I have been to a lot of hotels and worked for a lot of hotels, but never have I had a hotel work so hard for me. Well, maybe not the hotel but the staff surely is at this fabulous upscale hotel with a nature reserve.
Sometimes stepping away, to do something different, lets you experience something better than you have before. My recent trip to St. Petersburg was not a regular travel writer trip. I learned first hand how important it is to rely on the hotel staff.
From shuttles to and from the airport to around the local area, the upscale hotel in St. Petersburg located in Carillon Nature Reserve is the hotel you want to stay at.
So Where Do You Find This Upscale Hotel in St. Petersburg located in Carillon Nature Reserve?
Impeccable Service and Fabulous Rooms Await Your Stay
Walking into a room with a view of Lake Carillon is just part of the experience because waking up to the sun shining on it is unforgettable. Walking along the boardwalk, listening to the bird’s chirp and clearing my mind, was the magic of the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.
Amenities are just as important as location when you are working and have really important meetings. When the two come together it is just a winning combination beyond words.
The Hilton Carillon Park Hotel in St. Petersburg is probably the most extreme case of incredible I have ever stepped foot in and experienced.
From The Airport
Once my plane touched down, it was time for me to get to the airport and the Hilton Carillon Park Hotel driver Nivaldo was waiting for me. He even called to let me know he was there while I waited at baggage claim to get the LAST bag of the evening.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the check-in process was fast and courteous, including my gift bag of 2 bottles of water! Quickly, room keys were assigned and bottled water was provided.
My Room
I lived under the HILTON name, really this is a true story. Floor 9, Room 916. Once I dropped my luggage into my door, I immediately ran to the back of the room to stare at Lake Carillon. The moon was shining just perfectly. 
Look at the palm trees, a perfect green under that moonlit sky, don’t you think? While it was very late at night, I stood out there a while just to take it all and, as well as celebrate being off of a plane ride and on the ground! (flight 36 this year!)
So Much and So Little Time
My room was the room that I needed to be able to spend MORE time in, instead, I was less than 12 hours here and gone! What you captured from this sentence should be the fact that the room was large, clean, and had endless amenities.
One thing I also look at is the floor covering. Is it dirty? Clean? Spots? Stains? Would I really want to place my bare feet on the ground? Here, YES! The carpet is meticulously kept, without stains so I was not afraid to walk on it with bare feet (especially when you forget your favorite flamingo flip flops!) Thank you, Hilton!
Desk Space – Work Area
A desk space, so comfortable that working on your laptop is not a task, it’s comfortable. There was also a large table which I immediately made use of, and plenty of chairs too!
Room Service
It was late, I had been traveling all afternoon till night and was famished. The answer to my hunger was room service. Since I am a salad kind of girl and love my Caprese salads, what do you think I ordered?
You got it, a Burrata Caprese salad and it was delicious even late at night. The tomatoes are roasted, and there were baby greens, grapes, and strawberries (my request). A perfect light meal to tame my growling stomach!
Bathroom
Of course, the bathroom area is really how I separate the real luxury hotels from the wanna be’s. The Hilton Carillon Park St. Petersburg seriously gets 5 stars in the bathroom area.
I was stocked with fluffy, clean, large towels, numbering 3 and trust me, I am a towel aficionado, which means, it’s a big deal to me. One towel for my hair, one for me and of course another when I take that additional shower to wake up!
Pillow Talk
Big, fluffy, clean pillows, with no bumps in the mattress and pristine, white, non-stained sheets. Something that I love and crave when I am away. Literally, I plopped into the bed and did not wake up until the morning.
Truly the bed was a sleep sanctuary from start to finish. It’s extremely important to note that I woke up feeling refreshed and fabulous.
Concierge Lounge
Did I happen to mention I was right across from the Concierge Lounge? I love going in here to grab cold water or fast drink and food and I was in the perfect spot!
A Walk In The Nature Reserve
Today was a big day for me, and there was just enough time to sneak in my favorite breakfast, and a walk around the property. I needed to clear my head and prepare for my afternoon meeting. I sauntered from the main lobby to the nature reserve boardwalk.
First, I stopped to really just appreciate the property, all the seating and the places to unwind. The pool albeit closed at this early hour, looks divine, does it not?
The fountain is where I followed my path to the boardwalk. Here’s the first sign I saw. Yes, Alligators. This has been my year of adventure to see alligators all over the USA, but I did not see any. What I did see were birds, and some fish, alongside beautiful greenery, complimented by a blue sky filled with sunshine!
I walked the boardwalk across the lake and just enjoyed the calm, tranquil surroundings, unwinding before I used all of my energy for my meeting that was about to happen!
Breakfast
At 8:30 I visited LUNA the restaurant in the Hilton Carillon. I met up with my friend Jennifer. We were greeted by a HUGE fresh fruit basket (that I really wanted to just bury myself in, lol) and an ambiance that was both metro and eloquent, yet trendy.
While we chatted, we decided on our morning breakfast options. This morning I deviated from my traditional Avocado Toast with arugula and tomatoes and traded it for my second love, a Belgium Waffle.
I figured I needed a treat and some carb energy because the day ahead had a lot in store for me. Guess I am never going to be carb-less because I love my waffles when they are cooked crisp like this.
Jennifer had a delicious platter of Eggs Benedict. Does that look yummy and perfectly plated? It smelled good too!
A Friend Named Wanda
Sometimes you meet a person that helps you more than they know they did. I don’t care who you are when you are away, sometimes you need a little boost. Wanda is that friend and she is front and center when you walk into the Hilton Carillon.
She’s helpful, knowledgable about the area and provides outstanding service and care to anyone she interacts with. She’s a pleasure to meet and interact with.
Shuttle Service
Little did I know when I chose the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park Hotel that they had a shuttle service to both airports. Truly this is a gift when traveling to the area, as most hotels don’t offer this.
I was able to be dropped off at my meeting at HSN, via the shuttle, because the service takes you up to 5 miles away. My drivers were equally efficient and kind, and I could not have asked for more.
After my meeting, I was picked up via hotel shuttle service, returned to the hotel (where my bags had been stored), and then taken to the airport. There is nothing else I can say, except, efficient service, effortless, and anything I was in need of was provided.
The Experience
The hotel is located in the Heart of the Tampa Bay area and is only 10 minutes from the downtown area of St. Pete, as well as the Gulf Beaches and city of Tampa proper. What I want you to know, is that the experience was not just for ‘Dana’, instead, all of their guests are treated this way. (that’s me and Jennifer above)
I stood witness to this while checking my bags for holding. A lady did not have a flight until later in the afternoon. She was checking out and wanted to work out then shower. Her query was if she could keep her bags checked, work out, freshen, then head to the airport, and they obliged her without any second thoughts.
There is simply no other choice for all of my future travels to the area, as you will find me at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park hotel for every reason I listed above and more! Hope to see you there soon. ~DANA XO
My thanks to the Hilton St. Petersburg for hosting my stay.
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