By Nanette Wiser
TAMPA’S GEM Perhaps the most luxe hotel to open in the area, Ian Schrager’s visionary The Tampa Edition on the 56-acre Water Street Tampa neighborhood, is home to 172 guest rooms and suites, seven food and beverage venues, including a signature restaurant, Azure rooftop bar and terrace. The property features an extravagant penthouse suite, expansive spa, fitness center, and flexible meeting and events space. Bringing some of the world’s best talents together into one project, the property is designed by acclaimed architectural visionaries Morris Adjmi in collaboration with Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates and the exquisite interiors designed by the renowned Roman & Williams. Lilac is a modern Mediterranean restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser. The dining room’s walnut flooring and the warm glow from the pendant globes create an elevated, convivial space focused around an eight-seat Christian Liaigre chef’s counter in sandblasted walnut and a lively open kitchen. Taking its cues from Fraser’s Greek heritage and his admiration of Turkish cuisine, Lilac’s balanced menu is a celebration of the chef’s vegetable-forward philosophy using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. www.editionhotels.com/tampa
THE ILLUMINATED GARDENS Lights in Bloom® returns to Sarasota’s Selby Gardens 12/10-1/5 featuring more than 2 million lights, holiday photo opps, seasonal activities, and entertainment. You can purchase food and drinks at Michael’s on East Grill while humming your favorite Christmas carol. An “All-inclusive Event” 12/17 ($200/adults, $50/ children 5-17 includes on-site valet parking, an all-inclusive buffet, and open bar inside the Selby Gardens Event Center plus access to the light show. Closer to home, The Florida Botanical Gardens holiday extravaganza lights up the night 11/25-1/1 5:30-9:30; $10/person ages 13+ with dance, live music, a holiday gift shop, and other events; visit online at www.Flbgfoundation.org/holidaylights.
MIAMI NICE Just opened in November, the Arlo Wynwood is the first hotel to open in Miami’s preeminent creative and cultural district offers guests prime access to the best of the neighborhood paired with modern amenities for savvy travelers in the 217 guest rooms property, featuring a rooftop heated pool, weekly wellness classes on the yoga deck, access to complimentary bikes to take in Wynwood’s vibrant street art and more. Just in time for the holidays, the Arlo Wynwood is offering an opening package that includes 20% off standard rates, plus an additional $100 off the total stay, with a two-night minimum.
DAYTRIPPING In addition to ice skating rinks in downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, Dade City’s Snowcat Ridge is open for winter wonderland festivities such as a 400-foot-long snow tubing hill and a 10,000-square-foot indoor play area with “real snow.” For ice skating, glide on the Crystal Ribbon outdoor ice-skating rink and beginner oval. The Arctic Igloo features a snow play area (great for building the perfect snowman), a snowball target area, and a Bunny Slope for riders under 42″ tall designed especially for children 3 years old and younger. Explore the Alpine Village food (from tacos to pizza), drinks, beer, wine, and gift shop, then cozy up to a campfire and roast s’mores and enjoy the nightly Snowy Slopes music & light show. www.snowcatridge.com
