The Tampa EDITION, which will be Tampa’s first five star hotel, has just started accepting reservations. Admittedly I’m probably more interested in this than most, given that I grew up in Tampa, and still go back all the time to visit family. Let’s take a look at the details of this exciting new property.
Continue reading: Tampa EDITION: City’s First Five Star Hotel (Opening September 2022)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
A little off topic but the title really made me wondering.
"Tampa doesn’t currently have a five star hotel."
For a blog that loves to poke at Skytrax, what is OMAAT definition of "five star hotel".
If EDITION is the first 5 star.
JW Tampa a 4 star?
The Epicurean 3 star?
So Marriott or Westin 2 or 3 star?
Sheraton is obviously below that so 1 star?
Courtyard 0 star?
WOW: ran out of hotel stars.
Ouch: we didn't even have any Choice hotels yet. So Econologe is a -3 star?
OMG: WA PH StR in Asia should be 6 stars. Aman 7 stars? Burj Al Arab 10 stars?
I think this is a great question, though I think like you I probably agree with Ben's assessment here. I feel like the JW is undoubtedly a 4 star -- not going to be above.
The Burj, for what it's worth, for a long time billed itself as the world's only 7 star hotel -- don't know how they come up with that! (And not sure they really can claim to be head and shoulders above any other hotel worldwide today?)
Hotel stars aren't really a measure of quality. They're a measure of "luxury" and amenities (and an inconsistent one at that). You can have really terrible 5* hotels and really amazing 2* hotels. There's lots to quibble with about hotel star rankings, but it's not like this is Ben's personal rating scale
I think the greatest question is there! Very caring, helpful-room very clean-breakfast wonderful, thankyou
Edition, St Regis, Park Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, Walforf Astoria, etc are "luxury" or "5 star"
Marriott / Westin / Hyatt Regency / Hilton / etc are "upper upscale" or "4 star"
Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place, etc are "upscale" or "3 star"
Etc
I'd like to know what about Tampa warrants an Edition given how many other BETTER cities (like thousands to choose from) don't have one. I'd like to see what Marriott's decision process is based on. I almost feel like this dilutes the brand.
Is there some sort of international committee that decides this that we're somehow all unaware of? There's no recognized multinational body that assigns stars. Michellin sort of does for restaurants, but basically hotels can call themselves whatever they want. I wouldn't say Editions are even 5 stars. They have nice furnishings and SOME have great amenities, yes, but otherwise they're just expensive. I've been in Editions in multiple countries and they have little local flair and are basically fairly cookie cutter. I'd liken them to a REALLY nice Courtyard insomuch as you know what you're going to get: lots of beige West Elm-esque furniture and "signature" Le Labo toiletries. And a pool where you'll grossly overpay for F&B. Woohoo...
I assume the property developer was willing to pay and Marriott thought there would be enough demand. With the exception of some super premium brands like Aman, Cheval Blanc, Rosewood, etc, I think most brands would be willing to open anywhere if there's a business case.
Tampa gets a lot of big spenders for sports. People travel to see their team play the Bucs. There's a Super Bowl in Tampa every few years. Gasparilla is usually a pretty big event. There's also a disproportionately high amount of convention traffic. Tampa is basically Orlando for adults.
I'm excited, seems like it's going to be a great hotel. Doubt rates will go much less than $500/night even in the long term. Tampa is a hot spot right now and will stay that way for some time.
Long term opportunity my friend. I'm sure there was a ton of economic research done before plopping down an Edition in Tampa.