
Westin Tampa Waterside
Best for convention attendees, meetings and guests who want a central downtown base near Tampa’s attractions.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Westin Tampa Waterside is a downtown Tampa waterfront Marriott aimed at business travelers, meetings and families who want easy access to the convention center, Riverwalk and arena. JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is a newer, upscale JW Marriott on Clearwater Beach for travelers who prioritize a full-service beach resort with resort-style amenities.
Updated · about 25 miles (≈40 km) apart

Best for convention attendees, meetings and guests who want a central downtown base near Tampa’s attractions.

Best for travelers who want a Marriott-branded beach resort with private balcony rooms and beach access.
When Westin Tampa Waterside wins: choose the Westin if you need proximity to the Tampa Convention Center, Amalie Arena, Riverwalk and downtown dining/attractions or if your trip centers on meetings and events — it has larger dedicated event space and a central Harbour Island address.
When JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa wins: choose the JW if your priority is a beachfront resort experience, a full-service spa, on-site water access, and newer resort-style public spaces for a beach vacation.
Bottom line: both are Marriott properties that will appeal to brand loyalists, but they serve different trips — Westin is the practical downtown/meetings pick; JW is the beach-resort pick.
| Category | Westin Tampa Waterside | JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Polished downtown waterfront hotel focused on meetings and city access. | Newer upscale JW Marriott beach resort with resort-style public spaces. |
| Location | Harbour Island, steps from Tampa Convention Center, Riverwalk and arena. | Clearwater Beach, on the beach and steps from St. Petersburg - Clearwater Beaches. |
| Size (rooms) | 309 guest rooms, including 23 suites. | 198 air-conditioned rooms (as listed). |
| Age / property notes | Opened 1985 with renovations completed in recent years; 11–12 floors. | Newer JW Marriott resort (positioned as a newer property). |
| Pools / beach | One heated outdoor swimming pool with loungers and umbrellas (hours published). | Outdoor pool plus direct beach access / walkway to water. |
| Restaurants & bars | Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar (signature waterfront restaurant) and The Marketplace (24/7 grab-and-go). | Three restaurants (including Latitude 28) and a poolside bar; room service available (limited hours). |
| Spa & wellness | No full-service spa published on the hotel's official listing; WestinWORKOUT fitness studio is available. | Full-service spa offering massages, body treatments and facials (reservations required). |
| Meetings & events | About 23,331 sq ft of event space across 15 event rooms; large ballrooms and waterfront terrace options. | Approximately 14,000 sq ft of conference/meeting space with 6 meeting rooms. |
| Accessibility & family policy | Family-friendly; minimum check-in age 21 for the person checking in, children welcome and kids stay free (policy details published). | All-ages resort; not adults-only (minimum check-in age 21 applies to the guest completing check-in). |
| Parking & fees to note | Valet-only parking on site; destination/resort-style fee applies (reported by third parties). | Valet parking (surcharge) and optional fees for cooked-to-order breakfast; other fees (e.g., parking, pet) published by property. |
Westin Tampa Waterside sits on Harbour Island close to Tampa’s convention, arena and Riverwalk attractions.
Choose Westin for a central downtown base and quick access to Tampa’s business and cultural sites.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is located directly on Clearwater Beach for easy beach days and seaside walks.
Choose the JW for a beach-centered stay and coastal activities rather than downtown sightseeing.
Westin Tampa Waterside has a mix of standard rooms and suites with bay-view options and family-friendly configurations.
Choose Westin if you want more room inventory, suite options for families, and waterfront city views.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers balcony rooms with beach, intracoastal or skyline views and residence-style suites.
Choose the JW for balcony rooms aimed at beach views and multi-bedroom residence suites for larger groups.
Westin’s on-site dining centers on Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar and a 24/7 Marketplace for quick items.
Choose Westin if you want reliable waterfront casual dining and easy grab-and-go options near downtown.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa lists three restaurants including a named seafood venue and poolside options.
Choose the JW if you prefer more on-site restaurant variety and resort-style poolside dining near the beach.
Westin Tampa Waterside provides a heated outdoor pool suited for relaxing between downtown activities.
Choose Westin if you want a convenient downtown hotel pool and easy access to city attractions.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers outdoor pool facilities plus direct beach access and water-sports equipment availability.
Choose the JW for a beach-first stay with both pool and direct access to sand and water activities.
Westin focuses on fitness and convenient evening dining near downtown nightlife.
Choose Westin if you prioritize a 24-hour fitness studio and quick access to downtown nightlife.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa offers a full-service spa and on-site evening dining and bars.
Choose the JW if a resort spa and on-site evening resort amenities are central to your trip.

Westin — larger total event space (about 23,331 sq ft) and multiple ballrooms suited to conventions and large weddings.

JW Marriott — direct beach access, balcony beach-view rooms and resort-style pool/beach amenities.

Westin — family-friendly policies, proximity to the Florida Aquarium, Riverwalk and downtown attractions.

JW Marriott — full-service spa, multiple restaurants and more resort-style offerings on site.
Westin Tampa Waterside — it’s on Harbour Island within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center and has more total event space.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — it sits on Clearwater Beach with a walkway to the water and beach-view rooms.
No — both properties are all-ages resorts. The person checking in must be at least 21 years old at both hotels, but children are welcome.
No full-service spa is published on Westin’s official listing; the property does list the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio.
Yes — Westin has Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar and The Marketplace; JW Marriott lists three restaurants (including Latitude 28) and a poolside bar.
Explore how Westin Tampa Waterside stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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