We had come to town for the Dali, and had a tough time deciding between the Vinoy and the boutique Birchwood, which is about a block away; but ultimately I decided upon the Vinoy, and I’m absolutely gratified with my decision! Our spacious sixth floor waterfront room with two beds and a sitting area, in the historic part of the hotel, was sumptuously updated. The view was perhaps one of the best on the St. Pete Waterfront, encompassing everything from the fun Teak restaurant at the edge of the pier, to the Dali and downtown waterfront towers. There are benches strategically placed in front of the windows where guests can sit, have a drink, relax, and watch the world go by. From the small convenient fridge, the Nespresso machine, the plush linens, the Ortigia Florio toiletries, the marbled bathroom, to the comfy beds, everything was just perfect. The only con about our stay was that we found the online check-in service a bit of a cumbersome task with the Marriott app, so ultimately I decided to check-in at the front desk. It’s important to note that there is no self-parking, and it’s all valet only. The front desk agents were so welcoming, charming, and convivial, that I cannot fathom ever wanting to try the online check-in again at such a landmark hotel. The agents kindly reminded us not to forget our complementary sparkling rosé, just around the corner of the aromatic corridor gently incensed with rose, as we headed towards our room. The experience was so pampering, my travel companion chuckled that he felt like “pretty woman.” The hotel has plenty of dining and drinking options… and decadent dessert options; but history buffs may take a moment to browse and savor the historic archives on the mezzanine level. From the mezzanine, look out the window and notice frieze painted around the Grand Ballroom. This hotel is an architectural gem, and has many artistic and architectural details that may go unnoticed if you don’t slow down to appreciate them. During the late afternoon, we enjoyed “leisuring” to drinks and hors d’oeuvres at Parasol, the open air casual restaurant behind the pool area. In the evening, you may want to take a stroll down to the pier, and snap a picturesque photo of the stately pink hotel during sunset. Overall, staying at the Vinoy was a very pleasant experience, in a vibrant part of St. Pete, and worth every penny.