Walking up to The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club after 25 years brought an unexpected flood of memories. The Mediterranean Revival architecture still rises majestically from Tampa Bay’s waterfront, its coral-hued facade catching the Florida sun exactly as it did on our wedding night in 2000. My husband and I had chosen this iconic “Pink Lady” for our first night as newlyweds—young Tampa Bay locals splurging on what felt like the most romantic place in our hometown. Now, a quarter-century later and transplanted to Los Angeles, I was returning for a piano concert, that had drawn me back to Florida’s west coast.
A Living Piece of History, Revisited
The Vinoy’s story reads like something from a Hollywood script, and returning after so many years made me appreciate even more how this grand dame has weathered nearly a century of Florida’s evolving fortunes. Built in 1925 by oil tycoon Aymer Vinoy Laughner after a legendary golf bet with champion Walter Hagen, the hotel had already hosted Presidents Herbert Hoover and Calvin Coolidge, along with celebrities from Babe Ruth to James Stewart, long before my husband and I first discovered it.
What strikes you most about returning here isn’t just the preserved opulence—it’s recognizing the layers of authentic history that have accumulated since my last visit. During this stay, I learned about renovations and updates that had occurred over the past two decades, including the hotel’s dramatic $93 million restoration that had been completed just before our honeymoon stay. The story of the hidden vault containing 1,400 pieces of silver wrapped in 1934 newspapers—treasure literally discovered in the walls during that restoration—felt even more magical knowing we had unknowingly slept above such mysteries on our wedding night.
As a musician and entrepreneur who had spent developing my craft in Los Angeles, I was particularly drawn to the story of how the Vinoy served as a cultural beacon for St. Petersburg’s social elite. The hotel’s tower light, which signaled the start of each winter season when illuminated each December, became a beloved tradition that I remembered from our Tampa Bay days but had forgotten in the rush of California life.
The Rooms: Familiar Elegance, New Comfort
My waterfront suite overlooked the same marina and downtown St. Petersburg skyline that my husband and I had gazed at 25 years ago, though the view had evolved with the city’s growth. Morning light still danced across Tampa Bay while boats bobbed gently in the Vinoy Yacht Basin, but the downtown skyline showed St. Petersburg’s remarkable transformation into a true cultural destination.
The room itself maintained the hotel’s historic charm while incorporating modern luxury upgrades that hadn’t existed during our honeymoon stay: enhanced technology, updated bathroom fixtures, and refined furnishings that felt both authentic and contemporary. The bathroom was particularly impressive compared to my 2000 memories, with upgraded marble surfaces and premium amenities that made evening preparation for my concerts feel like part of the performance ritual.
What I appreciated most was how the management of the resort was so gracious to surprise us with a bottle of champagne, chocolate and a handwritten note, this made our stay even more pleasurable.
Dining Adventures: Seven Venues, New Discoveries
The Vinoy’s dining scene had transformed dramatically since our wedding night dinner 25 years ago, now offering seven distinct culinary experiences that showcase how the hotel has evolved while maintaining its elegance.
Elliott Aster represented the most dramatic change from our previous visit. This sophisticated restaurant, helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Lee Wolen from Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group, didn’t exist during our honeymoon stay but has become the Vinoy’s culinary crown jewel. The dining room exudes elegant intimacy with its warm lighting and waterfront views that reminded me of romantic dinners my husband and I shared during our Tampa Bay years.
Paul’s Landing offered a completely different experience from what I remembered of the hotel’s more formal dining during our 2000 visit. Located in its own building beside the pool, this casual waterfront spot specializes in fresh Florida seafood with old-Florida flavors that reminded me why we fell in love with Tampa Bay cuisine.
Lottie Patisserie became my morning sanctuary, a elegant French café that hadn’t existed during our honeymoon but perfectly captured the sophisticated European influence that drew us to the Vinoy originally. Their croissants were flaky perfection, and the signature Vinoy cake—still made from that closely guarded recipe—proved just as indulgent as I remembered from 25 years ago.
Fitness and Wellness: New Additions to Old Traditions
The fitness center represented one of the most welcome additions since our honeymoon stay. Located with stunning water views, the state-of-the-art gym provided the perfect space for maintaining my LA fitness routine while traveling. The equipment was top-tier, and the early morning hours offered peaceful workout sessions with sunrise views over Tampa Bay.
