When traveling to the Saint Petersburg area on Business or as a big golfer who may have purchased a product from The Indoor Golf Shop, then the Renaissance Vinoy Golf resort is definitely a must stay place! The timeless Historical hotel with its Mediterranean Revival design was the most impressive and expensive in the state of Florida when it opened in the 1920s and has had a long history. Today, almost 87 years later, the Vinoy has been remodeled but retains most of its charm in its location on Tampa Bay, just steps away from Downtown Saint Petersburg.
The hotel has since dropped its Renaissance flag. Following an extensive renovation, it now operates as The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, a rebrand completed in 2023 that keeps the property within Marriott Bonvoy.
From the minute you walk into the oversized lobby, one is greeted with grand chandeliers, the original cypress beams have been restored, marble floors and every aspect of the lobby has been redone or refurbished keeping its original grandeur but still attracting today’s modern travelers. The hotel has 2 outdoors pools, a large tennis club with a number of golf courses, a 74 slip marina, a 18-hole golf course, a spa, and a number of restaurants and bar offering fine dining or casual, offering something for everyone.
I had the opportunity to stay in both the classic rooms at the Vinoy located in the original building and on my second stay, I was upgraded to a larger room in the new guest tower. The guest rooms in the original tower are fairly larger in size and are very comfortable. My room had a large king bed, a dresser, a desk and flat screen tv, along with a chair for relaxing. My room overlooked the marina and downtown offering great views day and night. The room was completed with a coffee pot, the standard Renaissance bathrobes, and a minibar.
My second stay at the Vinoy, I was upgraded to larger room with two queen beds and a balcony in the guest tower. This was great because I was traveling with a friend and we both had room to stretch out. This room is by far one of the nicest rooms at the Vinoy and the staff knows it and is happy to share their opinions with you! The room is extremely large for a hotel room and although is just one large grand room, it offers a separate space that functions as a living area that is completed with a large desk, sofa, chair and entertainment center. This room also offers a mini bar area with a mini fridge and separate sink. Despite the size of the room, the true highlight is the view from the two balconies. From one Balcony, A southern view reveals Tampa Bay and the Vinoy Marina is visible and from the second balcony facing north, Downtown Tampa is visible over the bay; tennis players are down below on one of the many Vinoy tennis courts, and a sea of green of trees camouflage the old northeast neighborhood of St. Petersburg. It is really nice to see a green nature; synthetic grass will always be the best option. This tennis court construction is actually great.
The Vinoy does not have a concierge level or lounge, which is slightly disappointing for a resort of this size. Nonetheless, the Vinoy instead offers Gold Elite a $10 breakfast credit each morning at the hotel’s restaurant and I believe $15 for Platinum Elite. This did not cover the cost of a single item on the menu (I’m Gold Elite), but it did make breakfast less than $5 with a tip each morning, which in my opinion is more than reasonable for a sit down full service restaurant.
Although I did not get to enjoy the golf course or the tennis courts, I did explore them after work each day and they appeared to be of high quality. But let’s be honest, I don’t play either sport so who am I to judge? The Marina was ½ empty and the pool was large and I never saw more than 10 people lounging around it. This provided plenty of room to spread out, sun bath, and relax at the pool while overlooking the city and the bay. I personally did not visit the Spa, but my friend who did said it was well kept and of high quality and she was very satisfied with her Spa mani/pedi.
All in all, the Vinoy Resort is a great place to when away from home. If you’re on vacation to play golf with products like drivers for high handicappers, play tennis, or just looking for a place to relax, then the Vinoy is a great place to spend a few days. The rooms are of good size and quality and the staff are all top notch! Not to mention, the resort is walking distance to almost everything St. Petersburg has to offer making the location superb! This bright pink historic hotel is a must see. Even if not staying in St. Peterburg, I’d highly recommend just stopping by the Vinoy, having a drink at one of its bar and checking out its lobby. The Vinoy is a sight not to miss.
