Tampa Marriott Water Street
Waterfront downtown hotel connected to the JW Marriott, featuring panoramic river views and easy convention access.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Set along the Tampa Riverwalk adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center, this hotel offers spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic water views. Guests praise the third-floor rooftop pool terrace, speedy elevators, and walkable access to downtown entertainment. However, reviewers consistently complain about steep honor bar drink prices and occasional check-in delays at the front desk. 92313
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- The property sits in a prime Water Street location just a five-minute walk from the Tampa Convention Center and right on the Riverwalk. 961
- Floor-to-ceiling and large picture windows reliably deliver sweeping views of the harbor, river, and city skyline. 2916
- Bathrooms are spacious and modern, highlighted by clean showers with strong water pressure and temperature. 873
- The rooftop pool and bar terrace on the third floor receives consistent praise from visitors. 13216
The catch
- While some guests slept soundly on comfortable king beds and pillows, others found the mattresses uncomfortable and waking with side pain. 1510
- Reviewers disagree on noise levels, with some reporting quiet rooms once balcony doors are closed and others noting street noise from the free trolley and traffic. 15
Who it's for
- — Convention center attendees
- — Downtown walkers relying on the free trolley
- — Guests wanting panoramic waterfront views
Skip it if
- — Travelers sensitive to street or pool noise
- — Guests looking for budget-friendly on-site drinks
Seen on camera
2 moments · 1 video · Tampa Marriott Water Street
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“on the third floor of the hotel you find a lovely Terrace with the pool bar and grill as well as a large and fantastic r…”
youtube.com0:14“the Tampa Marriott Water Street rooftop Terrace offers Scenic views of Harbor Island and its surroundings”
youtube.com0:22Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
How to book
One night, standard room. Award prices move with demand and availability is not checked here.
Search Marriott on points →Score breakdown
How the 86/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
90- “There are also morning meditation videos and other wellness media from Deepak Chopra, M.D., a world-renowned wellness professional. However, the star of the show and the reason you want to book this room is the bathroom. I'm obsessed with this exquisite bathroom.” 2
- “The AC was cold even in Tampa's 91 degree F heat; shower water pressure was great and consistent; they got my bedding request (no feathers); and the room was super clean.” 7
Location
93- “The location is absolutely tops. On the water, great views, great outdoor bar, right on the trolley route, and next to a decent public parking garage.” 7
- “The Tampa Marriott Water Street, located at 505 Water Street, takes all the goodness of the CURRENT and Le Méridien combines it with a fabulous location, friendly staff, and great eats, moving it to the front of the line for hotels we will stay at the next time we are in Tampa.” 10
Room
86- “It is a spacious gorgeous room with an entryway foyer, plush king-size bed, and jaw-dropping floor to ceiling wrap around windows providing views of the river, the harbor, and the pool terrace.” 2
- “I stayed in the Superior Corner Spa room on the 16th floor in one of the Stay Well™ Premier Rooms. It is a spacious gorgeous room with an entryway foyer, plush king-size bed, and jaw-dropping floor to ceiling wrap around windows providing views of the river, the harbor, and the pool terrace.” 2
Service
87- “The level of service at the JW Marriott Tampa was on par with what the luxury brand is known for. The check in experience was wonderful and everyone from the bell hops to the housekeeping staff were friendly and went above and beyond to make sure all of our needs were met.” 2
- “All of the staff were super nice, and Marriott elite coordinator is totally killing it.” 7
Bed & Sleep
88- “Speaking of the bed, I have to admit it wasn't very comfortable when sleeping on my side. I ended up waking up in the middle of the night to some bad pains in my side, but it was fine if I slept on my back.” 15
- “Firstly, I didn't like the bed or the smell of smoke that felt like it persisted for half my stay. To me, that's a deal breaker.” 15
Value
79- “Answered by jeffreyschill on January 19, 2025 We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. Nice hotel - clean and comfortable. Huge Bonus - You can leave your car there for a very small fee and use the free shuttle to and from the port.” 14
- “The cash rate for this stay was $184 per night, well worth it for this hotel.” 15
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-04
Where it sits
Tampa Marriott Water Street and the 17 other hotels we cover in Tampa. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
On par with what $$ usually buys
Scores 2 points below the mid-range median of 88, across 490 hotels in the same bracket. In Tampa it sits 2 points above the local median of 84.
