11 Best Hotels in St. Petersburg, The Tampa Bay Area

The Pink Palace, as it's called thanks to its paint job, is a storied resort and Gulf Coast architectural landmark, with exterior and public areas exuding turn-of-the-20th-century elegance. Ditto for the rooms. The staff is known for friendly old-world service. The Don once was a favorite of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Babe Ruth, and Clarence Darrow. Maritana Grille is the hotel's deservedly popular restaurant, which specializes in Florida seafood and is lined with huge fish tanks. The new Society Table restaurant serves coastal fare all day, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Ghost hunters may be interested in knowing that Thomas Rowe, who built this Roaring '20s–era hotel, is said to have come back after death to meet his beloved; some guests and staff swear they see the couple occasionally having a rendezvous in the garden (more romantic than spooky); others say Rowe appears in corridors and rooms.

On the edge of downtown, a short walk (or free shuttle ride) from all the excitement, this chicly renovated 1933 property doesn't skimp on vintage charm. Many of the rooms have their original hardwood floors and bathtubs (refurbished, of course). Other big draws include its trendy restaurant and taproom, which features live music and a popular Sunday trivia night (arrive early to sign up—hotel guests get five free points), and its courtyard pool deck/bar, which hops on weekends.

Thoughtful renovations throughout have preserved the glamour of yesteryear at the luxurious Vinoy, which opened in 1925 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. A stay here includes access to an expansive marina, pool attendants who can keep you well-fed and hydrated while you sunbathe, and a Ron Garl–designed golf course with a stunning clubhouse. Although the beaches are 15 or 20 minutes away, the Vinoy is within walking distance of Beach Drive and attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Dalí Museum, as well as shops and restaurants. It's worth spending a little more to enjoy fantastic views from a bayside room.

This carefully designed eight-story hotel brings much-needed additional accommodations to the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. The rooftop bar offers stunning waterfront views and a look at city life down below. The hotel is also home to the popular modern Italian restaurant, OLIVIA. Pet parents will be excited to know their furry friends are welcome to join them for a fee. Overnight valet parking can be pricey—the only option at the hotel—but parking is at a premium downtown, and overnight options are difficult to find.

Set in an updated 1930s building and featuring colorful, Art Deco–inspired decor, the artsy Avalon is a good fit for this creative city. Although it's within walking distance of everything—from the waterfront and chic Beach Drive to the vibrant Pier District and Downtown bars, restaurants, and shops—the hotel's free transfer service will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

Few things are as emblematic of Beach Drive's renaissance as this boutique hotel, which, like many of Downtown's best attractions, seamlessly blends old and new. The former apartment building's 1924 facade was lovingly restored by developer Chuck Prather, who also dramatically renovated its interior with eclectic decor and furnishings—guest bathrooms, for instance, have both European claw-foot bathtubs and modern, glass-door rain-head showers. Most rooms also have stately canopy beds, and some rooms overlook Beach Drive and Downtown's banyan-dotted waterfront parks. Everyone can enjoy fantastic views from Canopy, the überhip nightspot, and the ground-floor Birch & Vine restaurant has had local foodies buzzing since it opened.

An excellent choice for a romantic getaway, this relative newcomer offers modern rooms with a flamenco twist—you may think you've been swept away to a luxurious Spanish villa. It's just across Gulf Boulevard, so not directly on the beach, but you can still catch the sunset from your room (from the balcony of your room if you are lucky enough to have one), or you can head up to the rooftop bar. Furnishings in both the rooms and common areas have a clean Mediterranean feel, but painted flamenco dancers adorn the wall throughout. Amenities include a fitness center and a chic poolside lounge. The restaurant, Castile, is also a big draw here.

Located in the vibrant Edge District, just blocks from downtown St. Petersburg, this stylish new hotel offers bold, modern accommodations for visitors to the city, though the minimalist aesthetic may not be to everyone's taste. Don’t miss the views from the Sparrow rooftop bar, and be sure to grab a drink at Bar Moxy, located in the heart of the hotel. Live music plays in the lobby every Friday and Saturday night.

You’ll be hard pressed to leave the grounds of this high-rise beachfront property, where amenities include two pools—one for adults and one for children—lots of hammocks, a surf simulator, a play area, fire pits that are perfect for making s'mores, and a poolside tiki bar. Rooms aren't overly fancy, but they have mini-refrigerators and microwaves so you can heat up simple meals when you want to eat in. The on-site RumFish Grill is a popular seafood restaurant with a gigantic aquarium stocked with local sea life (in the off hours, you can suit up for a tank swim for $25).

The only resort on the beach with its own fireworks display, the island-chic TradeWinds is also very pet-friendly—in addition to a play area and a room-service menu for dogs and cats, there's an entire building with rooms reserved for those traveling with pets. Those with children in tow will appreciate such younger-set activities as swimming lessons or digging for sharks' teeth with the notorious pirate, Captain Redbeard. Standard rooms have a wet bar with a microwave and mini-refrigerator; many rooms have beach views, though you may have to crane your neck (to avoid having to do so, opt for a Gulf-front suite with a balcony).

You'll feel like a local during a stay at this hotel, which straddles the vibrant, up-and-coming Edge and Grand Central Districts. The lobby is quirky, featuring games to play, and the hotel leans into St. Petersburg's artsy reputation with artwork and murals on display both inside and out.