Pennsylvania oilman Aymer Vinoy Laughner purchased the site of the
Vinoy, overlooking Tampa Bay, in 1923 and commissioned Henry L Taylor
as the hotel's architect. After one year of construction at a cost of
$3.5 million, the 375-room Vinoy Park Hotel, a Mediterranean Revival
design, was completed. In the early 1940s the hotel was converted to a
military facility, reopening as a hotel in 1945 and continuing
operations until 1974. The hotel, listed in the National Register of
Historic Places, has undergone a $93 million restoration and expansion
that has added a guest tower and complete recreational facilities,
including an 18-hole golf course designed by Ron Garl. Other amenities
include complimentary coffee and newspaper, concierge, 14-court tennis
complex, croquet, 2 swimming pools, fitness center and 74-slip marina.
Five restaurants each offer their own unique cuisine. Many Tampa area
attractions, such as the ThunderDome, Dali Museum, St Petersburg
Historical Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Florida
International Museum are nearby.
ROOMS: 360 guest rooms and suites with all modern amenities.
RATES: $119 - $309 per night (seasonal).