- This hotel
- 86
- Bracket median
- 88
- Index median
- 88
Based on 490 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
- 3 mentions
- 2 mentions
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 87 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “Answered by jeffreyschill on January 19, 2025 We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. Nice hotel - clean and comfortable.” 14
- “The Tampa Marriott Water Street, located at 505 Water Street, takes all the goodness of the CURRENT and Le Méridien combines it with a fabulous location, friendly staff, and great eats, moving it to the front of the line for hotels we will stay at the next time we are in Tampa.” 10
- “The service was excellent and the hotel has an Executive Lounge that is accessible to Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members.” 8
- “The check in experience was wonderful and everyone from the bell hops to the housekeeping staff were friendly and went above and beyond to make sure all of our needs were met.” 2
- “She asked if we needed a late checkout and we requested 2:00 PM, which was granted. She also told us that we were upgraded to a Corner King, Guest Room, 1 King, City View. With the holiday, I was happy to receive an upgrade at all.” 8
- “Service matched the JW badge across my stay. The team was attentive and professional, my elite recognition was handled without me having to ask, and requests were taken care of promptly.” 3
- “The level of service at the JW Marriott Tampa was on par with what the luxury brand is known for. The check in experience was wonderful and everyone from the bell hops to the housekeeping staff were friendly and went above and beyond to make sure all of our needs were met.” 2
- “I arrived at the front desk to find an agent to help check me in after a short wait. While there was signage for a shorter line for elites, it wasn't staffed.” 15
- “Check-in was smooth, and my elite status was recognized right away, including the suite upgrade from my Suite Night Award.” 3
- “The agent assisting us was friendly and explained the benefits offered to Titanium Elite members.” 8
- “The service felt a bit rushed, but improved once we asked them to slow down the courses.” 8
- “All of the staff were super nice, and Marriott elite coordinator is totally killing it.” 7
- “Since it was not explained to me that this would not count, the front desk graciously removed the charge.” 8
- “The Tampa Marriott Water Street, located at 505 Water Street, takes all the goodness of the CURRENT and Le Méridien combines it with a fabulous location, friendly staff, and great eats, moving it to the front of the line for hotels we will stay at the next time we are in Tampa.” 10
- “Tampa Marriott Water Street also offers excellent access to almost everything you'd want to see in the city. Located adjacent to the convention center in Tampa's vibrant Water Street neighborhood, the hotel sits right on the Tampa Riverwalk, so walking to the Florida Aquarium, Amalie Arena (home of NHL Tampa Bay Lightning) and Sparkman Wharf makes it convenient.” 9
- “It's a popular location for anyone with tickets to a show or game at one of the nearby venues, and having the Tampa Convention Center a five-minute walk away is convenient for business travelers.” 6
- “What I like most about the location is that it solves the classic downtown problem of nothing being within walking distance. Here you can park the car and spend a full evening on foot, moving between the Riverwalk, dinner, and a game or show at Amalie Arena.” 3
- “The location is absolutely tops. On the water, great views, great outdoor bar, right on the trolley route, and next to a decent public parking garage.” 7
- “I liked the Executive Lounge and the hotel's location. We'll be back for another staycation in the future.” 8
- “The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is conveniently located downtown in a newly revitalized area known as Water Street. Some of the city's best restaurants and hotels are here and it's not far from the riverwalk and offices downtown.” 8
- “Excellent waterside location in downtown Tampa, close to the Tampa Convention Center and Amalie Arena” 6
- “It's a popular location for anyone with tickets to a show or game at one of the nearby venues, and having the Tampa Convention Center a five-minute walk away is convenient for business travelers. However, this stellar location can be a traffic nightmare during events.” 6
- “For contemporary digs in the heart of Tampa, Florida, stay at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. This member of the Marriott family earns rave reviews from visitors thanks to its proximity to Tampa's convention center and its superb channel or bay views.” 1
