Hotel Flor Tampa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Tampa, FL
Tapestry collection by Hilton™ is a gathering of original upscale hotels that cater to guests seeking reliability and value in their independent hotel choices.
Design: Jacki Arena Interiors
Blending 1920s charm with modern elegance Project spotlight
Purchaser: Slate Procurement
Meet a team member
Andrea Izquierdo
How long have you been with the Bryan Ashley team?
I’ve been a project manager for 2 years.
What do you like most about working for Bryan Ashley?
I’m always learning and the projects are diverse so it keeps things interesting.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my dog, Nimbus, hanging out with friends, and I’m a huge foodie and coffee lover so you’ll definitely catch me trying out new restaurants and coffee shops in the area.
What is your guilty pleasure?
If tiramisu is on the menu wherever I go out to eat, I have to order it.
The historic Tampa hotel, located in the vibrant North Downtown neighborhood and renowned for its iconic Hotel Floridan sign visible for miles, has now reopened as Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. This 210-room property joins a portfolio of over 110 distinctive hotels that offer guests unique style and vibrant personality, encouraging them to connect with their destination and enjoy authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Every detail, from materials to textures, was meticulously selected to authentically capture the 1920s essence. Fabrics mirror the tailored sophistication of women’s suits from that period, while Art Deco-inspired patterns adorn the spaces with timeless allure. The design narrative intertwines the past with the present, honoring this historic landmark’s legacy while ushering it into a new era of contemporary elegance.
Creative we love
Studio South Women-owned boutique design firm
Located in Atlanta, GA, Studio South is a minority and women-owned boutique design firm specializing in hospitality and multifamily design. We believe the best design is one that evolves through continued conversation and mindful contribution. Our mission is to understand your vision and objectives for the space, layer in the appropriate aesthetics and details, while always keeping the guest experience in mind. The most successful space is the one that tells your story.
About Stacey
As an NCIDQ accredited designer and 2018 Boutique Design Boutique 18 nominee, Stacey’s passion for the hospitality industry has been evident throughout her professional career. With previous brand experience, she has expertise working collaboratively and proactively with both operators and ownership groups to ensure projects remain in line with overall project missions and initiatives while achieving a high sense of functionality and aesthetic quality. Working in a value-added approach, she aims to provide strategic recommendations to improve the inherent value of the hotel asset through elevated design, mindful of schedule, and budget. Paired with her ability to guide and develop a project through all phases of design, Stacey’s unique experience enables her to assess a project from all points of view, including owner, operator, and guest.
About Catherine
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Catherine’s passion for design brought her to Atlanta, GA. After receiving her BA in Interior Design, Catherine worked for one of the leading international hospitality design firms for almost two decades. Her extensive portfolio includes premier hotels, spas, clubhouses, themed restaurants, and luxury residences. Well-versed in all aspects of the design process, her responsibilities range from concepting, coordinating with consultants, and her favorite part…documentation. She is a lover of architecture and understanding how conceptual ideas are executed. As a designer, seeing a concept on paper develop to a 3D form is what inspires Catherine the most.
What’s the most important thing to consider when designing a hospitality space?
There are many factors at play, but guest experience is always at the forefront. Understanding the target market and experience that Ownership/Operator/Brand is trying to achieve guides every decision, starting with space planning. Understanding how guests will move throughout the space, the energy and feeling we’re trying to create as they walk this path, and ultimately the experience they’re left with at the end of their visit dictates our finishes, furniture, and layouts. We love having design charrettes with owners to take the time and really understand their vision for the property and what characteristics and emotions they would like their space to embody.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned as designers?
We’re big believers of team dynamic and knowing we’re just one part of the network needed to build and renovate hotels. Our industry is a wealth of knowledge, with so many supportive colleagues willing to share information if just asked. There is so much to be gained from asking for an explanation or why that specific solution is appropriate for a certain condition. We love to share our experience and opinion but feel the most creative and exciting projects are those done in collaboration with others, where ideas can spark from conversations and differing viewpoints. Also, always, ALWAYS, double check your work.
