Shephard's Beach Resort — Hotel in Clearwater

Do not book your wedding here. Disrespectful security ruined our magical day. I typically don’t leave negative reviews right away — I wait a week or two, let emotions settle, and decide if the experience truly warrants it. Weeks later, I’m still upset enough to write this. We held my daughter’s wedding at Shephard’s, and while the ceremony and planning went smoothly thanks to Leah (Director of Catering), the experience after the event was an absolute nightmare — entirely due to the actions of the security team. We are Wyndham timeshare owners and chose Shephard’s primarily because of the private wedding beach. We live out of state, transported everything ourselves as Shepards provides no decorating, and spent a significant amount of money for this wedding.Unfortunately, we now deeply regret not choosing a more professional venue, like Wyndham. Here’s what happened: after the reception, over 80 guests went to the outdoor entertainment area. My daughter, the bride, entered with a guest (a friend) who used a fake ID. The guest was denied entry — which we fully support. My husband is a retired law enforcement officer and I run a large healthcare organization. We absolutely agree with enforcing ID laws. However, what happened next was unacceptable. My daughter — again, the bride and over 21 — was told she was not allowed in either. The reason? A security guard saw her talking to and enter with the friend and decided she was "complicit." She was visibly upset and in tears when she called me. How is the bride expected to be responsible for policing every guest's ID — especially after the venue had served that guest alcohol over the past two days? She did NOT encourage her to use it. I asked my husband to try and calmly speak with security. He’s hard of hearing and Shephard’s is VERY loud. He leaned in to ask what happened and was met with unnecessary hostility. A security guard screamed, “Get out of my face,” so aggressively. After watching the guards behavior with my husband, another guest stepped between them, fearing the guard would become physical. My older daughter asked a question and was met with disrespect. The guard grabbed the bridge of his nose, shook his head, and snapped, “Stop talking to me.” My sister, a licensed PhD psychologist, asked for clarification on Florida law (the guard claimed using a fake ID is a felony). She was also treated with open hostility. Feeling uncomfortable, she began recording the interaction-— not aggressively, just visibly holding her phone — which led to her being told she was evicted from the property and had to pack and leave. Keep in mind: she had traveled from Colorado, booked a four-night stay, and had done nothing aggressive or inappropriate. She also was taunted and told to "pack faster" while collecting her belongings. My sister and her husband had to scramble to find another hotel — at nearly midnight — while the rest of our guests left Shephard’s and regrouped at another venue. Multiple people, even those not with our party, commented on how unprofessional and aggressive the security staff were. Guests overheard security bragging about “throwing an entire wedding party out.” Is that something to be proud of? Before this, there were already red flags: our “room coordinator” changed three times during planning, and no one told us. We emailed the first two for weeks without knowing they no longer worked there. Despite that, I was willing to overlook those missteps — but the behavior of the security staff that night cannot be excused or forgotten. We are a respectful, professional family. Security should have de-escalated the situation but instead they proudly escalated. It was clearly all about the power they had. We are still shocked and devastated. If you’re considering Shephard’s for a special event, please read the reviews mentioning security — they come up in the 1 and 2 star. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it ended in devastation not celebration. I would never recommend this venue for a wedding or anything for...

