On Location: Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club

You don't find many golf resorts where you can walk out the front door of the hotel to find all sorts of restaurants, shops and museums.

The Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club is situated in a fantastic waterfront location in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida and across the street from a marina. On my visit, I absolutely loved parking my car and never driving it again during my stay.  When I wasn't enjoying  the resort, I simply walked a block or so out the front door of the hotel to Beach Drive and, voila, there were numerous dining and entertainment possibilities. 

Opened in 1925, the massive salmon-colored, Mediterranean Revival style hotel overlooking Tampa Bay is one Florida's historical treasures. With its original glazed, quarry tile floor, stenciled cypress beams and reproductions of 1920s chandeliers, it immerses visitors in a luxurious "Old Florida" ambiance accented with today's high-tech necessities.

Better still, the lobby was refurbished a couple of years ago and it has an elegant atmosphere with modern art pieces, a library with a fireplace, lobby bar, cafe and social gathering areas.

GOLF

The 6,626 yard, par 71 Vinoy Golf Course weaves through a beautiful, tree-laden residential neighborhood on Snell Isle, a five minute drive from the hotel (complimentary transportation is provided). 

Originally designed by Donald Ross in the 1920s, the course was redesigned and modernized by Lakeland, Florida architect Ron Garl. The meticulously landscaped homes are hardly noticeable as the fairways are framed by mature tree growth and shrubs. Highlights include nine lakes, two double greens and spectacular landscaping and vegetation, including Live Oaks, Pines and more than a dozen varieties of palms from around the world. A certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course is a haven for a variety of wildlife.

Make no mistake, this is not a course that will have low-handicappers shaking in their golf shoes. However, it's a superb resort course that is thoroughly playable and enjoyable for a wide variety of skill levels.

The toughest holes are seven, eight and nine, then sixteen, seventeen and eighteen, so golfers have the opportunity to score well early on the front and back nines. Garl designed the course so golfers can build confidence early, since they'll need it later.

My favorite hole is the number nine, a 465-yard, par 4. The number one handicap holes, it has two lakes left and five bunkers lining the right side of the fairway. It takes a gutsy approach shot to a 9,000 square foot green that slopes hard toward the lakes. If you birdie this hole, consider yourself very lucky and celebrate with a cool libation at the clubhouse.

The clubhouse is among the most unique I've ever visited. It is an ornate collection of Spanish and Moorish influences with features like minarets, arches and domes.

The staff at Vinoy Golf Course is exceptional.  While they have a strong membership program, they don't treat resort guests as intruders. In fact, resort players are rewarded with the same high level of service every member receives.

For a video view of the Vinoy Golf Club, click here to Golf Travel Guru T.V.
 

ACCOMMODATIONS/AMENITIES

The seven-floor hotel has 347 guest rooms and 14 suites. The rooms are spacious with luxury, Euro-style bedding with down comforters, custom duvets and rich linens, flat-panel televisions, work desk and in-room coffee service.

Major amenities and offerings:

--Large resort swimming pool with waterfall
--On-site marina
--Fitness center
--Day spa and salon
--Valet and self-parking
--Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout lobby area
--Tennis complex
--Multiple dining and lounging choices
--Nearby walking trail
--Coffee shop featuring Illy Coffee
--Large front veranda with comfortable couches and rocking chairs
--Full-service business center
--55,000 square feet of meeting space
--Sailing opportunities

10 Little Things I Like:

1. The view from my room which included the skyline of downtown St. Petersburg and the Vinoy Marina.

2. The expansive front porch were I sat in a rocking chair each morning and checked my emails and social media.

3. The friendly staff at the Golf Club who made you feel extremely welcome as a resort guest while taking care of their members.

4. Walking the North Bay Trail, a walking trail along the bay located across the street from the hotel, which affords great opportunities for sunrise and sunset watching.

5. The "Jumpin' Jameson" (Jameson whiskey and ginger ale on the rocks) I had at the lobby bar.

6. The history wall at the far end of the lobby that highlights the hotel's amazing past through vintage photographs.

7. Sitting under the waterfall at the swimming pool.

8. The frosty glass of Stella Artois I enjoyed one afternoon at at Alfrescos restaurant overlooking the swimming pool.

9.The amazing Scallops and Basil Linguini I had at Vinoy's Marchand's Bar & Grill restaurant one evening.