Before my concert, I indulged in The Vinoy Spa, which had undergone significant updates since 2000. The spa’s ocean-inspired healing philosophy, using sustainable Phytomer and Naturopathica products, felt more sophisticated and environmentally conscious than spa treatments from our honeymoon era. I opted for their signature treatments, and incorporated steamer and sauna routine that left me feeling completely renewed.
Amenities: Enhanced but Timeless
The Vinoy’s amenities had expanded impressively since our honeymoon. The retro-chic pool area, with its upgraded cabanas and crystal-clear waters, still captured that classic Florida resort aesthetic we had fallen in love with, but with enhanced comfort and service. Lounging poolside, I found myself remembering lazy afternoon conversations with my husband about our future together—conversations that had led us from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles and brought me back here as a accomplished musician and businesswoman.
The 74-slip marina remained one of my favorite features, still providing that constantly changing waterfront theater of boats coming and going.
The Concert Experience: Full Circle
As a visiting musician returning to my hometown region, staying at the Vinoy felt like a deeply personal full-circle moment. The hotel staff went above and beyond in accommodating our service and valet needs, showing the same attention to detail that had impressed us as newlyweds.
Location: Familiar Yet Transformed
The Vinoy’s downtown St. Petersburg location showcased how dramatically the city had evolved since our 2000 visit. The Museum of Fine Arts remained a favorite, but the newly renovated St. Pete Pier and expanded waterfront development created an arts district that far exceeded what existed during our Tampa Bay years. Before my performance, I explored these changes with my husband, sharing how our old stomping grounds had transformed into something even more vibrant and culturally rich.
Service: Enhanced Traditions
Throughout my five days, the Vinoy’s service maintained that perfect balance between attentive luxury and genuine Florida warmth that had charmed us as newlyweds, but with additional layers of sophistication developed over the past 25 years. Staff members consistently went beyond basic hospitality.
Modern Renovations Meet Cherished Memories
The Vinoy’s 2023 transition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection, combined with extensive renovations, had successfully preserved everything my husband and I had loved about the property while incorporating contemporary luxury. The updates felt respectful of our memories while creating new reasons to love this historic gem.
Walking through the renovated lobby, I could still picture my husband and me as young newlyweds, overwhelmed by the grandeur and promise of our future together. The space maintained that same magical quality while feeling fresh and relevant for today’s travelers.
A Return Full of Meaning
Leaving The Vinoy after five days felt like closing one chapter while opening another. This wasn’t just a luxury hotel stay—it was a return to a place that had witnessed one of the most important nights of my life. The combination of preserved memories and new experiences created something uniquely powerful.
For someone who had built a life and career 3,000 miles away in Los Angeles, returning to The Vinoy reminded me that some places hold such significance that they become part of your personal story forever.
At around $400-600 per night depending on season and room type, The Vinoy represents a significant investment, but returning after 25 years confirmed that some experiences transcend their cost. This is destination hospitality that honors both personal history and continuing evolution—a place where every detail contributes to stories worth telling and retelling for another quarter-century to come.
The Pink Lady had welcomed me home in the most meaningful way possible, proving that while we may leave the places that shape us, they never truly leave us.
The Vinoy
501 5th Ave NE, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 · (727) 894-1000
Oksana® Kolesnikova, is an internationally renowned pianist and composer, educator, innovative music and language curriculum developer, and personal mentor to the franchise owners of Oksana® Enrichment Programs. She is the CEO of three companies: Oksana® Management Group, Inc. (OMG, Inc.), Oksana® Enrichment Programs, and Oksana® Foundation. In 2019, she launched franchising opportunities for her scholastic and arts-focused business, which was already successfully operating with a large roster of instructors and was established in numerous schools. Born from her love of music performances, composing, and teaching music and languages to students, she sought to provide a quality-based resource for student enrichment beyond what her high-demand, one-on-one lessons would allow. A remarkable example of “The American Dream,” Oksana® is the beautiful face for her brand, bestowing upon it her golden combination of diligence, drive, global outreach, entrepreneurial spirit, and sheer talent.
