This feature was made possible through a hosted stay by the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, where our editor and her guests experienced firsthand the amenities, services, and unique offerings that contribute to the ideal Clearwater Beach bachelorette party. While our stay was courtesy of the Wyndham Grand, all opinions and insights provided in this article are our own.
If the thought of a traditional bachelorette party makes you want to forgo the celebration altogether, maybe it's time to consider another idea.
Let's normalize relaxing, laid-back bachelorette parties.
Think of a celebration where you and a close group of friends rent a penthouse suite, decompress in the spa, lounge at the beach, ride around the sandy paths in a beach cruiser, and then have a private movie screening right in your hotel room.
That was exactly our experience at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, and it was heavenly.
Nestled on the pristine shores of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach offers the tranquility of sun, sea, and soft, sandy beaches. Named #1 “Beach in the South” by USA Today and Tripadvisor's #1 Beach in the U.S. in 2019, 2018, and 2016, the destination city is a haven for wed-to-bes seeking an escape that combines relaxed luxury with laid-back coastal living.
Best Location on Clearwater Beach
Only 20 miles from Tampa's International Airport and 30 minutes from the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is in the heart of the destination town. Located next door to the famed Pier 60, known for its open-air sunset market and Sugar Sand festival, the area is filled with restaurants, attractions that include dolphin tours and afternoon cruises, and the most epic sunsets in Florida.
With such a central location, you don't need a car to experience the area; if you do want to explore further down the beaches, the local trolley picks you up right at the Pier and only costs $2.25.
Hotel Overview
Opened in 2017, the luxury property still shows as a new hotel. As you arrive, you're greeted by a water fountain overlooking the pool and live steel drum players (times vary) to instantly remind you that you're on vacation. With 343 rooms, a pair of two-story presidential suites, a fitness center, a spa, multiple restaurants, and waterfront views from almost every room, the Wyndham Grand was thoughtfully designed to take advantage of its sought-after location on Clearwater Beach.
With a modern yet coastal vibe, the impressive lobby is the hub of the hotel, with the pool, signature restaurant, and coffee bar turned cocktail space after-hours all within steps of each other.
Restaurant and Dining Options
As we checked in, we were given a dining card that offered discounts to on-site eateries. The more places you ate at, the larger the discount.
During the day, the lobby hotspot eSKPades featured teas and coffees, cappuccinos, lattes, ice cream, pastries, and sandwiches, and then later transitioned to serve wine, drinks, and appetizers. We appreciated the fact that it stayed open until 11 p.m. if you wanted to grab a late-night bite or after-dinner drink.
Open until sunset, Dock's Pool Bar & Grille, located just off the pool, offers snacks, lunch, frozen drinks and local craft beers. You can't come to the beach without eating some grouper nuggets or fish tacos along with a tropical cocktail.
We frequented Ocean Hai, the property's signature restaurant, featuring Asian-fusion cuisine led by Executive Sous Chef Nana Darkwah. We indulged in the breakfast buffet, which was a reasonable $25 and featured a variety of foods, including a gourmet omelet station, Belgian waffles, french toast, seasonal berries, smoked salmon with capers, and pastries. We loved the fact you could eat out on the covered balcony, taking in the coastal breeze while sipping your morning coffee or mimosa, plus the service was phenomenal. At night, the restaurant transitioned into a sleek, upscale restaurant inspired by locally sourced ingredients and fresh, seasonal items. With a vast menu featuring poké, sushi, noodle dishes, fish and meat entrees, and elevated appetizers, there was something to entice every appetite. My favorite dishes were the hanger steak skewer and a giant fortune cookie for dessert. (Seriously, it was enormous!)
Keeping in line with the low-key weekend, our group really enjoyed the fact that there was a restaurant that satisfied whatever mood we were in and didn't require us to leave the property or order out.
Spa and Fitness
If wellness is a priority for your relaxing weekend, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach features half-day fitness retreats, beach yoga, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a vast workout room with Peloton bikes and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool.
