With traveller’s looking to escape the noise and fast pace feeling of city breaks in favour of a more mindful and relaxing holiday experience, St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida is the long-haul destination of choice for British travellers in 2026. With more than half of all traveller’s planning a trip in 2026 reporting a desire to return from holiday feeling recharged and 46% seeking a beach break*, the soft white sand beaches along Florida’s Gulf coast offer the ideal escape.
St. Pete-Clearwater is ready to welcome Brits to its slice of paradise with new hotel openings and renovations, an expanding food scene which has been recognised by the MICHELIN Guide, and upgrades to top attractions, including an expansive beach nourishment project, extending the opportunity for pure R&R.
Hotel Openings, Expansions, and Renovations
Rated amongst the 15 best white sand beaches in the world by Travel + Leisure, Clearwater Beach is prepping to welcome even more visitors with the addition of the CW Resort & Marina, a brand-new 97-room condo-style hotel, in March 2026. The resort will feature an on-site restaurant and bar, a spacious sundeck with a pool and hot tub, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, primely located just steps away from Pier 60 and Clearwater Beach.
The Luce, a Tribute Portfolio Collection property, is set to open its door in January 2026 following an extensive renovation. The property, previously known as ‘Postcard Inn On The Beach’, is located on St. Pete Beach and reignites old Floridian charm with modern hospitality highlighted by vintage Florida design.
Also completing a renovation in 2026 is The Cordova Inn, a boutique hotel in downtown St. Pete. Expanding from 32 to 97 rooms, The Cordova Inn offers modern amenities with historical ambiance within walking distance of all the cities best attractions.
Plus, there’s no better way to ring in 2026 than with the 100th anniversary celebration of the historic Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, on New Year’s Eve. Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the Vinoy is a reflection of the architectural influences of the Mediterranean coast, and its famous pink colour (named the Vinoy) was created by the Gutta Percha Paint Company exclusively for the hotel. 100 years later, the Vinoy remains a staple of the St. Pete community and its recent upgrades and the introduction of Michelin-chef backed Elliot Aster restaurant in 2025, make it a must stay destination for travellers.
A Growing Dining Experience
Named a partner destination of the Florida MICHELIN Guide 2025, St. Pete-Clearwater has experienced an evolution of flavour in recent years. The destination is set for further culinary advancements as Michelin inspectors return to restaurants around the city with multiple chef’s vying for the destination’s very first star recognition.
Joining the destinations wine bars is Volta Wine + Market, a fine-wine bottle shop and urban market where guests can perch at the bar to enjoy a glass of their favourite Rioja or discover a new Sauvignon Blanc with the assistance of trained sommeliers.
Another can’t miss addition to downtown St. Pete is Central Park Food Hall. Projected for an early-2026 opening on Central Avenue – the foodie heart of St. Pete – this latest addition will bring 10 food outlets and a rooftop bar together in a social-first setting all under one roof. From fresh Florida seafood and farm to table dining to international cuisine and spectacular rooftop views, the St. Pete-Clearwater culinary scene is continuously adding to the dining line-up.
An Improved Visitor Experience with Attraction Upgrades
Home to America’s Best Beaches, St. Pete-Clearwater has 35 miles of award-winning white sugar sands, ideal for sunny breaks year-round. Expected to be completed in early-2026, more than 2.5 million cubic meters of sand are being added to more than half of the destination’s shoreline in a beach nourishment project. Paired with the completion of extensive renovations at the Clearwater Marina, the beach experience in St. Pete-Clearwater will be better than ever.
Beyond the beaches, world-famous Clearwater Marine Aquarium continues to grow with regular openings throughout 2026 as part of its multi-year expansion plan. The expansion plans – called ‘Rising Tides: Safeguarding Marine Life for the Future’ – will include a new manatee rehabilitation centre, a revamped and expanded animal hospital, and new sea lion habitat.
The art scene in downtown St. Pete is also undergoing an expansion with the opening of ‘Penny Lane’, the ultimate Beatles experience where a curated collection of famous works will be displayed, adding to the line-up of eclectic museums in the area. Plus, The Dalí Museum is beginning a 30,000-square-foot expansion in 2026, growing its world-class offering even further.
For active afternoons after soaking up St. Pete’s culture, visitors will be satiated at St. Pete Athletic, a mixed pickleball-padel social club, slated for an early-2026 opening. This hub will house one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. with craft coffees and sophisticated cocktails for post-game hangouts.
From relaxing beach time on soft sandy beaches and delectable meals at newly opened restaurants, to active afternoons playing padel and cultural experiences at world-class museums, St. Pete-Clearwater is ready to welcome every type of traveller in 2026.
For more information, visit VisitSPC.com.
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