10. The very helpful Navigator (concierge) that assisted me finding out great things to do in downtown St. Petersburg.


DINING

There are six dining and lounge options at Vinoy Renaissance, including:

Alfresco--Casual restaurant where you can dine inside or on a terrace overlooking the pool. There's a Happy Hour daily from 5 to 7 p.m. and the lunch menu has a great selection of wraps, sandwiches, burgers and salads.

Veranda Cafe--Located in the lobby, this convenient cafe has Italian coffee by illy as well as salads, sandwiches, snacks and baked goods.

Marchand's Bar & Grill--This stunning 1920s gourmet room is Vinoy's signature restaurant. It has leaded arched windows that overlook the marina and a menu dotted with specialties like grilled scallops, Florida Lobster and watermelon and arugula salad.

Fred's Steakhouse--Only open for dinner and cocktails on Friday and Saturday evenings, this classic steakhouse has the feel of a plush private club with leather seats and polished hardwood appointments.

Clubhouse Restaurant at the Vinoy Golf Club--Excellent golf course views enhance this restaurant experience at lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served on Saturdays and Sundays.

Promenade Lobby Bar-After a round, this is a great place enjoy a celebratory cocktail or beer. You can sit indoors surrounded by fine art and contemporary furniture or outdoors in comfortable chairs and couches with a fire pit.

THINGS TO DO

There's lots to do in downtown St. Petersburg. Across the street from the hotel is Beach Drive, which is brimming with hip restaurants, pubs and specialty shops.  Beach Drive has a distinct Euro vibe with lots of outdoor dining possibilities and Happy Hours.

Other entertainment options include:

--Attending a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game at Tropicana Field
--Visiting the Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Chihuly Collection Museum and Florida Holocaust Museum
--Enjoy nearby award winning beaches at Fort De Soto Park and Caladesi State Park
--Walk or run the North Bay Trail starting near the hotel entrance
--Attend a Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer game at Al Lang Stadium


HOW TO GET THERE

The resort is located in downtown St. Petersburg (501 5th Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701) about 15 minutes from St. Pete Beach and 25 minutes from Tampa International Airport. 

GET THE SCOOP

 For information or reservations, call 727-894-1000 or go to the resort's website

On Location: Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa

If you love playing golf, followed by luxuriating at a spa, floating in a swimming pool or sipping a cool libation while watching a stunning sunset, this resort on Marco Island in southwest Florida was designed specifically for you.

Set on a 3 1/2 miles stretch of blindingly white sands and turquoise waters, the Marco Island Marriott is a superb way to enjoy a beach, golf and spa getaway.

The resort lifestyle at Marco Island Marriott encompasses two superb championship golf courses, eight dining and lounge options, two swimming pools, a 24,000 square foot spa, tennis courts and an expansive beach with watersports galore.

On my visit, I had one of my best sunset viewing experiences ever, witnessed a couple of alligators sunning themselves at the Hammock Bay golf course and relaxed on my balcony with a glass of red wine celebrating the Gulf of Mexico panorama in front of me. If you want the Marco Island la dolce vita (Italian for the sweet life), this resort provides it with great style and a high service level. 
 
GOLF

Marco Island Marriott's golf menu features two well-designed, exceptionally maintained courses that provide a private club style experience for resort guests. Both of the courses are located a few miles from the main resort complex, but they're well worth the short drive or shuttle. Hammock Bay is located 5.8 miles from the resort and The Rookery is 7.3 miles away. Regular shuttle service is provided to both courses.

Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club--Designed by PGA Tour player Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy, this 6,985-yard, par 72 layout (6,003 yards from the member tees) is a very player friendly experience with wide landing areas on most holes and eight different tee placements. If you're a mid-handicapper or only play a few times a year, play this course if you can only play one of the two at the resort. Hammock Bay is scenic with mild undulations and fairways framed by palms and Live Oak trees. Recognized as a "Gold Certified Signature Sanctuary Course" by Audubon International, you'll see wonderfully preserved natural areas, lots of birds and, perhaps, an alligator sunning himself by a lake shoreline.

