This hotel is in a fantastic location. Downtown St. Petersburg is beautiful, many great restaurants within walking distance. Marina right there. There is a trolley bus that picks you up right in front of the Vinoy and will take you around the downtown area for just 50¢. During the ride they tell you local information. Back to the hotel, my room was a little on the small side and no balcony, but very comfortable bed and everything was very clean. My husband had stayed there before in a larger room that had a small sitting area and a balcony and from his description I think the upgrade sounds worth it if you will spend some time in your room. Pool area is very nice. The main floor/lobby is very large and there are various different sitting areas. The decor is lovely. There is an small museum area with old photos and an explanation of this historic hotel. The front porch is long and wide with rocking chairs, outdoor furnishings and a bar. I ate at one of the restaurants for dinner. It was on the main/lobby floor, not sure the name. Food was delicious. Slightly overpriced, which is to be expected, but not outrageous.

We booked this hotel via Expedia for our wedding night, something that the hotel were well informed of. We jumped on the plane right after our ceremony and after 15 hours on a plane, all we wanted was to have a romantic night together, but this was interrupted by the most discusting bathroom that wasn't cleaned after the former guest. Napkins on the floor, hair in the sink and a leaking bathtub. To add - for a 4 star hotel, the price doesn't mean quality. Not even a complimentary bottle of water on the room...The room was also so cold! The windows didn't open either. We didn't complain because at this time, it was already after midnight and the last thing we wanted was to spend our wedding night crying in the lobby.

Only positive thing was the breakfast and the service there.

When checking out of the hotel they said that they could upgrade us to another room, if we were to stay longer, but who wants to stay longer in a hotel that already showed such an ignorance to the most important night of someone's life? They blamed Expedia for not forwarding the information about that it was our wedding night. But I'm sure Expedia will blame the hotel back.

This is a beautiful area surrounded by poverty. We got a bit lost on the way. The hotel is gorgeous and so cool that they have integrated the renaissance feel of handcrafted tiles and hand hewn beams with the contemporary Chihuly glassware. My room overlooking the marina was delightful. The walk to the exercise area serene and the restaurants around were fabulous. I am so glad I wasn't paying for the room. I expect that most folks living in the surrounding area pay less in rent for a month than the nightly fee for the hotel.

Beautiful property in perfect location for relaxing and being in the midst of activities at the same time. Service at the hotel was really great with no request being too small for their immediate attention. Lots of secluded sitting space and reminders of a slower paced lifestyle.