climate control, a pull-out sofa bed, valet dry cleaning, and a mini-fridge. There are several rooms with great views of the bay, channel, ocean, and Clearwater Beach. Visitors can upgrade their room to a suite when one is available.  

The business center is an actual business center. It includes multiple computers, printers, free high-speed internet, copy, and fax service. Incoming and outgoing fax communications are free, and there is overnight delivery and pickup.

There are multiple restaurants in the area, and while many cater to tourists, you can find local-frequented neighborhood eateries with a little looking. While more traditional shopping is a short drive across the channel, there are multiple beach-related stores in the vicinity.

Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater

Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater is a ten-minute drive to Tampa (4.9 miles) and right around the corner from the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Major roadways in the vicinity include Rt. 19 and I-275, which are about five minutes away.

The hotel has 104 guestrooms, each with a kitchenette, refrigerator, and stovetop. WiFi is free, and each room has a 42-inch flat-screen television with satellite programming. In the room are safes and desks as well as weekly housekeeping.

The property has an outdoor pool and fitness center (open 24 hours,) a gift shop/newsstand, and a picnic area. If you have business interests to attend to, the hotel has a 24-hour business center with computer access and free WiFi. Laundry service, dry cleaning, and luggage storage are also available upon request.

Attractions in the area include:

• East Bay Golf Club
• Largo Mall
• Congo River Golf-Clearwater
• Florida Botanical Gardens
• Bright House Field
• Lake Seminole Park

Airports in the area include Tampa International and the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International airports. St. Petersburg is about 20 miles away, and Tampa is a little over 30 miles.

Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Petersburg Clearwater

This hotel is ten minutes from Tampa International Airport and about a 30-minute drive from Clearwater Beach. I-275 is a short drive away, and Tampa is right across the Old Tampa Bay. Three is a shuttle to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which is less than one mile away. 

Guests get a free breakfast, and parking is free. A digital key entry system controls room access. WiFi is free, and there is an outdoor pool, fitness, and business center. Pet-friendly rooms are available. Rooms come with a full kitchen or kitchenette, dining table, sofa with pull-out bed and seating area, microwave, and fridge. 

Attractions in the area include Sawgrass Lake Park, Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, The Dali Museum, Clearwater Beach, Sandy Key Park, Fort DeSoto Park, professional sports teams throughout the area depending on the pro sports season. Additionally, the area is known for incredible restaurants and some of the best shopping in Florida.

Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park

The Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park sits between Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa as a visitor can get. The main link from St. Petersburg to Tampa, the Howard Frankland Bridge, is about a five-minute drive away. Downtown St. Pete’s is within ten miles. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is less than three miles away.

The hotel is near The Dali Museum and Tropicana Field (within ten miles.) Additionally, there are multiple beaches within a 20-minute drive. Other attractions include Busch Gardens Tampa, the Capitol Theater, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The hotel offers free WiFi and parking. It has a digital key security system. Concierge service is 24 hours, and there is a fitness center, business center, and outdoor pool. Pets are not allowed.

There is an on-site restaurant, LUNA, that serves meals throughout the day. In addition, visitors can have cocktails on the terrace, private dining, and room service. A billiards room is on-premises as well. 

The average room sleeps two to four guests. Each room has a mini-refrigerator and 32-inch LCD TV. There is also ironing equipment and granite vanities. Most views look over the Carillon Nature Reserve and Lake Carillon. Other rooms have king beds, separate sitting areas, workspaces, and balconies. 

Petersburg Marriott Clearwater

Whether you are in the area for business or on a family trip or vacation, the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater sits in the thick of the Tampa-Clearwater-St Pete region. The hotel is near Busch Gardens, Legends and Tropicana Fields, Lowry Park Zoo, Florida Aquarium, Sunken Gardens, and Pier 60. 

Beaches are nearby as well. Clearwater beaches, Fort Desoto Park, and Sawgrass Lake Park are a short drive away. If you are looking for local art, the Ruth Eckerd Hall, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and Mahaffey Theater are easily accessible. 

