JW Marriott Clearwater Beach on Points: A Gulf Coast Reset with Elite Perks

TL;DR

We booked a $587 stay at the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach using 58,000 Marriott Bonvoy points—and thanks to Platinum Elite status, we got a beach view upgrade, early check-in, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and beach perks. The views, food, and service were incredible. A relaxing, family-friendly staycation that felt like a full-on vacation.

View from beach view room at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach

The Points Breakdown

We used 58,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to book a one-night stay in a standard two-queen room (no view), which would’ve cost $587 in cash. That’s a redemption value of over 1 cent per point—a solid travel hacking win.

Thanks to Platinum Elite status (a perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex), we were upgraded to a beautiful beach view room and treated to a full suite of elite benefits.

Let’s be real—if I can sleep in a $587 room for free and get a balcony with dolphins, I’m going to humblebrag about it. Just once. Okay, maybe twice.

Elite Perks We Loved

• Free upgrade to a beach view room

• Early check-in at 1pm and late checkout at 4pm

• Pack and Play provided for our little one

• Two beach chairs + umbrella included

• Complimentary beach toys for kids

• Bike rentals available for guests

• Welcome gift: We chose the complimentary continental breakfast over 750 bonus points and paid a $10 upgrade for the full buffet (so worth it)

• $10 food and beverage credit (instead of the usual 1,000 points)

The Room

The room itself was spacious and clean, with two comfy queen beds, crisp linens, and plenty of space for our Pack and Play. The beach view from the balcony made the whole stay—two cushioned chairs and a little table where we sipped wine during nap time while watching dolphins and even a manatee cruise by.

The bathroom had a large walk-in shower, soft towels, and upscale toiletries (sorry, I didn’t catch the brand—too distracted by the ocean view, probably). The room also had a mini fridge, a big smart TV, and blackout curtains that came in very clutch for naps.

It was also blissfully quiet—no hallway noise, no slamming doors, no party crowd. Just the sound of the waves, which is exactly what we needed.

Queen beach view room

Beach view room balcony

The Staycation Vibes

After checking in and settling into our upgraded room, we started our stay with a moment on the balcony—comfy chairs, fresh air, and uninterrupted views of the Gulf.

It’s amazing what a little ocean breeze and zero toys on the floor can do for your nervous system.

We headed down to the beach where we were greeted with loungers, umbrellas, and food delivery straight from Eskape Beach Bar & Grill.

Nothing says vacation with a baby like eating grouper bites and truffle fries from a beach chair while your tiny dining companion drops half of hers onto your lap. Was it peaceful? No. Was it perfect? Also yes.

The food was hot, crispy, and surprisingly fantastic for a toes-in-the-sand lunch.

Beach, book, and sleeping baby- the perfect day!

Dinner with a View: The Deep End

That evening, we made our way to the rooftop restaurant, The Deep End, with panoramic views of the beach and intracoastal.

We ordered cocktails, chicken bao, and the Peruvian-spiced grouper—easily the best grouper we’ve had in ages. The service was excellent, and the vibe was modern and upscale without feeling stuffy.

And a weirdly specific parenting shoutout: they had the nicest high chairs we’ve seen since becoming parents. It’s the little things.

Next to the restaurant is a stunning rooftop pool with cabanas and loungers. We didn’t make it there this time, but it’s top of our list for next visit.

The Deep End rooftop restaurant and bar

Breakfast + Beach Day

The next morning, we had breakfast at Latitude 28, where we paid a $10 upcharge for the full buffet. Totally worth it for:

• Made-to-order omelets

• Bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast

• Fresh fruit, juices, and table service

• All with waterfront views

After breakfast, we headed back to the beach and spent the day soaking in the sun—chairs and umbrellas provided, toys for our little one, and shaded hammocks perfect for naps or breaks.

We even spotted a manatee swimming just yards from shore—and later saw more manatees and dolphins from our balcony before checking out at 4pm.

We saw dolphins and didn’t have to pack up by 10am. That’s what I call a parenting win—because nothing kills a vacation vibe faster than shoving everything into a suitcase while someone’s gnawing on a diaper wipe.

Spotted a manatee from our balcony

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a staycation—it was a reset.

