Still celebrating its 100th Anniversary, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, now a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has not only survived but has thrived and is quite possibly one of the heartthrobs of St. Petersburg, Florida.
One guest shared an anecdote about tying the knot in 2018 in a Junior Suite at The Vinoy. When she mentioned her plans to a staffer, he communicated that to the powers that be and moved the couple to the Presidential Suite for the remainder of their stay. And, yes, that couple celebrates their anniversaries at The Vinoy ever since. Wouldn’t you?
Brand loyalty is based on more than financial investment, and that’s the sense new arrivals get once they step into the vast and glorious lobby replete with fine woodwork, original tiles (made in Detroit), and cypress beams made from local trees. The current chocolatier creates pillow sweets based on molds made from the tiny decorative tiles scattered beneath your feet.
Set at the cultural crossroads of no less than nine museums – The Chihuly Collection, The Salvador Dali Museum, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the Museum of Fine Arts, and The James Museum of western and wildlife art, to name a few – its location is enviable, perched on the edge of Tampa Bay. Additionally, second Saturdays include Open Arts Studios for the day.
The Vinoy’s many lives have ranged from high-toned to decrepit and back to glorious: from its promising origins in 1925 to World War II when it was used as a training ground for cooks and bakers before they were shipped to the European and Asian arenas during the war. It also won some developer’s heart long enough to be renovated, remade, and rebuilt in many iterations.
Post World War II, the property was revamped for the public once again, but it faced more challenges. By the 1970s, due to negligence, greed, and a lack of know-how, it plummeted into a $7 per night kind of place. It barely missed the wrecking ball.
What visitors experience today is the result of a $110 million renovation in 2023 that preserved its signature pink façade and Mediterranean Revival style. The resort recently emerged from a thoughtful rebrand as The Vinoy and joined the Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of distinctive independent properties.
To really appreciate the present iteration, tour the second floor gallery lined with photos from The Vinoy’s deep past, not all of it pretty. This will only raise your regard for this stately, yet never stuffy property.
Culinary Excellence
One of The Vinoy’s major draws is its culinary variety. Each buffet carries with it a multicultural flavor, reflecting the staff, chef, and St. Petersburg area, which is so incredibly diverse. Cocktail hours may contain spicy raw tuna, a slice of fried avocado on a taco chip, Vietnamese sandwiches, or a slab of bacon with potatoes and tomatoes at brunch.
Executive Chef Joshua Carter hailed from Arkansas and a long line of ancestors who were great home cooks. He blends Florida-based coastal fare by shopping at farmers’ markets using seasonal local products from beehives to flowers, vegetables, and fresh fish.
Inside the historic lobby, the Lottie is a French-inspired bakery designed to feel like a neighborhood café. Paul’s Landing offers waterfront dining inspired by Gulf Coast flavors. The Parasol moves to a Latin American-inspired beat, and the Veranda is an understated and desirable venue for sunset cocktails overlooking the marina.
Telltale mythology of griffins and hand-painted frescoes circle the newest addition to this stunning property: the Elliott Aster, which is a grand brasserie from Michelin-starred Chef Lee Wolen.
Do ask about the peekytoe crab tartine, beef cheek hash, and house-made pastries, but beware: it can get busy on the weekends. So plan ahead.
Downtime at The Vinoy?
Make no mistake – while there are high and low seasons when prices fluctuate – this is a high-end product that delivers high-end services from the golf course, to the spa, to the gym, to the options for pools, to the verandahs, and to the elegant yet plushy 354 rooms. Many of these rooms face Tampa Bay, which is perfect for cool morning walks along the promenade, and nearing twilight, spectacular sunsets..
This elegant property boasts more than 70,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, making it an ideal venue for meetings, conferences, and, of course, weddings. Off-site spaces can be booked at the golf course. Do step into the main ballroom for a close-up look at the spectacular chandelier by glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Active areas include a lush poolscape lined with private cabanas, an on-site marina, along with an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis complex with ten Har-Tru courts, holistic spa, and wellness center.
Inspired by the therapeutic qualities of the ocean, The Vinoy Spa embraces a holistic approach to wellness with coastal-inspired and plant-based treatments. Designed by the Rockwell Group, the space combines a refined marble check-in area with natural wood and soft, nature-inspired tones to create a calming environment.
Additionally, The Vinoy Golf Club was redesigned in 1992 by architect Ron Garl and is now included on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. The 18-hole, par-71 course features sweeping waterfront views, championship-style greens, modern practice facilities, and PGA instruction.
The nearby marina accommodates The Vinoy’s boat-owner guests as the hotel’s slips are leasable. For those who prefer a Sunset Cruise, Kokomo Charters offers a choice of on-board menus that start at $25 per person for a swing around the bay and the chance to get a look at a few playful porpoises.
For more information about the area, check out Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.
The author received a complimentary stay at The Vinoy as part of a press trip, but as always, we’re dedicated to providing accurate accounts of our experiences. Our allegiance is always to our readers.
Maria Lisella is a seasoned pro in travel/culture/health for trade and consumer editorial and custom sites. She contributes to the bilingual La Voce di New York, Travel Market Report, The Jerusalem Post and Never Stop Traveling. She was recently named a Poet Laureate Fellow by the Academy of American Poets. Her work can be seen at https://marialisella.contently.com.
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