The Rookery--A wonderland of carpet-like fairways, palm and pine forests, lagoons and cypress wetlands, this Robert J. Cupp Jr. designed 7,180 yard, par 72 layout (6,202 yards from the members tee) is testy and drop dead gorgeous. A certified Audubon Sanctuary, The Rookery is beautifully maintained. Fifteen holes incorporate water in some form and a thoughtful strategy is imperative on every hole to score well. If you're a low-handicapper, aspiring professional or mid-handicapper who wants to ramp up the challenge, The Rookery will definitely determine if you're a contender or pretender.

All the golf carts at both locations are equipped with the Caddy Tronic GPS Systems, which feature a complete touch screen with views of the entire hole and a green view, a detailed fly over of each hole and interactive scorecard.

ACCOMMODATIONS/AMENITIES

More than 95% of the 727 guestrooms have views of the Gulf of Mexico. A typical guestroom measures 402 square feet and there are also a variety of suites (62). Marco Island Marriott has a 4 Diamond rating by AAA and a Green Lodging Designation certificate in the Florida Green Lodging Program.

All rooms feature private balconies and terraces. Amenities include luxury bedding, high speed internet access, remote control color flat screen TV with cable service and in room pay movies, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, safe and mini-bar.

Major amenities and offerings:

--Two championship golf courses
--4-court tennis complex (Red Har-Tru Hydrogrid Clay Courts)
--White sand beach steps away from the swimming pool
--Beach chair/umbrella rentals and Beach Chickee Huts
--2 swimming pools and whirlpool/cabanas
--Children's wading pool and playground
--On-site boutique shopping
--Spa with 24 treatment rooms
--Fitness Center
--Rentals for sailboats, catamarans, aquabikes and kayaks
--Paddleboard rentals
--Parasailing
--Beach volleyball and basketball 
--Bicycle rental and tours
--Waverunner tours of the Everglades 
--Offshore and back country fishing tours
--Sailing and shelling tour
--Dolphin watch tour
--Beach BBQ on weekends 
--Sunset entertainment
--60,000 square feet of business event and meeting space
--Hertz car rental counter on-site 
--Valet parking
--Self parking
--In-room dining

10 Little Things I Like

1. The amazing sunsets you can enjoy from Quinn's on the Beach, 400 Pazzi's or the balcony of your room; and the fire dancer performance on the beach.

2. The large palm trees planted in the swimming pool.

3. Cafe San Marco, which serves illy coffee, the Italian coffee that's one of my favorites.

4. The awesome beach and pool panoramas from the balcony of my room.

5. The oh-so-crispy and delicious coconut shrimp at Quinn's on the Beach.

6. The Hummus Platter I enjoyed at 400 Pazzi's overlooking the beach.

7. The outstanding sushi bar at Korals, a great bar adjacent to the lobby.

8. The chilled mango scented towels that are passed out unannounced at the swimming pool in the middle of the day.

9. The walkable beach where you can collect all sorts of sea shells.

10. The resort's two golf courses, which are beautiful, well designed and provide a private club experience without pretentiousness.

DINING

Cafe San Marco--Serves illy coffee. Great place to grab your morning espresso or coffee before you head out to the course.

Quinn's on the Beach--Great coconut shrimp, burgers and island fare at this casual dining restaurant where the sunsets are phenomenal accompanied by live nightly entertainment.

Korals--A great bar adjacent to the main lobby. It has an excellent sushi bar, cocktails and appetizers.

Kurrents--The resort's gourmet room features fresh seafood, prime steaks and live nightly entertainment.

Tropiks--A family-oriented restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet daily.

400 Pazzi's--Features al fresco dining overlooking the beach and swimming pool with a Mediterranean inspired menu with pasta, brick oven pizzas, flatbreads, salads and sandwiches. It's convenient if you're spending the day at the pool or beach because you quickly order at the counter and a server delivers your selections to your table.