In terms of airports, there is no shuttle service, but there are public buses and taxis. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is about two miles away. The airport does provide a shuttle service, but you must request it. The hotel is very close to I-276, which means quick and easy access to Tampa.

The hotel offers room service, dry cleaning, Continental, buffet, and American breakfasts (each at a price,) safe deposit boxes, and most rooms are mobility accessible. There is a business center, heated outdoor pool, and fitness center on-site. 

The rooms have many different amenities. Those include:

• Bottle water (free)
• Coffee/tea maker
• Mini fridge
• Bathrobe
• Free WiFi
• Cable television

There is also a workspace in each room that includes a desk and work area as well as multiple outlets. The business center provides copy and fax services, network printing services, overnight pickup, and delivery. 

The St Petersburg Marriott Clearwater is smoke-free, and pets are not allowed. Enhanced speed WiFi is available at a cost. There is express check-in and check-out.

Residence Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater

The Residence Inn franchise provides travelers with many conveniences that are available in most homes. Part of their corporate mantra is to create a “home away from home,” which drives most of their operations. It also makes a trip a little more comfortable without the formality of an established hotel and hotel room. 

At the St. Petersburg Clearwater Residence Inn, a TripAdvisor Award of Excellence winner, the comforts of home are a given. This all-suite facility lets you relax from check-in to check-out. Perks include free grocery shopping, complimentary breakfast in the lobby, a BBQ and picnic area, on-site laundry, ATMs, and mobility-accessible rooms. 

The location is in the center of the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area. 

The facility is just one mile from St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport. It is a very short drive (about ten minutes) from local beaches. It is also very close to major attractions if you want to leave all the property offers. Pets are welcome (pets are limited to one per room limit, and only dogs are allowed. 

If you have a pet that is not a dog, check with the hotel first to see if you can bring the pet.) There is complimentary on-site parking. 

That property has a business center and fitness facility, outdoor pool, studio, and one- and two-bedroom suites. Each room comes with free WiFi and large work areas. 

Every suite has a fully equipped kitchen that includes:

• Full-sized refrigerator
• Coffee maker
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• Cooktop
• Pots, pans, and serving dishes
• Silverware
• Plates and glasses
• Table and Chairs
• Toaster

Every suite has a fireplace. Services offered on-site include car rental, free coffee in the lobby, and on-site laundry.

The location is difficult to beat as well. The Residence is near the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Adventure Island, Busch Gardens, Tropicana Field, and Raymond James Stadium. Visitors are encouraged to take in a sunset at Sunsets at Pier 60. St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach and Clearwater beaches are minutes away.

In terms of culture, there are dozens of restaurants in the area as well as in Tampa. The Tampa Performing Arts Center and Tampa Convention center are within a half hour’s drive. The Florida International Museum is right around the corner.

Super 8 by Wyndham Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airport

This Super 8 is close to Tampa (within 15 miles) and adjacent to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Sitting between Rt. 19 and I-275. In terms of family-friendly vacations, it is hard to find a better location.

Whether you want to enjoy the beach (or beaches,) take in a ballgame, eat at one of the many local restaurants, play golf or see the sites, the Super 8 by Wyndham Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airport is the perfect launching pad and home base. 

Pier 60 is a short drive away, as is Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Pier. If you want to bike, the Pinellas Trail is right around the corner, and both the Salvador Dali Museum and Busch Gardens are very close as well. 

The property offers free WiFi and mobile check-in. It has free parking and can accommodate busses, trucks, and RVs. There is an outdoor, heated, seasonal pool. Additionally, a business center has computer access and workspace. The hotel has a 24-hour reception desk, and there are on-site laundry facilities. 

Rooms come with a coffee/tea maker, mini-refrigerator, free WiFi (high speed) microwave, and bathroom amenities. All rooms are smoke-free. The hotel is not pet-friendly, but service animals are welcome. The staff is bilingual and trained in serving guests with disabilities.

