Guy Harvey, a marine life artist known to divers and anglers, has opened his first branded hotel in America. It's right here on St. Pete Beach.

Harvey was the star attraction for the hotel's opening gala. The artist mingled with visitors as he checked out his new hotel.

"The best part about being in St. Pete Beach is that this is strong Guy Harvey territory," Harvey said.

The plan to remodel and transform the former Tradewinds Sandpiper into the Guy Harvey Outpost has been in the works for two years.

The Guy Harvey Outposts "have to have good fishing, good diving and offer a research componet for marine research opportunities," Harvey said.

To learn more about the Guy Harvey Outpost and how it came to be in St. Pete Beach, make sure to watch the Patch video interview with Guy Harvey!