CLEARWATER, Fla. — We know tourism drives our economy but recent awards, like the one Clearwater Beach recently received, boosts travel numbers even more.
It was named among Travel and Leisure’s top 15 Best White Sand Beaches in the world. It was the only beach in the U.S. to make the list. With that news and Memorial Day around the corner, resorts like Sandpearl Resort are ready for what’s to come.
When it comes to Clearwater Beach, it’s not just about a place in the sand. It’s a destination for people like Shelly and Rich Rohr from Ohio.
“My out-of-office is, this is my happy place. Everyone treats us like family. We’ve been coming here for quite a few years,” Shelly said.
This year, their stay is a bit more elevated thanks to a complete refresh of all 253 rooms and suites at the Sandpearl Resort. General Manager Eric Waltz walked us through the “Seaside Chic” upgrades.
“It's new floors, new walls, really new everything. Couches, chairs, you know, the whole the whole deal. It's 100% different than what it was,” Waltz said.
That transformation includes upgraded bathrooms with soaking tubs and walk-in showers. New flooring for the rooms and living spaces, couches are all pull-outs now for extra sleeping space. Suites with kitchens received totally new cabinetry, upgraded appliances, and brand-new dishware serving up to six.
Sandpearl is also a popular destination for weddings and conferences because of its size and amenities. Those include a private beach, a zero-entry pool, a 12,0000 square foot spa, ballrooms and restaurants. It’s the first full renovation for the resort since it was built in 2007.
“It was the first new build in 35 years,” Waltz said. "Since then the Hyatt opened a couple of years after us. Opal Sands opened a couple of years after them. The Wyndham opened right around the same time as Opal Sands. Now you have the J.W., and you really have some nice, great hotels on Clearwater Beach, making it an amazing destination."
With the views from Sandpearl Resort taking in America’s top-rated beach, Waltz credits the renovations in part to tourism.
“Clearwater Beach exists because of the tourists," he said.
Visit St. Pete Clearwater reports a record-breaking $98 million in bed tax collected from tourism last year.
“For Pinellas County, it helps fund all the people who live here," Waltz said. "The bed tax plays an incredibly important role. Beach nourishment and marketing the destination, help build things like the Dali Museum and stadiums build for the Spring Training for the Phillies and Blue Jays."
For the Rohr’s it’s a little slice of paradise. Now with recent upgrades included, they say they have no reason, not to come back.
“We love it, as soon as we walk in we have a big smile on our face. We plan to come back in June, and we’ll be back in October,” Rich Rohr said. The Rohr’s say they really like the flash deals Sandpearl Resort offers.
The property is part of the Opal Collection. More about the design and details can be found here.