- This page was last modified on 15 June 2025, at 10:32. Suggest an edit.
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection facts for kids
|
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
|
|
(2017)
|
|
 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | St. Petersburg, Florida |
|---|---|
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Henry L. Taylor |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000955 |
| Added to NRHP | September 11, 1978 |
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection is a famous hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. It first opened in 1925 as the Vinoy Park Hotel. This beautiful building is designed in a style called Mediterranean Revival. It sits right by the water, looking over the Vinoy Yacht Basin. The Vinoy is also part of Historic Hotels of America, which means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Contents
History of the Vinoy Hotel
The Vinoy Park Hotel was built in 1925 by a wealthy businessman named Aymer Vinoy Laughner. Building the hotel started on February 5th and took 10 months to finish. The grand opening was on December 31st of that year.
Early Years and Famous Guests
At first, the Vinoy was a seasonal hotel. It was open mainly from December to March. Many famous people stayed there, including baseball legend Babe Ruth and U.S. Presidents Herbert Hoover and Calvin Coolidge. Actor James Stewart also visited the hotel.
World War II and Changes
During World War II, the hotel closed on July 3, 1942. The U.S. Army used it as a training school for soldiers. The hotel reopened to guests in December 1944. In 1945, it was sold to Charles Alberding.
The Vinoy continued to do well for about 20 years. But by the late 1960s, it started to decline and needed many repairs. In 1974, the Vinoy Park Hotel closed its doors. Most of its furniture and items were sold. On September 11, 1978, the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. This list recognizes important historical buildings.
Renovation and New Names
The hotel stayed empty until 1990. Then, a company called Vinoy Development Corporation bought it. They spent $93 million to fix it up! The hotel reopened in 1992 as the Stouffer Vinoy Resort.
Over the next few years, the hotel changed names a few times:
- In 1993, it became the Renaissance Stouffer Vinoy Resort.
- In 1996, it was renamed the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.
In 2005, the Vinoy earned the AAA Four-Diamond status. This is a special award for excellent hotels. In 2012, the AIA's Florida Chapter put the Vinoy on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places."
Recent Changes
In August 2018, the hotel was sold again. It was bought by SCG Hospitality, a company owned by Bryan Glazer. He also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team. The sale included the hotel, a golf club, and a marina.
In April 2023, after big renovations, the hotel joined the Autograph Collection brand. It is now known as The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection.
Ghost Stories at the Vinoy
Over the years, some people have reported seeing ghosts and strange things at the Vinoy hotel. Some of these stories come from major league baseball players and their teams. They often stay at the Vinoy when they are in town to play the Tampa Bay Rays.
One person, a strength coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, said he saw a see-through ghost of a man in his room. Other guests have said they saw a man dressed in fancy clothes walking in the hallways. Then, he would just disappear!
See also
In Spanish: Vinoy Park Hotel para niños
- List of Historic Hotels of America