History - The Vinoy

A Treasured Past

From the time it opened at the dawn of 1926 to its current incarnation as one of St. Petersburg’s most spectacular waterfront resorts, The Vinoy has been – and always will be – a place to relax, play, and indulge.

Vinoy History

Pink. Proud. Perfectly preserved. Celebrating almost 100 years of sun-drenched hospitality, the resort looks back, reminisces and forges forward in its never-ending quest to deliver thoughtfully curated and inspiring experiences.

Conception: The Beginning

In 1923, it all started with a party, a bet, and a game of golf at the St. Petersburg Beach Drive home of Aymer Vinoy Laughner, a wealthy Pennsylvania businessman.

Laughner acquired the land for $170,000. Led by architect Henry L. Taylor and contractor George A. Miller, construction for The Vinoy Park Hotel began on February 5, 1925. The contractor set a construction record for completing the 375-room hotel in just under 10 months, in time for a grand opening on New Year’s Eve 1925.

The Golden Years

Despite the Great Depression gripping the country, the 1930s still attracted wealthy Northerners to The Vinoy, who arrived by train or car to experience the resort's carefree ambiance, lavish pleasures, and refined hospitality. Celebrities, presidents, and the local elite continued to flock to the hotel and solidified its position as the "grand dame" of St. Petersburg, whose residents called upon the hotel to host their most important social occasions. In1932, candy entrepreneur David L. Clark purchased the Coffee Pot Golf Course on Snell Island for $156,000. This would later become the golf course for The Vinoy.

The War Era

As the country eased out of the Great Depression and into the cold reality of the Second World War, The Vinoy Park Hotel shifted to a more patriotic purpose. On July 3, 1942, The Vinoy ceased operation as a hotel and was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force and subsequently the United States Maritime Service as a training center and housing for military cooks and bakers. By the time the training center was closed, more than 100,000 trainees had passed through the city of St. Petersburg.

The Decline

Post-war America coincided with the country's great highway expansion and the glory days of the automobile. Once again, Florida was the go-to destination for winter sun-seekers and The Vinoy welcomed them in much the same way as it had for the past three decades - as an elegant oasis overlooking Tampa Bay where guests could enjoy superb cuisine, incomparable service and a genteel ambience. However, the advent of air conditioning and The Vinoy's resistance to it prompted guests to seek cooler environs elsewhere and The Vinoy soon fell out of favor. By the late 1960s, the lack of regular maintenance took its toll on The Vinoy and it stood as a sad relic of St. Petersburg's golden past.

Rock Bottom

By the early 1970s, The Vinoy had declined into a low-rent boarding house, commanding $7 per night, far less than the extravagant nightly rate of $20 in 1925. Finally, in 1974, the hotel closed its doors for good. Much of the hotel's effects - china, silver and crystal among others - were sold at public auction. In 1978, despite its dilapidated condition, the St. Petersburg community petitioned to secure the landmark hotel's place on the National Register of Historic Places. Yet, throughout the 1980s, the hotel remained empty and served as a haven to homeless wanderers and SWAT teams who used it for training.

The Rebirth

In May 1990, after being abandoned for 18 years, the restoration and reconstruction of The Vinoy began. For two years, architects, interior designers and local historians took careful consideration to preserve and recreate the historic landmark's original Mediterranean Revival design.

In 1992, The Vinoy reopened as a Stouffer Hotel and restored its place as the epicenter of St. Petersburg's waterfront downtown. It was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the Historic Hotels of America.

The New Millennium

The Vinoy continues to expand upon its legacy with its latest transition into Marriott's portfolio of Autograph Collection hotels on April 5, 2023. The newly renovated, landmark hotel returns anew as an incomparable in-town resort, blending its classic grace and timeless glamour with contemporary style while paying homage to St. Petersburg’s past, present and future.

One of the most exciting elements of our brand transition has been embracing the rich history of our 100-year-old hotel. After June 1st, 2023, each guest will have the unique opportunity to tour the resort with a docent and visit a newly designed history gallery in the lobby, where they will see artifacts from The Vinoy’s beginnings, such as original room keys, plate ware and handwritten postcards highlighting some of the first guest visits. Please note that this tour occurs Thursday to Sunday 2pm - 3pm.

Well Noted

In 1978, The Vinoy was named to the National Register of Historic Places, despite being closed and stripped bare of its furnishings and other architectural details.

Revival of the Fittest

The Vinoy reflects the architectural influences of the Mediterranean coast, capturing its essence down to every detail. Over the years, The Vinoy’s incomparable facilities have stood the test of time.

The original 1925 color named “Vinoy” was created by the Gutta Percha Paint Company exclusively for the hotel.