Growing up, I had a special place in my heart for summer camps — and by special place, I mean one of loathing. A jam-packed schedule with a total lack of personal space was far from how I wanted to spend my vacation. Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach made me a believer that grown-up summer camp dreams do exist, and they’re more than enough to make up for the sticky childhood summers marked by canoe races and bug spray.
Photo: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
At This Florida Resort, You Can Live Out Your Adult Summer Camp Dreams
That’s where the Sunshine, Sips, and S’more package comes in. In three days, I redefined what summer camp is, this time with the sprawling white sand of Clearwater Beach, Florida, as my backdrop.
The rooms at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Photo: Kayla Dungee
After a 40-minute drive from Tampa International Airport, I was a little antsy to stretch my legs and discov everything the 15-story, two-tower resort had to offer. Seeing the hotel lobby’s vibrancy brought me back to a state of excitement. While I admired the abundant seating doused with vibrant colors and greenery, I was met with my choice of a welcome drink. A quick chug later, and I was off to the eighth floor to get comfortable.
My hotel room had a different vibe from the lobby. The neutral yet modern decor evoked a sense of calm and sophistication to make way for the real star of the show: floor-to-ceiling windows offering a direct view of the Gulf. Among the 343 guest rooms, most are equipped with a balcony or terrace, and my grand deluxe Gulf front room offered a head-on view of the water. Nightly rates vary by room type and season, with deluxe queen rooms averaging $430 per night and grand hospitality suites around $2,000 per night.
Photos: Kayla Dungee
The Sunshine, Sips, and S’more package supplied me with the staples for my getaway, my favorite being the customized screen-free digital Camp Snap camera, designed to keep you in the moment and inspired by the RADICAL heART mural by local artist Chad Mize. Each night, I eagerly scrambled to my room to relive the shots I took throughout the day.
To sweeten the deal, every package comes with local goods, including s’mores popcorn courtesy of Harley’s Gourmet Popcorn & Cider Shoppe and Golden Isles Pina Colada IPA. Before I bid my room farewell, I grabbed a complimentary PATH aluminum water bottle from my mini-bar to use throughout my stay. As Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach moves away from single-use plastics, I was more than happy to support the cause.
The amenities at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Photo: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
The pool, centrally located outside the front doors of the property, lured me in thanks to the DJ bumping an eclectic mix of tunes. The array of turquoise lounge chairs and umbrellas offered plentiful seating if you got there early enough. Instead of parsing through which seats were available, I opted to unwind at the BOTE Lounge on the Pool Deck.
Located behind the sea of lounge chairs on the pool deck, this reserved seating area holds up to six people from 10 AM to sunset. If you’re looking for reprieve from the sun, the cabana has plenty of shade. The provided cooler filled with chips, fruit cups, beer, and water kept my cravings in check.
Midday, I moved to the beach, a mere two-minute walk from the pool deck. Resort fees cover a beach chair and umbrella rental, but if you want to live more lavishly, deluxe cabanas are available for a fee ($30 to $80). Despite not having a whole crew with me, the BOTE Lounge on the Beach still called my name. With a table, seating, and cornhole for some healthy competition, it was the perfect place to sprawl out.
Photos: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach and Kayla Dungee
The self-care extends to the third floor of the hotel, where guests can access the fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, along with the Pavali Luxury Spa, hosting a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments.
The dining at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Photo: Kayla Dungee
A full day of sun necessitated dining options within a short walk, and Ocean Hai was the obvious choice, located next to the lobby on the first floor. As a pescatarian who was strictly vegetarian for years, I’m accustomed to having few options when eating out. Ocean Hai offers diversity for any diet, with the bonus of a dedicated vegetarian menu. Led by Executive Chef Nana Darkwah, the menu blends traditional Asian flavors with modern global techniques, inspired by locally sourced ingredients.
Along with complimentary edamame, I started the night with shrimp dumplings and vegetable egg rolls. For my entree, I ordered a specialty sushi roll, Viva La Lobster, and my sister raved about her scallops with brown sugar pork belly after a single bite. I thought the presentation of each dish was high-end yet portioned well, with creative takes on traditional flavor profiles. To appease my nagging sweet tooth, I ended the evening with the ube sora tres leches and a fortune cookie that’s a must-capture for your Instagram story. I’ll be reminiscing on the ube sora tres leches for the foreseeable future.
Outside of dinner, I returned to Ocean Hai for the $25 breakfast buffet, which included a custom omelette station and an assortment of other breakfast staples. Be prepared for longer wait times, especially if it rains and the outdoor seating is closed. I circumvented this by opting for a to-go box and grabbing my food for the road.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, eSKPades in the lobby offers coffee, drinks, and quick breakfast bites like quiche and breakfast sandwiches. And if you’re lounging poolside, Dock’s Pool Bar & Grill is a convenient and reasonably priced option. The eatery is situated directly to the left of the pool and presents the option to order directly from the bar with limited seating, or be serviced directly from your pool chair. During my stay, I ordered the coconut shrimp accompanied by a medley of black beans and mango salsa (highly recommend), as well as the ceviche.
Things to do near Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Photos: Artiom Photo/Shutterstock and Kayla Dungee
I emphasized relaxation during my stay, so my exploration was limited to what was accessible on foot. A five-minute walk brought me to Pier 60, home to a 1,080-foot fishing pier, shopping, and live entertainment. I stumbled upon an acrobatic performance on my walk, along with a handful of vendors.
The highlight of my trip was a seven-minute walk away, in the form of a boat called Little Toot. Little Toot hosts dolphin tours that zip through Cleawater Harbor and the Gulf, giving guests the chance to see the beloved creatures in their natural habitat. I didn’t have high expectations walking into the experience, as I was reminded that “most” tours witness dolphins, but not all.
I was shocked when, 10 minutes into our journey, a playful group of dolphins reveled in the wake created by the boat. Not only did they swim alongside our vessel, but they put on the performance of a lifetime by repeatedly leaping in and out of the water. While the rest of the dolphins we encountered on the tour weren’t as social, it was still a worthwhile experience to be out on the water, admire the luxury homes, and enjoy a beverage from the cash bar.
Getting to Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Photo: Artiom Photo/Shutterstock
Wyndham Grand Clearwater is located 20 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is serviced by a number of airlines. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is 12 miles from the property but is only serviced by select airlines. Hotel transportation isn’t offered, but rideshares will get you there via State Road 60 in 33 minutes without traffic. If you’re traveling by car, parking at Wyndham Grand Clearwater is valet-only, for $40 per day. 