What’s the most exciting trend or idea you see in hotels today?
We both try to lead a healthy lifestyle and know traveling for work often causes a disruption in that, with meals eaten out, small or nonexistent fitness rooms, and sometimes terrible sleep. It’s exciting to see hotels focusing on wellness in a rounded and thoughtful way, and not just at the luxury level. From coordinated lighting and sound therapies to either relax at night or help rise in the morning to enhanced fitness programs and cleaner food options at grab & go markets, it’s becoming easier to stay on track while out on the go.
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for new designers in our industry?
We’ve found that many of the younger designers we’ve worked with over the years have been hesitant to ask questions for fear of judgement or not giving the correct answer. Often, this results in incorrect work, lack of confidence, and all-around issues amongst not only the design team, but potentially the larger project team as well. Even as principals, we are still asking questions and raising our hands when we don’t fully understand something. We are constantly learning from colleagues, vendors (especially), and other consultants. Ask the questions, go to seminars, always be asking “why”.
Follow along
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@bryanashleyinc for inspiration
Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate
The Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate offers beautifully appointed guestrooms, suites, and villas surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty and views of the golf courses. With nine on-site restaurants, satisfying any culinary craving is easy, whether morning, noon, or evening.
To achieve the resort’s desired look, our team worked closely with Looney & Associates. Guestroom furniture showcases oak veneers and solids with a natural ceruse finish. The nightstands, adorned with creamy cheesecloth doors and topped with smoked glass for durability, also feature convenient electrical outlets. Upholstered king and double queen headboards include decorative leather accents for a handcrafted touch. The credenza stands out with its vibrant blue color and intricate solid wood geometrical applique, adding a unique and striking element to the design. In the deluxe rooms, a contemporary-styled cylinder table with a stone top is paired with a large lamp providing the perfect spot to relax with your favorite book or beverage.
It’s all in the details
Shoutout to @hospitalitydesign for another great year at HD Expo. Thank you to everyone who stopped in to connect and explore our booth in person!
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At Bryan Ashley, we excel in meeting your unique custom furniture needs by leveraging our extensive experience and capabilities in furniture manufacturing. Our commitment to quality is evident in every detail: from the dovetailed drawer boxes and carefully selected veneers to the focused attention on upholstered pieces. We combine our engineering expertise with a deep aesthetic understanding of fine furniture to seamlessly blend functionality with beauty. Our team takes pride in doing things the right way, not the easy way.
Utilizing our beautiful wood veneer and metal collections is the best way to spark inspiration for your next design venture. Connect with a rep near you or reach out to our team for samples.
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Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs at room temperature • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk, lightly warmed 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Directions
2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup pecans, chopped
• 3 fresh ripe peaches, pitted and sliced, peeled or not Powdered sugar for dusting
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch cake pan with baking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
At the new Three Waters Resort & Marina, experience the essence of Islamorada: sun, sand, and water. Offering an oceanfront hospitality experience unlike any other in the Florida Keys, the 214 beautifully styled guestrooms feature designs, colors, and materials embodying these elements.
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2 In a large bowl, place the melted butter and sugar. Beat until soft and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, combining completely between each one and scraping the bowl. Add the milk and vanilla and mix well.
3 . In a large bowl, mix well the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently stir flour into the butter mixture and fold in pecans.
4 Place half the peach slices in the pan. Pour batter over the peach slices and smooth with a spatula. Place the remaining peaches on top of the batter. Bake for 15 minutes and rotate the pan. Bake for 30 minutes more and test the center with a toothpick. Cover with foil if the surface is getting too brown.
5. When the cake feels just firm to the touch and the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is ready. Cool and serve sprinkled with powdered sugar.
For more inspiration from our parent company, visit ofs.com/imagine-a-place
From OFS Cool Springs, Chef Aimee Blume