105 N Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
Spa resort set on the site of an ancient spring
Classic suites have furnished patios or balconies -- some with bay views
Three spring-fed swimming pools, including an outdoor lap pool
Huge full-service spa and a salon
Spacious fitness center and outdoor tennis courts
Walking distance to numerous eateries and shops
Wi-Fi included in the resort fee
Mustiness in some
rooms
Maze-like layout
can be confusing
Resort fee is charged
Some areas are dated
The 172-room Safety Harbor
Resort and Spa is an upper-middle-range spa hotel built on an ancient spring
overlooking Tampa Bay. Classically styled rooms are well-equipped and some feature
bay views from furnished balconies, however interiors are dated in parts and sometimes have a musty smell.
The spa, however, is undoubtedly impressive and all three swimming pools (one indoors) are
filled with mineral water from the springs. While it's hard to escape the sense
that the hotel's more glamorous days are in the past -- and a makeover is overdue -- the resort
still has plenty of quality on-site features. The Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, about a 25-minute drive north, has similar accommodations plus four golf courses.
Scene
Upper-middle-range spa resort with Old World decor on the site of an ancient spring
Thanks to large signage
adorned with an abundance of colorful, well-presented flora, it's easy to spot the Safety
Harbor Resort and Spa's entrance. Inside, the ornate lobby is filled with numerous antiques, gilt-framed paintings, and tapestries alongside
leather chesterfield seating, creating an elegant, Old World ambience. The
hotel is built over the natural mineral Espiritu Santo Springs discovered by a Spanish explorer in 1539, who believed he had found the Fountain
of Youth. The resort is one of America’s oldest spa resorts -- claiming
historical landmark status -- and there has been a health spa on-site since
Location
Situated next to Safety Harbor's City Marina, overlooking Tampa Bay
This hotel is located
just off the city's Main Street, which has numerous restaurants and retail outlets. It's also next to Safety Harbor's City Marina and the property has unobstructed views of Tampa Bay. Downtown
Tampa is around a 30-minute drive away, while the white sands of Clearwater Beach can be reached in 25 minutes by car. Highway 19 is around a 10-minute
drive from the hotel and Tampa International Airport is a 20- to 25-minute drive
via the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Rooms
Rooms mix modern and antique styling; some have bay views from furnished balconies
The 172 spacious rooms and suites have a colorful mix of modern decor and antique-style
furnishings, though rooms with multiple patterns and colored carpeting feel dated.
Standard amenities include coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs with premium cable and
on-demand movies. Wi-Fi is included in the resort fee and free Espiritu Santo
spring water is available to drink. Bathrooms have a black-and-white color scheme and shower/tub combos, plus toiletries and hairdryers. Some rooms have small furnished patios or balconies overlooking the bay, while others have views of the pool area. Full Suites have
separate living areas, dining tables, and kitchenettes, while smaller suites only have
microwaves and fridges. Full Suites also have large bathrooms with walk-in showers and separate bathtubs. Note that mustiness has been reported in some rooms. Though not available for booking, Room 360 is styled to reflect how the space would have looked in the 1920s and it's located in the original part of the hotel.
Features
Three spring-fed pools and a huge spa -- though resort fee is charged
A continental
buffet, traditional American, or health-conscious spa breakfast are
available (for a fee) in the Fountain Grille Restaurant, which includes an
outdoor terrace. A menu of contemporary Mediterranean cooking is also available for lunch and dinner. La Sardine Lounge serves drinks and light snacks, while the Tiki Bar offers smoothies, alcoholic drinks, and light meals by the
pool. The on-site ballroom also hosts a Sunday brunch with live piano music and an
unlimited mimosas option. A heated indoor
pool and two outdoor pools -- one lap pool and one larger leisure pool -- are filled with spring
water and surrounded by loungers. Additionally, a range of spring-related treatments are available at the huge spa and there's an on-site salon. The spacious fitness center has ample cardio and strength-training machines, free weights, and group classes. There are also outdoor tennis courts and a tennis academy. A daily resort fee covers use of the spa and fitness center,
Wi-Fi access, and parking (though the parking lot can get very crowded).There are multiple on-site meeting and event spaces for corporate groups and wedding parties. A business center with two computers and a printer is also available.