Honeymoons at Sheraton Resort on Sand Key — what couples should know
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key is a family-friendly Gulf-front resort on Sand Key with private beach, pool, several on-site restaurants, and rooms that often include private balconies. Couples considering a honeymoon should weigh beach and pool access, dining options (Rusty's Bistro is the signature beachfront restaurant), and event/wedding services if they plan a ceremony or reception.
In this guide
Location & atmosphere
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key sits at 1160 Gulf Blvd on Sand Key, a quieter stretch just south of Clearwater Beach. The property occupies private Gulf-front sand across roughly 10–13 acres and offers both Gulf and Intracoastal views from many rooms.
Sand Key Park and Preserve is a short walk (about 5–7 minutes) from the resort for nature trails and a quieter beach option, while Clearwater Beach and Pier 60 are a short drive or trolley ride away if you want more restaurants and evening activity.
- Private Gulf-front beach on property
- Short walk to Sand Key Park (5–7 minutes)
- Trolley stop at the hotel; Jolley Trolley connects to Clearwater Beach
| Nearby spot | Approx. travel |
|---|---|
| Sand Key Park | 5–7 minute walk |
| Clearwater Marine Aquarium | About 1.6 miles / ~16 minutes |
| Pier 60 / Clearwater Beach | Short drive or 20–30 minute walk |
Rooms and where to stay for a honeymoon
Room categories at the resort include: Room; Room, Balcony; Room, Balcony, Resort View; Room, Pool View; and Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr). Many rooms come with private balconies or patios and offer Gulf or Intracoastal views.
For a honeymoon, couples often prefer a balcony room with a Gulf or pool view for private outdoor time; confirm the specific view at booking because not every Room, Balcony has a Gulf view.
- Room — available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room, Balcony — available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room, Balcony, Resort View — available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room, Pool View — available with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) — 1 King Bed
| Room name | Bed options |
|---|---|
| Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, Balcony | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) | 1 King Bed |
Dining for couples
Rusty's Bistro is the resort's beachfront American/seafood restaurant and is the main option for a sit-down breakfast or dinner; it follows a resort-casual dress code and takes reservations. Mainstay Tavern offers gastropub-style meals and a lively bar scene, while Slo Joe's Turtle Bar and the Poolside Café provide casual poolside and beachside service.
The property is not an all-inclusive resort; on-site dining is à la carte, and in-room dining is available. If you prefer a quieter romantic meal, ask the concierge about quieter time slots at Rusty's Bistro or private beach dining options (availability may vary).
- Rusty's Bistro — breakfast and dinner; reservations accepted; casual dress
- Mainstay Tavern — gastropub and bar; reservations not required
- Slo Joe's Turtle Bar and Poolside Café — casual pool/beach options
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Rusty's Bistro | Breakfast & Dinner (reservations available) |
| Mainstay Tavern | Lunch, dinner, late-night drinks (walk-ins common) |
| Poolside Café / Slo Joe's Turtle Bar | Pool/beach snacks and tropical cocktails (walk-ins) |
Pool, beach and activities
Couples can use the heated outdoor beachfront pool, a separate children's pool, and a whirlpool. Pool hours are generally listed as 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, though they can change for weather or maintenance.
On the beach you can relax on private sand, rent water-sport equipment nearby (jet skis, parasailing, paddleboarding), or join dolphin-watching boat trips from the nearby marina. Bicycle rentals are available on-site for a fee (about $20).
- Heated beachfront pool, children's pool, whirlpool/hot tub
- Pool hours typically 7:00 AM–11:00 PM (subject to change)
- Water sports and dolphin-watching tours available locally
- Bike rentals on-site (fee applies)
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Heated pool & whirlpool | Open to guests; loungers and umbrellas provided |
| Beach activities | Jet skis, parasailing, paddleboards available nearby |
| Dolphin tours/ferries | Daily departures from nearby marinas |
Weddings and honeymoon events
The resort offers substantial wedding and event space, including a private Beach Venue for toes-in-the-sand ceremonies and large ballrooms (Grand Ballroom and Island Ballroom) for receptions. Event space totals roughly 20,000–24,000 sq ft depending on listing, with beach capacity cited for large gatherings.
Couples planning a ceremony or small reception should speak with the resort's events team about package options and guest limits; documented wedding packages and capacities vary by source, and the resort lists dedicated wedding packages starting figures elsewhere, so confirm current pricing and included services directly with the hotel.
- Beach Venue for outdoor ceremonies and receptions
- Grand Ballroom and Island Ballroom for indoor receptions
- Smaller spaces (Rusty's Bistro, Sand Key Meeting Room) for rehearsal dinners
| Venue | Notable capacity or size |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | About 8,500 sq ft (various capacity layouts) |
| Island Ballroom | About 5,200 sq ft |
| Beach Venue | Outdoor beachfront capacity varies by setup |
Practical tips & policies for couples
Standard check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. Guests must be at least 21 years old to check in and should bring a photo ID and credit card; a card authorization or cash deposit may be collected for incidentals.
Parking and resort fee information is inconsistent across listings—Marriott's pages have marketed 'no parking fees' and 'no resort fees', while third-party sites list parking charges and a resort fee. Confirm current parking and resort-fee policies directly with the hotel before arrival.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM; check-out: 11:00 AM
- Minimum check-in age: 21
- Confirm parking and resort-fee status with the hotel
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi is available in public areas; in-room Wi‑Fi may vary by booking
| Service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mobile/digital key | Available at the property |
| EV charging | On-site electric vehicle charging station |
| Pets | Pets not allowed; service animals welcome |
