St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater

We’re here with our team for a baseball tournament, and the sales department made arranging a room block easy. The rooms were nicely renovated, so I was looking forward to the stay even though the lobby, bar, and restaurant were still being finished. Then we checked in. It was May in Florida and over 90 degrees, but the hotel AC was completely shot. Rooms, halls, and elevators were hot and humid. When we complained, the front desk was condescending and said this is Florida and all hotels are like that. We’re from Florida and travel with a baseball team that stays in lots of hotels. Rooms aren’t normally 78 degrees. Two families checked out because the heat was unbearable. They went to another Marriott, and its AC was cooling the property adequately for the outdoor temperature. Front desk staff told us the AC had been broken for two weeks and nothing had been done. It’s unacceptable to let guests check in and take their money while knowing the cooling isn’t working in weather over 90, without telling them in advance. Marriott Clearwater, shame on you. The equipment failure, taking our money, and the way complaints were handled were all unacceptable. Don’t stay here, you’ll be disappointed.

Our work team has stayed at countless conference hotels, and the people at Marriott Clearwater are what made this one stand out. We felt so cared for that we didn’t even mind our “view” was literally a wall, lol. We’re already planning to return for next year’s conference. The rooms do the job, but it’s the staff we’ll look forward to seeing again. Daniel, the shuttle driver, put together a full page, front and back, of restaurants and bars within reach of the free shuttle. He greeted us on every trip, always promptly and reliably, with real interest and lively conversation. Please consider an upgraded van with an automatic door. That door is heavy, and Daniel deserves it! Kris at the front desk always had bottled water, local recommendations, and generous drink vouchers that helped our limited nonprofit budget go further. Thomas the bartender was a great sport with the rowdy conference crowd staying up well past our bedtimes. Try the local whiskey! A woman quietly and courteously delivered room service while a colleague was on an important call, and even the construction crew we met in the elevator were kind. They gave us early check-in, agreed to a 3 pm late checkout without hesitation, and brought extra towels and toilet paper within moments of our call. I could go on. This team genuinely cares about hospitality. I’ve stayed at hotels costing 8 times as much and had service that paled next to this.

The room was top quality, with a very comfortable bed. I was glad the bathroom had essentials I hadn’t brought: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, makeup wipes, lotion, and a hair dryer. Booking and check-in were easy, and the staff were friendly, sociable, and helpful. The hotel was easy to get to, with free parking. Absolutely recommend.

It’s a clean, nice hotel, and I stay here often for work. The rooms always seem a little warm, even when I set the temperature low. The AC never seems to work quite right.