9 of the Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Clearwater Beach

Traveling is stressful for just about everyone until you have settled in your room and at least started to unpack.

Adding to that stress for many is what to do about their pets. There was a time when pets had to stay at home, usually left to a friend or family member to tend to, while the pet owners worried pretty much throughout the entire trip. 

Fortunately, many hotels are now at least pet-tolerant and often pet-friendly.

Here is a rundown of 9 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Clearwater offers one of the best beaches near Orlando and many families choose to head to the coast after spending time at one of the state’s campgrounds or resorts.

9 of the Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Clearwater Beach

To be pet-friendly, each of these hotels has to have a formal policy stating they were “pet friendly” as well as a general policy guideline that indicated fees and behavior policies. Each of these hotels meets that criteria.

Here is a review of each, what they offer, and their pet-friendly policies.

1. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

This hotel is convenient – located on Highway 19 in Clearwater, a short ride to the beach and other attractions. Gulf Coast beaches are mere minutes away, and the hotel is six miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and 14 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA.)

Besides the beaches, a big draw is the shopping and dining at the Westfield Countryside and Clearwater Mall. Additionally, the Dali Museum, Tropicana Field, and Busch Gardens are close and accessible by public transportation. 

The entire hotel is impeccably maintained, making guests feel like they are at a resort rather than a hotel. 

Each room features a flat-screen HDTV, work desk, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, mini-fridge, and microwave. Guests also receive complimentary passes to a local fitness center, and laundry facilities are on-site.

Amenities include:

• Free Breakfast
• Free Parking
• WiFi
• Late Checkout
• Mobile Check-in

Pros:

• It is Florida, so the hotel has a pool
• Bringing your pet is encouraged
• You can make housekeeping arrangements (housekeeping does not enter your room while your pet stays with you.)
• Service animals are free

Cons:

• Some animals are not allowed, so checking with the front desk is critical
• There is a limit to 2 domestic pets
• There is a nonrefundable fee for pets

Address: 21338 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765

Phone: (727) 799-1565

2. Residence Inn Clearwater Beach

The Residence Inn of Clearwater Beach is pet and guest-friendly. The focus is on both for the duration of a stay. All the usual attractions are close by, and transportation is easy to arrange.

Besides the very hard-to-beat location, the staff at this hotel are known for friendliness, helpfulness, courteousness, and professionalism. The hotel offers studio rooms, one and two bedroom suites. Most have kitchenettes.

Amenities include:

• Free breakfast
• WiFi
• Pool and hot tub
• Fully stocked room (refrigerator, microwave, flat-screen HDTV, coffee maker, ironing equipment, and hairdryer)

Pros:

• Everything is very close by
• Pets are encouraged 
• Well regarded breakfast

Cons:

• $100 nonrefundable fee for pets
• The Residence pet policy, specifically the fees, is convoluted, so definitely check with the hotel re the policy before booking any rooms

Address: 21338 US Highway 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765

Phone: (727) 799-1565

3. Courtyard by Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater

This hotel bills itself as “perfectly placed.” It is located between Tampa and St. Petersburg and offers a shuttle service to and from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. It is also very close to Busch Gardens Tampa, Raymond James Stadium, and other attractions.

This Courtyard prides itself on sports teams booking stays as well as its business and meetings amenities. It also has several newly renovated rooms that feature ergonomic workspaces.

Amenities include:

• Shuttle service to most attractions
• Fitness center
• In-house restaurant
• 24-hour market
• Free WiFi

Pros:

• Lots of amenities and some of them are not the usual fodder
• Shuttle service
• Heated outdoor pool

Cons:

• The charge for pets is $150 per stay
• Only approved animals (call ahead)

Address: 3131 Executive Drive, Clearwater, FL 33762

Phone: (727) 572-8484

4. Residence Inn Clearwater Downtown

Located in downtown Clearwater. This hotel is minutes from Clearwater Beach and the downtown nightlife. Attractions close by include Busch Gardens, Raymond James Stadium, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

It offers all the amenities and benefits of Residence Inns across the country, but this Residence Inn specifically bills itself as “pet-friendly.” Guests are invited to socials three times a week featuring wine, beer, and snacks, and it has a noon checkout time, which takes away some of the stress of packing and getting everyone ready to take off.

Amenities include:

• Free breakfast
• WiFi
• Pool and hot tub
• Fully stocked room (refrigerator, microwave, flat-screen HDTV, coffee maker, ironing equipment, and hairdryer)

Pros:

• Ideal location if you want to experience Clearwater
• Range of rooms including studio, one and two-bedroom suites
• Fully equipped kitchens in the suites
• Pullout sofa bed in the suites
• Daily breakfast buffet
• Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor

Cons:

• $100 nonrefundable fee for pets
• The Residence pet policy, specifically the fees, is convoluted, so definitely check with the hotel re the policy before booking any rooms

Address: 940 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Phone: (727) 562-5400

5. SpringHill Suites Clearwater Beach

This hotel is brand new and has stunning views of Clearwater Bay. It offers suites and separate living areas. 

The rooms are suites and offer sofa beds as well as separated workspaces. The onsite garage provides valet parking. There is also an enhanced internet WiFi service for a fee.

Amenities include:

• Free Netflix and Hulu
• 3-in-1 trundle sofas
• Separate living areas
• Specifically Pet friendly
• Free breakfast

Pros:

• Virtually on the beach
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Ideal location
• More than an average hotel breakfast

Cons:

• Weight limit on pets
• Location may excite some pets
• $125 per pet per stay

Address: 309 Coronado Drive, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Phone: (727) 218-1090

6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Clearwater South

This is a Wyndham property, so the same policies and amenities apply. The Clearwater South La Quinta Inn is located off US-19 and is very close to shopping, the business district, and both Tampa and St Pete-Clearwater international airports. 

The LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Clearwater South, advertises their pet-friendly (dogs and cats) rooms on the front page of their website. The building is recently renovated, and guests praise the rooms for being fresh and clean.

Amenities include:

• Free breakfast
• Fitness center
• Business center

Pros:

• Outdoor pool
• Bringing your pet is encouraged
• Housekeeping arrangements can be made (housekeeping does not enter your room while your pet is staying with you.)
• Service animals are free
• Fitness Center

Cons:

• Some animals are not allowed, so checking with the front desk is critical
• There is a limit to 2 domestic pets
• There is a nonrefundable fee for pets ($20 per night with a max charge of $40 (for two pets)

Address: 5000 Lake Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760

Phone: (727) 299-9800

7. Magnuson Hotel Clearwater Central

The Magnuson Hotel Clearwater Central is downtown and near Brighthouse Field, the Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp. It is also near Busch Gardens and Clearwater Beach. Additionally, the boardwalk Pier 60 is nearby and offers nightly entertainment, such as magicians, musicians, and artisans. Shopping is also close and about as good as it gets.

Magnuson Clearwater offers room service and is FEMA approved, meaning it can double as a place to stay for natural disaster survivors. The hotel advertises specific “pet-friendly rooms”, so visitors looking to bring their pets along may want to book their stay early.

Amenities include: 

• Free breakfast
• Free WiFi
• Outdoor pool
• Free parking
• Business Center
• Guest laundry facilities 

Pros:

• Laundry facilities
• Pet friendly
• Individually owned and operated

Cons:

• They advertise pet friendly but call ahead as some owners are not

Address: 21252 Us Highway 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765

Phone: (727) 451-8900

8. Comfort Suites Clearwater – Dunedin

Comfort Suites offer comfortable rooms and great amenities. This particular hotel is centrally located and near all of Clearwater’s attractions. 

The hotel is five miles from Clearwater Beach. Each room has a sofa bed. It is also FEMA approved and federal employee stay approved.

Amenities include:

• Free parking
• Free WiFi
• Free breakfast
• Free coffee
• Free weekday newspaper
• Fitness center
• Outdoor pool

Pros:

• Great location
• Pet friendly
• Business center
• Outdoor heated pool
• Late Checkout

Cons:

• Pets are $50 per stay, per pet
• 2 pet limit
• Weight limit on pets: Maximum of 25 pounds

Address: 1941 Edgewater Drive, Clearwater, FL 33755

Phone: (727) 489-5000

9. Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Petersburg Clearwater

Homewood Suites is 10 minutes from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport. It is very close to Tampa Bay and 30 minutes from Clearwater Beach. 

This hotel offers two bedroom suites and fully handicapped-accessible rooms. It has over 1600 SF meeting space, and its largest suite is over 1200 SF. It is right off I-275 that goes directly into Tampa.

Amenities include:

• Free WiFi
• Free Breakfast

Pros:

• Close to Tampa
• Pets are welcome
• Monday through Thursday socials

Cons:

• $100 per pet deposit that is nonrefundable
• Two pet limit
• Clearwater is a bit further away than the rest

Address: 2233 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL 33762

Phone: (727) 573-1500 

Picking the Best Hotel for You and Your Furry Friend 

Keep the following in mind when choosing a pet-friendly hotel in the Clearwater area.

Location

Each of these hotels has a central location, with even the furthest away hotel still within a half-hour drive. Both Tampa and Clearwater have a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions. Shopping is also very popular, and there are retail outlets just about everywhere. 

Every hotel is within easy driving or shuttle distance of both St Pete-Clearwater and Tampa Bay International Airport. Clearwater Beach is also one of the better Florida beaches.

Amenities

Amenities at hotels are almost always the same. When calling about your pet, you may want to get an assessment of the WiFi. Also, business centers are subjective, so verify that the hotel you choose has an actual business center if you need it.

Airports

Both St Pete and Tampa airports are very close. Almost every hotel has a shuttle service or can arrange a cab very easily. Because both are busy airports, you should plan extra time just in case you fly out at a peak operating time.

Pets

While every hotel on this list has a pet-friendly policy, understanding what is and what is not allowed is key. Some hotels will not allow exotic animals or anything but cats and dogs. Make sure if your pet is a service animal that you tell the hotel.

Always call ahead and clear with the hotel that pets are welcome. Some hotels are individually owned, so the policy might differ slightly from the official hotel policy. Also, hotels that make arrangements for room service are rare and usually indicative of a truly pet-friendly hotel.

If you have one of the pets considered “dangerous” by some, you may want to consider leaving it at home. If that is not an option, make sure that you can keep the animal under control at all times and only take the pet out occasionally. 

You do not want to give an anti-pets in hotels guest reason to complain.

If someone else makes a complaint against your pet, keep your cool and ask to see proof. Be prepared if an altercation occurred that you may have to vacate, although most hotels will work with the pet owner to achieve reasonable accommodations.

Finally, keep in mind that not all guests like pets, and depending on the time of year, a pet-friendly hotel might be all they could get. Keep your pet in control and realize that not every guest will be welcoming of pets.

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If you follow the advice above, you will not go wrong. Any one of these hotels is generally pet-friendly, all are welcoming, and a few enjoy having pets as guests. The key to making sure your animal is welcome is to call ahead; if you do that, you will find a hotel that welcomes you and your pet with open arms.