- “This room has a balcony facing the water, which makes for a nice view, especially in the evening. It can get loud if there is a pool party at night, but the noise didn't bother me with the door closed.” 15
- “The Tampa Marriott Water Street seems to be located on a street that is pretty popular, sharing the road with the free trolley, the entrance to the JW Marriott across the street, and the backside of the Amalie Arena. Traffic seems to perpetually be a problem here.” 15
- “The elevator lobbies and hallways were clean and well maintained. They felt new even though the hotel is now over four years old.” 8
- “Once you get past the street traffic right outside the hotel, it is located in a nice area. There is a lovely river walk immediately outside the hotel, making for an excellent place to take a morning jog.” 15
- “The Hamachi Crudo and the Filet Mignon were the standouts. Oddly, they ran out of dessert and allowed me to substitute Key Lime Pie for the Peppermint Cannoli Dip.” 8
- “I think I had a complimentary drink, $30 spend at any onsite full service restaurant (worth it, the restaurant is great), a ride on the Pirate Water Taxi (did a two-hour cruise up and down the Tampa shoreline)” 7
- “Overall, the food here seemed to be a bit uninspired. The fruit was good both in variety and quality, but the food selection was a bit lacking outside of that. In particular, the eggs were dry and the bacon wasn't crisp.” 15
- “I tried the braised lamb shank served with Brussel sprouts for my dinner which was delicious. The lamb shank is a hearty portion and the meat just melts and falls off the bone.” 2
- “Anchor and Brine combines high-class dining with a welcoming atmosphere, offering a delicious seafood-centered menu that you can enjoy as you sit by the water and take in the beautiful views while enjoying the amazing food.” 9
- “The dining lineup is a real strength here, and it spans casual to special-occasion.” 3
- “Garrison Tavern and Anchor and Brine, the property's two main restaurants for dinner, receive mixed feedback from reviewers, but many patrons praise Café Waterside's delectable breakfast buffet.” 1
- “By night, Driftlight Steakhouse, off of the hotel's lobby, specializes in nicely aged steaks and locally sourced seafood dishes. By day, it's a delicious spot for breakfast. Regardless of the meal, diners make themselves comfortable in a bright and airy setting, with a hint of elegant art deco aesthetic.” 16
- “The meal was excellent, but the party was pretty boring.” 8
- “There was a coffee machine, but much to dismay of the coffee drinkers stopping by in the morning, the machine was broken. Only the coffee in the towers was available for my stay.” 15
- “The dessert service is actually nice, breakfast has all the Marriott brand standards (eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit), honor bar, and there's a killer city skyline view on the balcony.” 7
- “Find casual bistro fare and drinks for lunch and dinner at the aptly named Six, found on the sixth floor of the luxury hotel overlooking the pools and sun deck. Six is a terrific terrace alternative if reservations are hard to come by at Beacon.” 16
- “At Cafe Waterside, you'll find beautiful views along with some of the best casual breakfast options you'll experience anywhere in Tampa.” 9
- “At least we had a great view.” 8
- “Beacon, on the 27th floor, is one of the highest rooftop bars in downtown Tampa, with panoramic skyline and waterfront views that make it worth a visit even if you are not staying the night.” 3
- “Inside the stunningly designed building that is simultaneously chic, warm and inviting, each of the 519 guest rooms features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide uninterrupted views of the city skyline, Tampa Bay and Amalie Arena, home to the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and a host of concerts and other events.” 16
- “Both shower doors move, making it easy to turn on the hot water without being blasted by cold water. However, there was a minor issue with the shower valve. Despite my best efforts at turning off the valve, both the overhead shower and the hand wand were always turned on. It ultimately wasn't much of a bother, though it did feel like a waste of water.” 15
- “The AC was cold even in Tampa's 91 degree F heat; shower water pressure was great and consistent; they got my bedding request (no feathers); and the room was super clean.” 7
- “The toilet was in its own separate room. I always prefer when bathrooms are set up like this with the toilet separate.” 8
- “Bathrooms are stylish and comfortable thanks to space-saving sliding barn doors, large showerheads in walk-in and bath/shower combos, and updated square vanity sinks with wood-lined cubby hole storage.” 6
