SHEPHARD'S LIVE ENTERTAINMENT RESORT, Clearwater Beach

The resort is located right on the Gulf of America with its own private beach area, and the main public beach and the nightly sunset celebrations at Pier 60 are roughly a half-mile walk north. Within a three-minute walk you'll find Taco Bus, Gondolier Pizza, Jimmy's Fish House & Iguana Bar, and several other casual restaurants and bars. A small convenience market is about a block away. For getting around the island, the resort offers scooter, bike, and golf cart rentals on-site, and Way to Go rides provides van and towncar service anywhere on the island as well as to and from both local airports for a small fee. The resort does not offer a shuttle, but the walkable location means a car is not essential for day-to-day activities.

Pool View rooms (2 Queen beds) overlook the pool and Tiki Deck, while Gulf View rooms (2 Queens or 1 King) face the Gulf and Tiki stage, both with private balconies. The Sand Key Terrace room features a large balcony with seating for four and a view of the Tiki Bar and band stage. Studio Queen and Studio King rooms include a kitchenette (mini fridge, microwave, dry bar); the Accessible Studio adds a cooktop and fully equipped kitchen. Island View rooms (2 Queens or 1 King) face the island and are located away from music venues, making them suitable for lighter sleepers. The Cabana room sits adjacent to the Tiki Beach Bar and pool deck with a shared balcony and no elevator access (private stairwell only). The King Suite offers a separate living room, second bathroom, and two private balconies with partial Gulf views. The Sunset Suite and Two-Bedroom Suite feature kitchens, walk-in showers, and sweeping Gulf views; these must be booked directly by phone. All rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee maker, in-room safe, and flat-screen TV with Netflix/Hulu casting. Some rooms feature roll-in showers and are mobility-accessible. Music from the nightclub may be audible in all studio rooms on nights it operates.

The Cove restaurant (open for breakfast daily and dinner from 17:00-21:00/22:00 on weekends) offers a full-service dining experience with indoor and outdoor terrace seating overlooking the Gulf. The breakfast buffet is available for $14 USD per person and includes hot and cold options. For casual meals and snacks, the Tiki Beach Grill serves burgers, fish tacos, and other beach fare from mid-morning until late evening. The Soak Pool Bar provides drinks and a limited food menu directly at the pool, though poolside service can be slow during busy periods. The hotel also has a coffee shop near the lobby (open early) and vending machines for snacks and drinks. Several restaurants (Taco Bus, Gondolier Pizza, Jimmy's Fish House) are within a 2-3 minute walk. The Wave Night Club offers a full bar and DJ on weekend nights.

The outdoor pool is open from 9 AM to 9 PM year-round, with complimentary loungers and pool towels. The adjacent hot tub is available all day. A fitness room on the 3rd floor of the SandKey Tower features treadmills, an elliptical, stationary bikes, free weights, and universal equipment. The private beach area offers lounge chair and umbrella rentals (approximately $35 for two chairs and an umbrella, with a $5 discount for resort guests) and water sports including jet ski rentals (guided sessions available), kayaking, and paddleboarding. Evening entertainment is a core feature: live bands perform on the Tiki Beach stage from mid-afternoon until roughly midnight, followed by DJ sets in the Wave Nightclub until 2:30 AM on weekends. The resort also has a minimarket on site. Bicycle, scooter, and golf cart rentals are available for exploring the island.

Guests arriving by car receive complimentary valet parking with efficient luggage handling. The 24-hour reception staff can assist with express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, and safe deposit boxes. A business centre with fax/photocopying and meeting/banquet facilities (with state-of-the-art sound and AV systems) is available for additional charge. Daily housekeeping is complimentary; dry cleaning and laundry services are offered for a fee. The resort is wheelchair-accessible with lifts into the pool and accessible rooms featuring roll-in showers, grab bars, and hearing-impaired equipment. Safety features include 24-hour security, key card access, smoke alarms, and on-site ATM. Wi-Fi is free in all areas and is reliable at the pool and beach. The resort allows Doordash deliveries to the property. A minimarket and vending machines are located in the Gulf Tower lobby.