By the time you pass under the grand arched entryway of The Vinoy Hotel, a sense of déjà vu settles in not because you’ve been here before (though many have), but because this place feels like a memory. It’s the kind of hotel that stirs the senses, where time slows, palm fronds sway, and elegance isn’t a trend, it’s the standard.
For travelers who remember when travel meant dressing up, receiving real keys, and hearing piano music in the lobby, The Vinoy feels like coming home. Yet it’s far from dated. This St. Petersburg icon blends Gatsby-era glamour with a sleek modern twist, perfect for today’s savvy traveler who values comfort, culture, and character.
“I bring my dad and my son to The Vinoy every year because it connects all of us in a way that’s hard to put into words,” says Andrew Jennings of Ponte Vedra Beach. “My father used to come to St. Pete from Michigan when he was a young man, and being there brings those memories back for him.”
The Vinoy’s story begins in 1923, the heyday of fl apper dresses and jazz bands. Pennsylvania businessman Aymer Vinoy Laughner bet golf legend Walter Hagen he could throw a party that would rival any Palm Beach soirée. That party turned into a vision, a grand hotel overlooking Tampa Bay. Just two years later, on New Year’s Eve 1925, The Vinoy Park Hotel opened its doors, the very picture of Roaring Twenties luxury.
Jennings says that when he is sitting out on the veranda, hearing his stories, watching his thirty-three-year-old son take it all in, it’s like he’s passing something down. “It’s a tradition my dad started without knowing it, and now I’m making sure it keeps going.”
Through the decades, The Vinoy welcomed presidents, movie stars, and dignitaries. You can almost hear the echoes of their laughter in the hotel’s soaring lobby or imagine them sipping cocktails on the breezy covered space. But like many historic gems, The Vinoy saw its ups and downs. It served as a training base during WWII, fell into disrepair in the 1970s, and eventually closed in 1974.
Luckily, some places are too grand to disappear. A full restoration in the 1990s brought The Vinoy back to life, and in 2023, it stepped confidently into a new era by joining Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The result? Classic bones with modern polish: original terrazzo floors, elegant cypress beams, and art deco flourishes now paired with stylish furnishings, fine dining, and spalevel service.
For those who remember when hotels had charm, and just checklists, The Vinoy is a breath of fresh (and familiar) air. Days can start with coffee overlooking the marina, followed by a round of golf or a walk to the nearby Salvador Dalí Museum. Spend the afternoon poolside under a cabana or browsing the hotel’s art-filled halls. Evenings bring fresh-caught seafood, live music, and a front-row seat to a flaming Florida sunset.
The Vinoy captures the best of both worlds: nostalgia without the dust, modern luxury without the flash. It’s a place where you can step back in time without giving up Wi-Fi or wine by the glass.
Check out The Vinoy Hotel online at thevinoy.com