Our daughter’s beautiful wedding ended in heartbreak due to the unprofessional and aggressive behavior of Shepard’s security staff. We recently hosted her wedding at Shepard’s. We only chose this venue over others—despite being longtime Wyndham timeshare owners—because Shepard’s offered a private beach. Everything else was comparably priced, and we now deeply regret not choosing Wyndham. The ceremony was everything we’d hoped for. My wife and daughter spent months planning every detail. Shepard’s only provides tablecloths, napkins, and dinnerware—we brought everything else. ALOT of time and money went into the wedding here. At with 90+ out of town guests, we brought significant revenue in for them. After the wedding, our daughter—the bride—was denied entry to the on-site bar and nightlife area where over 80 of her guests were, simply because she had been walking with and taking to someone who attempted to use a fake ID. She had no part in the ID and did not encourage or assist the guest. Regardless, she was treated with hostility and called my wife in tears. As a retired law enforcement officer, I went to calmly ask what happened. I’m hard of hearing, and the music was extremely loud, so I leaned in to hear better. The guard immediately yelled at me to “get out of his face,” though I showed no aggression. A guest actually stepped in between us because he didn’t know what the guard might do. The guard accused my daughter of being “complicit,” despite the fact that she had been served by Shepard’s staff for two days. Let me be clear—we don’t condone fake IDs. We weren’t upset she was denied entry. But refusing entry to the bride at her own wedding, over something she had no control over, was unreasonable and unacceptable. My older daughter tried to ask a question, and the guard responded by grabbing the bridge of his nose, shaking his head, and telling her to stop talking to him. Completely inappropriate and disrespectful. If Shepard’s has a policy of banning anyone linked to someone with a fake ID, it should be communicated calmly and respectfully. The bride is not responsible for policing every guest’s ID. The situation escalated further when my sister-in-law—a psychologist—respectfully asked what law the guard was referring to when he claimed it was a felony. It is not a felony to attempt to use a fake ID at a bar; it is only a felony if presented to a law enforcement officer—which he was not. He responded with more hostility. Feeling threatened, she started recording on her phone. For that, she and her husband were evicted from the hotel at 11:30 PM and told to find other lodging. While packing, she was taunted telling her repeatedly to “pack faster.” This was not just unprofessional—it was deeply unsettling. Several guests chose to leave the venue entirely, and we later learned that the security guards were overheard bragging about having thrown out the bride and wedding party. We tried calling our event coordinator (a director at the resort) that night—no response. The next day, we met with her in person. Not once did she say “I’m sorry.” Not even a performative apology. Just complete indifference. What began as a dream wedding ended in stress, fear, anxiety, and total disappointment. Reading other low-star reviews, we now see that security has been a repeated issue at Shepard’s.We as a family are extremely respectful and professional, we did not deserve the treatment we received. My niece, who is over 30, also had a poor experience with the guards. I will leave her to do her own review. If you’re considering this venue for a wedding or special event, please read all the reviews. Think twice before booking. The setting may be beautiful, (the rooms are just ok) but the way guests are treated here - especially by security—can ruin what should be one of the most memorable nights...

not sure why my first 5 star review for the amazing shepherds beach resort was taken down.

The resort is great in itself with a great crowd, music, lively and upbeat energy. and you have the beach guys from makin' Waves in the back that makes it all the more enjoyable.

Here's my original review that was taken down: Im typically not one to write a review, as this is my first and hopefully last, but tonight I saw my bud from makin Waves eating dinner with his wife and he looked extremely troubled. I approached him to say what's up, and after a short conversation with him, to my surprise it turns out the other group I was riding jetskis with had given him and the resort they rent out of a one star review. I read it and am here to completely discredit it.

First off, this place is not a scam, they give clear as day and detailed instructions on how to drive and where to ride at, even tell you its a 4 square mile ride area. I remember this because I was using my ears to listen to the instructor. the jetskis are Yamahas and they're 2025s NOT old brand spanking new.

They tell you to always look out for boats and expressed numerous times that there are boat races today so you need to GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE BOATS because they will not stop and wait for you. I saw the boat coming directly toward me and sped up to move out of the way to not get hit, while the person behind me who I'm assuming is the one who wrote the review, continued to drive directly in its path. so yes they did almost get hit which would've been their own fault completely.

They give you multiple paperwork to fill out and read, if you read it like I did you'll find its almost all exactly what they tell you before you get in the water.

yes they do hold your credit card while riding which has 0 to do with safety. its your security deposit which every company I have rented from ever has taken from me. the guy in the stand puts it in a lock box and stands next to it the entire time. I gave him my phone and wallet and felt completely safe with that due to him pointing out the 8 cameras they have recording.

the instructor never screamed at me once, I actually approached him on my waverunner and asked him why those people weren't following the rules... YES THE PEOPLE THAT WROTE THAT REVIEW!!!!

not once was I mistreated or disrespected before during or after my rental. the hut guy even asked if everyone had fun and everyone said YES. even the one that is trashing the company. I don't know what those people expected for a free ride, you don't pay? they tell you right off the bat you'll be given boundaries, which If i remember correctly it was a rock pile to a building they point out to you before going out and once you're out there. they didn't even charge those people any extra fees, even after I watched them break the same rules over and over again.

these guys are great, respectful, fun and caring and want to give you a fun safe time on the water. I've rented from most companies on the beach and I will be going to them every time in the future. don't let some downer who couldn't listen and follow their instructions point you in the wrong direction.

and to my buddy, cheer up man. theres too many negative people out there. I took the time to write this and hopefully help you out. some people just aren't the brightest and then they get mad at themselves and have to take it out on others.

AND shephards those dudes are great, you are blessed to have a company like that on your property. the fact that an employee was so upset about a bad review that I could physically see it affecting them shows you how much they care.

hopefully my slight editing of this review will keep it posted, everyone there...