St. Pete/Clearwater is home to America’s Best Beaches, but that’s not all this thriving destination has to offer in 2020.
With three new hotels and a brand new $80m St. Pete Pier, travellers seeking an all-encompassing holiday experience combining great food, leisure and entertainment, will be in for a treat.
Three of the hottest new hotels
Exciting new hotels are popping up across the destination, specifically in Clearwater, St. Pete, Treasure Island and Pass-A-Grille. With over 3,000 accommodation options in the area, there really is something for everyone.
Opening in January 2020, the boutique Karol Hotel in Clearwater will feature 123 luxury guest rooms and suites, a lobby bar & restaurant, a rooftop bar overlooking Tampa Bay, plus a large resort-style pool and fitness centre. The vibe is refined meets relaxed, perfectly catering for the discerning traveller seeking luxury and class, with a fun Florida finesse.
In November 2019, Fusion Resort in Treasure Island opened its doors, offering a unique guest experience; combining well-appointed, spacious two- and three-bedroom suites, with plenty of amenities. Designed with modern Floridian flair in mind, the hotel provides a wide variety of sporting and leisure facilities, including a large pool, 71 boat jetties, paddleboats, kayaks and bikes. Fusion Resort is the ideal hotel for groups of friends or families.
The Berkeley Beach Club (opened July 2019) offers six luxury apartments with idyllic views of historic 8th Avenue, Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The dog-friendly AirBnB property offers guests access to an on-site beach bar and grill, The Dewey, which encompasses all-day dining, and The Rooftop Bar, with stunning sunset views of the Gulf.
St. Pete Pier, opening Spring 2020
Downtown St. Pete will soon be home to the Southeast’s largest waterfront playground, with over 26 acres of waterfront space creating the brand-new $80m St. Pete Pier. Surrounded by the warm Tampa Bay waters, the new Pier will bring entertainment, dining, shopping, and even an urban beach to the already vibrant downtown St. Pete area.
The Pier, which stays true to St. Pete’s artistic vibe by incorporating artworks and installations from local and international artists, will feature five dining options, including two large restaurants Doc ›Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, serving up fresh local seafood, and Teak, a Florida-themed family-friendly spot, serving local seafood as well as vegan and gluten free options.
As a city surrounded by water, environmental education is paramount to ensuring the area’s marine life thrives for years to come. As such, the Pier will also have a Discovery Centre, operated by Tampa Bay Watch, featuring interactive displays, presentations, tours and an aquarium designed to educate and inform visitors and locals alike.
Move over beer, wine is here
While St. Pete/Clearwater is well known for its thriving Craft Beer scene (with over 40 breweries in the area), wine is now making its mark in the destination, with two wine bars opening in downtown St. Pete in the last few months, and one to open soon.
Opening this month (December 2019) and providing an alternative approach to a typical wine bar, Book + Bottle is a new bookstore concept that serves up the best in both literary fiction and wine – offering book club nights and wine tastings every week. So, if you’re looking for a new book or wine recommendation, this is the place for you.
Two local brothers opened new ‘wine cocktail’ lounge, COPA, in October 2019, which has a Floridian upbeat vibe with an ambient and inviting setting, drawing in a younger crowd.
Dedicated wine lovers will enjoy the newly opened CellarMasters Wine Bar, spearheaded by a Certified Wine Specialist and a Certified Sommelier. Located in St. Pete’s EDGE District, this wine bar will be popular with those who enjoy natural wines, beers, and non-alcoholic fare.
St. Pete/Clearwater is easily accessible for British travellers, with daily flights from London to Tampa with British Airways, and three flights per week with Norwegian. Tampa International Airport is just a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Pete. For more information, visit: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/
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About Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) is the official destination marketing organisation of Pinellas County in Florida and covers 26 municipalities in the area. The region is located on the peninsula on Florida’s west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east.
The area offers 35 miles of award-winning white-sandy beaches, exotic nature trails, culture and arts. It is home to independent restaurants, boutique shops and a unique craft beer trail running from Tarpon Springs to Treasure Island showcasing 40+ local breweries’ fresh artisanal beer. In 2019, Clearwater Beach was awarded the No. 1 spot in the USA in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards while St. Pete Beach came in at No. 4. Clearwater Beach was also voted No. 6 in the world!
The destination is renowned for sunshine and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest run of sunshine days, a massive 768.
