New Hotels and Fresh Renovations

The cool kids are flocking to the new Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown on Central Avenue, known as "St. Pete's Coolest Street." The lifestyle hotel is known for its bevy of social spaces – perfect for work or play – and expected by December 2024, the hotel will have bragging rights to the neighborhood’s first rooftop bar, Sparrow, which transforms into an elevated nightlife hub with incredible views.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by a bright botanical mural by artist Ashley Cassens, the first of many in the hotel which celebrate the city's love for murals. The lobby also features Bar Moxy, the perfect place to sip on a cocktail upon check in, as well as live entertainment areas and even a podcast studio. In addition to the rooftop pool, amenities include a gym fitted with Peloton bikes, and Rose’s Coffee Bar which serves breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Set inside a 100-year-old building with a prime location in downtown St. Pete, The 1888 Hotel recently emerged from an extensive restoration that maintains the building’s charm yet offers all the modern amenities travelers expect.

From the moment you enter the hotel, you feel its historic 1920s character and commitment to its artsy community, thanks to partnerships with local artists such as Sebastian Coolidge, who created a mural and canvases throughout the property. No two rooms are the same, and all of the 16 luxury suites offer kitchenettes and workstations. 

With apartment-style accommodations in St. Pete, the sparkling new Mint House is your home-away-from-home. Each suite offers a queen-sized bed, a cooktop, full-size refrigerator, microwave, and a private balcony or a patio with a walk-out to the resort-style pool. There are also corner studios with pull-out sofas, to accommodate families. Take advantage of the "Stock Your Stay" program where guests can pre-order groceries before their stay. 

It’s hard to miss the shimmering yellow-and-teal exterior of the 92-room Galaxy Hotel in downtown St. Pete, which is slated to open in early September 2024. Guests will be treated to expansive rooms, all facing Tampa Bay, just a block away. When it opens, guests will have access to an Italian restaurant, rooftop bar and spa. The hotel's event space can hold 200 people. 

As its name implies, The Hiatus Clearwater Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton delivers a relaxed beach vacation. Check in on the seventh floor, which shows off unobstructed Gulf views: This is also where you’ll find a rooftop pool, the stylish Sielo bar, and the fine dining restaurant Ocean Seven (Florida and Caribbean-style cuisine). The best perk? The sunset celebration on the pool deck every evening, where hotel guests receive a complimentary glass of bubbly.

The Hiatus is located across from the white sands of Clearwater Beach, and it's just a 10-minute walk to Pier 60.

It's five o'clock somewhere – and in the tiny, famously free-spirited town of Gulfport, that time could be, well, almost anytime. (You're on vacation, after all.) As unique as the waterfront community in which it's located, The Peninsula Bed & Cocktails is a one-a-kind hotel with 16 rooms themed around iconic cocktails.

Instead of a front desk, the heart of the hotel is a bar where mixologists are ready to welcome guests with a craft cocktail. Rooms are decked out in cocktail décor, such as the Old Fashioned Suite, the Mojito Suite and the Expresso Martini Suite for bigger parties. Every room comes with a cocktail bar and framed art that provides that specific cocktail’s history as well as a recipe. 

The recently built JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is a beach-lover's dream, located on a secluded stretch of sand on Clearwater Beach within walking distance to all the action. You can’t miss its happy turquoise exterior, but once you step inside, you’ll be met with soft coastal hues, sculptures and artwork that exude serenity.

Carve out a day to be pampered at the Spa by JW, or sunbathe at the rooftop pool deck with views of the Gulf and Sand Key Park — a perfect spot to watch boats cruise by! All guests receive complimentary use of two beach chairs as well as access to daily fitness classes. There are numerous dining options, including upscale Latitude 28 and beachfront bar and grill, ESKaPe.

Looking to wine-and-dine in an adorable small town that's close to the beautiful beaches of Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island? Grant Street Inn is a new luxury boutique inn that's just a stroll away from the shops, restaurants, breweries and events in downtown Dunedin.

Each of the 22 guest rooms and suites offers more than 430 square feet of living space along with guest favorites like huge showers and private terraces. Amenities include a small gym, a pool, and a wellness spa for skincare, massages and even vitamin therapies for a vacation boost.

The hotel is pet-friendly, so bring your pup to explore this area, which is so dog-friendly, it's sometimes called "Dog-Eden." Tip: There's a great dog beach at Honeymoon Island State Park.

The oldest hotel in St. Pete has exciting new things in store. Set to be completed in early 2025, the Cordova Inn will have a new, connected addition to its historic building. The five-story building will add a total of 96 rooms to the downtown St. Pete hotel along with a new first-floor restaurant and a rooftop bar. Three posh penthouse rooms on the addition’s top floor will elevate events and wedding parties. The Cordova’s current rooms, which were updated in 2020 with velvet headboards and black-and-white wallpaper, will also get a refresh. With the new addition, the hotel will now be ADA-accessible. 

With a private beachfront spot that overlooks the stunning Skyway Bridge, SkyBeach Hotel & Marina enhances guests' experience with renovations and amenities for both relaxation and fun. Guest rooms recently received a modern makeover with new furniture, bedding, local art, and perks like blackout shades for a good night’s rest.

SkyBeach is one of the few hotels in the area with a marina, which was rebuilt with 29 slips for public access. For guests who love to stay active on vacation, by fall of 2024, there will be a new sports complex called Southside Sports with 12 pickleball courts, a tennis court and three beach volleyball courts. The resort also doubled the size of its private beach and added a stage for live entertainment. During your stay, plan a water adventure on jet skis or paddle boards.

With 13-acres fronting a gorgeous stretch of St. Pete Beach, visitors love Sirata resort’s easy beach access and tons of things to do on-property, from its two pools to restaurants and bars that frequently offer live entertainment.

The lobby was recently renovated, and its 228 guest rooms are currently being remodeled, with completion slated prior to Christmas. More upgrades, including renovations to the exterior, as well as landscaping enhancements, are upcoming. In addition, a brand-new 290-room JW Marriott Resort & Spa is in the planning phase, and will share grounds with the Sirata.

A food hall-style setting at a resort? Count us in. This fall, Island Grand at TradeWinds on St. Pete Beach will unveil a new roster of dining outlets. There’s something for every taste with eateries such as Pete’s Bistro, Playa Taco, Coastal Pizza, Kahwa Coffee, Yoder’s Ice Cream, and Candy by the Bulk. The collection of dining spots will be in a food hall setting in the Breckenridge building at the center of the resort. All dining outlets will be open to the public.

Along with its 50th anniversary in 2025, there’s much to celebrate at the newly renovated Sheraton Sand Key Resort. The resort completely transformed its guest rooms with hardwood flooring, brand-new furniture and upgraded bathrooms, and added new, spacious suites. The resort also made room for a new 10,000-square-foot event lawn for weddings, parties and corporate events. With its perch on a beautiful 13-acre beach and an enviable location next to Sand Key Park, consider this beachfront hotel your sanctuary for relaxation, yet packed with activities from bike rentals to tennis. Still to come: The fitness center, restaurants and lobby will be transformed too.

About Our Writer

Angela Caraway-Carlton is a Florida-based freelance journalist who writes about travel, hospitality and luxury lifestyle trends. Formerly a TV reporter/producer and magazine editor, she loves bringing stories to life through words and videos. When she’s not checking in to Florida’s newest hotels, she’s on a plane to a new destination.