Tiki Bar & Grill--A pool-side bar with light fare and full bar.

The Rookery Grill--An upscale restaurant located at The Rookery Golf Club.

Hammock Bay Restaurant--It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (Friday and Saturday only).   

HOW TO GET THERE

Marco Island is situated 18 miles south of downtown Naples, Florida. Southwest Florida International Airport is located 45 miles from Marco Island Marriott Resort. Major airlines serving the airport, include Air Canada, American/American Eagle, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, Spirit and US Airways. 

By automobile, heading south on Interstate-75, take exit 101 onto County Highway-951/Collier Boulevard, which leads to the resort (about 15 minutes). The address is 400 South Collier Boulevard, Marco Island, FL 34145

GET THE SCOOP 

To find out more about the resort, click to Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf, Club & Spa. For reservations, call 1-800-GET-HERE. For golf packages, click to Golfpac Travel.

On Location: Westgate River Ranch Resort

Even if you're a city slicker who doesn't know the right end of a horse, I guarantee you'll like this luxe ranch resort near Lake Wales in Polk County Florida, about an 80 minute drive from Orlando.

Set on 1,700 acres, Westgate River Ranch is the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River.  You get a true ranch escape experience because the property is surrounded on all sides by approximately 400,000 acres of state and federally protected wetlands.

Fully renovated and refurbished, the resort offers a first class ranch lifestyle getaway. If you doubt a greenhorn like The Golf Travel Guru, how about the kudos provided by one of the genre's esteemed experts. In 2013, Westgate River Ranch received the Gene Kilgore "World's Best Ranches Award" from RanchWeb.com, the number one website for dude ranch vacations worldwide. Other awards include the 2012 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and the 2011 Florida Chapter of the National Skeet Shooting Association Skeet Club of the Year.

For golfers, there's a nine-hole, on-site golf course and some excellent 18-hole options nearby. (See golf subhead below).

THINGS TO DO

If you participate in all the recreation activities at Westgate River Ranch, take it from the Guru, you're going to be one tired cowboy or cowgirl.

In a two day stay, Mrs. Guru and I took a hayride, attended the Saturday night rodeo, hit the dance floor for some line dancing to a live band, engaged in some Trap & Skeet shooting, rode horses and took a nature hike.

Other things to do, include airboat and swamp buggy rides, zip lining, bungee trampoline, rock climbing, a mechanical bull, guided fishing tours and a petting farm and pony rides.

If you really want to get away from the smart phone, tablet and computer screen, this place is the perfect antidote.  The activities are wholesome and just plain fun.

LODGING

Rest assured, you don't have to stay in a bunk house at River Ranch. The accommodations menu runs the gamut from tastefully appointed standard guest lodge rooms and suites to multi-bedroom cottages and cabins.

If you're really into the great outdoors, there are also places for tent camping, glamping and RV camping.

We stayed in a Deluxe Lodge Suite, which was completely renovated in October 2013. (See picture below). It had all the amenities a city slicker turned weekend cowboy needs such as a big screen flat panel television and a kitchnette with a range, mini refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker.

Ten Little Things I Liked

1. The fire pit surrounded by wood benches in front of the saloon where you can sip on a brew and gaze up at the stars.

2. The mechanical bull in front of the saloon that costs only $5 a ride.

3. The general store, which has everything from Barbeque Bloody Mary Mix to breakfast sandwiches with country biscuits.

4. The rodeo staged every Saturday night featuring bull riding, barrel racing and an inspiring patriotic theme that'll make you extra proud to be an American.

5. The cowboy crooner that sings and tells stories on the old-fashioned, tractor-pulled hayride that weaves through the property and the adjacent KICCO Wildlife Management Area.

6. The amazing group of buffalo you'll see grazing by the first tee of the golf course.

7.  The outdoor dance floor in front of the saloon where you can line dance till the cows come home.

8. The longhorn cattle you see grazing in the pasture as you walk to the Westgate Smokehouse Grill restaurant.

9. The River Chips (pickle chips tossed in flour and cornmeal) that are fried and served with ranch dressing at the Smokehouse Grill.