- “The bathroom felt modern and clean, just like the rest of the room.” 15
- “The stand alone shower is encased in glass with dual shower heads. The water pressure was excellent and there was an added wellness benefit that I didn't expect.” 2
- “The shower was spacious and nicely designed. The water pressure and temperature were both great.” 8
- “The bathroom was large with lots of space.” 8
- “Little touches stood out too, like the alarm clock with built-in contactless phone charging and the separate big soaking tub in the bathroom, a real step up from the shower-tub combos older hotels squeeze in.” 3
- “There are also morning meditation videos and other wellness media from Deepak Chopra, M.D., a world-renowned wellness professional. However, the star of the show and the reason you want to book this room is the bathroom. I'm obsessed with this exquisite bathroom.” 2
- “The finishes were current and comfortable, with a modern bathroom, a good bed, and the clean contemporary decor that runs through the whole hotel.” 3
- “Stepping into the room, it felt recently remodeled (or at least they have done a good job keeping the room properly maintained).” 15
- “Yes. I just looked at the site to compare photos - I purchased a $299 regular queen room and was upgraded to a $568 "1 king bed, water view, bay shore view balcony sofa bed, 1-bed suite." Super thankful for the upgrade.” 7
- “The view from the room was quite impressive.” 8
- “My one-bedroom suite was a clear step up from a standard room, with a separate living area, plenty of space to spread out, and floor-to-ceiling windows that pulled in the downtown and water views.” 3
- “I was expecting to find bottled water in the room as is the norm these days, but unfortunately there was no complimentary water to be found.” 15
- “Toiletries were by thisworks, the typical low quality offering that seems to standardly be in Marriotts. This room has a balcony facing the water, which makes for a nice view, especially in the evening.” 15
- “The new decor also sports beige laminate tile floors, thick carpets with contemporary blue gradients, lovely artwork on gray walls, and various shades of modern gray cushioned furniture.” 6
- “On one occasion, our 350 square foot city view room came with a king bed and a guest room area that were perfect.” 10
- “The desk was fine, with a chair that was comfortable enough when I used it.” 15
- “It is a spacious gorgeous room with an entryway foyer, plush king-size bed, and jaw-dropping floor to ceiling wrap around windows providing views of the river, the harbor, and the pool terrace.” 2
- “Delightful large room with TWO balconies overlooking the bay.” 7
- “Now, I have to say my room was immaculate and I felt safe in my room. Of course I still did my usual wipe down of things commonly touched in the room and that probably won't ever change.” 2
- “the Tampa Marriott Water Street rooftop Terrace offers Scenic views of Harbor Island and its surroundings” On camera130:22
- “In the corner by the window is a small armchair. I didn't use it, but it appeared new and in good condition.” 15
- “Stepping into the room, it felt recently remodeled (or at least they have done a good job keeping the room properly maintained). There are plenty of outlets found everywhere you need them, including by the beds.” 15
- “On one occasion, our 350 square foot city view room came with a king bed and a guest room area that were perfect. Both of us found the bed and pillows to our liking.” 10
- “The room was comfortable and the Executive Lounge was a nice addition. We would definitely stay here again.” 8
- “Firstly, I didn't like the bed or the smell of smoke that felt like it persisted for half my stay. To me, that's a deal breaker.” 15
- “I stayed in the Superior Corner Spa room on the 16th floor in one of the Stay Well™ Premier Rooms. It is a spacious gorgeous room with an entryway foyer, plush king-size bed, and jaw-dropping floor to ceiling wrap around windows providing views of the river, the harbor, and the pool terrace.” 2
- “One last comment about the room (and really the property in general) is the occasional faint smell of cigarette smoke. I didn't notice this every night but noticed the smell through other parts of the hotel including the lobby and conference rooms.” 15
- “Firstly, I didn't like the bed or the smell of smoke that felt like it persisted for half my stay. To me, that's a deal breaker.” 15
- “Speaking of the bed, I have to admit it wasn't very comfortable when sleeping on my side. I ended up waking up in the middle of the night to some bad pains in my side, but it was fine if I slept on my back.” 15
- “The cash rate for this stay was $184 per night, well worth it for this hotel.” 15
