One of the first things you notice when you step inside the Sandpearl Resort is this isn't like other luxurious beachside hotels; this feels like home.
Rather than traditional pastel colors and surf surroundings, the 251-room resort in Clearwater, Fla., is designed in an island lifestyle decor. The lobby is bathed in sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows that cast breathtaking views over the pool area and into the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf View suites feature a king-size bed, giant soaking bathtub and shower, Keurig coffeemaker, desk and separate living area. The balcony offers spectacular front-row seats to some of the best sunsets along Florida's west coast.
Warm hospitality also sets this prestigious AAA Four Diamond resort apart from other hotels. Guests are offered a complimentary Champagne toast at check-in, and personal touches like "pearls of wisdom" inspirational notes are left at nightly turndown service.
The Sandpearl sits on the former site of the Clearwater Beach Hotel, a premier destination for travelers for 90 years. Opal Collection, the luxury hotel company that owns the Sandpearl, has made careful homage to the former hotel, with photos of past guests along the ground floor or next to the elegant restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf. A popular tradition started at the Clearwater Beach in the 1930s continues to be a part of the Sandpearl experience today: When the temperature drops below 32 degrees, or even when it is forecasted to do so, guests can receive "bottled heat" -- that is, bourbon -- to stay warm. These days, the complimentary drink is served to guests in Caretta.
A favorite spot for many is Sandpearl's beachside restaurant, Tate's Island Grill. This open-air eatery offers traditional favorites like burgers and sandwiches, including a mouth-watering Caribbean grouper sandwich with mango citrus slaw.
If the resort's private beach area doesn't beckon you, check out the daily schedule of ecofriendly activities like kayaking, paddleboarding or taking a dolphin or sea life boat tour.
Camp Ridley, the resort's daily program for ages 5 to 11, enables younger guests to enjoy scavenger hunts, games and arts and crafts. At the end of the day, unwind around the fire pit in Adirondack chairs while sipping a signature cocktail and watching the sun descend into the Gulf.
If indoor relaxation is on your vacation agenda, all of the restorative treatments inside the Sandpearl spa focus on natural surroundings and water. The signature treatment, Pearl Body Renewal, combines a dry scrub, with a gentle exfoliation followed by a hot stone massage with fragrant oils, perfect to invigorate and rejuvenate sun-kissed skin.
Sandpearl knows a luxury experience doesn't have to come at the expense of the environment. The resort is the first Silver LEED Certified resort in Florida and only one of 10 in the U.S. Guests can even request tours of the conservation methods used to wash linens and dishes, the air purification systems, green-sensitive transportation and recycling.