What’s new in the St. Pete-Clearwater hotel scene
With 35 miles of sugary white sand, St. Pete-Clearwater beaches annually stand out as a top beach destination in Florida and throughout the US.
The area is deservedly acclaimed for its family-friendly resorts, boutique hotels and hidden getaways along the coastline.
Yet St. Pete-Clearwater doesn’t rest on its laurels. Early 2026 sees an array of new hospitality experiences to savor. Here’s what to look out for in early 2026:
New additions on the hospitality horizon in early 2026 include The Luce, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, which brings the perfect blend of modern hospitality highlighted with vintage Florida vibes. With 200 beachside rooms, the property formerly known as the Postcard Inn on the Beach creates a unique coastal retreat for locals and travelers.
Clearwater Beach is set to welcome the CW Resort & Marina this spring. The 91-unit condo hotel provides a perfect perch above Mandalay Bay.
In downtown St. Pete, the Cordova Inn is scheduled to complete expansion in early 2026, growing from 32 to 97 rooms. The boutique property merges modern amenities with historic ambiance, with the city’s art and dining just steps away.
The Sirata Beach Resort has joined Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, as they complete their full renovation in early 2026 to include a $25 million update
There is also a key milestone to celebrate in 2026. The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, an Autograph Collection in downtown St. Pete is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The recent renovations ensure the property – which appears on the National Register of Historic Places – remains pink, proud, and well preserved. The Vinoy reflects the architectural influences of the Mediterranean coast, down to every detail. In 2025, The Vinoy added a luxury dining experience with the addition of Elliott Aster. Helmed by award-winning Chef Lee Wolen, a James Beard semifinalist and Michelin Star recipient, the restaurant brings a refined dining experience with restored architecture and a walk through the storied history of St. Pete.
Recent accolades for Clearwater Beach include: Travel + Leisure – 2025 Top 15 Best White-Sand Beaches in the World, Travel + Leisure – 2025 20 Best Beaches in Florida, USA Today – Best Beach in the South and US News and World Report – Best Beaches in America.
Also, it has just completed a $125 million beach nourishment project, nearly doubling the size of many beaches along the southern portion of the destination. These award-winning white sand stretches are now even bigger and better.
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TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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