We got five-star views, excellent service, and a peaceful family beach day—all without spending a dime out of pocket. I used one PTO day, and somehow it felt like a full vacation.

If you’re teetering on the edge of burnout, this is your sign:
Use the points. Take the break. Order the fries.

Your inbox will still be there when you get back—but hopefully, your stress won’t.

Clearwater Beach, you delivered.
JW Marriott, we’ll be back—points in hand.

📌 Pin this for your next Florida trip!

🌴 You Might Also Like:

• 🍷 My First Overnight Getaway as a New Mom (Booked on Points)
  Our first night away without baby—complete with wine, a quiet hotel room, and no diaper bag in sight. Booked entirely on points for a much-needed reset.

• 🌺 How We Did Hawaii on Points: Our Dream Anniversary Trip
  Flights, hotels, and beachfront stays—booked with miles and points. Here’s how we made our dream Hawaii trip happen for almost nothing out of pocket.

• 🇬🇧 London on Points and Miles: Guide + Favorite Hidden Gems
  Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Hilton Paddington, and navigating London with ease—all booked with points. This is London, Rooted & Roaming style.
  
  
  
  

You’re Not Lazy. You’re Burned Out.

Because sometimes the heaviest thing you carry is the expectation to “bounce back.”

Let’s clear something up:

If you’ve been feeling unmotivated, foggy, or just meh, you’re not broken. You’re probably not lazy.
You’re likely burned out — and your body is begging for something softer than another productivity hack.

As a licensed mental health counselor (and a new mom), I’ve seen how easy it is to mislabel burnout as a personal failure.
We say things like:

“I should have more energy by now.”
“Why can’t I just get it together?”
“Other people do way more — what’s wrong with me?”

But here's the truth: Burnout isn’t a lack of discipline. It’s a signal.
Your nervous system is waving a white flag.
And you don’t need to “push through it.” You need to come back to yourself.

What Burnout Actually Looks Like:

Not all burnout is loud. Sometimes it’s:

• The brain fog that makes basic tasks feel impossible

• Avoiding messages or emails because they feel too overwhelming

• Feeling tired even after a full night of sleep

• Not enjoying things you used to love

• Snapping at people you care about

• Feeling constantly on edge or overstimulated

• That “ugh” feeling when even rest doesn’t feel restful

Sound familiar?

What Helps (That Doesn’t Feel Like Just Another To-Do List)

1. Lower the bar
   Seriously. If your energy is at a 3/10, then showing up at 3/10 is a win.
   You’re still showing up.

2. Give your nervous system a soft landing
   Try one gentle reset to shift the overwhelm:

• Step outside and let the sunlight hit your face

• Stretch for one minute (or do a 60 second plank if you’re feeling fiery)

• Put your feet in the grass

• Listen to a calming song on repeat

• Do nothing for 60 seconds (yes, literally nothing)

3. Name it to tame it
Try this:

“I’m not lazy. I’m overwhelmed and overextended. My body is asking me to slow down.”
That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

4. Stop earning rest
You don’t have to finish your list to deserve a break.
You don’t have to clean the kitchen to be allowed to lie down.
Rest is not a reward. It’s a basic need, Take the PTO without feeling guilty.

A final reminder, from someone who’s walked both sides of this:

The version of you that feels “off” or “behind” right now?
She’s not failing.
She’s adjusting. Healing. Recalibrating.
And that’s brave work.

Save or Share This Post If:

• You’ve been judging yourself for needing a slower pace

• You’ve called yourself lazy lately

• You’re in a season of survival, not productivity

You’re not alone. And you’re not lazy.
Let that sink in.

📌 Love this post? Save it for later on Pinterest!

You Might Also Like:

✨ Glimmers: The Tiny Moments That Helped Me Heal
From baby giggles to sunlight through the trees—these tiny moments of peace reminded me I was safe and okay.

🌪 Coping Tools for Overstimulated Moms
When the world gets too loud (or too sticky), try these therapist-approved grounding tools.

⏱ You Can Do Anything for One Minute
A go-to mantra for when mindfulness feels out of reach. Because one minute really can reset your day.

