Not-So-Typical Hilton Garden Inn Makes Debut On St. Pete Beach

ST. PETE BEACH, FL — As Hilton’s only current property on America’s No. 1 beach, the new and completely renovated Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach has been buzzing with visitors since it opened in early May.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Hilton Garden Inn, but the ultimate tropical retreat complete with 144 spacious, airy rooms, including six suites.

All have a balcony or patio and boast the brand’s signature bedding with fresh, white duvets and crisp linens, and an in-room hospitality center with a mini-fridge, microwave and Keurig coffee maker.

Additional hotel amenities include a well-appointed fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi and The Pavilion Pantry/Garden Market open 24/7.

Whimsical touches throughout the exterior showcase the work of local artists Alyssa Marie and Braden Everly of Alyssa Marie Gallery. Beach-inspired art can be found around the exterior of the hotel and restaurant, featuring sea turtles, mermaids and pineapples in unexpected ways.

The tropical vibe of the property continues throughout the event lawn and pool area. Lush landscaping enhances the resort-like experience, offering recreational opportunities along with proximity to the beach. The beachfront bar and grille, Coconut Charlie’s, is open all day with a menu of coastal-American bites like killer tacos, crispy thin pizza and boozy slushies.

The hotel also features just under 900 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space, and ample outdoor event space in a tropical setting.

Guests can dine on-property at Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill, which brings tasty flair to everyone’s favorite fare. From tacos with a twist and handcrafted pizzas to seafood and burgers, Coconut Charlie’s offers something for everyone.

The beach bar serves up a variety of beer, wine, and crafted cocktails, including frozen delights, with a view of the beach. The expansive deck is the perfect spot to end the evening, listening to live music every night of the week.

OTO Development, a Johnson Management company, acquired the hotel at 6100 Gulf Blvd. in December 2019.

“With a fresh, new look and a new brand, we are so excited to unveil the newest hotel on the beach," said Corry Oakes, CEO of OTO Development. "When we purchased this property, we planned an ambitious renovation to showcase this incredible location with design elements that embody the casual, modern spirit of a beach vacation. I am delighted to see this vision come to life, and at the same time further our partnership with Hilton.”

The renovation was led by general contractor CPS with architecture services by DLW Architects and design services by AK Design Group and Cassa Conde.

“Our friendly team is so excited to welcome guests to our beautiful new hotel,” said general manager Kerri Green. “Whether frequent visitors to St. Pete Beach or visiting for the first time, our focus is to provide guests with the intuitive, heartfelt service they expect from the Hilton Garden Inn brand.”

Also on St. Pete Beach, the Grand Plaza Hotel will become Bellwether Beach Resort as part of an extensive renovation and rebranding. The Gulf-front property will reopen this summer with a full redesign and revamped guest experience.

The 152 new guest rooms and suites will showcase retro-Florida meets modern-chic design, and the hotel will offer an array of on-site activities, amenities and programming that will cater to all types of guests – from the laid-back vacationer to the on-the-go explorer.