5 Reasons to Stay at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin – 2022 Review

The Florida Travel Girl is a free-to-use resource. I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, on purchases made from links I have personally chosen to recommend.

The Gulf Coast is known for touristy spots like St. Petersburg and Clearwater, but if you want a fun and unique getaway, I recommend visiting Dunedin. I just got back from a trip there where I stayed at the Fenway Hotel and it was the perfect spot for a Florida getaway!

The Fenway Hotel has a rich history of being a part of the Tampa Bay music scene, which is all on display in the jazz age décor. Between the signature touches and its walking distance location to Downtown Dunedin, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy your stay. After spending the weekend at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, I have to share five reasons why this is a must-visit hotel in the Tampa Bay area!

Full Disclosure: I received a free stay at the Fenway Hotel in exchange for promotion. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Location of the Fenway Hotel

First up for perks of the Fenway Hotel is its setting right on the water near Clearwater. You can find it just a few blocks away from Downtown Dunedin. This is an adorable area with so many cafes and shops to explore. It also is home to many of the best breweries in Clearwater! This is also only half a mile from TD Ballpark where the Toronto Blue Jays have spring training and a minor league team plays in the summer.

In addition to being able to walk or take a complimentary bike around Dunedin, the Fenway Hotel is also close enough to easily access the best parts of Clearwater. It is less than fifteen minutes away from Honeymoon Island State Park and Clearwater Beach.

This location gave us the chance to experience both the lively boardwalk and serene nature beaches of the area. It’s by far the best part of town to stay at for convenience and setting.

Sophisticated Atmosphere

Another thing that stood out to me when I arrived at the Fenway Hotel was its striking elegance. Right when you drive up, the hotel transports you to the 1920’s. Everything inside the lobby fits the theme, from the vintage wallpaper to the stage for the band.

I love that the Fenway Hotel history is on full display here. It was built in 1924 and doubled as a hotel and the first radio station in Pinellas County. Famous guests that have stayed here through the years include senators, musicians and even an artic explorer.

In 1961, the Fenway Hotel became part of Trinity college. However, it was finally restored to its hotel form in 2018. Much of the original finishes were refurbished so it is still has a historic feel, as well as all the modern amenities guests need!

Boutique Guest Rooms

With many chain hotels, the guest rooms can be pretty basic. Instead, the Fenway Hotel added some thematic style that made staying in the room feel like more of an experience! Touches I enjoyed include the tufted headboard, the bathroom tile and the musical décor.

In addition to stylish, the room was also very comfortable. The king bed we stayed on was heavenly after a day exploring, as was the hot shower. We even had a nice window view of the ocean, perfect for seeing the sunset!

Each room also contains a mini bar with a variety of beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and snacks. I was honestly surprised by the variety, though the prices were a bit too high per item to justify indulging. If you aren’t as thrifty as me, you will appreciate being able to have any sort of drink while staying here.

Fun Fenway Hotel Pool and Activities

Though the rooms, atmosphere and location are all top notch, the amenities might be my favorite part of staying here. You are able to relax the second you walk in the door, as check-in is much less stressful than other hotels and they even give a glass of champagne!

The Fenway Hotel pool is right outside the lobby and provides a spacious sun deck with plenty of comfy chairs. Though it was too rainy to swim most of our stay, the pool is heated so you can enjoy it year-round. And if you want to work out, there is a fitness center with plenty of treadmills, machines and weights.

Best of all, are the daily events going on! There is live music in the lobby or on the patio almost nightly, depending on the weather. There was a talented signer and guitarist performing when we were there and it was so nice to be able to experience live music on a Sunday night.

In addition to live music, the Fenway Hotel regularly hosts unique events like cooking classes, holiday parties, and yoga on the lawn. Locals frequently stay here and the hotel almost serves as a gathering spot for the town. With so much going on, you do not even have to leave the hotel! But if you do, there are complimentary bike rentals and the nearby trolley stop to take you wherever you want to explore.

The Fenway Hotel Restaurant and Bar

Lastly, an awesome reason to stay here or even just come for the day is to check out the restaurant and rooftop bar! Both of these establishments serve up some of the best food and drinks in town.

We started our trip off with cocktails at the Hi-Fi rooftop. This is the Fenway Hotel rooftop bar when you can catch amazing sunset views. The cocktails are all freshly made, each with intricate flavors. I loved the bourbon and house berry jam drink I got and my mom was thrilled with her gin crème de violette!

You can get appetizers in addition to cocktails, wine and beer at the Fenway Hotel’s rooftop bar. However, I recommend going downstairs for a full meal. HEW Parlor & Chophouse is rated as one of the best Marriott Hotel restaurants in the country and is one of the most sought out reservations in Dunedin.

We were treated to an incredible meal here. There was so much to choose from, with fine cuts of steak, fusion tapas and a variety of seafood. We opted for a little bit of everything starting with the charcuterie. This and the crab artichoke dip are reason alone to visit, as both were so flavorful!

The rest of the dishes were equally stunning, including the French Onion Mac and Cheese, the Seared King Oyster Mushrooms and the brownie sundae for dessert. I applaud you if you can leave without an overstuffed stomach!

I truly recommend everyone dine here for breakfast, lunch or dinner whether staying or not. Iit was definitely nice to have a late dinner and then relax in the lobby to live music before heading to bed!

Know Before You Go: Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, Florida

If you are looking for a hotel in Dunedin, the Fenway Hotel is my pick for the best spot in town! It has all the ingredients for making your stay a pleasant retreat from reality, whether you are a local or from out of town. This part of Tampa Bay offers endless things to do in a gorgeous location. If you haven’t explored Dunedin yet, hopefully this post has convinced you why you should! Here’s everything to know about the Fenway Hotel before planning your vacation.

• Fenway Hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. It costs between $200 to $400 per night depending on the time of year. If you have Mariott Points, it is around 40,000 points per night.
• Self or Valet parking at Fenway Hotel is $15 per day. There is no resort fee.
• Amenities include a pool, fitness center, bike rentals, live music, a welcome drink and free Wi-Fi and HBO. The TV’s have the ability to cast from Netflix, but you need your own account.
• Rooms sleep a maximum of four guests with two queen beds or 2 guests with one king bed.
• Dogs are not allowed at the Fenway Hotel
• The hotel is in walking distance downtown Dunedin and the TD Ballpark.

Have you been to Dunedin before? Let me know if you have stayed at the Fenway if you have! For more recommendations for a Clearwater vacation, check out my travel guide here.