The two-year-old Westin Tampa Bay on Rocky Point Island opened a new rooftop event space in October. BluVu is located on the 16th floor of the hotel and has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Old Tampa Bay.
The venue consists of a 3,800-square-foot U-shaped room that has a kitchen and elevators in the middle. There are sweeping views from nearly everywhere in the room, which is decorated in tranquil tones of sage and cream. It can seat 140 or hold 200 for receptions.
An adjacent 1,200-square-foot terrace overlooks Old Tampa Bay and the downtown skyline. It can accommodate 60 people for a reception. The addition of BluVu brings the hotel’s total event space to 12,400 square feet. The original venues are on the seventh floor and consist of two 1,500-square-foot meeting rooms, a 600-square-foot board room, and a 3,800-square-foot terrace.
The hotel also has a waterfront restaurant, Aquaknox, that can seat 225 in the main dining room and 80 on the patio. For private groups, a section of the restaurant can be roped off to accommodate 100. The menu is focused on fresh seafood, such as sauteed John Dory with lobster succotash and seared day boat scallops with sweet potato puree.

Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde

The lounge inside the restaurant Aquaknox offers views of Old Tampa Bay.
Photo: Courtesy of Westin Tampa Bay

The Westin Tampa Bay sits on Rocky Point Island.
Photo: Courtesy of Westin Tampa Bay

The windows along one wall of BluVu are frosted to obscure the view of rooftop equipment.
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde

Private groups can decorate the BluVu terrace as they choose.
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde

BluVu offers broad views of Old Tampa Bay from the 16th floor of the hotel.
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde

The Westin Tampa Bay provides catering, but specialty items such as a coffee cart can be brought in from an outside vendor.
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde

The Westin Tampa Bay provides 60-inch rounds with sage linens and flameless candles.
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde