SkyBeach Resort Reimagines Coastal Luxury with Renovated Lobby, Event Center, and Artisanal Café in St. Petersburg

Source: SkyBeach Resort

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

April 7th, 2025 – SkyBeach Resort, perched on the sun-soaked southern tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, has unveiled the latest phase of its transformation. With a redesigned lobby, a versatile event center, and the addition of Paradeco Coffee Roasters, the property continues to establish itself as a destination where refined leisure meets authentic local culture.

Acquired by Willner Realty and Development Company in 2022, the resort completed a full-scale renovation before its July 2024 reopening. Today, with 113 reimagined guest rooms, bespoke amenities, and a curated slate of new offerings, SkyBeach blends mid-century Florida nostalgia with contemporary comfort, making it a compelling new entry in the Gulf Coast’s luxury accommodation landscape.

Designed by Charleston Bay Interiors, the reimagined lobby captures the tones and textures of the Gulf itself. Sunlight floods the double-height atrium, while layered neutral hues and warm wood accents bring a sense of tranquility. Among the standout design elements: a custom Venetian plaster mural by local artist Jesse Wilhelm, whose silvery blue tones shimmer like the sea at sunrise.

The space is divided into three intimate seating zones, flanked by custom bookcases and accented with curated artwork—creating the sense of stepping into a well-appointed coastal residence.

Also designed by Charleston Bay Interiors, the 6,260-square-foot SkyBeach Event Center offers a dynamic setting for weddings, conferences, and gatherings of all scales. The Grand Ballroom, divisible into three smaller rooms—Banyan Tree, Royal Palm, and Ocean Breeze—accommodates up to 250 guests. Adjacent spaces, including the Coral Cove Room and a registration-ready pre-function lobby, round out a venue that is equally functional and aesthetically elevated.

Expanding on its vision of a truly St. Pete-rooted experience, SkyBeach has partnered with Paradeco Coffee Roasters to open the café’s second outpost in its courtyard. Known for its single-origin beans and artfully composed drinks like the Cold Fashioned and Maple Cinny Latte, Paradeco brings a wellness-minded menu featuring gluten-free and vegan options, like Cashew Ricotta Kale Toast and a decadent paleo French toast made with local ingredients.

The SkyBeach location, designed by Place Architecture, preserves Paradeco’s signature art deco flair—curved forms, gold accents, and a custom 3D-printed coffee bar—reimagined with coastal tones that reflect the property’s surroundings.

Coming later this year, SouthSeas Tapas will continue SkyBeach’s evolution with an elevated culinary experience helmed by Executive Chef Tom Legg. Nodding to the property’s 1960s history as the Outrigger Inn, the restaurant will blend French and Asian coastal influences with a nostalgic nod to tiki culture. Expect a seafood-forward menu, marina views, and a dining space that celebrates SkyBeach’s storied past.

From the Azibi Stage, named in honor of hotel owner Ben Willner’s late cousin and Ibiza-based musician Henri Maizel, to SkyBar + Grille’s open-air dining on the sand, SkyBeach continues to build a multifaceted hospitality experience rooted in local flair, leisure, and thoughtful design.

SkyBeach Resort is a new beachfront boutique hotel located on the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida. Originally built in the 1950s, the historic 18-acre property has long been a cherished Gulf Coast retreat. Purchased in 2022 by Willner Realty & Development Co., the property underwent a major renovation before reopening as the SkyBeach Resort in July 2024. Today, the hotel stands as a love letter to St. Pete, blending Old Florida charm with modern amenities. The resort’s deep connection to the city is reflected in its amenities, including SouthSide Sports, an outdoor recreation center with pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts, a state-of-the-art marina; and the Azibi Stage, a beachfront entertainment venue hosting live performances for guests and locals. SkyBeach also features diverse dining options, including SkyBar + Grille, a casual, two-story beachfront bar and restaurant serving creative cocktails and elevated favorites alongside views of the Gulf and the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge; and Paradeco Coffee Roasters, the second location of the beloved downtown St. Petersburg café. Later this year, the resort will welcome SouthSeas Tapas, an upscale dining concept. SkyBeach also features a newly renovated 6,260 square foot SkyBeach Event Center, making it a premier destination for weddings, corporate events and special celebrations.

For more information, visit skybeach-resort.com

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