
Westin Tampa Waterside
Best for visitors who want easy access to Tampa attractions, convention and event space, and a compact waterfront base.
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Westin Tampa Waterside is a waterfront downtown Tampa hotel on Harbour Island for travelers who want city attractions, meetings space and a single heated outdoor pool. Island Grand at TradeWinds is a large, activity-heavy beachfront resort on St. Pete Beach popular with families looking for beach access, multiple pools and on-site kid activities.
Updated · about 30–35 miles apart

Best for visitors who want easy access to Tampa attractions, convention and event space, and a compact waterfront base.

Best for families who prioritize on-site pools, waterslides and a classic Gulf beachfront stay with lots of kids’ activities.
When Westin Tampa Waterside wins: choose the Westin if you want to be in downtown Tampa near the Convention Center, Riverwalk, Amalie Arena and museums — plus you need meeting/wedding space or a straightforward city-base with a heated outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness studio.
When Island Grand at TradeWinds wins: pick Island Grand if a beachfront location, a water-park feel, multiple outdoor pools, waterslides and a long list of family activities and on-site dining outlets matter more than proximity to Tampa’s downtown.
Bottom line: Both properties work for families, but they serve different trips — Westin for a Tampa-centered urban stay and events; Island Grand for a Gulf-coast beach vacation with lots of on-site entertainment for kids.
| Category | Westin Tampa Waterside | Island Grand at TradeWinds |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Polished downtown waterfront hotel, business- and meeting-friendly. | Large, lively beachfront resort focused on family activities. |
| Location | Harbour Island, steps from Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk. | Beachfront on St. Pete Beach (5500 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL). |
| Size (rooms) | 309 rooms including 23 suites. | 381 guestrooms (supplier listing). |
| Ages / audience | All-ages; minimum check-in age 21 for the booker, families welcome and kids stay free (up to 2, 21 and under). | All-ages family resort; not adults-only. |
| Pools & water fun | One heated outdoor pool (hours 8:00 AM–10:00 PM). | Multiple pools (5 outdoor pools), waterslide and a water park access (surcharge). |
| Beach access | No beachfront — waterfront on Harbour Island with marina views. | On the beach — direct Gulf-front location. |
| Restaurants & bars | Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar (signature seafood/American) + The Marketplace 24/7 cafe. | Four restaurants, 2 coffee shops/cafes, beach bar and multiple pool bars. |
| Spa & wellness | WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio (complimentary); no officially named on-site spa published on Marriott page. | Spa services on site (supplier listing); full-service details vary by source. |
| Known for | Convenient access to Tampa attractions, convention and event space (large ballrooms). | Big family programming, multiple pools/waterslides and beachfront activities. |
| Parking | Valet parking only on site (reported daily valet fee). | Self parking (surcharge) and limited onsite parking. |
Westin Tampa Waterside sits on Harbour Island, a short walk or water-taxi ride from Tampa’s Riverwalk, Amalie Arena and the Florida Aquarium.
Choose the Westin for proximity to Tampa’s core cultural and event destinations.
Island Grand at TradeWinds is on St. Pete Beach with direct Gulf frontage and beach access.
Choose Island Grand for a straightforward Gulf-beach stay and on-site beach programming.
Westin rooms are a compact downtown hotel mix with 309 rooms and 23 suites, several bay-view and mobility-accessible options.
Westin is a standard city-hotel room mix with a few suites and bay-view options suited to meetings and short urban stays.
Island Grand offers a very large range of room types and many balcony/view options — from Tropical View to Gulf Front and villa-style layouts.
Island Grand gives families more variety in room types and balcony/view choices, including multi-bed villas and gulf-front rooms.
Westin’s primary on-site dining is Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar plus The Marketplace for grab-and-go items.
Westin covers core dining needs with one signature restaurant and a 24/7 market — convenient for downtown plans.
Island Grand lists four restaurants, two coffee shops/cafes and multiple bars and poolside outlets.
Island Grand offers more on-site eating and drinking variety aimed at families spending most of their day at the resort.
Westin features a single heated outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas and set hours.
Westin’s pool is a pleasant downtown amenity but not a beach or waterpark substitute.
Island Grand has five outdoor pools, waterslides, a waterslide/water-park feature (surcharge) and direct beach access.
Island Grand is geared toward guests who want extensive on-site pool time and beachfront activities.
Westin focuses on fitness with the WestinWORKOUT 24-hour studio and waterfront dining for evening drinks.
Westin is a practical choice for guests who want a reliable fitness facility and downtown evening options.
Island Grand combines spa services (supplier listing), beach yoga and multiple bars/poolside outlets for daytime-to-evening activity.
Island Grand caters to daytime wellness and family entertainment with resort-focused evening options.

Westin Tampa Waterside — walkable to the Convention Center, Riverwalk, museums and Amalie Arena; substantial meeting and ballroom space.

Island Grand at TradeWinds — beachfront location with 5 pools, waterslides and beach programming for kids.

Island Grand — arcade/game room, children’s club (surcharge), miniature golf and many organized family activities on site.

Westin — large event space (15 rooms, largest ballroom capacity up to 800) and catering via the hotel’s restaurant.
Westin Tampa Waterside is closer to TPA; it’s in downtown Tampa while Island Grand is on St. Pete Beach, roughly a 30–35 mile drive from downtown.
No — Island Grand is a family resort and is not adults-only.
Island Grand’s supplier listing shows spa services on site; Westin lists a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio and its official Marriott page does not publish a dedicated on-site spa.
Island Grand — multiple pools, waterslides, a children’s pool and family activities make it better suited for kids-focused vacations.
Explore how Westin Tampa Waterside stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·