Marriott Vinoy, St Petersburg What's near-by?
Sep 5th, 2010, 06:44 PM
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Marriott Vinoy, St Petersburg What's near-by?
A colleague and I will be attending a conference at this hotel in late Oct. We won't have a car, flying into Tampa and taking Super Shuttle to the hotel. We are representing a not-for-profit that provides us with a daily per-diem.
While the hotel is beautiful, the prices for food are higher than our budget allows. Lunch is included at the conference on 3 days. The remainder of the meals are on our own. The hotel also charges $14.95/day for internet access, which we think is a rip-off since wi-fi is now free most places.
Is there anyplace within walking distance where we can eat and use free wi-fi? I have searched on google for restaurants nearby, but only find those at the hotel.
We appreciate any suggestions to make this trip more budget-friendly.
While the hotel is beautiful, the prices for food are higher than our budget allows. Lunch is included at the conference on 3 days. The remainder of the meals are on our own. The hotel also charges $14.95/day for internet access, which we think is a rip-off since wi-fi is now free most places.
Is there anyplace within walking distance where we can eat and use free wi-fi? I have searched on google for restaurants nearby, but only find those at the hotel.
We appreciate any suggestions to make this trip more budget-friendly.
Sep 9th, 2010, 01:17 PM
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The Vinoy is across a small bay from the Pier. Just walk around to the Pier. Various food places there different price ranges and okay food and drink with good view at the top floor.
Or instead of going out to the end of the pier, go a couple of blocks further and explore to Central Ave. Go right(or inland) and then see what you find in the next several blocks.
Before Central Ave., go right and there are many small places to dine. Plenty of places to dine, upscale to sandwich shops, in the first 3-4 blocks inland from the water. Many offices etc. in the towers there and somewhere in the 10 block square area is a real shopping&food courts area. Many attorneys offices there and businesses and so reasonable places to dine are sometimes in the buildings. These aren't the kind of places I would expect to come up on a google search.
Internet - don't know where but surely it is around the downtown area. Walking distance is going to be blocks, not just to the corner. Oh - I just remembered - they have a trolley that moves around the downtown are - and even goes out to the beaches. The hotel should have that info and share it with you. It allows for more mobility. And after you walk from the hotel turning left to go around the little park, you go to the pier and turn left and they have a trolley stop there for a trolley to take you out to the pier facilities (they lack parking area at the end of the pier) Google the pier St Petersburg and see what you find.
Or instead of going out to the end of the pier, go a couple of blocks further and explore to Central Ave. Go right(or inland) and then see what you find in the next several blocks.
Before Central Ave., go right and there are many small places to dine. Plenty of places to dine, upscale to sandwich shops, in the first 3-4 blocks inland from the water. Many offices etc. in the towers there and somewhere in the 10 block square area is a real shopping&food courts area. Many attorneys offices there and businesses and so reasonable places to dine are sometimes in the buildings. These aren't the kind of places I would expect to come up on a google search.
Internet - don't know where but surely it is around the downtown area. Walking distance is going to be blocks, not just to the corner. Oh - I just remembered - they have a trolley that moves around the downtown are - and even goes out to the beaches. The hotel should have that info and share it with you. It allows for more mobility. And after you walk from the hotel turning left to go around the little park, you go to the pier and turn left and they have a trolley stop there for a trolley to take you out to the pier facilities (they lack parking area at the end of the pier) Google the pier St Petersburg and see what you find.
Sep 9th, 2010, 04:35 PM
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Sep 9th, 2010, 07:07 PM
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The Pier is indeed close by the Vinoy. The modest-sized Museum of Fine Arts is also nearby, as is a very small history museum at the Pier's start. The Salvador Dali Museum (excellent, well worth one's time) is a little farther, but still within reasonable walking distance.
Sunken Gardens is potentially reachable as well if you're a very hearty walker.
Sunken Gardens is potentially reachable as well if you're a very hearty walker.
Sep 11th, 2010, 06:20 PM
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Thanks for all of the information. I have checked on the pier and it seems that we can find places to eat and free wi-fi. I'm not sure if we will have time for any attractions- the conference lasts until 5 each day except Friday, when we fly home late in the afternoon. The attractions are a possibility if we could walk there and back before dark, or if the trolley runs in the evening.
Oct 5th, 2010, 10:44 AM
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I have a few suggestions of places with free wi-fi and food:
-Hooker Tea company: half a block away from the Vinoy, on Beach drive, along Vinoy Park. Mainly a tea place but they have reat breakfast, sandwiches and pastries.
-Cafe Alma: Walk down Beach Drive and take a right on 1st Ave South (it's on the left). Excellent food, drinks, brunch and sometimes evening entertainment.
-BellaBrava: Right on Beach Drive and I believe 1st Ave North (Brand new location, just opened). Excellent amazing italian food. It's not cheap but check their website - I'm on the email list and they constantly do $5 pizzas and deals like that. It's my favorite restaurant in the area.
There's also a ton of crappy starbucks around downtown with free wifi.
Other recommendations:
-Ceviche's: Further down Beach Drive (I think Beach and 2nd Ave South). Excellent Spanish tapas and if you're on a budget, it's great to sample a few and share
-Marketplace Express: Beach Drive, a half block south of Hooker/Paciugo - great sandwiches, beer and munchies that you can take to go and eat in the park or on the sidewalk (no waitstaff = no tipping necessary)
-Dali Museum: I second this one.. it's far to walk but the trolley stops here.
-Saturday Morning Market: If you're here on a Saturday morning, it's a don't-miss, especially with the cooler weather. Great for cheap breakfast!
-Publix (grocery store) on 3rd Ave South and 3rd St: stock up on groceries and sandwiches, etc to save money!
Besides that, depending how much time, you might want to rent a bike to explore the waterfront and Central Ave. Most shops/restaurants are on Beach Drive from the Vinoy - south, and down Central Ave, to about 10th or 15th Street. Any questions, let me know - I grew up here
Enjoy your trip!
-Hooker Tea company: half a block away from the Vinoy, on Beach drive, along Vinoy Park. Mainly a tea place but they have reat breakfast, sandwiches and pastries.
-Cafe Alma: Walk down Beach Drive and take a right on 1st Ave South (it's on the left). Excellent food, drinks, brunch and sometimes evening entertainment.
-BellaBrava: Right on Beach Drive and I believe 1st Ave North (Brand new location, just opened). Excellent amazing italian food. It's not cheap but check their website - I'm on the email list and they constantly do $5 pizzas and deals like that. It's my favorite restaurant in the area.
There's also a ton of crappy starbucks around downtown with free wifi.
Other recommendations:
-Ceviche's: Further down Beach Drive (I think Beach and 2nd Ave South). Excellent Spanish tapas and if you're on a budget, it's great to sample a few and share
-Marketplace Express: Beach Drive, a half block south of Hooker/Paciugo - great sandwiches, beer and munchies that you can take to go and eat in the park or on the sidewalk (no waitstaff = no tipping necessary)
-Dali Museum: I second this one.. it's far to walk but the trolley stops here.
-Saturday Morning Market: If you're here on a Saturday morning, it's a don't-miss, especially with the cooler weather. Great for cheap breakfast!
-Publix (grocery store) on 3rd Ave South and 3rd St: stock up on groceries and sandwiches, etc to save money!
Besides that, depending how much time, you might want to rent a bike to explore the waterfront and Central Ave. Most shops/restaurants are on Beach Drive from the Vinoy - south, and down Central Ave, to about 10th or 15th Street. Any questions, let me know - I grew up here
Enjoy your trip!
