Florida’s Gulf Coast has no scarcity of lodges the place you’ll be able to earn and redeem factors. You may discover every part from low cost and cheerful Hilton Backyard Inns to extra refined choices from the Autograph Assortment by Marriott. Nonetheless, the wide selection of lodging choices in Tampa used to lack any true standout properties … till now.

In September 2022, town’s resort scene modified when Marriott opened a Tampa outpost of its luxurious Version label (created in collaboration with famend hotelier Ian Schrager). Right here’s what that you must know in regards to the new Tampa Version resort.

Snapshot

A centerpiece of Tampa’s $3.5 billion redevelopment of the Water Avenue district, The Tampa Version has a lush foyer stuffed with lots of of mature indoor crops, whereas the Mediterranean-style rooftop pool deck is the place to be seen whereas having fun with the South Florida sunshine.

Why you will love The Tampa Version

This is not a forgettable cookie-cutter company resort — luxe touches like dwell crops and fake furs give the property loads of texture, a ton of character and a distinctly natural aesthetic.

A jungle oasis foyer

Put together to gasp as you enter a very uncommon resort foyer, the place lots of of potted crops create a verdant sanctuary for guests in search of refuge from the Florida warmth and humidity.

There are such a lot of crops, in reality, that it may be tough to seek out the check-in desks at first look, as big kentia palms and banana leaf bushes display screen them from the doorway. It is initially a bit disorientating, but it surely’s a intelligent means of making distinct zones within the huge house.

Whereas armchairs with shaggy fake fur coverings could seem odd for a resort in such a heat local weather, well-calibrated air con gives friends with a cool welcome.

Cool Scandic design touches

The 172 spacious visitor rooms, together with 30 suites, show Version’s typical juxtaposition between vivid white and darkish impartial tones.

There are many gentle, ethereal design selections, from the white bedding and upholstered chair to the signature Version faux-fur throw, all of which replicate the sunshine flooding via the floor-to-ceiling home windows. Black accents (assume: a sequence of summary black images, a black-and-white marble desk and a white rug with black stripes) give the house definition and distinction.

All the things feels unfussy and harmonious, with the gold cabinet and draw handles on the wardrobe and the minibar echoing the {hardware} within the lavatory and including high-end finishes all through the room.

Additionally within the lavatory, friends will discover full-size bottles of Version’s signature Le Labo toiletries, frosted privateness doorways to the bathroom and a bathe with twin gold-plated showerheads — one overhead and one handheld. Nonetheless, a double vainness would have been merited at this value level.

Loads of eating and consuming venues

A formidable eight meals and beverage venues provide every part from grab-and-go espresso on the cafe-style Market at Version to a four-course, prix-fixe menu from award-winning chef John Fraser on the vegetarian-focused Lilac restaurant. Glinting inexperienced tiles within the open kitchen, emerald upholstery and a profusion of potted crops underscore the latter’s vegetal focus.

Nighttime guests can benefit from the Punch Room, which the resort claims is North America’s first bar devoted to celebrating Caribbean punch. There’s additionally the Arts Membership, which gives cabaret-style leisure in a darkish crimson, adults-only setting.

Personable, environment friendly bartenders whip up signature cocktails on the Foyer Bar, together with a harissa margarita with mezcal and lime, in a communal assembly house the place associates and strangers mingle seamlessly.

The breakfast menu at Market is Mediterranean-inspired, with dishes like a beneficiant portion of “eggs in purgatory” baked with capers, kalamata olives and chunks of rosemary focaccia to mop up the wealthy, spicy tomato Napolitana sauce. Notice, although, that sadly, breakfast just isn’t free on the Version model for Platinum Elite members of the Marriott Bonvoy program.

After breakfast, Market gives tasty informal fare, resembling onion petals with Calabrian chili aioli and filet carpaccio as appetizers and a wealthy, spicy pork ragu rigatoni pasta with whipped ricotta for an entree.

Room service additionally options easy however tasty dishes like a Cuban sandwich with candy potato fries. Town of Tampa claims to be the birthplace of this world-famous sliced meat-and-cheese-filled snack, although Miami and Cuba could vehemently disagree.

The rooftop pool sanctuary

The spacious rooftop pool on the ninth ground additionally follows a Mediterranean theme in each design and delicacies. Dozens of daybeds present friends spots to unwind poolside with full sunshine or beneath olive bushes for partial shade and privateness.

