Spring break beckons and the beaches are calling, but if you’re like me and want to spring forth from a winter cocoon to soak up warm sands and Gulf waters with little exertion, SkyBeach Resort in St. Petersburg is the ticket. Located close enough to downtown action with its award-winning museums and restaurants but tucked away enough to provide an oasis with private beaches, this renovated historic property also offers plenty on-site for a full-service resort experience. For information, skybeach-resort.com.
Stay
Built in the 1950s as a Gulf Coast retreat, the 18-acre property has been restored with modern amenities but maintaining that Old Florida charm. The property features 113 redesigned guest rooms with curated amenities such as local art. The coastal cozy lobby with beach tones and bookcases greets visitors, as does the custom accent wall of Venetian plaster designed by St. Pete artist Jesse Wilhelm. The stress of the world slips away the moment you enter.
Dine
Dining options run the gamut at SkyBeach. Leave the world behind at the two-story beachfront SkyBar + Grille with its sleepy Gulf views and the iconic St. Petersburg Sunshine Skyway Bridge, craft cocktails that invoke Jimmy Buffett and seafood dishes such as conch fritters and tuna tartare. Luma Mediterranean restaurant, a more elevated dining experienced, opened in December and serves up shared plates in a modern yet 1950s-style seaside lounge. Drawing from the word lumen, meaning “light,” Luma celebrates the connection between coastal living and Mediterranean cuisine. Later this year, the resort will welcome SouthSeas Tapas, an upscale dining concept.
Luma | Cris Molina photo
Get Active
Alongside the resort’s accommodations is SouthSide Sports, an outdoor recreation center with opportunities for pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts. There’s even professional tennis clinics and lessons for all skill levels provided by instructors under the leadership of Director of Racquets Eduardo Ferreira, a former top 100 tennis player. Naturally there are cabanas to be enjoyed on the private beach and two resort-style pools. For those who want to reminisce about the Florida of old, have a play on the shuffleboard courts.
Be entertained
In the heart of the SkyBeach resort lies Azibi Stage, a beachfront entertainment venue with the Gulf as backdrop where guests may enjoy ongoing live music, movies and other performances. The stage is named in honor of hotel owner Ben Willner’s late cousin, Henri Maizel, a U.S. Army veteran who played in the 5th Army Band and later found his creative home in Ibiza, where he performed with his band, Azibi. SkyBeach also offers a renovated 6,260-square-foot Event Center perfect for weddings, corporate events and special celebrations. The space features a separate lobby, the 4,228-square-foot Grand Ballroom, a flexible space that can accommodate up to 250 guests and Coral Cove for a more intimate setting.
Get on the Water
The resort overlooks a state-of-the-art marina with 29 boat slips for guests and the local community that’s open for day, transient and seasonal docking. Amenities include a fish cleaning station with fresh water access, power pedestals, restrooms and Wi-Fi.
Head to Town
St. Petersburg is only minutes away by car or ride share and features world-class art museums such as the Morean Arts Center with its Chihuly Collection, the renowned Salvador Dali Museum, the James Museum of Western + Wildlife Art featuring more than 500 works of western-related art and much more. Stroll the St. Petersburg Pier for restaurants and views or enjoy dining and shopping along the waterfront streets.