In Brief: Hotel Cala is scheduled to open on the Tampa Riverwalk in January 2027, expanding hospitality capacity in a prominent downtown waterfront district and signaling continued investment in Tampa’s urban core.
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Image Credit Hotel Cala
Hotel Cala, a 281-room property on Tampa’s Riverwalk overlooking the Hillsborough River, is scheduled to open in January 2027.
Hotel Cala will open following a transformation designed by Rockwell Group. The seven-story property, opened in 1968, is owned by Newbond Holdings and is managed by Schulte Hospitality as part of Curio Collection by Hilton.
The hotel will have 281 guestrooms, including 16 suites. Waterfront accommodations will include wood detailing, rattan-inspired elements, brass-toned accents and custom furnishings. Suites will include additional color, pattern and tropical influences.
The lobby will include floor-to-ceiling arched windows overlooking the Riverwalk and a circular bar beneath a tiered chandelier. The space will connect the lobby, pool deck and dining venues and will offer coffee and light food in the morning, followed by lounge service in the evening.
Tao Group Hospitality will manage two food-and-beverage venues at the hotel. LAVO will make its Tampa debut with a coastal Italian menu that includes house-made pastas, whole-grain pizzas made with single-source flour and The Meatball, prepared with Wagyu, Italian sausage, veal and whipped ricotta. The venue will also offer cocktails and a wine collection.
BarOnda will serve cocktails and food in a waterfront setting. Both venues will be located at Hotel Cala.
Rockwell Group’s plans incorporate Italian marble, cream plaster, herringbone limestone, wood, textiles, patterns and tropical planting. The porte cochere will feature cognac-colored fluted tile columns that reference cigar factories in nearby Ybor City.
Hotel Cala will include a pool deck with cabanas, lounge seating and landscaping, plus a 24-hour fitness center overlooking the pool. The property will have direct access to the Riverwalk.
The hotel will offer 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across seven rooms. The event facilities will accommodate up to 450 guests for meetings, weddings and social celebrations.
As part of Curio Collection by Hilton, Hotel Cala will participate in Hilton Honors.