Design in Detail: Sandpearl Resort’s All-New Seaside-Chic Rooms
Between the beach and pool experiences, the spa, and some of the best dining in Clearwater, it’s no wonder Sandpearl Resort is a beloved Florida Gulf Coast hotel. But – believe it or not – there’s even more to love now, thanks to a recent refresh of all 253 guest rooms and suites.
If it’s not your first time visiting Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach, the property may look a bit different from what you remember. Don’t worry, it still boasts its own 700-foot stretch of pristine beach serving up beach chairs with umbrellas, cabana rentals, and food and beverage service from Tate Island Grill. The zero-entry lagoon-style pool – in which the entire resort essentially pivots around – is also still there. Same with the 12,000-square foot Opal Spa home to seven private treatment rooms and ocean-inspired therapies.
So what exactly is different about this resort based on America’s best beach? It’s accommodations. Completed in February 2024, all 253 guest rooms and suites underwent a comprehensive refresh. It’s a trade-out that is more in line with this premier Clearwater resort, regularly recognized by major travel brands – like Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast – year after year.
Can’t Wait to See the Transformation for Yourself?
THE SCOPE OF THE REFRESH
You already know that the refresh touched all 253 of the Clearwater Beach accommodations. But we’re not talking about a few mere décor swaps or the moving around of pre-existing furniture for better feng shui. This was a total refresh: The bathrooms were entirely redone with soaking tubs and walk-in showers, while the rooms and living spaces saw new flooring, carpets and rugs, paint, couches (all pull-outs for extra sleeping space), furnishings, and other decorative appointments. Suites with kitchens received totally new cabinetry, upgraded appliances, and brand-new dishware serving up to six.
Other modern-day conveniences – like several USB outlets ensuring every device even the largest families could carry has a power source, nightlight features under bathroom counters and mirrors, and new venting systems you can control – were also implemented. These features may not be as obvious compared to the stunning design that surely steals the show, but they certainly make a stay that much more comfortable.
THE VIBE: AIRY & MODERN SEASIDE-CHIC
Prior to the renovation, the style of all the rooms was a bit like an Old-World Caribbean vibe. Think canary yellows and light green walls; dark woods captured in desks, bed headboards, and cabinetry; bamboo-esque chairs and palm leaf ceiling fans. “It certainly felt beachy,” says longtime GM Eric Waltz. “But we wanted to modernize it and make it feel breezier.”
Breezier, indeed. The first thing you notice is the all-new color scheme consisting of neutral tones: light creams, sandy beiges, and crisp whites, all layered with pops of sea-inspired blue shades found in throw pillows and blankets, area rugs, bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, and more. Blonde wooden floors run throughout the space, and, in the suites, you’ll find luxurious white marble slabs topping kitchen countertops, dining room tables, and shelving. Coffee tables, TV consoles, bureaus, and bedside tables almost have a mid-century mood to them with clean lines and gentle curves. Decorative elements include driftwood, coral sculptures, fresh flowers, and – perhaps most unique – eye-catching chandeliers (in dining rooms) that look like they’re made of white, undulating seaweed or Capiz shells.
OTHER DESIGN DETAILS YOU’LL LOVE
In the suites, Waltz really loves the new approach to the dining rooms: “We’re a very family-friendly resort, and these dining rooms feel like the heart of the suite, where family can gather, not just at the table but a new comfortable couch-like seating area.” He also loves the suite’s new separate coffee nooks, featuring Nespresso machines and all the accoutrements. “Previously, it was an underutilized closet space. Now, it’s an inviting space for your morning coffee ritual,” he says.
As for the totally new bathrooms, the hallmark feature is, undeniably, the deep soaking tubs. In fact, all 50 of the one- and two-bedroom suites, plus all 35 junior suites, boast these inviting tubs for an unforgettable bathing experience.
The end result is a breezy retreat where relaxation meets style – a true slice of your own personal paradise on Clearwater Beach.
LOVE THE LOOK?
There’s more where that came from. Check out the designs of other Opal properties that have been renovated in recent years:
