The Karol Hotel, the first Tribute Portfolio hotel coming to Pinellas in 2020 will feature Jon Atanacio as Executive Chef. Chef Jon will direct daily culinary operations at the hotel’s signature K Club Bar & Bistro and Vantage Rooftop Bar while overseeing food and beverage offerings for meetings, corporate events, local catering functions and special occasions in the hotel’s 7,340 square feet of event space.
Named by Fred Bullard, a veteran developer in the hospitality industry, in honor of his energetic and accomplished wife, Karol Bullard, this unique hotel focuses on delivering carefree comfort combined with intuitive design. The Karol Hotel is marketed by Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging & Development.
“Jon’s passion for culinary excellence and for the Tampa Bay area have been on full display at Mainsail’s Epicurean Hotel for the past several years,” said Adam Duffey, General Manager at The Karol Hotel. “He’s bringing that same passion to The Karol here in Clearwater and will continue to raise the bar in the local dining scene.”
Atanacio has been a member of the Mainsail Lodging & Development family since 2013 when he joined the Epicurean Hotel, located in the trendy Hyde Park historic district of South Tampa as Sous Chef of Élevage. He was then promoted to Chef de Cuisine to assist in leading efforts in the restaurant, banquets, menu development and training. Prior to joining the Mainsail family, Atanacio honed his craft and worked his way up through various esteemed restaurants in New York City, where he gained much of his culinary experience.
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The all-new Karol Hotel will feature the signature K Club Bar & Bistro, offering a menu inspired by the fresh flavors of the Florida coast and travels of hotel owners Fred and Karol Bullard, two of Feather Sounds – and Floridas – most notable duos, known for living lives full of adventure, business, philanthropy, family, love and dinners with presidents.
The onsite restaurant will be a contemporary blend of Florida artisan vernacular and chic touches in a quiet comfortable setting that transitions gracefully from morning coffee to sophisticated evening cuisine. An iconic wine display will take center stage in the main dining room, bookended by cozy banquettes and featured art. Guests will also have the option to dine alfresco overlooking the pond. In the downstairs lobby adjacent the restaurant, the K Club Bar will welcome guests in a relaxed, leather-trimmed retreat, perfect for sharing stories and sipping fine spirits. Perched high in the sky with elevated cocktails, Vantage Rooftop Bar will be the only climate-controlled rooftop bar in the area, where guests can enjoy light bites 12 stories high while taking in stunning views of downtown Tampa and beyond.
The Karol Hotel epitomizes a new era in the age of travel, blending the timeless surroundings of Feather Sound with a new hotel experience that celebrates the happenstance of life. With its stylish lobby restaurant, a lively rooftop bar overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay, a resort-style pool and fitness center, and expansive event space, this boutique hotel is a true gem located just off the coast. Explore the sights of St. Pete-Clearwater and Tampa within minutes, and embark on a Florida adventure without limits.
Scheduled to open January 2020, The Karol Hotel will feature 123 guest rooms and suites; a signature lobby bar and restaurant; a dazzling rooftop bar overlooking the waters of Tampa Bay; a combined 7,340 square feet of event space, including a ballroom and executive conference rooms; and a pool and fitness center. The Karol is centrally located in beautiful Feather Sound between Clearwater, St. Pete and Tampa, just off the coast of the Bay, 15 minutes from the Westshore District in Tampa and with quick access to both the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and the Tampa International Airport.
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Cover photo courtesy of the author
