The Best Cheap Hotels In Clearwater Florida

Clearwater is home to some of the most pristine beaches in Florida. On a barrier island west of Tampa, the city has more than 2mi (4km) of white sands punctuated by accommodation, including retro motels, condos, and modern retreats. Even if you opt for a cheap hotel in Clearwater, you can soak up beach vacation vibes at the nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60 or grab a cocktail at a resort rooftop bar, pretending you’re a high-flying guest. To secure a bougie stay on a budget, here’s our pick of the best cheap hotels in Clearwater.

1. Tropical Inn and Suites, for a balmy escape

Budget Hotel

Rooms overlook the kidney-shaped outdoor pool at the Tropical Inn and Suites

Colorful mandala-patterned bedsheets, lush grounds dotted with palm trees, and an inviting kidney pool make this pocket-friendly hotel feel more like a tropical luxury escape. With a microwave and a mini-fridge in your room, you can fill up on budget self-catering, leaving you with money to spare for a day on the greens at Clearwater Country Club, just a short walk away.

2. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central, for vacationing with your pooch

Hotel

A sheltered sitting area with pool views at La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Clearwater Central

Take your pooch along to this pet-friendly hotel, where you can lounge all day by the spacious outdoor pool after filling up on the complimentary breakfast. If you’re more of an active type, use your free pass to a local fitness center to get in your daily workout. Then, when you’re ready to get out and explore, the beaches of Old Tampa Bay are less than a five-minute drive away.

3. Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Clearwater, for keeping costs low

Chain Hotel, Budget Hotel

The illuminated exterior complete with palm trees, at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Clearwater

Load up at the free hot breakfast buffet, or whip up a budget meal in the microwave in your room at this cheap hotel in Clearwater. Lounging by the large outdoor pool won’t cost you, either, so you can keep your costs well and truly down. If you’re traveling with a buddy, opt for a studio room, complete with a sleeper sofa. Thanks to the pet-friendly policy, you can bring your furry friend along, too.

5. Holiday Inn Express Clearwater East – Icot Center, for convenient air travel

Chain Hotel, Budget Hotel

The colourful lobby at the Holiday Inn Express Clearwater East – Icot Center, with orange walls, a sofa and armchairs

Less than a 10-minute drive from St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, this hotel is ideal if you’re flying into town. Sharing a home with the Icot Center, the hotel attracts business travelers, but there’s plenty for vacationers to enjoy, too, from swimming in the outdoor pool to skating at Clearwater Ice Arena right across the road. Wake up to a complimentary hot breakfast before hitting the ice.

6. Courtyard by Marriott St Petersburg Clearwater, for outdoor relaxation

Chain Hotel

A bedroom at the Courtyard by Marriott St Petersburg Clearwater, with a bed, blue sofa, desk and TV

Spend days floating in the palm tree-flanked outdoor pool and nights mingling by the firepit at this cheap hotel in Clearwater. The gym is open 24 hours so that you can entertain yourself for free around the clock. However, when you want to explore, you’ll find the beaches of both Tampa Bay and Clearwater within easy driving distance. If you don’t have a car, the complimentary shuttle service to and from St Pete-Clearwater International Airport makes things easier.

7. Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor – Clearwater NE, for the comforts of home

Budget Hotel, Chain Hotel

A spacious and inviting suite at Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor with an open plan living-dining space with touches of cream and navy blue

In the waterfront community of Safety Harbor, just outside Clearwater, this hotel features modern suites with all the comforts of home, including full kitchens with breakfast counters, separate living spaces, and spacious work desks. When you want to turn on “vacation mode,” head outside to enjoy the pool, barbecue grills, and picnic tables, or venture out to the many bars, restaurants, and shops within walking distance.

8. Hampton Inn and Suites Clearwater/St Petersburg-Ulmerton Road, for a splash of color

Chain Hotel, Budget Hotel

A bedroom at the Hampton Inn and Suites Clearwater/St Petersburg-Ulmerton Road, with an orange sofa, a double bed, a wooden desk and TV

Pops of colorful furniture and artwork bring a sense of fun to the contemporary gray-and-white rooms at this hotel. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, make good use of the in-room microwaves, complimentary hot breakfast, and outdoor pool. With Clearwater, Tampa, and St Petersburg all under a 25-minute drive away, this stay is ideally located for exploring this slice of eastern Florida.

Fancy discovering more hotels in Florida? Check out our pick of the best hotels in Celebration, Florida, for every traveler.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.