Florida welcomes Bellwether Beach Resort

Operated by Benchmark, the scheme is housed within an iconic tower that’s been a fixture at St Pete Beach on the Sunshine State’s west coast since the 1970s.

Florida welcomes Bellwether Beach Resort

by | 29 Aug 2021 | Projects

Operated by Benchmark, the scheme is housed within an iconic tower that’s been a fixture at St Pete Beach on the Sunshine State’s west coast since the 1970s.

Bellwether Beach Resort is the newest independent beachfront hotel, and the first in more than ten years, to open at St Pete Beach in Florida.

A trendsetting arrival

Designed to be a trendsetter for this prime setting, Bellwether Beach Resort pairs retro-Florida, modern-chic style with an exciting culinary offering and elevated service. Its lobby, distinguished by mid-century furnishings, terrazzo tiles, watery tones and views of the Gulf of Mexico, displays vintage artwork celebrating seaside getaways of the 1960s.

Amenities within the property range from indoor and outdoor lounge areas to a beachfront pool deck with nearby bistro seating for al fresco dining; cabanas attended by Bellwether’s dedicated beach butlers also dot the white-sand beach beyond the main hotel building. Much of the focus here, however, is on the resort’s dining experiences, which comprise Spinners Rooftop Grille, Level 11 Rooftop Bar & Lounge, Bongo’s Beach Bar & Grille and St Pete Social.

“The initial vision for Bellwether Beach Resort began more than three years ago when the hotel’s current owners purchased the property,” said Jay Rocha, vice president of operations for Bellwether Beach Resort, which is owned by affiliates of Gencom and run by Benchmark.

“The awe-inspiring beachfront location, the unique placement of the dining venues, and the tower’s longstanding history in this exceptional city all became key elements of inspiration for what we knew this property could become. As we open our doors and begin welcoming guests to our little slice of paradise, we are proud to spotlight everything Bellwether will deliver to this community and those who visit it.”

Appealing accommodation and exciting dining

Guests are accommodated in 156 rooms and suites with vibrant colour schemes like tangerine and lime green, along with private balconies offering views of the city and sea. These rooms feature either one or two king beds.

The hotel’s most exclusive accommodation is its six penthouses, designed to highlight a modern take on retro Florida. Multi-room, split-level floor plans encompass oversized bathrooms and are set apart by plush furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the shoreline.

Spinners Rooftop Grille sits at the top of the building and offers a menu of sustainably sourced seafood, cuts of beef and locally grown greens in a space boasting 360-degree views, while the open-air Level 11 Rooftop Bar & Lounge sits on the floor below and serves up sunset cocktails, small bites and desserts.

These panoramic venues are joined by the on-the-sand Bongo’s Beach Bar & Grille, providing a laidback beachfront dining experience for lunch and dinner, and St Pete Social for morning coffees, late afternoon cocktails and quick-fix food options.

Bellwether Beach Resort also boasts 10,000 sq ft of indoor / outdoor event space capable of accommodating up to 150 attendees.

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