The Tampa EDITION
This post is sponsored by Expedia.
So I have some exciting news! I am officially an Expedia Ambassador! I guess all this traveling is working in my favor! But the best part is that it benefits you too! I will now be able to share all my favorite locations in my Travel Shop, where I’ve compiled hotels and attractions from various countries and cities. You just have to download the Expedia app to follow along. I even have a promo code (MISSENOCHA), and if you use it at checkout on Expedia, you will get some money off select hotel bookings if you book by Jan 2026 and travel by Jan 2027!
For the Ambassador summit, we stayed at The Tampa EDITION, and to be honest, I was not very excited to head to Tampa, but once I arrived, I was shocked that I actually enjoyed this little city and this beautiful hotel.
THE PROPERTY
The hotel is conveniently located 15 minutes from Tampa Airport. The Expedia team had a driver pick us up, but it would be an easy Uber trip over as well. Driving in wasn’t very scenic, but once we got to Downtown Tampa, where the hotel is located, it gave off city vibes with high-rises and river views. The hotel is located in an ideal neighborhood, especially for first-time visitors to Tampa. It’s within walking distance to many restaurants and attractions, including the famous Riverwalk. The actual hotel is decorated immaculately. You are greeted in the lobby by lush green plants everywhere, giving tropical oasis vibes. There is a striking spiral staircase in the center of the lobby, truly the centerpiece of the hotel. The Tampa Edition also offers multiple restaurants (one with a Michelin star), a rooftop pool, gym, conference rooms, and a bar with billiard table. It truly is a beautiful hotel.
THE ROOM
One of the girls in our group mentioned that the rooms were cavernous, and I had to agree. They are large and feel a bit hollow, decorated for the ideal minimalist. I personally didn’t mind this at all (although a little rug under the bed wouldn’t have hurt). I think maybe this is to help with the Tampa heat, which was a whopping 90 degrees when we visited in early June. My room had a large king-size bed, a little chair, and a gorgeous marble table where I enjoyed my room-served lunches. There is another long console table under the TV, which doubles as a desk with a chair. You walk into a long hallway that houses the minibar and two small closets. The bathroom was a great size with the shower separate from the water closet. It also had a city view. The room was very simple and not as intricately designed as the hotel lobby, but I liked having a simple, peaceful room to retreat to at the end of the day.
THE FOOD
On the property are multiple restaurants for you to choose. One of them is called Lilac, a Michelin-Starred Mediterranean restaurant. Everything I ate there was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was impeccable as well. The same Michelin Star chef is the founder of Azure Restaurant, also located on the property, which serves Greek food. This restaurant is located on the roof with the most beautiful views and decor. All the food I ate at the hotel was incredible, even the room service. I have never stayed at a hotel and loved everything I’ve eaten before, and that’s saying A LOT. The Tampa EDITION gets 10’s across the board for its food offerings.
THE POOL
The property has a rooftop pool that is really beautifully decorated with vines and flowers everywhere. I love how the hotel incorporates modern/minimalist decor with organic touches of plant life all over. It was raining a lot when we visited, so we didn’t really get to lounge by the pool, but I could see it being such a vibe in nicer weather. There is a gorgeous bar at the pool, along with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests. They also have cabanas on the other side of the pool you can reserve. Up top are also bathrooms and outdoor showers. Expedia even offered rooftop yoga around the pool in the mornings.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
As I mentioned, the hotel is located in an ideal part of Tampa, right in the heart of downtown. On this trip, we were able to experience some of the attractions Tampa has to offer, and I was so pleasantly surprised. We took a cooking class, a cigar-making class, a cheese-making class, and a candle-making class (lots of classes lol). Apparently, Tampa has the longest uninterrupted boardwalk in the country, where you can walk along the river for miles. I will say the thing that sold me about Tampa, though, was the food. OH THE FOOD. Never in my life would I consider Tampa a foodie city, but here we are. Hands down the best food I’ve had on a trip. We ate nothing bad the whole time, and that is rare to say. If you want more details on where we ate and what we did, check out my other stories below:
After this trip, I am shook. I can honestly wholeheartedly say that Tampa rivals Miami as the only other part of Florida you should visit (besides Disney, obviously). I think 2-3 days max is all that is needed, as it is a small city, but it offers a wonderful atmosphere, fun activities, and the best food, hands down. If you go just for the food, you will be happy.
And make sure to follow along on my Expedia Travel Shop to keep up with all my hotel recommendations. The Tampa Edition is a top-tier hotel that I would highly recommend.