By Anna Volino
In a city once dominated by beach resorts and chain hotels, underdogs are getting a new spotlight. Boutique accommodations like The 1888 Hotel are transforming St. Petersburg’s hospitality industry, offering intimate, story-driven experiences that connect guests with the genuine heart of the city.
Frederick Dela Cruz is the CEO and co-Founder of The 1888 Hotel collection. They are a locally owned and operated hospitality group in Downtown St. Petersburg, specializing in historic restoration and quality guest experiences.
Dela Cruz, a Florida native from Orlando, studied chemical engineering at the University of Florida before working as an engineer along the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans, Louisiana. He came to Tampa Bay in 2017 to work on Water Street Central District Cooling Plant.
“My love for music and the arts led to a musician residency at South Tampa’s 81Bay Brewing Company,” Dela Cruz said. “This began my admiration for the vibe of St. Pete, finding everything I loved about Florida living mixed with the authentic culture of what I missed in New Orleans.”
While in Tampa, Dela Cruz joined St. Petersburg’s Sustainability Committee, launched the Tampa Bay Energy Efficiency Alliance and supported the mayor’s grant-funded energy program.
The 1888 Hotel secured the property by committing to preserve the historic structure.
“The opportunity arose in December 2020 to purchase one of the original historic hotels in the downtown core,” Dela Cruz said. “I had backpacked with a good friend of mine, Jeffrey Pippin, who was in the finance side of the hospitality space, and we dreamed of opening a hotel that could mimic our experience in Southeast Asia. I pitched a group of family and friends to come along for the ride, so Jeff and I left our corporate jobs and went all in on The 1888 Hotel.”
As part of the Historic Downtown District, the hotel’s architecture showcases one of the few remaining original buildings, offering guests a window into the past century.
Brandon Williams, general manager of one of the most notable rooftop hospitality restaurants in Tampa, gives us insight into what hospitality means.
“We connect people on a friend level,” Williams said. “We want guests to come back and feel like they’re at home, even in a restaurant like ours.”
For The 1888 Hotel, investing in community relationships is simply good business, according to Williams.
“One of our policies at The 1888 Hotel is if we can get it locally, then we do our best to support local businesses,” Dela Cruz said.”
The 1888 Hotel uses plants from Wild Roots and popcorn from Sunshine City Popcorn Co. in their welcome baskets. They also hire local artists, like Sebastian Coolidge, to create artwork and local photographers to take pictures of the hotel. These partnerships bring new customers to the hotel through word-of-mouth.
Just like Williams’ industry; high-end guests know what table they like or what bottle they want prepared at the table, and it goes a long way creating a regular clientele.
“The guest experience centers around the authenticity of St. Pete, featuring partnerships with local artists and artisans to allow guests to live, play and work from the comfort of their home,” Dela Cruz said.
Boutique hotels have sparked St. Pete’s cultural revival. The 1888 Hotel captures the city’s essence through meticulous restoration, offering modern accommodations for both locals and visitors.
“Big hotel chains follow standard rules everywhere, giving the same experience in every city,” said James Burns, University of South Florida professor and former hotel executive. “They have resources and brand recognition, but often lack personality. Small hotels can quickly adapt to local needs, offering the personal touch and local flavor that large corporate hotels miss.”
Dela Cruz said he keeps the core values of staying strong in such a high corporate industry.
“We have always stayed true to our ethos for this project: ‘For Travelers By Travelers,’” Dela Cruz said. “We have curated a hotel experience that caters to that demographic and beyond all while preserving the history and soul of this beautiful building.”
