The Best Hotels in St Petersburg, Florida, for Every Traveler

Brighten up your Florida holiday (and your Instagram) with a stay at the legendary Pink Palace, known for its “endless beach vibes.” This beachfront hotel in Saint Petersburg, founded in 1928, sits on the windswept dunes of St Pete Beach, twice voted the number one beach in America. It has the same tides as Cancun and Havana, which you can gaze at from your fabulous room balcony or from one of the heated outdoor pools, cocktail in hand. The room decor is clean and fresh, with pops of color from cushions and flower arrangements, matching the simple natural beauty you’ll see through your window. It’s coastal-inspired comfort, perfect for the surroundings.

The Spanish-inspired Zamora rises up into Florida’s ever-blue sky. The boutique hotel, with an architectural style unique to the area, has a gorgeous 360-degree rooftop offering happy hour deals on its ice-cold cocktails. Sip away as you watch the sun sink over the sparkling Gulf. And if you need even more rest and relaxation, just head to your room with its great “stay well” features, including a walk-in spa shower, soaking tub, terrycloth bathrobe, air purification system, aromatherapy and dawn simulator alarm clock.

Relaxation is the order of the day at this beachfront resort in Saint Petersburg. Start off with a soak in the outdoor pool as you take in the serene view of sea and sand. Enjoy your lunch in the picnic area that offers a number of barbecue grills. Then once you’re suitably rested, hit the fitness center or volleyball court at the resort’s private beach. Rooms – all with kitchenettes, so there’s no need to leave the resort – boast charmingly retro features like old phones and black-and-white wall art, adding character to your stay. We love Plaza Beach’s dedication to reducing and recycling waste “to make a positive impact on the next generation.” It holds a Green Certificate for its conscientious eco-initiatives.

The modernist, neon-adorned exterior of the Avalon Hotel embodies all that is cool and hip about St Petersburg – and the rooms inside, even more so. We’re talking neon signs, retro-style furniture and light-up wall art featuring ’60s supermodel Jean Shrimpton as an astronaut. Pair this with Avalon’s much-enjoyed wine and cheese offerings, and you’ve found a place ready-made for your Insta feed. As an added bonus, guests can enjoy all of the amenities at sister hotel Hollander (located just down the street) for free.

In town to explore Downtown St Petersburg? Hollander is minutes from the town’s restaurants, shops, breweries and museums – walk or take the hotel’s free shuttle service. The hotel itself is a great hangout for travelers, with poolside cabanas, a bar and restaurant with 21 craft beers on tap, an on-site coffee shop and live entertainment on the weekend where you can meet like-minded friends to join you as you explore exciting St Petersburg. Inside the Hollander, you’ll find bright, simple rooms with light wood furniture and vases of flowers. They look as joyful as the resort itself.

It doesn’t come more iconic than the Crystal Bay Hotel by Sunset Park. Built in 1915 and enjoyed by glitzy guests including Marilyn Monroe, Robert Kennedy and Babe Ruth, this St Petersburg staple is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The rooms have been renovated but retain their Old Florida style with classic furnishings like plush headboards, wrought-iron statement chairs and white wicker chests. Meanwhile, the hotel boasts its own butterfly garden and an herb garden where the hotel chefs get their ingredients.