In the Roaring '20s, the Hotel Scott served as a posh retreat for silent-movie stars en route to their estates in New Port Richey. In the decades since, this stately neoclassical revival building has changed hands several times and undergone an extensive renovation to restore it to its former close-up-ready posture. Today, it's billed as The Pier Hotel and still serves as an elegant base for travelers to browse the upscale boutiques at BayWalk, tour St. Petersburg's high-end art galleries, or bask in the sunshine at St. Petersburg Pier—all just steps away.

Spanish-villa-style arches surround the sunny veranda, where white wicker furniture sits amid tropical foliage. Inside, the deluxe rooms pair modern amenities with antique furnishings, including a claw-foot tub in many rooms. Guests can unwind with an optional in-room massage or share a bottle of wine atop a pillowy double-, queen-, or king-size bed trimmed with vermillion and gold accents.

In the evening, the lobby hosts a happy hour—a grand soiree where guests sip beer and wine gratis. There, a grand piano twinkles alongside mahogany furniture that recalls the decadence of the 1920s. The morning after, an extended continental breakfast helps to refuel patrons before they head out to explore St. Petersburg's waterfront or autograph every stop sign in town.