How does Clearwater Beach, Florida compare to Myrtle Beach, S.Carolina?

Have been to Myrtle Beach once. Husband doesn't want to return ~ couple of cold days, beach really crowded, condo not very clean.

I'm interested in a nice resort in Clearwater. Have read here about Adams Mark and Sheraton Sand Key. Are these the nicest accomodations available in Clearwater?

Would like the place to have activities for teens and ideally a facility that has basketball courts.

Can anyone out there help me?

Hi Claire
I would chose Clearwater Beach any day over Myrtle. I can tell you about the Sheraton as we stayed there last Nov. It is a well run, exceptionally clean, very nice older hotel with great staff. It is beachfront(ask for a room with view) and the beach is HUGE. It feels like you're walking a mile to get to the shore. The hotel sets ups nets on this expanse for volleyball and badmitten. They also set up beach chairs and umbellas at the shoreline. There is a trolley that stops at the front of the hotel that takes you all the way to St Pete. However, you can also drive as there all a ton of places you will want to stop at. (marina's etc) In Clearwater Beach there is a roundabout with a Marina where you can go deep sea fishing for a decent price. The captain will show you how if you've never gone before. Crappy Bills, next to the marina, will prepare your catch with sides for a good price while you sip on cool drinks. PS You didn't ask, but the Outer Banks is also a good place for a family to vacation.

Sorry.....should have re- read....Crabby Bills....

cd...no, you were right the first time! OL

Claire, I'd do Sheraton Sand Key before Adams Mark.

Thank you both for your replies, they are appreciated.
OO ~ Can you tell me why you would choose Sheraton Sand Key over Adam's Mark?
Am I correct to assume these are 2 of the nicer, more popular establishments?
Is "Sand Key" separate from Clearwater Beach?
Also, does anyone know of any beachfront condos that are available?
Any additional info you can provide will be great!
p.s. there's a Crabby Mike's @Myrtle Beach. My kids and husband loved the place.

Is Sand Key seperate? Not really, you just go over a bridge. I find it less crowded, not so close together, at least where the Sheraton is. I do not know of any condo's. I'm sure you could do a search.

We stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key last summer and thought it was nice. I thought the beach there was very nice. We got internet rate from Sheraton's website. However, we did have to pay for the entire stay up-front non-refundable.

Claire, as cd said, Sheraton Sand Key is just over a short bridge from Clearwater Beach, but removed from a lot of the hubub. You might prefer that, whereas teens often prefer hubub. Sheraton is a bit nicer property.

I think of the entire strip from Pass-a-Grille,/St. Pete Beach to the south on up to Clearwater Beach as being just one long beach area. That's "the beaches". St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach are about equidistant whether you are flying or driving in. My favorite beach, just for sand quality is Clearwater Beach, but the nicest place to stay all along this entire area is the Don CeSar in St Pete Beach, followed probably by the Tradewinds, also down there. The beaches are slightly narrower there, but beautiful sand. That area is quieter than Clearwater--thinking about your teens now--but then you mentioned your hubby didn't like the crowds of MB, so...I don't know what to say. gt; I guess the person who pays gets the say!

Thanks Olive Oyl for the great info! I checked out the Sheraton's website. Great picture of the place, including the bridge.
Also, since I would ideally like a suite or a condo, I looked at the Radisson, but it's across the street from the beach.
I checked the prices for Sheraton's suites - over $400.00 a night, a bit out of my price range. (BTW, I'm the big saver for vacations in the family, but we choose where to go & stay together).
So, this is just the beginning of my search and I appreciate all that I've learned from these posts already. I'll keep searching!