Glimmers: How Tiny Moments Calm Your Nervous System and Boost Healing

Because healing doesn’t always look like a breakthrough—it’s often in the little things.

Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to glimmers.
You know, those small, fleeting moments that remind your nervous system it’s safe to exhale.

The opposite of triggers, glimmers are the subtle signs that something is good, comforting, or just right—even if only for a second.

Maybe it’s:
✨ The sound of your baby’s laugh
✨ The way sunlight hits your kitchen table during naptime
✨ A favorite song coming on when you're feeling overwhelmed
✨ Finally drinking your coffee while it's still hot

In therapy speak, glimmers are cues of safety—little signals that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping us feel grounded, connected, and calm.

In everyday life, they’re those tiny moments that catch you by surprise and whisper:
"I’m okay. This is okay."

As a therapist and a mom, I’ve learned that finding these glimmers isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Especially in the chaos of early motherhood—or the pressure of balancing a million things—it’s easy to get swept into survival mode.

Glimmers help pull us back.
They’re the micro-moments of nervous system regulation we don’t always realize we need.

And the beautiful part?
You don’t have to chase them.

Glimmers are already around you.
The trick is learning to notice them—to train your brain, little by little, to spot what feels good.

A Few of My Recent Glimmers

• A deep breath while baby naps on my chest

• Catching a sunset through the rearview mirror

• A stranger offering a knowing smile as I bounced through Target with my baby strapped to me like a tiny koala

• That first exhale in child’s pose after a long day

• My dog curling up next to me just when I needed a little comfort

• The baby and dog napping side by side—pure peace in one blurry moment

• Locking eyes with my husband across the room when the baby does something feral, like a mini telepathic “Welp”

• Hearing “you’re doing a good job” when I didn’t even ask

Rooted Takeaway

Start small.

Take just one minute a day to notice a glimmer—something that made you feel warm, calm, or connected. Write it down if you can.

The more you practice noticing them, the easier it becomes.
And soon, even on hard days, you’ll find your nervous system reaching for peace instead of panic.

📌 Save this post for the days you need a reminder to look for the light.

You Might Also Like:

⏱ You Can Do Anything for One Minute
A simple mental reset I leaned on during postpartum, workouts, and stress—because one minute really can change everything.

🌪 Coping Tools for Overstimulated Moms
Overwhelmed by noise, clutter, or chaos? These quick, grounding tools were made for you.

🕯 How to Create Mindful Moments (Even When Life Feels Loud)
You don’t need a retreat—you just need five quiet seconds and a little intention. Here’s how I make mindfulness fit real life.

My First Overnight Getaway as a New Mom—Booked on Points

I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave my baby overnight.

But I was sure I hadn’t slept in past 7 a.m. in over six months. Between the baby and the dogs, mornings at our house are... lively. The idea of a slow morning, blackout curtains, and no decisions beyond what kind of coffee to order with breakfast in bed?

That alone made this quick overnight stay feel like a dream.

When the Stars Aligned...

Grandma offered to babysit.
We won Lightning tickets.
And I had a Marriott Free Night Certificate from my Bonvoy Brilliant Amex just sitting there.

We booked it—literally.

My husband and I escaped to The Tampa EDITION for a one-night, soul-recharging, cocktail-sipping, nap-inducing break.

The Stay: Free Night, Full Reset

We used a Marriott Free Night Certificate, and wow—tapping into those points for a reset felt like luxury.

This was my first night in forever without:

• A baby monitor crackling

• A dog leaping into bed

• A 6:30 a.m. baby wakeup

I soaked up every minute.

What Made It Perfect

• Early check-in at 12 p.m. and late checkout at 4 p.m.
  → Basically a full 28-hour escape

• $40 resort credit used for cocktails at the stunning lobby bar
  → Order the Smoked Paloma—you won’t regret it

• Location, location, location
  → We walked to the Lightning game at Amalie Arena and were back in our robes by the final buzzer

Steps from the Action

The EDITION’s location is unreal.
We were steps from:

• Amalie Arena

• Tampa’s Riverwalk

• Sparkman Wharf

• And tons of restaurants and rooftop bars

Bonus: The hotel’s destination fee includes roundtrip water taxi tickets, so you can explore all the waterfront spots stress-free.

