Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection

Disclaimer: This review is about the Events Sales Team at the Epicurean, not the hotel itself.

My family chose the Epicurean as the venue for our daughter’s graduation celebration. Initially, our experience was very positive. Nicole was excellent to work with and helped us create an event that fit within our budget. The servers on the day of the event were also professional and attentive.

Unfortunately, our experience with the sales team—specifically Fatima Paz—overshadowed what should have been a memorable celebration.

From the moment Fatima became involved, there was a continual effort to upsell us on additional services and increase our spending. I understand sales; I work in sales myself. However, this felt less like helpful recommendations and more like a bait-and-switch approach. We were led to believe our event was finalized when we signed the contract, yet we were repeatedly told that we needed to add thousands of dollars in additional services to make the event successful.

The pressure only stopped after I scheduled a call and clearly stated that we would not be adding any more items—including a proposed $225 charge simply to cut and serve our daughter’s graduation cake.

The event itself went well, and we were grateful for that. However, after the event, we received an unexpected $740 beverage charge. We were told that our party of approximately 65 guests consumed 212 soft drinks during a two-hour event. We had also provided a gourmet coffee cart for our guests, making that number even more difficult to understand. According to their count, that averages more than three soft drinks per person. Some guests, including my wife and several others, didn’t have a beverage at all.

When I questioned the charge, the response was essentially, “That’s what our team counted.” At that point, there was no meaningful review process—just their word against ours. That is a frustrating position for any customer to be placed in.

What should have been a wonderful experience celebrating our daughter ultimately ended with frustration and disappointment. Nicole and the event staff helped create a great event, but the sales process and post-event billing practices left a sour taste.

For that reason, I cannot recommend the Epicurean’s event services to families, organizations, or businesses looking to host a celebration or corporate event. Local Tampa families deserve transparency, fair billing, and a planning experience free from excessive sales pressure and unexpected charges.

Beautiful

I liked the decor and staff

Such a great trip to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Such a great luxury hotel. The in room amenities were exceptional. We enjoyed our stay here. The food was great and the staff was helpful. Bonus was the close proximity to the Bern's Steakhouse which is phenomenal.

The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa is a masterclass in modern hospitality, blending high-end comfort with a vibrant, food-centric atmosphere. Whether you’re visiting for business or a weekend getaway, it offers a polished experience that stands out in the Soho District.

Accommodations & Technology
The rooms are impressively spacious, providing plenty of room to breathe and relax. The bedding is exceptionally comfortable, making it easy to get a great night’s rest. I was also particularly impressed by the updated technology and amenities integrated throughout the property—everything feels intentional, modern, and high-functioning.

Dining & Atmosphere
You don’t even need to leave the hotel to find some of the best food and drinks in the city. The on-site restaurants and bars are excellent, offering well-crafted menus and a great vibe for both casual afternoon drinks and sophisticated dinners.

Service
What truly elevates the stay is the team. From the moment you pull up, the valets are efficient and welcoming, and the front-of-house staff is consistently helpful and attentive to every detail.

Gorgeous and well maintained!

An amazing hotel exceeding our expectations. They couldn’t have been friendlier, from the valet to the rooftop bar. The restaurant had amazing food with fabulous service, they care about their guests. Sam, Casey, Shaun and so many more that I didn’t get their names take pride in their job and know what customer service is. We will definitely be back 🩷🩷

So, who's your favorite Bond? Daniel Craig? Pierce Brosnan? Connery, probably the best. Probably not Roger Moore, although he did a decent job. The song from one of his films, is the point here. Nobody does it Better, well, at least as Tampa hotels go. The Epicurean remains as the best of the hotels in Tampa. Have not stayed in any of the downtown hotels but feel free to spend a large amount at one of those places. But here, it's like putting on that favorite pair of jeans. Comfortable, fits just right. The front desk crew, pleasant and courteous as always. Ever helpful. And who offers a glass of wine at check-in? No place I know of. The rooms, comfortable, quiet. All you need. Still amusing, the amount and variety of alcohol options in the in room bar. Certainly cannot call it a mini bar. Not with these size bottles available. Adds to the unique character of this hotel. A blissful shower. And the quality of the restaurant food remains excellent. Location, food, room. All the best. Except for the parking, remains valet only. Ah, well. Maybe your favorite Bond movie is You Only Live Twice. But make sure those two lives include stays here.

Staff were rude and no response when asked about
Changing date

Everything

The location

We stayed here to celebrate our first anniversary and also had dinner across the street at Bern’s. Both were exemplary. We were given a really gorgeous suite. The in-room amenities are fantastic including pre-mixed cocktails, wine and beer. The bathroom was as big as some hotel rooms and included separate large soaking tub and shower stall. The staff were great too. Highly recommended!

Clean