6 Best Hotels in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

Brought to you in part by the people behind Bern's Steak House across the street, this vibrant, cuisine-centric installment of Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels is an absolute must for foodies. Food and wine inspire everything—butcher-block tables line walls in the rooms, minibars are stocked with high-end snacks and beverages (mind the prices!), and guests can take part in world-class cooking and cocktail-making courses at the Epicurean Theatre. The Élevage restaurant serves classic dishes reimagined with a modern twist, and the Edge rooftop bar offers intelligent beverage options. Little Midway, an ice-cream parlor and pastry shop, and a wineshop courtesy of Bern's are also on site.

On the edge of Downtown, a short walk (or free shuttle ride) from all the excitement, this chicly renovated 1933 property doesn't skimp on vintage charm. Many of the rooms have their original hardwood floors and bathtubs (refurbished, of course). Other big draws include its trendy restaurant and taproom, which features live music and a popular Sunday trivia night (arrive early to sign up—hotel guests get five free points), and its courtyard pool deck/bar, which hops on weekends.

Set in the heart of Ybor City, this boutique hotel blends contemporary styling and comforts with traditional elements that acknowledge the area's Spanish, Italian, and Cuban roots. Nods to history include exposed brick, preserved reproductions of works by Spanish painter Francisco Goya that were uncovered during construction, and lighting that evokes the district’s streetlights. The upscale Flor Fina Mediterranean restaurant and the casual Café Quiquiriqui are among the on-site dining options. You can also order boozy ice-pops and cocktails by the pool, or venture into the neighborhood to experience nearby J.C. Newman Cigar Company or the Ybor City Saturday Market.

The Pink Palace, as it's called thanks to its paint job, is a storied resort and Gulf Coast architectural landmark, with exterior and public areas exuding turn-of-the-20th-century elegance. Ditto for the rooms. The staff is known for friendly old-world service. The Don once was a favorite of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Babe Ruth, and Clarence Darrow. Maritana Grille is the hotel's deservedly popular restaurant, which specializes in Florida seafood and is lined with huge fish tanks. Ghost hunters may be interested in knowing that Thomas Rowe, who built this Roaring '20s–era hotel, is said to have come back after death to meet his beloved; some guests and staff swear they see the couple occasionally having a rendezvous in the garden (more romantic than spooky); others say Rowe appears in corridors and rooms.

Thoughtful renovations throughout have preserved the glamour of yesteryear at the luxurious Vinoy, which opened in 1925 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. A stay here includes access to an expansive marina, pool attendants who can keep you well fed and hydrated while you sunbathe, and a Ron Garl–designed golf course with a stunning clubhouse. Although the beaches are 15 or 20 minutes away, the Vinoy is within walking distance of Beach Drive and attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Dalí Museum, as well as shops and restaurants. It's worth spending a little more to enjoy fantastic views from a bayside room.

Many of the cottages at this warm, affordable, pet-friendly resort—named for the sea-turtle nesting site across the street along Sarasota Bay—date from the 1940s, a romantic plus for yesteryear lovers. Some units have courtyards, and those on the bay side have the best view; only 10 of the cottages allow children and pets. The grounds are private, shielded by high wooden fences and palms, bougainvilleas, and other tropical foliage. If you really want to escape, use one of the resort's canoes or kayaks to paddle a short distance south to a beach dotted with sand dunes and sea oats.