The Vibe

The Tampa EDITION is modern, sleek, and somehow buzzing yet calming all at once.

The room?
Neutral tones, moody lighting, spa-like vibes, and a faux fur throw I strongly considered smuggling home.

Between the aesthetic and the quiet, it felt like the soft reset my nervous system was craving.

Why It Mattered

After months of:

• Diapers

• Late-night feedings

• Trying to figure out how to be a mom and a human...

This was the reminder I needed:
You don’t need a week-long vacation to feel human again.

Sometimes, one night is enough.

No rushing.
No bottles to prep.
No cries in the middle of the night (unless you count the opposing fans when we won).

Rooted Takeaway: Book the Staycation

Got a Marriott Free Night Certificate sitting in your account?
Use it.

Tap into those points.
Call your mom.
Order the cocktail.
Take the nap.
Sleep in—without guilt.

You deserve it.

💬 Want a packing list, staycation guide, or free night checklist?
Drop a comment or follow along on Instagram @rooted.roaming for more travel hacks and mom-life resets.

📌 Pin this for the days when you’re craving stillness. One night, one cocktail, and zero wakeups might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

You Might Also Like:

🌪️ Coping Tools for Overstimulated Moms
That feeling when your senses are maxed out? These quick tools helped me reset—no hotel room required.

⏱️ You Can Do Anything for One Minute
This simple mindset shift got me through the hard days—one minute, one breath, one win at a time.

🌺 How We Did Hawaii on Points: Our Dream Anniversary Trip
More points-powered self-care, but make it tropical. Here’s how we booked our entire anniversary trip with miles and points.

5 Therapist-Approved Coping Tools for Overstimulated Moms

Because sometimes it’s not about a spa day—it’s about surviving the moment.

I remember standing in the kitchen—baby crying, phone ringing, dogs barking—and wondering how I was supposed to hold it all together.

The noise, the touch, the never-ending demands—it was just too much.

As a licensed mental health counselor and a new mom, I’ve seen both sides:

• The clinical tools that actually work

• And the real-life chaos where they have to fit

Here’s the truth: you don’t need a full reset to feel better. You need small, doable tools that fit inside your real life.

So if you're feeling overstimulated, touched out, or just barely hanging on—these 5 therapist-approved strategies are for you.

1. Box Breathing: A Calm Reset for a Frazzled Brain

This simple technique is used by everyone from therapists to Navy SEALs. It’s a quick way to calm your nervous system and bring your brain out of the chaos.

How to do it:

• Inhale for 4 seconds

• Hold your breath for 4 seconds

• Exhale for 4 seconds

• Hold again for 4 seconds
  Repeat 3–4 rounds.

🕓 Use it when: you're overwhelmed by noise, touch, or decision fatigue and need a moment to center yourself—even in the middle of the mess.

2. Micro-Moments of Mindfulness

No, you don’t need a 30-minute meditation app. Mindfulness can happen in 30 seconds.

Try this:

• Savor the first sip of coffee

• Watch your baby’s chest rise and fall

• Feel the warm water hit your skin in the shower

These small pauses help ground your nervous system and remind your brain that you're safe—even if your toddler is mid-tantrum.

3. Name It to Tame It

This one's backed by neuroscience: when you name your emotion, your brain begins to regulate it.

Next time you’re maxed out, say (or write):

• “I feel touched out.”

• “I feel overstimulated.”

• “I feel mentally crowded.”

Labeling the feeling helps your brain process it—instead of spinning in it.

4. Try a "Done List" Instead of a To-Do List

Some days, the to-do list feels like a personal attack. So flip it.

At the end of the day, list what you did do—no matter how small.

Examples:

• “Fed the baby 8 times”

• “Replied to 2 emails”

• “Didn’t scream when the dog barked during nap time”

This simple shift moves you from guilt to gratitude—and reminds you that you're showing up big time.

5. Get Outside—Even for 5 Minutes

Nature is regulation.
A few minutes outside can lower cortisol levels, clear your mind, and reset your senses.

Breathe the air. Let the sun hit your face. Touch the grass. Even if your baby’s on your hip and your coffee’s cold, it still counts.

