Opal Sands Resort
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Photos: Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Our take
By Matt Spaulding, Founder and writer
Opal Sands fixed the saddest phrase in beach travel, the "partial view" room, with architecture: the 2016 tower is curved so that all 230 rooms face the Gulf with a private balcony. It's the most modern big resort on the beach, and since the Opal Sol sister tower opened next door in early 2025, a glass sky bridge puts four pools, two spas, and ten restaurants and bars on your room key. Two things to budget for. First, the add-ons are mandatory and they stack: valet-only parking at a rate the resort discloses at booking, plus a $35 resort fee before tax, and the front desk puts a sizable hold on your card at check-in. Second, the pool deck runs loud, with live music most days; a low-floor balcony over the pool bar hears every note, which is either the vibe you came for or the reason you'll ask to move. A steady minority of reviews say peak-season pricing outruns the service. It suits couples and families who want a guaranteed water view in a polished, energetic modern resort. If you're after quiet, old-Florida character, or a bargain, head for the north beach instead.
Quick facts
- Beach access
- Direct, on the Beach Walk promenade
- Parking
- Valet only, no self-park; rate disclosed at booking
- Resort fee
- $35/night plus tax
- Pets
- Dogs in select rooms, nightly fee
- Check-in
- 4:00 PM, minimum age 21
- Views
- Every room Gulf-front with balcony
Where you are
📍 430 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Open in Maps →South end of the beach on S Gulfview Blvd, right on the Beach Walk promenade, a flat 12–15 minute stroll to Pier 60, with the marina district a few blocks east. Livelier than the north end, calmer than the pier.
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Last-minute rates move fast, and the small beachfront places sell out first. Check the live price and judge the deal for yourself.
Check tonight's price →Opal Sands Resort FAQ
Do all rooms at Opal Sands really face the Gulf?
Yes. The tower's curved design gives every one of the 230 rooms a Gulf view and private balcony. It's the only big resort on the beach where the view comes with every room instead of a room-category upcharge.
What does Opal Sol access mean for Opal Sands guests?
The two towers are connected by a sky bridge and share amenities: four pools, two spas, and ten dining outlets across both. Opal Sands guests can use all of it; Opal Sol opened in February 2025 and effectively doubled the resort.
Is Opal Sands quiet?
Not especially. The pool deck runs live music and a busy scene most of the season, and lower-floor pool-side balconies hear it. Ask for a higher floor, or pick the Sandpearl up the beach if quiet is the priority.
What are the extra fees at Opal Sands?
Valet parking, at a rate the resort discloses at booking, plus a $35 nightly resort fee before tax. There is no self-park option. The front desk also puts a sizable hold on your card at check-in, which catches people out if the card is running tight.
How far is Opal Sands from Pier 60?
A flat 12 to 15 minute walk north along the Beach Walk promenade, which runs right past the front of the resort, and the marina district is a few blocks east. This end of the beach is livelier than the north end and calmer than the pier itself.
What is the check-in age at Opal Sands?
21 and up, with check-in from 4:00 PM. Worth knowing if you are booking a room for a college-age group or a 20-year-old traveling alone. Have a card ready at the desk too, since they put a sizable hold on it when you arrive.
Things to do nearby
All Tampa Bay things to do →
Wildlife & natureThe Florida AquariumTampaSand tiger sharks behind the panoramic window of a 500,000-gallon reef habitat, plus a glass-domed Florida wetland you walk through.See tickets →
Museum & funThe Dali MuseumSt. PetersburgThe biggest collection of Dali outside Europe, inside a concrete bunker wrapped in 1,062 glass triangles.See tickets →
Attraction passTampa Bay CityPASSTampaOne ticket covering five Tampa Bay attractions you pick yourself, good for nine days from first use.See tickets →
Water parkAdventure IslandTampaVanish Point drops you through a trapdoor into a 70 foot tower, and the whole park shuts down for the winter.See tickets →
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