10. The big 32 oz. boot (a plastic one) of beer at the River Ranch Saloon that costs $8 with $5 refills.

AMENITIES

Here's a list of other important amenities at the resort:

--The Westgate River Ranch Aviation Center with a 5,000 foot fully paved runway with lights and fuel service accommodations.

--River Ranch Saloon, which has a full bar, live music and dance floor.

--The General Store and Village shops.

--WiFi is available at the General Store, Main Lodge, Saloon and Smokehouse Grill.

--Miniature golf course

--A catch and release fishing pond

--Westgate Smokehouse Grill where you can order steaks, ribs, chicken, salads, burgers and more.

--Little White Chapel, where they hold wedding ceremonies and non-denominational services every Sunday.

--A full-service marina.

--Swimming pool and hot tub

--Conference Center

--Rodeo Arena, where a western-style rodeo is staged every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

 GOLF

The on-site, 9 hole, par-36 golf course at River Ranch measures 3,321 yards. Peppered with large mature oak trees and water features, the course is playable for all skill levels. It's beautiful in its simplicity and the golf experience would be comparable to playing at a good, reliable municipal course. Not many golfers seem to play so you most likely will have the course to yourself our just a few other golfers unless there's a group outing. When you're out on the course, you get the sense you're hundreds of miles out in the country. It's a great ambiance and an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours if you want a reprieve from ranch activities.

There's a driving range and putting green near the course and balls and club rentals are available. Greens fees are $20 for nine holes.

For those who want to step up and play an 18-hole course during your stay at Westgate River Ranch, there are a couple of options less than a 10 minute drive away: Indian Lakes Estates Country club has a George Cobb designed 6,485-yard layout built in 1962 and the Oakwood Golf Club features a 6,891-yard course designed by Karl Litten that opened in 1993.

LOCATION

Westgate River Ranch is located just south of Lake Kissimmee about 25 miles east of the town of Lake Wales just off State Road 60.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information or to book a reservation, call 863-692-1321 or click to Westgate River Ranch.

Play Golf in Bubba Land

Shark's Tooth Golf Club, Panama City, Florida

Masters Champion Bubba Watson grew up in Florida's panhandle in a small town named Bagdad, about a 20 minute drive from Pensacola.

In what is presumably the greatest high school golf squad ever, Watson teamed with future PGA Tour pros Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum at Milton High School in Santa Rosa County.

The trio honed their games on courses in and around Milton and played junior tournaments at layouts throughout the panhandle.

If these courses are good enough for the 2012 Masters champ, hey, they should be good enough for the rest of us, right?

Utilizing flat terrain dotted with palms, palmetto, pine forests and swamps, designers like Fred Couples, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Greg Norman have fashioned some terrific, fun-to-play layouts in the region. If you want to play some of the courses Watson and his pals played, you're in luck, because you can tee up at them for less than $30.

Enhancing the golf experience is the laid back, casual, flip-flops and t-shirt lifestyle in the panhandle. Stretching from Pensacola to Panama City, the region has been dubbed the "Redneck Riviera" and "L.A." (Lower Alabama) because of the large numbers of southerners who drive down for annual beach and golf vacations and spring breaks from places like Birmingham, Dothan and Montgomery.

You can't beat the beaches with their blindingly white sands and emerald green waters, the exceptional deep sea fishing and the lifestyle is unpretentious and fun. This is a place where people guzzle Dr. Pepper, drink generous quantities of PBR (Papst Blue Ribbon) beer and dine on delicacies like smoked mullet, Apalachicola shrimp on the rough, oysters on the half shell and fried pickles.

For more than 30 years I've visited the panhandle to catch some rays, body surf, play golf and gorge on seafood.

Here is some of my "local knowledge":

MUST PLAY COURSES

Milton Area-Try Tanglewood, where you can play 18 holes for $20, Stonebrook ($29) and Moors, a links style layout designed by John B. Lafoy.

Navarre-Club at Hidden Creek, a Ron Garl design.

Gulf Breeze-Tiger Point, a 36-hole complex built alongside the Santa Rosa Sound.