Rates And Mandatory Fees At The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
Nightly rates at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club vary by season and demand, so any published rate should be treated as a snapshot rather than a fixed price. On top of the room rate, the resort adds a mandatory daily resort fee, and published rate disclosures show it at $50 per night before tax, closer to $57 once tax is added. That fee has typically bundled in perks such as e-bike rentals, capped at two one-hour rentals per day, along with daily wellness classes and passes to a nearby museum. Because mandatory fees are adjusted periodically, travelers should confirm the current resort fee directly with the hotel or on the official Marriott listing before booking. Valet parking runs roughly $45 to $50 per night with in and out privileges, and travelers who would rather park themselves should confirm with the hotel whether self-parking is available. Travelers with pets should also budget for a separate fee, since the resort has allowed dogs up to 40 pounds for an additional charge. Pet policies and fees can change, so confirm current terms when reserving.
Marriott Bonvoy: How To Book And Elite Benefits
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club participates in Marriott Bonvoy, so members earn points on paid stays and can redeem points for award nights. Marriott Bonvoy moved to fully dynamic award pricing in 2022, which means the points cost of a night at the Vinoy floats with the cash rate rather than sitting on a fixed published category, so travelers should check the live points price for their own travel dates rather than assume a set number. Marriott Bonvoy elite members receive standard tier benefits such as a welcome gift, room upgrades subject to availability, and late checkout when available, and higher elite tiers may also receive complimentary breakfast or a food and beverage credit depending on the property’s current benefit enrollment. Because benefit details can vary by property and change over time, elite members should verify current perks for this hotel through the Marriott Bonvoy app or website before arrival.
Location And Getting There
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club sits directly on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, within walking distance of Vinoy Park, North Straub Park, and the St. Pete Pier, along with the restaurants, galleries, and shops of downtown St. Petersburg. The closest airport is St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), about 13 miles away with a drive time of around 20 minutes. Tampa International Airport (TPA) offers more nonstop flight options and sits farther out at roughly 21 miles, about 30 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and bridge conditions.
Is It Worth It
For travelers who want a historic, full-service resort within walking distance of downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront parks, the St. Pete Pier, the marina, and dining, the Vinoy remains one of the strongest lodging choices on the Pinellas County side of Tampa Bay. The golf course is not on the hotel grounds. The Vinoy Golf Club sits about 2 miles away on Snell Isle, and the resort runs a shuttle for guests who want to play. That still makes the property a workable base for golfers, for Marriott Bonvoy members chasing points and status, and for anyone who wants a grand-lobby resort experience without leaving the city center. It is a less obvious fit for travelers whose top priority is a beach directly outside the door, since the Gulf beaches are a separate drive away, or for budget-focused travelers who would rather avoid a mandatory daily resort fee and a daily valet parking charge.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
Is The Vinoy Still A Renaissance Hotel?
No. The Vinoy dropped its Renaissance brand in 2023 following an extensive renovation and now operates as The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, still within Marriott Bonvoy.
Does The Vinoy Have A Resort Fee?
Yes. The hotel charges a mandatory daily resort fee on top of the room rate, most recently $50 per night before tax and closer to $57 once tax is added. The exact amount should be confirmed at booking since it is adjusted periodically.
Is There Free Parking At The Vinoy?
No. Valet parking carries a daily charge of roughly $45 to $50 with in and out privileges, and travelers who want to park themselves should confirm availability with the hotel before arrival.
Is The Golf Course At The Vinoy On Site?
No. The Vinoy Golf Club is about 2 miles from the hotel on Snell Isle, and the resort provides shuttle service for guests heading to the course.
What Airport Is Closest To The Vinoy?
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is the closest option at about 13 miles away, while Tampa International Airport (TPA) sits roughly 21 miles out and offers more nonstop routes.
Can I Use Marriott Bonvoy Points At The Vinoy?
Yes. The property participates in Marriott Bonvoy, and award nights are priced dynamically rather than on a fixed points chart, so the points cost changes with demand and season.
