Tampa and St. Petersburg lie on the western side of Florida along Tampa Bay. Fine white sands and warm water draw hundreds of thousands to the bay every year. According to the Five Star Alliance Travel Agency, two hotels with five-star luxury ratings exist in Tampa and two in St. Petersburg.
Situated next to a wildlife preserve, the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay offers 445 guestrooms with magnificent views of the bay. Guestrooms include granite bathrooms with Portico spa products, sumptuous bedding that includes ultra-soft sheets and plush pillows, and a stereo with an iPod docking station. Hotel amenities include three award-winning restaurants, four bar lounges, a heated pool, fitness center, ping-pong and lawn games. A stroll along the nature trail within the 35-acre grounds reveals egrets, herons and other wetland birds.
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
2900 Bayport Drive
Tampa, FL 33607
813-874-1234
grandtampabay.hyatt.com
Located in the business district and not far from the Tampa International Airport, the InterContinental Hotel possesses a contemporary-casual, but elegant ambiance for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel staff speaks 13 languages: Arabic, Croatian, Czech, English, German, Greek, Macedonian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene and Spanish. The 323 guestrooms and 23 suites include wireless high-speed internet access, cordless two-line speakerphones and pillow-top mattresses. Three restaurants offer dining options from steak and seafood to a light meal in the sports lounge. Other amenities include large conference and meeting rooms for business events, an outdoor pool, fitness center, beauty salon and gift shop.
InterContinental Tampa
4860 West Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
866-915-1557
intercontampa.com
Located on the Tampa Bay waterfront, the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort houses 347 guestrooms and 14 suites. A 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite is the grand highlight of the hotel. The property features five restaurants, including the award winning Marchand's Bar and Grill, an 18-hole golf course, a tennis complex and a private marina.
Marriott Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
501 5th Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-894-1000
marriott.com
A grandiose and lavish-looking hotel locally known as The Pink Palace, the Don CeSar Beach Resort features 277 guestrooms including 40 suites, many with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. The resort includes two beachfront heated pools, a spa, 24-hour fitness room, conference rooms, two ballrooms and various shops. The three on-site restaurants include The Maritana Grille, rated as one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the country. A garden café, a beachside bar and grill and an ice cream shop add additional dining options.
Don CeSar Beach Resort
3400 Gulf Blvd
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
727-360-1881
LoewsHotels.com
