The results are in. Condé Nast Traveler has announced the 2018 winners of its Readers' Choice Awards, and according to almost half a million readers, five of the best resorts and hotels in America — and the Sunshine State — call Tampa Bay home.
Tampa's 137-room Epicurean Hotel ranked No. 3 in the "Top Hotels in Florida" category, which features 15 victorious locations outside of Miami, while St. Pete Beach's 277-room Don CeSar took home the 11th spot.
"We are so thankful to our amazing hotel team for always delivering guest service so outstanding that our guests continue to support and vote for us," said Epicurean general manager Kevin Scott in statement earlier this week. "We're truly honored to join this prestigious list once again, as our staff is passionate about translating our culinary legacy into one-of-a-kind experiences."
Meanwhile, "Top Resorts in Florida" highlights 30 destinations outside of the Keys and Orlando. Clearwater Beach's 253-room Sandpearl Resort came in eighth, and the 361-room Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club was named No. 26.
The 266-room Ritz-Carlton Sarasota rounded out the category's local nods at No. 27.
Condé Nast Traveler uses an online questionnaire to determine its annual winners, scoring hotels and resorts in the U.S. and beyond on seven criteria: rooms, service, food, design, location, activities/facilities and value. The long-running Readers' Choice Awards are designed to recognize excellence in the travel industry, and, well, they definitely do.
This article appears in Oct 4-11, 2018.