I am planning a stay at the Marriott Vinoy Resort. Has anyone stayed there recently?
Also, can I see Busch Gardens in 1 day - what is it like.......I know this is a silly question but I am not sure if it is a theme park with rides, a zoo, or what??
Thanks in advance!!

The Vinoy Hotel is in downtown St. Petersburg near the Pier but there may well be a Marriott Vinoy in Tampa. The one is St. Pete is wonderful...has an elegance to it. Busch Gardens has all sorts of scary rides, little kids section, zoo like areas with wonderful exhibits a safari area, dolphin show and such. It started out as just having a bird show and fee Bush beer years ago and then they kept adding on. It is a full day worth. You will enjoy it as long as it is not too hot or crowded. There is a wonderful waterpark park near there that I think is called Adventure Island.

Emily, Like Melinda, I was a surprised at the "Marriott" Vinoy. I had no idea it was a Marriott. As often as hotels change flags, perhaps it's recently become one? A check of its website though confirms it is a Marriott. More often than not it's just referred to as the Vinoy. It is in "downtown" St. Pete, on the bay side, not ocean. It's one of the old Florida hotels and quite nice...nice broad porch out front with wicker furniture, perfect for sitting and rocking with a cold drink, and watching the marina across the way. They've got a nice pool area and golf isn't far off.

You can do Busch Gardens in one very long day, but you are some distance from it. My guess is that it'd be close to an hour's drive, more if you get involved in rush hour on I-275.

Your question about what it is isn't silly at all. I wondered the same when we moved here. It's a zoo, it's gardens, and it's rides...some hair raising roller coasters included! If you aren't fond of rides, you'll still enjoy your day with the zoo and gardens, and they are all interspersed. You'll walk along the gardens and past the animal exhibits as you walk to the next ride. It can get pretty crowded and this time of year, HOT! A couple of the rides give you the opportunity to get soaked, which would feel good days like today (91 at the moment).

I feel extremely ignorant now. I have honestly never connected the "Busch" in Busch Gardens with the brew. Is the beer heavily promoted there, or is it all low-key?

Emily...thanks to my DH, I have the answer on the Vinoy's name.

Marriott bought the Renaissance chain, of which the Vinoy is a part, but they continue to operate under their own name, just as Ritz Carlton does, now also owned by Marriott. Ritz Carlton has even kept its own company president and Rensaissance may have as well.

It's usually known here as just "The Vinoy", or, more correctly, as the Renaissance Vinoy. You won't see the Marriott name anywhere there. In it's website the only mention I saw was in a small link for "Marriott awards". Whatever, it's a great hotel and you should have a wonderful stay.

To the beer question...no it is not promoted heavily. Years ago one toured the brewery and got a beer and looked at some penquins there but now it is like a Disney and I doubt there is any free beer. I never go thru the tour. The Cyldesdale horses are in an area over by the monorail and are such gorgeous animals. A few horses are usually always there to view.

The Vinoy is across from the water and if you look close you might see some dolphins. The Pier is walking distance and houses The Columbian Restaurant which is good cuban food if that is your sort of thing.

If you have time drive out to the beaches of St. Pete down by Pass-a-grill. Pretty spot to walk on the nice hard sand.

You will love the Vinoy, it's one of my favorite, much better than the Don Cesar (another beach resort in St. Pete) in my opinion. Definitely take some time to tour around St. Pete around the hotel - take a drive down Coffee Pot Bayou not far from there.

Busch Gardens is a theme park, closing in on Six Flags with all the rides, but the animals differentiate it. Catch the safari just at dusk (it's additional to the park) and you'll catch the animals feeding.

Have fun!

About the beer! - although I haven't been their myself (will be visiting next month)a friend of mine has been to Busch gardens a couple of times, apparently you can enrol in beer school - which involves tasting different kinds of beer etc, you even get a diploma type thing to say you have graduated from beer school!. And I believe you also get a free beer. My friend recommends it as a good day out (the whole park that is, not just beer school!) Hope you have a good time.