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
Photo: Courtesy of Westin Tampa Bay
Photo: Courtesy of Westin Tampa Bay
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde
Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Wilde