Oct. 25–DUNEDIN — The Grand Lady of Dunedin is back and more lavish than ever.

Once the old Fenway Hotel fell into disrepair, it seemed impossible it could ever become the destination it was when it opened in 1927. By the 2000's, it was covered in graffiti. Transient people had been illegally living within the abandoned rooms. The derelict building's infrastructure was falling apart.

But on Thursday, the Fenway Hotel was back in business. Not as some college campus — like it had been a few times throughout its 91-year history — but as a modern, 83-room hotel.

"This is going to be a real shining star of Dunedin and north (Pinelllas) County," said the city's mayor, Julie Bujalski. "It's not just about a hotel, but the restoration of a historical landmark."

After roughly $20 million in renovations, the Fenway's new look still calls back to its roaring 20's origin. Joe Collier, president of the hotel's developers Mainsail Lodging and Development, calls the theme "Live at the Fenway."

There's a stage in the lobby, so live music can regularly welcome guests inside like jazz acts once did. Each room is outfitted with an Amazon Alexa Dot, which not only allows visitors to request items like toothbrushes from the front desk, but they can also request Alexa "play the Fenway playlist" in their rooms. Beyond decor you'd expect, (like bold and bright paintings) there are also crash cymbals fixed to the wall with "Fenway" imprinted on top.

A corner of the lobby has been dedicated to the hotel's complicated history. Newspaper clippings, paintings, and even a preserved entrance to hotel's former "speakeasy" that was an underground bar during America's ban on alcohol that lasted until 1933.

Now, there's a rooftop bar, the HiFi, which pays homage to the days the hotel sent radio signals from its roof. The bar will be open to the public, not just guests. As will the hotel's restaurant, the HEW Parlor and Chophouse.

The hotel held its soft opening Thursday. The HEW will take dinner-only reservations until Sunday. Starting Monday, regular services — including breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour and weekend brunch — as well as the rooftop bar will begin. Guests can begin staying in the hotel starting Nov. 8, but the halls won't be vacant before then.

The property's owners, the International Taoist Tai Chi Center, will be using the hotel to house members coming for a training and meeting starting Nov. 3. They are expecting 500 guests, who will spill over into rooms in several other area hotels.

The Taoist Tai Chi Society bought the hotel and its surrounding campus for $2.8 million in 2014 and later partnered with Collier's development group to renovate the hotel — while the outside was kept intact, its entire inside was gutted.

Now, the Tai Chi center's U.S. headquarters are located behind the Fenway. Not only will the lawns be used for croquet, but visitors can also join in the center's mediation sessions, which involve slow and relaxed movements.

"It's been a long journey," said Pegoty Packman, the president of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA. "Coming in here Monday night and just walking the halls and eating such incredible food…We could have cried we were so happy."

The hotel's comeback has been long anticipated. As of Thursday, Collier said the Fenway had already booked at least 25 weddings.

"We are going to be a wedding factory," Collier said before toasting to the opening. "The Don CeSar and Vinoy better look out. We're on their tails."

While a boutique hotel, the Fenway is still part of the Autograph Collection of Marriott International as a franchise. Visitors will book through Marriott's system and can use points from the hotel chain.

Collier said visitors are encouraged to explore Dunedin. They will be given bikes to cruise to the quaint city's downtown and several breweries and restaurants.

David Downing, head of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, said the Fenway adds to the county's growing portfolio of hotels. Already this year, Pinellas County is nearing $1 billion in hotel room rentals, he said. But the Fenway's history and tie to its city makes it stand out among other offerings.

"We salivate over promoting something like this," he said.