The Grand Lady of Dunedin Makes Her Historic Return

At a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 25, 2018, Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging & Development announced the opening for the new Fenway Hotel at 453 Edgewater Drive in Dunedin, Florida. A member of the Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, the boutique historic hotel is a project in collaboration with the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA.

“Our vision for the Fenway Hotel has become a reality, with a spectacular finished product that beautifully blends touches of the past in a modern setting, giving new life to this integral piece of the destination’s charming, offbeat character,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “We’re grateful for all the tremendous work and support behind the project, allowing us to introduce a new generation to ‘The Grand Lady of Dunedin’.”

Originally opened in 1927, Fenway Hotel is an icon of the jazz age, playing host to notable explorers, artists, politicians, musicians and living legends in its time as an operating hotel. Considered to be the “most historically valuable structure” in Dunedin, the hotel was also home to the first radio station in Pinellas County, which began broadcasting from the roof of the Fenway in 1925. Today, the new hotel features 83 guest rooms and suites; HEW Parlor & Chophouse, featuring chophouse cuts, chef-driven seasonal preparations and extensive whisky and Scotch collection; Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar overlooking St. Joseph Sound; a combined 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, featuring the Caladesi Ballroom with water views; a resort-style pool; and an expansive front lawn ideal for croquet, badminton and special events.

The lobby features live music throughout the week (Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday during brunch from 10 to 3 p.m.), celebrating Fenway’s musical heritage and providing a jazzy soundtrack to the guest experience. The historic lawn will serve as playground, event venue and gathering space, ideal for croquet, badminton, Tai Chi classes in partnership with the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA and weddings that feature spectacular sunsets and views of Caledesi and Honeymoon Islands.

The Fenway has also curated a collection of authentic adventures and activities encouraging visitors and locals alike to explore new experiences in their own backyard. A full list of activities is available on the hotel’s event portal, fenwayhotel.com/events. Fenway Hotel is also conveniently located on the route of the Jolly Trolley, which connects guests to Clearwater Beach, Tarpon Springs and everything in between.

In a shared commitment to preserving and promoting the city’s legacy and heritage, Fenway Hotel has formed a partnership with Dunedin History Museum. To support the museum’s ongoing mission, the hotel will feature a rotating collection of artifacts in the lobby, host special tours and participate in other programming throughout the year.

Opening Day festivities included a live radio broadcast in the hotel’s lobby by WFLA, originally WGBH which began at the Fenway in 1925, a performance by the award-winning Dunedin Pipe Band and a traditional ribbon cutting in which community leaders, investors and Mainsail staff.

Fenway Hotel joins a strikingly unique ensemble of properties in Mainsail Lodging & Development’s portfolio, including Epicurean Hotel in Tampa’s Hyde Park, which offers an immersive experience for foodies; Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands; and Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, the only full-service resort on Anna Maria Island. Mainsail’s next Florida hotel is Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers, Florida, scheduled for 2020.

For more information on Mainsail Lodging & Development, visit MainsailHotels.com.