Tampa may become the next getaway spot thanks to one unique & luxe hotel
Tampa has long been overshadowed by other Florida cities, but now is its chance to stand out as a major tourist destination in its own right. The city’s massive renovation wave has transformed it into a destination that is no longer a hidden treasure, and the news is getting out.
The Big Guava is gradually turning into a sought-after tourism destination thanks to its expanding culinary scene, excellent collection of galleries and museums, top-notch retail, and lively nightlife.
The Tampa Edition is at the vanguard of this cultural resurgence. The hotel is the first true five-star property in the city, a joint venture between visionary hotelier Ian Schrager and Marriott International. Conveniently situated in the heart of the dynamic Water Street Tampa District, the luxury boutique is part of a $3.5 billion mixed-use urban development plan that aims to make Tampa a global portal for visitors traveling to Central and South Florida.
Before checking in, visitors at The Tampa Edition can view the hotel’s art deco-inspired lobby, which features a verdant forest of tropical plants and flora. There are 172 rooms and suites spread over the building’s 26 stories, all decorated in The Edition’s signature understated elegance.
Aside from the opulent rooms and suites, the hotel also has a stunning rooftop terrace and pool club, a cutting-edge wellness center, and an incredible seven bars and restaurants scattered throughout the grounds, including Lilac, a fine-dining restaurant run by renowned chef John Fraser.
Ian Schrager discussed The Tampa Edition’s debut and its effect on Florida’s high-end travel market in an exclusive interview with Travel + Leisure. The Tampa Edition stands out from other lodging options in the area, according to Schrager, with its meticulous attention to detail, hidden references to the Sunshine State in the cocktail menu, and daily surprises and delights brought to your room.
“There are a million details we considered for Tampa Edition, and those little touches, that’s what distinguishes what we do from what everybody else does,” Schrager elaborated. “While we may carry certain elements over from other properties, each project is bespoke.”
The entertainment at The Edition Tampa is, of course, no exception to the standard that is The Edition’s pulsating nightlife scene.
Lenny Kravitz rocked the house with an exclusive performance for hotel guests on opening weekend, and Nelly rang in 2023 with an epic New Year’s Eve party last month. The Tampa Edition has fantastic venues for socializing, from quiet conversations in the hotel’s Punch Room bar to vibrant dance parties in the glitzy Arts Club.
Nelly New Year Performance IG Post
In case you didn’t know, Schrager is one of Studio 54’s co-founders, so you know the parties must be jumpin’.
“People want to meet people! They want to have fun, and they want to have a little mayhem,” Schrager said laughingly. “We want to tailor the experience to Tampa, so we don’t want to do the same thing that we would do in Miami or New York, but at the end of the day we are dealing with the same social conditions of people just wanting to connect with each other, and that is what we try to provide,” he continued.
Schrager reflected on the success of Edition, which will add five more hotels in 2023, including in Rome, Tokyo, and Singapore, bringing the total number of Edition properties to 15. The forefather of boutique hotels discussed his predictions for the future of the hospitality industry and his thoughts on the current state of the luxury travel market.
Schrager disagrees with the notion that only the affluent deserve to live luxuriously. He hopes that one day high-end goods will be more budget-friendly. His mission, he explained, was to “take it out of the box” because “everybody is comfortable putting everything in a box.” The hotelier has high hopes for the future of Edition, as he wants to show that a property’s ability to make its guests feel special is the true mark of luxury.
“Yes, it’s luxury, but it’s for everybody,” Schrager said. “Maybe our goal is a little bit different than most hotels, but that’s what gives us the edge. When we see people in these spaces we’ve created, and they like it and are enjoying themselves, it’s just nirvana,” he concluded.
You can book your luxury short stay or vacation now on The Edition’s website. Indeed, we plan to visit this stunning location in the near future, so, keep an eye out for our review and update.
Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.
This story was originally published January 30, 2023 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Tampa may become the next getaway spot thanks to one unique & luxe hotel."