There are additionally roped-off cabanas for bigger teams in search of bottle service which can be certain to be packed till sunset on weekends when a DJ gives the soundtrack. There isn’t any longer a have to journey to Miami for Version’s basic day occasion expertise.

The poolside Azure restaurant gives classics like Greek salad and a juicy marinated filet mignon kebab souvlaki served on pita with french fries and hummus.

Additionally on the ninth ground is a well-equipped health club with nice pure gentle and views of the close by downtown space.

Why you may not love The Tampa Version

Contemplating that is by far the most costly resort in Tampa, the visitor expertise just isn’t good.

An imperfect location

Whereas The Tampa Version is within the stylish and redeveloped Water Avenue district, some irritating drawbacks are evident.

The glistening, newly constructed tower proper on the Garrison Channel could also be the place friends assume the Version is situated. This prime place is, as an alternative, occupied by a brand new JW Marriott, which has snagged the single-best new spot in downtown Tampa. The Version, then again, is a block inland on Channelside Drive. Some entry-level superior rooms on the Version take pleasure in glimpses of the water, however the monumental multipurpose Amalie Enviornment at the very least partially blocks most views, as does the JW Marriott.

A large Yard Home bar and restaurant is at present beneath development instantly subsequent door to cater to sports activities and live performance followers visiting Amalie Enviornment. Will probably be an incredible venue as soon as constructed, however with its “summer season 2023” scheduled opening date, it’s nonetheless very a lot a constructing web site with the development noise simply heard from the Version’s rooftop pool and outside restaurant.

Perplexing faux flowers

Purple bougainvillea flowers cascade over the foyer doorways at road degree and cling above the pool decks, cabanas and bar space. On nearer inspection, it is clear that all the bougainvillea crops on the Version are synthetic, blended in with the lots of of actual palms, ivy, bushes and ferns.

Given how a lot the resort has invested in actual flora, particularly within the spectacular foyer, and the abundance of sunshine, rain and pure gentle on this location, it’s bewildering why a luxurious property put in so many faux flowers.

Steep room charges

Tampa just isn’t an affordable vacation spot, and because the metropolis’s most luxurious lodging choice, you’ll be able to anticipate room charges on the Version to be excessive. With base rooms beginning round $600 per night time and rising to greater than $1,000 per night time throughout peak intervals, a keep right here could also be past many vacationers’ budgets.

Marriott Bonvoy friends can anticipate to redeem at the very least 70,000 Bonvoy factors per night time right here, although some nights are priced at six figures. That is considerably costlier, in both factors or money, than the close by (and in addition new) JW Marriott, which has a superior location and charges that have a tendency to remain beneath $500 per night time.

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Intrusive daytrippers

The property arouses loads of curiosity from Tampa locals, however costs could rule out staycations. The colourful foyer and sun-splashed pool deck are ideally suited backdrops for impromptu Instagram picture shoots.

What this implies for resort friends is a gentle circulation of individuals wandering in from the road, taking a protracted go searching, posing for photographs (after which retaking these photographs repeatedly to good their poses) and ultimately leaving with out paying for any of the resort’s facilities.

The people-watching would possibly initially be extra entertaining than irritating. Nonetheless, the nonstop stream of intruders pretending they’re in-house friends for the ‘gram will inevitably develop into tiring for workers and clients alike.

Options

Marriott Bonvoy loyalists who could also be postpone by the excessive room charges at The Tampa Version ought to contemplate the close by JW Marriott Tampa Water Avenue. Additionally a brand new construct, this luxurious property enjoys a wonderful waterfront location and homes the Spa by JW, full with steam rooms, saunas, an out of doors bathe and a heat mineral pool.

For one thing extra low cost and cheerful, strive The Barrymore Lodge Tampa Riverwalk. This inexpensive resort combines smart lodging and waterfront views with a handy downtown location throughout the street from the David A Straz, Jr. Heart for the Performing Arts and near the Tampa Conference Heart.

Accessibility

The bottom ground of The Tampa Version is wheelchair accessible with flat surfaces and broad walkways, regardless of the clusters of potted crops. Staircases listed below are extra for dramatic impact than important transport.

Whereas there are a couple of steps right down to the Market restaurant, there’s additionally considerate ramp entry. Visitor rooms and the rooftop pool, bar and restaurant can all be accessed by friends with decreased mobility because of elevators.

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