Tampa Edition Hotel Reviews

Snapshots

The focal point of Tampa’s $3.5 billion Water Street redevelopment, The Tampa Edition features a lush lobby with hundreds of mature indoor plants, while a rooftop pool deck follows Mediterranean style is the place to be while enjoying the South Florida sunshine.

Why You’ll Love Tampa Version

This isn’t a forgettable cookie-cutter corporate hotel—luxury touches like live plants and faux fur give the property plenty of texture, plenty of personality, and a clear organic aesthetic.

An oasis hall in the forest

Prepare to gasp as you step into a truly unusual hotel lobby, where hundreds of potted plants create a verdant sanctuary for travelers seeking refuge from Florida’s heat and humidity .

In fact, there are so many types of trees that it can be difficult at first glance to find the check-in desks, as giant kentia palms and banana leaf trees shield them from the entrance. It’s a bit disorienting at first, but it’s a clever way to create distinct zones in large spaces.

While armchairs with shaggy faux fur coverings may seem odd for a hotel in such a warm climate, well-calibrated air-conditioners offer guests a welcome welcome. cool welcome.

Cool Scandic Design

The 172 spacious guest rooms, including 30 suites, represent the Edition’s typical mix of bright whites and dark neutrals.

There are plenty of bright, airy design options, from white linens and upholstered chairs to the signature Edition faux fur duvet, all of which reflect the sunlight flooding through the glass windows. from ceiling to floor. Black accents (think: a series of abstract black photographs, a black and white marble table, and a white rug with black stripes) bring contrast and definition to the space.

Everything feels unfussy and harmonious, with the gold cabinet and pull-out handles on the dresser and minibar echoing the bathroom hardware and adding premium finishes throughout the room.

Additionally, in the bathroom you’ll find Edition’s signature bottles of Le Labo toiletries, a separate frosted glass door leading to the toilet and shower with two gilded shower heads — one overhead and one handheld. However, a double vanity would be worth it at this price point.

Many places to eat

Eight impressive dining venues offer everything from cafe-style takeaway coffee at Market at Edition to gourmet, four-course menus from award-winning chef John Fraser at the centralized Lilac restaurant. to vegetarians. The sparkling green tiles in the open kitchen, the emerald upholstery and the numerous potted plants emphasize the botanical focus of the latter kitchen.

Nighttime visitors can enjoy the Punch Room, which the hotel claims is North America’s first bar dedicated to honoring the Caribbean punch. There’s also the Arts Club, which offers pub-style entertainment in a dark red, adults-only setting.

The efficient, personable bartenders mix signature cocktails at the Lobby Bar, including the harissa margarita with mezcal and lemon, in a communal meeting space where friends and strangers mingle in a harmonious way. seamless.

Why You Might Not Like The Tampa . Version

By far the most expensive hotel in Tampa, the guest experience isn’t perfect.

An imperfect location

Although The Tampa Edition is located in trendy Water Street and has been redeveloped, there are still some annoying drawbacks.

The gleaming new tower right on the Garrison Canal could be where guests think the Edition is located. Instead, this prime location has been taken over by the new JW Marriott, which has won the best new location in downtown Tampa. Version, on the other hand, is a domestic block on Channelside Drive. Some of the entry-level deluxe rooms at the Edition have glimpses of the water, but the massive multi-purpose Amalie Arena at least partially blocks most of the views, as does the JW Marriott.

A huge Yard House bar and restaurant is currently under construction right next door to cater to sports and concert fans visiting Amalie Arena. This will be a great site once it’s built, but with an expected opening date of “summer 2023”, it’s still a construction site with easily audible construction noise from Edition’s rooftop pool and outdoor restaurant.

Confused about fake flowers

Purple confetti cascades above the street level lobby doors and hangs above the decks of the pool, cabanas and bar areas. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that all the bougainvillea plants at Edition are artificial, intermingled with hundreds of real palm trees, ivy, trees and ferns.

With the money the hotel has invested in real flora, especially in the spectacular lobby, and the abundance of sun, rain and natural light in this location, it’s hard to see why a luxury hotel It’s important to install so many fake flowers.

Room rates are steep

Tampa isn’t a budget destination, and as the city’s most luxurious accommodation option, you can expect room rates at Edition to be high. With basic rooms starting at around $600 per night and rising to over $1,000 per night during peak times, staying here can exceed many travelers’ budgets.

Marriott Bonvoy guests can expect to redeem at least 70,000 Bonvoy points per night here, although some nights cost as much as six figures. This is significantly more expensive, in points or cash, than the nearby (and also new) JW Marriott, which has a superior location and rates tend to stay under $500 a night.

alternative choice

accessibility

The ground floor of The Tampa Edition is wheelchair-accessible with flat surfaces and ample walkways, albeit with lots of potted plants. Stairs here have more impressive uses than essential means of transportation.

Although there are a few steps down to the Market restaurant, there is also a thoughtfully steep walkway. Guests with reduced mobility have access to the guest rooms, rooftop swimming pool, bar and restaurant thanks to the lift.

Related readings: