In the beginning, a typical guest room contained the essentials: a bed,
dresser, nightstand and a closet. Rooms were for sleeping, bathing and
changing clothes. There was no air conditioning, no TVs or in-room
movies. Guests were there to enjoy the warm sunny climate, exercise,
relax and bathe in and drink from the “healing waters.” Guests traveled
to Safety Harbor by train, boat and car. The new guest rooms at the
Spa are no longer like those of bygone days. Now, all guest rooms
are equipped with modern amenities that discerning travelers expect,
including WiFi, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, in-room safes, coffee
makers and luxurious appointments. Most rooms have views of Old
Tampa Bay; however, the main attraction continues to be the Spa’s ability
to pamper, relax and heal its guests.
The Safety Harbor Sanatorium & Hotel was converted in 1945
to the property that is now known as the Safety Harbor Resort
and Spa. Since then, the Spa has been enlarged, upgraded,
renovated and has grown to become one of the best known
Spas in the world, with a loyal clientele who return year after
year.
Current owners Bill Touloumis and his family purchased the
resort in 2005 and have made further extensive renovations to
bring the resort up to the high standards that today’s travelers
expect. Now, The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa hosts Fortune
500 companies for their business needs, as well as social events
for Tampa Bay’s elite. Although it has become a popular
wedding destination, the Historic Spa still continues its 90-yearold
tradition by providing Spa services and Wellness programs.
54 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
| MAY/JUNE 2016
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