Shalimar-- Shalimar Pointe, a collaboration by Pete Dye and Joe Finger.

Emerald Coast Golf Trail--Check this site out. They offer golf packages that include courses in Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Shalimar.

Destin/Fort Walton Beach--Some of my favorites include Kelly Plantation, a Fred Couples Signature Course, Burnt Pine Golf Club at Sandestin, a Rees Jones design that rates as one of the Golf Travel Guru's Florida favorites and Raven Golf Club Sandestin, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that hosted a PGA Tour Champions Tour event in 2006 and 2007.

Pensacola-- Scenic Hills, a redesign by U.S. Open Champion Jerry Pate, Perdido Bay Golf Club, a former site of the Pensacola Open for 10 years and Lost Key, a great target golf layout with beauty and challenge.

Panama City Beach--Camp Creek, a Tom Fazio design in WaterColor (a personal favorite), Origins in WaterColor, a great, innovative 6-hole layout designed by Davis Love III where you can walk, and Shark's Tooth, a Greg Norman design in Panama City Beach.

TOP GOLF RESORTS

Bluewater Bay Resort in Niceville

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin

Wyndham Bay Point Resort in Panama City

PLACES TO EAT

{Note: In the following restaurants, which are personal favorites, you can wear your golf clothes or the ultimate Emerald Coast fashion statement, a Guy Harvey t-shirt and Margaritaville flip-flops.}

Boondocks (Panama City Beach)--Located off Highway 79 on the way to Ebro Dog Track, this well hidden place features favorites like fried oyster salad, grilled popcorn shrimp, fried pickles and onion rings.

Donut Hole (Destin)--Phenomenal biscuits and gravy, pancakes and coffee in mugs.

Hunt's Oyster Bar (Panama City)-If you love oysters on the half shell, this long time local favorite in downtown near the marina is a must visit.

Pompano Joe's (Destin)--Sits right on the beach offering entrees like parmesan encrusted flounder and snow crab feast.

Thomas Donut Shack (Panama City Beach)--Homemade donuts fried the old-fashioned way. Caution: No yogurt or granola available.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

Deep sea fishing (Destin marinas have lots of charter boats.)

Scuba diving and snorkeling (Some great wrecks to explore along this section of the Gulf of Mexico coast)

Canoeing and kayaking (Blackwater River State Park is a nirvana for canoe and kayak enthusiasts).

Camping (Grayton Beach State Park near Seaside is beachside camping at its finest.)

Summertime Golf Excursions

Spanning the globe to find great golf is a never ending pursuit. In the next couple of months I’m traveling to a diverse group of destinations to play some great courses and write about them.

First up is Venice, Italy. Yes, you read that correctly. Not Venice, Florida.  A group named Amazing Venice Golf, a marketing coop, says there are about a dozen courses in close proximity to the canal-only city.  I’ll play and tour courses like the Golf Club of Venezia and Golf Club Montecchia in nearby Padova. I’ve been to many unique golf destinations in my career—Kenya, The Canary Islands, Morocco and China to name a few—but this one should be very special.

Later this month I’ll go to Panama City, Florida, which has exceptional courses like the Greg Norman designed Shark’s Tooth and Tom Fazio designed Camp Creek Golf Club. What saddens me is the anxiety the NW Florida Gulf Coast tourist area is undergoing about the massive oil spill and what the eventual effect it will have on the beaches. Right now, they’ve discovered a few isolated oil balls, but who knows what the future holds especially in the next few months, which is also hurricane season.

In early August, I’ll venture to Sun Valley Resort in Idaho. Everybody knows the area as a great snow skiing destination, but I’ve been told there’s some pretty good golf up there as well. I’m anxious to play the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Trail Creek Course, which is a Golf Digest “Top 75 Resort Course in North America” and the 18-hole Sawtooth Putting Course, a 52,000 square-foot nirvana for the flat stick. There’s also a new 9-hole layout called White Clouds, which I’m told, has stunning views of surrounding mountains. I can’t wait. It’ll be a nice reprieve from the sweltering Florida heat.