Rooted Takeaway

Motherhood is beautiful—and so overstimulating.

Some days you’re floating.
Other days you’re drowning in noise, needs, and notifications.

These small coping tools? They’re your life rafts.
You don’t have to fix everything. You just need to give yourself care—one tiny moment at a time.

Which tool will you try first?
Tag a mama who’s feeling maxed out.
💬 You’re not alone—and you’re doing better than you think.

Pin this for the next time you’re touched out, maxed out, and hanging on by a sip of cold coffee.

You Might Also Like:

⏱ You Can Do Anything for One Minute
This tiny mindset shift helped me survive overstimulation, stress, and motherhood chaos—one breath at a time.

✨ Glimmers: The Tiny Moments That Helped Me Heal
From fresh air to eye contact—these are the nervous system green flags that helped me reset and reconnect.

🕯 How to Create Mindful Moments (Even When Life Feels Loud)
You don’t need total silence—just a little intention. Here’s how I create micro-moments of calm in real life.

The One-Minute Mantra That Gets Me Through Everything

How “You can do anything for 1 minute” became my go-to tool for movement, motherhood, and mental health

Somewhere between the final set of dumbbell squats and the 3 a.m. feeding, I whisper it to myself:

You can do anything for 1 minute.

It’s become a quiet mantra in my life—a phrase that shows up when my body is shaking in a Pilates hold, when I’m overwhelmed at work, or when I’m rocking my baby back to sleep for the fourth time in one night.

And the wildest part? It actually works.

This tiny piece of self-talk has helped me push through discomfort, reset in moments of chaos, and stay grounded when everything feels like too much.

Where This Mantra Shows Up in My Life

In Workouts

When my muscles burn and I want to drop the weights or collapse out of a plank—especially when my Pilates instructor is clearly trying to kill me with a 15-minute core series—I remind myself: Just one more minute. That’s all I need to stay present and push through.

During Labor

With each contraction, I focused only on that moment. I didn’t need to survive the whole labor—just the next 60 seconds. It gave me a sense of control in a situation that felt completely out of my hands.

In Motherhood

Crying fits. Nap battles. Overstimulation. I can’t always fix the moment, but I can breathe through it for 60 seconds. And honestly? Sometimes that’s all it takes to shift the energy—for both of us.

In Everyday Stress

Tough meetings. Endless to-do lists. Unexpected overwhelm. Taking just one intentional minute helps me respond instead of react.

Why It Works (And It’s Not Just Fluff)

This mantra isn’t just a feel-good phrase—it’s a real grounding tool rooted in mental health strategies.

It brings you into the present

You don’t have to solve the whole day. You just have to get through this minute.

It breaks the “I can’t” loop

Instead of shutting down, you open up a tiny window of possibility. Just one more breath. Just one more moment.

It builds nervous system resilience

Holding steady during short bursts of stress (physical or emotional) trains your brain: I can do hard things… and still be okay.

1-Minute Resets You Can Try Today

New to this mindset? Start with one of these simple, powerful shifts:

• Box breathing: Inhale 4 – Hold 4 – Exhale 4 – Hold 4

• Step outside: Feel the sun or fresh air on your skin

• Do a 60-second stretch or plank

• Repeat a grounding mantra: “I’m doing enough. I am enough.”

• Put on your favorite feel-good song

• Drink a full glass of water like it’s a reset button

Final Thoughts

This mantra has carried me through some of the most intense moments of my life—not because it magically made things easier, but because it reminded me that I could keep going.

One minute at a time. One breath at a time.

You can do anything for 1 minute.
And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Save this for when the day feels like too much—and you need a reminder that you can do hard things (for just one minute).

You Might Also Like:

🌪️ Coping Tools for Overstimulated Moms
Feeling one request away from snapping? These grounding tools were made for those loud, sticky, overstimulating days.

✨ Glimmers: The Tiny Moments That Helped Me Heal
Sometimes healing shows up in the smallest ways. Here’s how I started noticing the nervous system green flags hiding in plain sight.

🕯 How to Create Mindful Moments (Even When Life Feels Loud)
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be fancy or quiet. Here's how I build calm into real-life chaos—with a baby on my hip.