- “Answered by jeffreyschill on January 19, 2025 We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. Nice hotel - clean and comfortable. Huge Bonus - You can leave your car there for a very small fee and use the free shuttle to and from the port.” 14
- “At the time of this post, guest room rates start around $289+ and upwards and vary depending on the timing of your stay and the room type. It's definitely a splurge but it's worth it to treat yourself, especially if you're celebrating a milestone event in your life.” 2
- “My stay ran 42,000 Bonvoy points for the night, which was a good value against the downtown cash rate, so compare both before booking.” 3
- “While I wasn't impressed by the food in the lounge, I have to admit I was impressed by the food available via room service. It was surprisingly affordable, with no hidden fees stacked on fees.” 15
- “The hotel is also priced appropriately, making it a decent value for those 35k and 50k free night certificates.” 15
- “Each of the well-appointed rooms comes outfitted with a coffee maker, a desk, a minifridge and Wi-Fi access, though the latter costs extra for guests without Marriott Bonvoy rewards program memberships.” 1
- “The honor bar drink prices struck me as a little insane, so I skipped those, and I took the 1,000-point welcome amenity, which always helps claw back a bit of an award stay.” 3
- “During the evening, you could check out the honor bar, but don't expect honorable prices. It cost about the same amount as the drinks in the bar at the lobby. Spending $7 for a Bud Light feels almost like highway robbery.” 15
- “I am not a fan of these fees, but we at least got to have two glasses of wine with the food and beverage credit.” 8
- “We stayed at the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk. Nice hotel - clean and comfortable. Huge Bonus - You can leave your car there for a very small fee and use the free shuttle to and from the port. Close to lots of things to do in Tampa.” 14
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- 8 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Tampa Marriott Water Street
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 18/100We read 0 sources for this property, covering 0 traveler mentions, boiled down to 0 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-04.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Tampa Marriott Water Street. Tell us when you're staying and we'll follow it until then — you'll hear from us only when the verdict is rewritten, the score moves, or new reviews land. No daily mail, and the watch closes itself after your stay.
Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
6 of 6 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 16 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 3JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Reviewjacksonjetsetting.comReview site2026-07-03Current11 quotes used
“The finishes were current and comfortable, with a modern bathroom, a good bed, and the clean contemporary decor that runs through the whole hotel.”
Read originaljacksonjetsetting.com - 10Tampa Marriott Water Street Hotel Shines Brightly Along ...chucklongisland.comReview site2025-10-26Recent5 quotes used
“The Tampa Marriott Water Street, located at 505 Water Street, takes all the goodness of the CURRENT and Le Méridien combines it with a fabulous location, friendly staff, and great eats, moving it to the front of the line…”
Read originalchucklongisland.com - 7Marriott Water Street, Tampa, FLreddit.comForum thread2025-08-20Recent9 quotes used
“I think I had a complimentary drink, $30 spend at any onsite full service restaurant (worth it, the restaurant is great), a ride on the Pirate Water Taxi (did a two-hour cruise up and down the Tampa shoreline)”
Read originalreddit.com - 8Hotel Review: JW Marriott Tampa Water Streetthebulkheadseat.comReview site2025-01-20Ageing18 quotes used
“The Hamachi Crudo and the Filet Mignon were the standouts. Oddly, they ran out of dessert and allowed me to substitute Key Lime Pie for the Peppermint Cannoli Dip.”
Read originalthebulkheadseat.com - 6Tampa Marriott Water Street Reviewoyster.comReview site2024-08-19Ageing7 quotes used
“It's a popular location for anyone with tickets to a show or game at one of the nearby venues, and having the Tampa Convention Center a five-minute walk away is convenient for business travelers.”
Read originaloyster.com - 15Comfy But Has Some Issues: Tampa Marriott Water Streetfoodwadatravel.comReview site2024-03-23Ageing24 quotes used
“Both shower doors move, making it easy to turn on the hot water without being blasted by cold water. However, there was a minor issue with the shower valve. Despite my best efforts at turning off the valve, both the over…”
Read originalfoodwadatravel.com
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