STAY DATE:
July 12–13, 2025 (sadly we were only in town for one night).
OVERVIEW:
The Tampa Edition is sleek, sexy, and modern — a true luxury property with a vibe that evolves throughout the day. Casual mornings, chic business-meeting energy in the afternoon, Michelin-level dining by evening, and a lively lounge/rooftop scene at night. It’s more than a hotel — it’s an experience. Upon check-in, we were welcomed not only by a genuinely kind front desk associate but also with sample cocktails from the Punch Room, an unexpected gesture that immediately set the Edition apart. Shortly after, decadent welcome treats from the patisserie were delivered to our suite. Booking through FHR via Amex, every promised benefit was honored without issue.
ROOM:
We stayed in the Bay Suite (1,215 sq ft / 113 sqm). “Huge” doesn’t even cover it — this suite is sprawling, with a separate living room, dining area, wet bar, two bathrooms, a soaking tub, and a king bedroom overlooking Amalie Arena. The décor is modern, minimal, and stunning. The bed was insanely comfortable — one of the best hotel sleeps I’ve had.
Evening turndown was polished & discreet — slippers laid out, bottled water set bedside, and lights adjusted to create a calm retreat. The details were every bit as thoughtful as you’d expect in a five-star stay. This suite set a new bar for what luxury accommodations in Tampa can look like.
CLEANLINESS:
Spotless. Every corner of the suite and the property itself was immaculately maintained.
FOOD & DRINK:
*The Market at Edition:
-Pepperoni + fresh basil pizza (customized from their Hot Honey) — so good we came back for it twice.
-Tuscan Biscuits & Gravy — heavy, indulgent, but absolutely delicious, like really flavorful. Big enough to share with one other person — don’t plan on moving much after.
-Brick Oven Burger — our least favorite; too many flavors competing without balance.
*Azure Rooftop Pool Bar:
-Marinated Filet Mignon Souvlaki — easily a highlight of the trip. Juicy, flavorful, elevated gyro-style dish with mint salsa verde. Refreshing and elevated poolside dining.
*Punch Room:
-Oaxaca (coffee, cinnamon, mole, lime, sea salt)
-Jalisco (corn, spice, cheese, chartreuse) — but swapped tequila for mezcal. The result? Magical. Layered, smoky, flavorful — easily two of the best cocktails I’ve ever had in a luxury hotel bar/lounge.
AMENITIES:
Rooftop pool & lounge — gorgeous by day, electric by night.
Chic bars and lounges with totally different moods (casual to sexy).
24-hour fitness center
Spa & wellness services
Multiple dining venues & bars:
• Lilac — Michelin-starred Mediterranean fine dining led by Chef John Fraser.
• Azure — rooftop Greek / seaside-inspired menu with indoor & balcony seating.
• Market at Edition — café/trattoria menu, pizzas, pastas, pastries & coffee bar.
• Punch Room — elevated cocktail bar with shareable punch & creative drinks.
• Lobby Bar & Arts Club — relaxed lounges for light bites & cocktails.
• Pool Bar / rooftop bar — full menu and cocktail service by the pool.
Private event / meeting spaces — boardroom, function rooms, executive services.
Concierge, room service & guest services — 24-hour support, in-room dining.
High-speed wireless internet across the property.
Rooftop terrace & cabanas — panoramic views, lounging spaces.
Luxury house car service — complimentary drop-offs within ~2-mile radius (first-come basis)
LOCATION & VIBE:
Prime downtown Tampa location. Steps from Amalie Arena, nightlife, and restaurants. The property’s vibe shifts beautifully throughout the day: refined mornings, business-meeting energy midday, Michelin dining at night, and rooftop party atmosphere after dark. The entire hotel is a curated vibe.
DISAPPOINTMENTS/CONS: (An unpleasant encounter, more so for management to read. Feel free to skip reading this lengthy interaction.)
What stood out most and fell short of The Edition standard — was an incident at the rooftop bar that highlighted a need for improvement.
Inside Azure, just before the pool deck, there are balcony-style alcoves with doors opening to semi-private seating overlooking Amalie Arena. My group of five stepped into one, closed the doors, and enjoyed our cocktails. Once finished, we moved to the main rooftop pool area to order another round.
As we walked, a security guard aggressively confronted us, accusing us of smoking cigarettes and extinguishing them in glassware while seated in the alcove. This was entirely false — none of us were smoking — and particularly frustrating, as I had remarked earlier how disgusting it was that a prior guest had left cigarette butts there before we sat down.
Instead of verifying facts or handling the matter discreetly, the guard's tone was hostile and accusatory. No apology was offered, and the approach made us feel unwelcome enough to leave immediately. It was a disappointing lapse in service that not only cut our evening short but cost the hotel bar revenue, as five guests walked out instead of staying for additional rounds of cocktails.
INSIDER TIPS:
-Punch Room first, always. Start your night here — the cocktails are unlike anywhere else in Tampa, and seating is limited.
-Azure balcony seats. The semi-private balcony alcoves overlooking Amalie Arena feel exclusive (and are first-come, first-serve). Perfect for sunset cocktails.
-Lilac reservations. Book well in advance if you want a Michelin-level dinner — especially on weekends, tables go fast.
-Rooftop pool is equally worth visiting in the day for sun or at night for the vibe.
-Pool cabanas. Reserve a rooftop cabana for day use; it transforms the pool from just a swim spot to a full-day luxury hangout.
-Morning market run. Grab a coffee and pastry from Market Edition early.
-Ask about the house car. Guests can request complimentary drop-offs within a couple miles — perfect for exploring downtown without Uber.
-Look up. Many design details (chandeliers, lighting installations) are stunning but easy to miss unless you pause to take them in.
PARKING / VALET:
We used Uber, but the hotel offers valet parking (typical for a luxury property in this location). Rates run around $45–50/day.
SERVICE / STAFF:
-Check-in was handled by a young blonde associate who was warm, kind, and genuinely welcoming.
-At the Market at Edition, the bartenders and servers were standouts — bright, attentive, and effortlessly hospitable. They elevated every meal with genuine warmth and professionalism.
-The Punch Room team mirrored this, crafting some of the most creative cocktails I’ve ever had, executed with care and enthusiasm.
Almost every staff member we interacted with was bright, happy, and professional. They were genuinely respectful, fun, and welcoming.
-Our only odd notes: at Azure, the hostesses felt distant and uninviting, unlike the rest of the staff — a sharp contrast to the otherwise stellar hospitality. The group of hostesses gave off an unwelcoming vibe, more like guests were inconveniencing them than being invited into a luxury space. On the flip side, the bartenders and servers in Azure and the rooftop bar were excellent.
OVERALL:
Despite a few flaws, the Tampa Edition delivers a five-star experience in nearly every way that matters. The Bay Suite was jaw-dropping, the culinary program and cocktails were world-class, and the property transitions seamlessly from casual mornings to a sleek business hub by day to sultry lounge destination by night.
To live up to its brand promise, the hotel should address two weak points: the cold Azure hostess team and the rooftop security approach, both of which feel inconsistent with the Edition’s otherwise high-touch hospitality. Correct these, and the property would offer a truly seamless luxury experience.
That said, this is a property I look forward to returning to. The Edition sets a new standard for luxury in Tampa — and despite a few rough edges, it’s the city’s most compelling five-star stay.
