Avalon

A few doors down from its sister property the Hollander on 4th Avenue North, Avalon leans into an Art Deco aesthetic that feels more South Beach than Gulf Coast, with sleek lines, neon accents, and retro touches throughout the lobby and common areas, including a framed diptych of 1960s model Jean Shrimpton that sets the tone for the whole property. It is a smaller, design forward alternative to the Hollander next door, aimed at travelers who want a boutique stay with a distinct visual identity rather than a standard hotel room.

Rooms run from Deluxe Queen and Deluxe King layouts up to apartment style studio and one bedroom suites, the larger of which include full kitchens, useful for guests staying more than a couple of nights or traveling with family. Every room comes with a flat screen TV, free WiFi, and free parking, the last of which is a real advantage in a downtown where paid garage parking is common at bigger hotels. The lobby offers complimentary coffee and water throughout the day, with wine and champagne poured during a happy hour from 5 to 7pm, a small but appreciated touch that gives the property some of the feel of a private club rather than a transient hotel.

Because Avalon shares ownership with the Hollander Hotel next door, guests staying at Avalon get full access to the Hollander’s pool, cabanas, poolside bar, Tap Room restaurant, and Common Grounds coffee shop, so the smaller footprint of Avalon itself doesn’t mean fewer amenities. It is a practical arrangement: Avalon offers the design and quiet of a boutique property while borrowing the food, drink, and pool scene from next door.

The location puts guests within walking distance of Central Avenue’s restaurants and shops, the downtown waterfront parks, and the galleries and breweries that have filled in the surrounding blocks over the past decade. For a couple looking for a stylish, independently owned alternative to the branded hotels along Beach Drive, Avalon offers a distinct look and feel at a price point that tends to run lower than the larger historic properties downtown, without giving up access to a full service restaurant and pool just steps away.

Avalon’s combination of retro design, apartment style suites for longer stays, and shared amenities with the Hollander makes it a solid choice for travelers who want character over convention. It photographs well, which matters if you are the type of traveler who documents a trip, but it also functions well as a home base for exploring downtown St. Petersburg on foot, with the free parking meaning your car can sit untouched for the length of your stay.