An icon for nearly 100 years, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club has completed the initial phase of a comprehensive renovation. This project was led by world-renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group with Hart Howerton as architect of record. The resort’s renovation captures the magic of Florida’s Golden Age and reflects the resort’s rich history through a refined yet sophisticated lens. Key renovated interiors include The Vinoy’s legendary Veranda; refined grand lobby; elegant guest rooms; historic ballrooms and meeting spaces; diverse international dining experiences; and a new spa and wellness area.
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club is a recently acquired Autograph Collection property, owned by Marriott Bonvoy. This renowned hotel is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. As a result, every detail of the renovation was carefully considered by a respected historic preservation expert, who advised throughout the design process.
“The Vinoy has made its mark over the last 100 years, claiming an iconic status in Florida. With this comprehensive redesign rooted in its historic heritage, we look forward to celebrating a new, exciting chapter for the resort.”
Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Autograph Collection Hotels, and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International
A Connection to the Past
As the only Autograph Collection Hotels property in St. Petersburg, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club will deliver an intimate connection to the destination. Authentic moments are weaved into all guest experiences and thoughtful designs reference the resort’s glamorous past while embracing a new era. Shortly after their arrival, each guest will be invited to tour the resort with a docent and visit a newly designed history gallery. This displays artifacts from The Vinoy’s beginnings, such as original room keys, plate ware, and handwritten postcards highlighting some of the first guest visits.
“The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection has served as the front porch of the St. Petersburg community for nearly a century, and its refreshed aesthetic pays homage to its legacy while also representing our revitalized downtown.”
Vanessa Williams, General Manager, Vinoy Resort and Golf Club
A Showstopping Arrival
From the moment guests enter The Vinoy’s elegant front drive, the historic resort welcomes them to timeless glamour, artfully embracing them with hospitality inspired by a bygone era. The reimagined arrival court, designed by Hart Howerton, highlights the dramatically detailed original entry portal while incorporating original 1920s brick. This has been carefully re-laid and is surrounded by indigenous Floridian foliage. The enchanting Veranda, The Vinoy’s iconic front porch, is enhanced with bespoke, Rockwell Group-designed rocking chairs, a Vinoy tradition since its opening in 1925, and a custom designed bar.
With nods to the urban resort’s illustrious past, Rockwell Group introduced a design throughout the public spaces and guest rooms that celebrates The Vinoy’s traditional Mediterranean Revival style and old-world Florida grandeur. When guests walk through the Vinoy’s front door, they instantly become part of the resort’s rich history, stepping onto the lobby’s original ceramic tile flooring and viewing the original cypress wood beam ceiling from 1925. These original details are balanced with contemporary design elements including custom, lantern-like chandeliers that make the room sparkle.
The lobby is home to newly opened French patisserie Lottie and luxury fashion boutique Sunni Spencer. This sells chic, resort-inspired clothing, accessories and swimwear. Above the lobby, the mezzanine level will be home to a revitalized history gallery that captures The Vinoy’s one-of-a-kind story. This includes The Vinoy serving as the host of important social events as well as welcoming famous guests. These range from U.S. presidents to athletes and celebrities.
“Our goal was always to honor The Vinoy’s storied past and history as an architectural icon of St. Petersburg […] Rockwell Group’s design concept blends a sophisticated, contemporary language with grand historic features. I think guests will be both surprised and delighted by the ways in which unmistakably 21st century elements really reinvent the property’s rich legacy.”
Shawn Sullivan, Partner, Rockwell Group
Elegant Residential-Style Guest Rooms
The Vinoy’s elegant guest rooms designs are influenced by Florida’s coastal topography and features the hotel’s signature polished palette. Rockwell Group streamlined crown molding and dramatic fixtures that create a sense of laid-back sophistication. The walls feature commissioned, custom art by painter Alicia LaChance, while the floors transition from wood to custom, blue-patterned carpeting. This resembles sand meeting the sea and creates distinction between the sleeping area and the rest of the room.