Extended Stay America Suites – Clearwater – Carillon Park

The Carillon Park Extended Stay America Suites strive to be a home away from home. This particular Extended Stay America Suites is centrally located and near both major airports. All suites are non-smoking, and the entire facility is pet-friendly.

Rooms come with a refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop. Additionally, every room has free, fast WiFi. The bathrooms have been updated, there is a workspace and dining space in every suite, and each room has a flat-screen TV. Dining and cooking utensils are included. Every suite has an iron and ironing board.

The facility also offers a lot. There is an on-site guest laundry, free WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool, picnic area, and barbeque grills. The business center offers copy and fax services (fees may apply) as well as both workspace and access to the internet. 

As mentioned, the location is near the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and a short distance to the Tampa International Airport. There are several restaurants within walking distance and Clearwater’s beaches are a short driving distance away. In addition, within a half-hour, there are museums, art centers, nature preserves, sports venues, and state parks. 

If you are visiting the area for an extended period—longer than a few days—Extended Stay America Suites Clearwater-Carillon Park is reasonably priced, and the location is perfect.  

Extended Stay America Suites – St Petersburg – Clearwater – Executive Drive

This Extended Stay America Suites is located right down the road from the Carillon Park Extended Stay America Suites. While its focus is more on corporate clients, it has roughly the same amenities as Carillon Park.

It is all non-smoking suites, and every suite has a refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property and in every room. There is a free grab-and-go breakfast and on-site laundry facilities. The property is pet-friendly. 

Each room has all the kitchen utensils, pots, pans, plates, and glasses you will need to cook and feed yourself and your family members. There are specific eating areas in the suites, and there is an outside picnic area. The bathrooms have been remodeled, and every suite has a flat-screen TV. 

In terms of specific location, this Extended Stay America Suites is located further inland but closer to retail, restaurants, fast food restaurants, and local tourist attractions. It is, however, off Ulmerton Road, which is the main thoroughfare, so the traffic is a bit lighter, and the property is somewhat quieter and more private. 

Adjacent to the property is the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International airport, and I-276 is just a short drive away. You can walk to the Feather Sound Country Club as well as Eagle Pointe and Crystal Bay. 

General Advice for Staying in the St. Petersburg – Tampa – Clearwater Area

The following are some tips and general advice for your trip to this dynamic area. 

COVID

For better or worse, the pandemic does play a role in travel and accommodations. While Florida has been relatively restriction-free, many of the national chains (i.e., Marriott, Extended Stay, Hilton, etc.) may or may not have policies in line with local or state requirements.

In every case, the local policy is on their website. Make sure you check it out before you book, and make sure that you prepare for any restrictions or requirements before you get there. Most hotel chains have decided to follow CDC guidelines, but some have their own policies. 

Make Time for the Sunset

On a lighter note, the sunset in this area of Florida is world-renowned. On Pier 60, watching it is a daily tradition for tourists and locals alike. Make sure that you take at least one evening during your stay and set it aside specifically to take in a sunset. You will not regret it.

State Parks are Different

There are several state parks in the area, and each one has its own rules and facilities. Some, for instance, have picnic facilities, food vendors, and amenities that make it a great place to enjoy the beach. 

Other state parks are not nearly as accommodating and do not offer food. Still, other parks do not even have restroom facilities. 

If you venture into these parks, be prepared to go it alone and make sure you pack all you could conceivably need. That means you need to pack food and liquids for every member of your party.

Additionally, state park hours are loosely defined as when the sun is up. In some cases, if you stay later, an employee will tell you to leave. If you visit an island state park, getting back to the mainland can be a hassle. 

Ensure you call ahead or check online before you go to make sure you know what you will encounter. You do not want to find out too late with family in tow that you did not plan correctly. Also, if any of your party has medical issues, they might want to skip visiting some of the more remote state park beaches, as getting medical attention will take some time.