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Our recent visit to Tampa was a brief getaway to celebrate my husband's birthday. Considering our hectic work schedule, we thought we could only manage to take a two-day trip if we chose to drive there. Despite our enjoyable experience during our last visit in 2022, we were hesitant to return due to the limited hotel choices in Tampa. However, upon learning about the opening of the Edition Hotel, known for its vibey offering and beauitful decor, we were thrilled to have a compelling reason to revisit.
Upon arrival to the hotel, you are greeted by the lovely greenery, travertine stone, vibrant art, bustling energy and their signature fragrance from Le Labo that they are renowned for. Regardless of which Edition hotel you visit worldwide, that scent remains familiar. As enthusiasts of the Edition hotel brand, we have stayed at several of their properties worldwide and this location didn't dissappoint.
Location:
Located in the bustling Water Street district, the hotel is encircled by various condominiums, eateries, and bars, all easily accessible on foot. Despite its contemporary ambiance, the area radiates a dynamic vibe with many locals.
First Thoughts:
Our first encounter with the Edition left a strong impression, as the facilities available onsite surpassed our expectations. Our only feedback was that the 5* offering was lacking in some areas and we expected more attentive service, that being said all of the restaurant and bar staff we interacted with were friendly and welcoming. Where it didn't lack was the number of dining options on site. With over five bars and restaurants, visitors have a plethora of options to choose from.
The rooms are all spacious, simple interior design with a mix of warm & dark wood, crisp white linens, marble accents and some black and white artwork. Plus there is great wardrobe space and again all of the rooms have the Le Labo products in the bathroom which as you have probably gathered by now I am a big fan of.
Dining & Drinking at the Edition
The Market - breakfast or coffee (they have an amazing vegan blueberry muffin) plus the pastry team in house make all of the pastries, cakes and sweets daily. This is where breakfast is served and serves great coffee throughout the day at the coffee bar. You can tell it is a mix of locals and hotel guests enjoying the laid-back atmosphere.
Azure - The Greek restaurant with a great oval shaped bar and Mediterranean menu, they have a DJ on the weekend and the crowd was dressed up for a night out.
Lilac - Michelin star Mediterranean fare and the fanciest of all, serving beautiful bites using local ingredients, complimented by a champagne cart and luxurious jade green decor. I am still yet to find out why the name is Lilac and the meaning behind that.
Arts Club - the vibey spot with super dark decor, it's moody and sexy and we had a great time at the bar. This is a great date night spot, feels very New York. The menu is Asian inspired, and they had some of the best cocktails we enjoyed while in Tampa.
Punch Room - A room dedicated to serving a vast selection of punches, plush blue velvet and intimate setting.
Lobby Bar - the beating heart of the hotel, seems like a real hot spot for after work drinks and a meeting spot for locals
Rooftop Bar - situated by the pool it makes for the perfect spot for a glass of rosé.
We checked out all of the offerings except for Lilac as I had booked a special Omakase dinner (that experience deserves its own blog post) but I have added Lilac to our list for when we return.
On the 9th floor, guests can unwind and socialize by the fantastic pool, enjoying a relaxing time and escaping the intense heat of the Florida summer. The pool was designed with the Mediterranean in mind, you can see this idea is weaved throughout all of the menus and the rest of the hotel.
Hotel Spa & Gym
The spa is onsite, and you can avail of a number of different treatments. In order to get the treatment and time you want. I would encourage you to organize this ahead of your arrival. During our vacation, we like to keep things lively by hitting the gym since we're all about trying out different delicious foods and drinks so there has to be some balance! The gym at the hotel was top-notch and even had a personal trainer available for anyone keen on getting some extra guidance. This PT service needed to be booked in advance. The gym is open 24/7 so you can train at any time of the day without any restrictions. Plus, we were thrilled that the Tampa Riverwalk was just a stone's throw away, making it super easy to take a leisurely walk by the river and discover more of the city on foot.
Top Recommendations & Tips
If you want to fully enjoy the amenities of the hotel, I recommend booking for a long weekend, preferably towards the end of the week when all the restaurants and bars are open. It would be a pity to go there and not get the chance to experience them all.
The hotel offers a complimentary house car service on a first-come, first-served basis, which is convenient if you are going out for dinner nearby. Although it wasn't promoted, they were willing to provide this service upon request.
Getting to Tampa
Tampa: A 4-hour drive from Miami.
Easy flight access from all around the world into Tampa, direct flights from main hubs such as London.
It is only a 30 min drive to St. Petersburg to explore another area and grab a bite of lunch or a quick coffee.
During our time in Tampa we did venture off site as when we travel we like to see as much as possible but I think it would be easy to stay in the hotel and just get fully ensconced, there is nothing better than taking a few chill days, relaxing in the hotel and then just dressing up and heading for an aperitivo & dinner by way of the elevator.
I hope you enjoyed an insight into the Edition Hotel Tampa.
Keva xx
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