
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key
Best for families and beach-focused stays — private Gulf-front sand, a heated beachfront pool, children's pool, and beachfront dining.
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Sheraton Resort on Sand Key is a family-friendly Marriott beachfront resort on Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, best for travelers seeking private Gulf-front beach access and casual on-site dining. Tampa Marriott Water Street is a large downtown Marriott waterfront hotel in Tampa, aimed at business and event travelers who want easy access to the convention center and city attractions.
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Best for families and beach-focused stays — private Gulf-front sand, a heated beachfront pool, children's pool, and beachfront dining.

Best for conferences, large events, and city access — large meeting capacity, downtown location next to the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Riverwalk.
When Sheraton Resort on Sand Key wins: choose Sheraton Sand Key if your priority is private Gulf-front beach access, pools and family-friendly on-site dining and activities. It’s the clearer choice for beach days, kids, and small- to medium-sized beach weddings.
When Tampa Marriott Water Street wins: choose Tampa Marriott Water Street if you need large meeting space, event services, or a downtown location within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center, arenas, Riverwalk and many city attractions.
Bottom line: both are Marriott properties that appeal to brand-loyal travelers, but they serve different trip types — Sheraton Sand Key for beach and family vacations, Tampa Marriott Water Street for meetings, events and city-focused stays.
| Category | Sheraton Resort on Sand Key | Tampa Marriott Water Street |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort, family-friendly, Gulf-front | Large downtown hotel, business and event oriented |
| Location | Private Gulf-front on Sand Key, near Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach | Downtown Tampa on Water Street, steps from Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk |
| Size (guest rooms) | About 375–390 rooms | 727 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family resort (children welcome; kids stay free in many listings) | |
| Pools & beach | Heated outdoor beachfront pool, separate children's pool, whirlpool/hot tub, private beach access | Outdoor pool; waterfront/dock access but not a private beachfront (Tampa Bay nearby) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Rusty's Bistro, Mainstay Tavern, Slo Joe's Turtle Bar, Poolside Café) | 2 restaurants including Anchor and Brine, a bar/lounge, poolside bar and a café |
| Meetings & events | Roughly 24,000 sq ft indoor event space + outdoor beach venues and multiple ballrooms (several ballroom sizes listed) | About 42,608 sq ft of meeting space and 19 meeting rooms; large conference center |
| Wellness / fitness | 24-hour Sheraton Fitness center on-site; no verified on-site spa name found | Fitness center and wheelchair-accessible spa (no specific spa name published in supplier listing) |
| Accessibility | Accessible parking, accessible pool features and accessible entrances; mobile/digital key available | Multiple accessible features listed (visual alarms, wheelchair-accessible restaurant, pool, meeting spaces, etc.) |
| Loyalty program | Marriott Bonvoy (Sheraton brand) | |
Sheraton Resort on Sand Key sits on private Gulf-front sand on Sand Key, close to Sand Key Park and a short drive or trolley to Clearwater Beach and Pier 60.
Choose Sheraton Sand Key for direct beach access and a quieter beach setting while staying near Clearwater attractions.
Tampa Marriott Water Street is in downtown Tampa with immediate access to the Tampa Convention Center, Riverwalk and several museums and performance venues.
Pick Tampa Marriott Water Street if you want to be in the middle of Tampa’s downtown attractions and event venues.
Sheraton Sand Key’s room types include balcony and Gulf/Intracoastal views; many rooms have private balconies or patios.
Rooms at Sheraton Sand Key emphasize outdoor views and balcony options suited to beach stays.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers a wide set of room types across a large inventory of 727 guestrooms with many view and balcony options.
Tampa Marriott Water Street is better for travelers who need a wide selection of room types and accessibility options in a large hotel footprint.
Sheraton Sand Key provides several on-site venues from beachfront Rusty's Bistro to poolside casual bites.
Sheraton’s dining is focused on beachfront seafood, casual family dining and poolside service.
Tampa Marriott Water Street has on-site dining options suitable for business and leisure guests and offers at least two restaurants plus a bar and poolside drinks.
Tampa Marriott Water Street’s dining is straightforward and convenient for downtown guests, with options for business-meal needs and event catering.
Sheraton Sand Key’s signature amenity is its private Gulf-front beach and associated pool complex.
If a beach and pool setup is the main priority, Sheraton Sand Key is the clearer option.
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers an outdoor pool and waterfront/dock access rather than a private Gulf beach.
Tampa Marriott Water Street suits travelers wanting a city waterfront pool experience close to downtown venues.
Sheraton Sand Key provides a 24-hour Sheraton Fitness center and low-key on-site evening dining and bars.
Expect a capable fitness offering and casual evening dining; full-service spa options appear to be off-site or at nearby properties.
Tampa Marriott Water Street lists fitness facilities and a wheelchair-accessible spa, alongside downtown nightlife within walking distance.
Tampa Marriott Water Street pairs in-house fitness and spa access with immediate passage to downtown Tampa’s nightlife and performance venues.

Private Gulf-front beach, heated beachfront pool and children’s pool make Sheraton Sand Key the beach pick.

Tampa Marriott Water Street has extensive meeting space (19 meeting rooms, a large conference center) and a downtown location next to the convention center.

Sheraton Sand Key is explicitly marketed as family-friendly with kids’ pool, activities and children-stay-free policies.

Tampa Marriott Water Street places you within walking distance of Tampa’s Riverwalk, arena, aquarium and theaters.
Sheraton Sand Key — it’s marketed as a family resort with a dedicated children’s pool, beachfront space and kids-stay-free policies.
Tampa Marriott Water Street — it’s steps from the Tampa Convention Center, Benchmark Arena and the Riverwalk, and offers large meeting and event spaces.
No verified on-site spa name was found in public listings for Sheraton Sand Key; nearby spas exist at other properties.
Sheraton Sand Key shows conflicting parking and resort-fee details across sources; guests should confirm current parking and resort-fee policies directly with the hotel before arrival.
Explore how Sheraton Resort on Sand Key stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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