The King rooms feature cane panels separating the entry vestibule from the bedroom area, furthering the coastal feel. Luxurious stone-covered bathrooms, most of which have marble walk-in showers, feature luxe Ortigia Sicilia toiletries. Other in-room amenities include a coffee station and charming dressing area that make every room feel welcoming and spacious, creating a special moment upon entry.
Internationally Inspired Dining Experiences
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection’s diverse new food and beverage concepts elevate the resort as an inviting and stylish social hub, removing the lines where the hotel stops and the community begins. These include Lottie, the new chic French patisserie in the resort’s lobby, serving exquisite house-made pastries and sweets, and The Vinoy’s reimagined Veranda, which overlooks the glistening Tampa Bay. Here, guests can enjoy an enticing new menu of creative takes on classic craft cocktails, plus Mediterranean-inspired shareable plates. These can be enjoyed whilst relaxing in a rocking chair and taking in the gorgeous waterfront views.
Opening this summer, Parasol, a vibrant Latin American-inspired full-service outdoor restaurant with panoramic views of the Tampa Bay waterfront, will also overlook the historic resort’s all new glamorous pool deck. Parasol will create an energetic, island-like atmosphere with a menu starring fresh seafood, bright flavors and spices, and tropical craft cocktails ideal for poolside indulging. The restaurant will feature a marble wrap-around bar and living green wall. These exciting outlets join The Vinoy’s existing signature restaurants, Paul’s Landing and The Vinoy Club Grill.
Peaceful Spa and Wellness Haven
Inspired by the therapeutic qualities of the ocean, the luxurious full-service Vinoy Spa embraces a holistic approach to health and well-being in a refined space. This is reflected in its interiors, which combine marble, natural wood, fluted glass, and a soothing, nature-inspired color palette. The spa features four treatment rooms and focuses on coastal-inspired and plant-based therapies that provide a rejuvenating wellness experience.
The Vinoy Spa graciously complements the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center. This boasts Peloton bikes, daily indoor/outdoor group classes, and a colorful mural by local artist Chad Mize, painted in The Vinoy’s signature pink and green colours. To further the fitness offerings, The Vinoy boasts a tennis complex and The Vinoy Club’s 18-hole championship golf course.
Historic Ballrooms and Functional Event Spaces
As one of the most sought-after venues in the Tampa Bay area with over 60,000 square feet of event space, The Vinoy has welcomed flawless weddings, elegant celebrations, and inspiring meetings for decades. Rockwell Group designed The Vinoy’s two distinct ballrooms each with its own personality.
The Vinoy Grand Ballroom makes every event feel special, honoring the resort’s timeless aesthetic with elegant yet modern upgrades including a restoration of the room’s shimmering focal point, the blown glass chandelier, Luna, by Dale Chihuly. Sophisticated new carpeting, drapery, and furnishings create a sense of refined elegance in the space’s light and airy atmosphere. The ballroom’s dramatic arched windows now overlook a new, lush garden, bringing the resort’s tropical natural surroundings into the luxurious and historic space.
The Palm Court Ballroom and entrance hall debuts a neutral color palette featuring polished brown accents that bring warmth into the space. Chic Art Deco chandeliers and sconces reference the resort’s past. This opulent space also boasts brand-new flooring, walls, and recessed ceilings. The Vinoy’s 22 meeting rooms are named after St. Petersburg parks and contributors of the original Vinoy Park Hotel.
More Grandeur to Come
The resort’s final phase of renovations will be completed by a white tablecloth service fine dining restaurant located off the grand lobby. This restaurant will boast a romantic raised garden terrace illuminated with lanterns at night.
About The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection is a classic and beloved downtown St. Petersburg landmark standing as a pillar of the community and a beacon for travelers since its New Year’s Eve opening in 1925. Known for its signature pink façade, Mediterranean Revival style and old-Florida hospitality, the 354-room resort recently emerged from a thoughtful renovation and rebrand. This celebrated the resort joining Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands The new, sophisticated aesthetic reflects The Vinoy’s timeless glamour and tips its hat to a longstanding legacy.
About Autograph Collection® Hotels
Autograph Collection® Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 270 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 45 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint.
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