At the heart of any great girls' weekend getaway is the spa. The Pallavi Luxury Spa is ideal for groups with its oversized mani-pedi area, private lounge and spa terrace, “chromotherapy” experience shower, eucalyptus steam room, and multiple facial and massage services. This was the perfect way to unwind after a day on the beach in our private cabana. We appreciated rinsing off in the “experience shower” with various lighting options and a multitude of sprayers and jets, leisurely relaxing in the steam room, having the large nail room to ourselves, and chilling in our robes on loungers before getting ready for dinner at Ocean Hai.
If you're looking for a gift to remember the trip by, purchase a candle from the spa featuring the hotel's signature scent, which you'll notice throughout the lobby area.
Unique Experiences: Renting a Moke
If you're looking for a more unique experience than just bar hopping, then you definitely need to rent an electric Moke, which is available right at the valet. A Moke is a street-legal, open-air electric cruiser that can travel up to 25 miles an hour and seats four people.
We loved the beach cruiser's retro style and got lots of looks as we cruised down Gulf Boulevard. Plus, it looked super cute in photos. It goes about 40 miles on a full charge and features a backup camera, headlights, and Bluetooth, so you can listen to your favorite playlist.
You can pick it up right at the hotel and rent it by the hour ($99) or for 24 hours ($475).
@lifeofaweddingblogger The perfect bachelorette party accessory for our girls weekend at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. #moke #mokeamerica #wyndhamgrandclearwaterbeach #WGClearwater #clearwaterbeach #LiveGrand #bachelorettepartyideas🎉🥂 ♬ Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Staying in the Presidental Suite
If you're going to host a chill bachelorette party, then you MUST have a fabulous room; in our case, it was a stunning two-story presidential suite! Behind an assuming hallway door on the fourth floor of the hotel is a massive presidential suite with three living areas, multiple-story decks overlooking the gulf, three bedrooms, a full kitchen, a dining room, and an elevator.
If you're like us and don't all live in the same area, we truly enjoyed spending time together lounging in the various living rooms, having snacks in the kitchen, and enjoying our coffee on the huge multi-level balconies. It felt as though we were staying at a luxurious home instead of a hotel!
As you enter this two-story unit, you’ll find a sitting area, living room, wet bar, and half bathroom, with a full balcony overlooking the Gulf. To make your way upstairs, you could walk, but why not take your own private elevator? Upstairs, you’ll find two more living areas, a kitchen, a dining room, a washer and dryer, and three bedrooms with three and a half bathrooms.
The kitchen features full-size appliances, including a dishwasher and all of your kitchen essentials. We definitely made use of all the space when we arrived by having a chill night in with a charcuterie board and snacks, and the Nespresso machine was clutch each morning.
The highlight of the suite was the pair of balconies that each spanned the length of the suite and overlooked the pool, beach, Gulf of Mexico, and Intracoastal waterway sides.
The primary room had a large walk-in closet and the standalone bathtub of my dreams, complete with power shades if showering with floor-to-ceiling windows isn't your thing. The second room featured an ensuite bath and access to the expansive balcony, while the third room had two beds and its own ensuite bath with balcony access.
A secret amenity of the suite was the private movie theatre! If you lower the power shades in the living room, it creates the perfect screening area. We had enough foresight to bring a projector and spent every evening having our own private showing of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. If you don't have a projector, there are multiple large TVs placed throughout the suite.
The Wyndham Grand boasts two of these impressive suites, in the event that another VIP is staying at the hotel the same weekend that you are. This was so much more convenient than renting a vacation home through VRBO or Airbnb because we had all of the amenities of a full-service hotel, including multiple restaurants, a gym, a spa, a pool, and beach just an elevator ride away.
The presidential suites range from $3,000-$4,500/night and sleep eight, or up to 12 guests with the sofa sleepers. They can only be booked by calling the hotel directly.
Your Wedding Weekend Resort
If you are looking for a destination Florida wedding venue on one of the nation's most beloved beaches, the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach features an outdoor poolside courtyard ceremony space, beachside nuptials, an intimate window-filled event space with a private terrace and views of the Gulf of Mexico, and the largest ballroom on the beach, with room for up to 500 guests.
The location of the reception spaces keeps them tucked away from other hotel guests, so although you're hosting an event at a large resort, the space feels private and personal.
