While staying at a luxury Beach House one may wonder, why visit a hotel? The meals are expensive, the rooms small, it’s costly to park and you’re privacy is restricted. However there are a few hotels in the Tampa Bay Area where we would recommend a visit. This is mostly due to history, décor and location. Our three favorite hotels in near the Eiko Beach House in Treasure Island are:
Vinoy Hotel
This hotel situated in Downtown St. Petersburg is a gem. The majestic building stands guard over Tampa Bay and welcomes guests as they pour in to access the golf courses, yacht club and downtown restaurants and bars. The lobby has an original old world charm with tile floors, as well as wall and ceiling features which accent its Great Gatsby Style.
The Marchlands Bar and Grill is open to the public screams of 1920’s decadence. A pre-dining drink at the Veranda Café will hit the spot! A history tour which includes both a lunch and a whisper of ghosts is also available. Guests at the Eiko’s Beach House enjoy the amenities of the grand hotel but they also love to escape back to the serene surrounds of their Treasure island beach house after lunch and a few cocktails at the Vinoy.
The Fenway Hotel
The Fenway Hotel in Downtown Dunedin is another jazz era hotel worth a visit. This 1927 classic boasts over 100 rooms and The Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar. This building is packed with history and served as a private hotel, bible college and a university. A great reason to visit this classic Marriott Hotel is that it’s ideally situated in old downtown Dunedin and is walking distance to the shops, restaurants ,bars and waterfront of this quant city with Scottish charm.
The scenic drive from Eiko Beach House to The Fenway takes about 35 mins along some of Florida’s greatest white sand beaches. A visit to this historic hotel is a delightful way to spend a day if you can budget the time away from your private beach experience.
The Don CeSar Hotel
The Don CeSar Hotel situated in St Petersburg Beach, is the crown jewel of grand old Tampa Bay Hotels. This 1920’s classic Moorish hotel hosted Babe Ruth, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Franklin Roosevelt in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Day visitors can enjoy the open and elegant lobby, have a drink in the Rowe Bar.
Thomas Rowe built this beacon on the beach in 1927 and spared no expense in its construction. The Don CeSar remains the most iconic “Old Florida” hotel. And the best part? It’s less than a 10 minute drive from Eiko’s beach House in Treasure Island.
Conclusion
While cramp, expensive hotels are avoidable by renting luxury beach houses in Treasure Island, Florida (like ours), the above three palaces of the past are worth a visit during your holiday in your personal paradise at Eiko’s Beach House.
