An icon for nearly 100 years, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection has completed the initial phase of a comprehensive renovation led by world-renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group with Hart Howerton as architect of record. Capturing the magic of Florida’s Golden Age and reflecting the resort’s rich history through a refined yet sophisticated lens, the renovation includes 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. As a new Autograph Collection property, every detail was carefully considered by a respected historic preservation expert, who advised throughout the design process.
The renowned hotel, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America, embodies the ethos of Autograph Collection Hotels – independent hotels with their own identity, selected on four curatorial principles: product vision, heartfelt design, dedication to craft, and sense of place. Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, the diverse and dynamic collection of independent hotels around the world, hand selects each hotel that is unlike any other, and offers guests rich, immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint.
“Every property within Autograph Collection Hotels has a truly unique story, and The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection is one of those ‘Exactly Like Nothing Else’ experiences," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Autograph Collection Hotels, and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. “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.”
As the only Autograph Collection Hotels property in St. Petersburg, The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, will deliver an intimate connection to the destination, with authentic moments weaved into all guest experiences, and thoughtful design that nods to the resort’s glamorous past while embracing a new era. Its Mark, a point of distinction unique to Autograph Collection Hotels properties, will be a special moment upon check-in, in which a Vinoy team member presents historic postcards to guests that depict different scenes of The Vinoy, while sharing their favorite memory of the cherished resort. Each guest will then be invited to tour the resort with a docent and visit a newly designed history gallery, where they will see 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,” said Vanessa Williams, the resort’s general manager. “The Vinoy is stepping onto the world’s stage as one of a few waterfront hotels in the United States that has full resort amenities along with urban walkability. Steps from the front door, guests have choice of multiple world class museums and hundreds of restaurants all within walking distance. We look forward to graciously welcoming guests and locals for generations to come.”
From the moment one enters The Vinoy’s elegant front drive, the historic resort welcomes guests 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 that has been carefully re-laid and is surrounded by indigenous Floridian foliage. The enchanting Veranda, The Vinoy’s iconic front porch, is enhanced with custom 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. The 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, which 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, having served as the host of important social events and welcoming famous guests including U.S. presidents, athletes and celebrities.
“Our goal was always to honor The Vinoy’s storied past and history as an architectural icon of St. Petersburg,” says Shawn Sullivan, partner of Rockwell Group. “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.”
Guest Rooms
Rockwell Group’s design of The Vinoy’s elegant guest rooms is influenced by Florida’s coastal topography and features the hotel’s signature polished palette, streamlined crown molding and dramatic fixtures that create a sense of laid-back sophistication. Commissioned, custom art by painter Alicia LaChance adorns the walls, while the floors transition from wood to custom, blue-patterned carpeting, presenting the look of sand meeting the sea and creating distinction between the sleeping area and the rest of the room. In the King rooms, cane panels separate 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.
Dining
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. Lottie, the new chic French patisserie in the resort’s lobby, serves exquisite house-made pastries and sweets, including a signature pistachio cake, macarons, gelato, and over 20 flavors of truffles. The menu also features elevated renditions of classic French lunch fare such as seared tuna niçoise salad, quiche Lorraine and a jambon fromage sandwich on a flaky croissant with brie, prosciutto and fig jam. Lottie exclusively serves La Colombe coffee including the Lottie Latte, a warming blend of cinnamon-infused espresso, orange essence, and oat milk. Lottie’s photo-worthy custom china features an image of its signature Dachshund logo.
The Vinoy’s reimagined Veranda, overlooking the glistening Tampa Bay, has introduced an enticing new menu of creative takes on classic craft cocktails, plus Mediterranean inspired shareable plates, light entrees and desserts. Standout dishes include the Bianca Flatbread, topped with artichokes, zucchini, feta, parmigiano and mozzarella; fresh seafood including oysters, tuna carpaccio, and red snapper crudo; and the signature Veranda Spritz cocktails, which are best enjoyed while joining in on the storied Vinoy tradition of relaxing in a rocking chair while 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.
Spa and Wellness
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 that combines marble, natural wood, fluted glass and a soothing, nature-inspired color palette. Welcoming guests with calming Naturopathica tea to set the relaxing mood from the start, the spa features four treatment rooms and focuses on coastal-inspired and plant-based therapies that provide a rejuvenating wellness experience, including massages, facials, full-body therapies, and nail and hair services. Spa treatments incorporate the latest advancements in natural skincare, including infrared light therapy, cupping massages from Bellabaci and pioneering holistic ingredients such as sea retinol, manuka honey, crystals, enhanced broad-spectrum CBD, and sustainable sea algae. Marine-infused treatments include the Healing Waters Body Treatment, a bayside ritual that incorporates a seawater crystal scrub and a relaxing massage that mimics the ocean's waves. The Vinoy Spa emphasizes natural and organic products, featuring premium brands including renowned dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross’s line; PHYTOMER, a French beauty line using sustainable ingredients derived from the sea; Naturopathica, a botanical skincare brand that addresses beauty from within; and hair products from Davines.
The Vinoy Spa graciously complements the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center, which features 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, as well as the resort’s tennis complex and The Vinoy Club’s 18-hole championship golf course.
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 been a welcoming host to 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 with polished brown accents that bring warmth into the space, chic Art Deco chandeliers and sconces that reference the resort’s past, and brand-new flooring, walls, and recessed ceilings. The Vinoy’s 22 meeting rooms are named after St. Petersburg parks and contributors to creation of the original Vinoy Park Hotel.
More Still to Come
A fine dining restaurant off the grand lobby with a romantic, raised garden terrace that comes alive at night with lanterns and white tablecloth service, will complete the final phase of renovations.