JW Marriott Clearwater and a rental car

Question

Hi there, we are spending a long weekend in Tampa next weekend for the Bucs game - I was going to rent a Turo to drive from the airport to the JW - it is an outrageous amount of money to park at the hotel - do we need a rental car? Are restaurants within walking distance of the JW? I haven't been to Clearwater in a few years so I can't remember. The only reason we would need a car is to get to other restaurants.

(Also FYI, in lieu of a turo, I would hire a car to take us to the JW from the airport, then to our next hotel near the stadium for the game. That hotel has a shuttle to the airport for our outbound flight.)

Answer

The JW Marriott Clearwater Beach is centrally located right on the beach, which makes it ideal for walking to some restaurants, bars, and shops along Clearwater Beach. However, the immediate area is somewhat limited in terms of casual dining or diverse culinary options beyond the beachfront establishments, so having a car can be convenient if you want to explore more of Clearwater or nearby Tampa.

Here are some considerations regarding a rental car:

If your plans are mainly focused on enjoying Clearwater Beach, walking to restaurants along the beach, and staying near the hotel, a rental car is not strictly necessary. You can use rideshares like Uber or Lyft for longer trips.
If you want to explore Tampa, St. Petersburg, or other attractions around the area (like dining outside the main beach area, visiting downtown Tampa, or going to the Bucs game), a car will be very useful.
Hotel parking at the JW Marriott can be expensive, so if you only need a car for airport transfer and special outings, a combination of a car service for arrival/departure and rideshares for local trips could be more cost-effective.

Restaurants and walking options near the JW Marriott:

Many beachfront restaurants are within easy walking distance, including casual cafes, seafood restaurants, and bars with live music.
For more variety (Italian, Mexican, Asian, or local Tampa favorites), you will likely need to drive or take a rideshare to nearby areas.
The hotel itself has multiple on-site dining options, so for meals without leaving the property, you have convenient choices.

Given your itinerary—driving from the airport to the JW, then to your next hotel near the stadium—a practical approach could be:

Hire a car or use a rideshare for the initial transfer from the airport to the JW Marriott, avoiding Turo fees.
Rely on walking and rideshares during your Clearwater stay for restaurants and attractions.
Rent or use the shuttle service from your stadium-area hotel for the Bucs game and airport transfer on departure.

Overall, a car is optional if you mainly want to enjoy Clearwater Beach, but it becomes useful for flexibility, exploring Tampa/St. Pete, and avoiding high hotel parking costs.

JW Marriott Clearwater and a rental car

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