Relax and Unwind at the Food-Focused Epicurean Hotel and Evangeline Spa
Located in Tampa’s trendy Hyde Park historic district, I visited the food-focused AAA Four Diamond Epicurean Hotel and was blown away by the attention to detail — from the decor, to the food, to the service and the treatments at the spa. Here’s a photo collage of my room; notice the foodie-inspired decor.
The hotel was developed by the geniuses behind the legendary Bern’s Steak House (one of my favorite places in Tampa) and Mainsail Lodging & Development, and is the first newly constructed hotel in the U.S. to join the prestigious Autograph Collection. I had the benefit of experiencing the hotel with a few of my friends, including VISIT FLORIDA Insiders, Rachelle Lucas and Ginger Harris.
Rachelle wrote a mouthwatering blog post that you’ve got to check out: 8 Photos That Will Make Any Foodie Want to Stay at The Epicurean. You’ll also want to read Ginger’s story, My Epicurean Adventure and view her amazing photos.
Experience Evangeline Spa
Located on the ground floor of the hotel, Evangeline Spa, offers a truly sumptuous experience. Named for the iconic statue located in the neighboring Bern’s Steak House, the 2,800-square-foot spa features five treatment rooms, a relaxation room, as well as manicure and pedicure stations. You can work with a spa sommelier to create custom spa products using fresh fruits, essential oils and locally grown herbs that can be utilized during the spa treatment or taken home.
A fragrant live herb wall in the spa allows therapists to incorporate locally grown cilantro, mint and other fresh ingredients into select treatments. To sweeten the deal, ask for a glass of wine or Moët & Chandon champagne by the glass. Select treatments also include a delicious dessert from the hotel’s pâtisserie, Chocolate Pi.
Unique Product Lines Include FarmHouse Fresh and Caudalie
The spa offers two product lines unique to the area – FarmHouse Fresh and Caudalie. FarmHouse Fresh creates natural and organic bath and body products designed with southern vintage flair and using indigenous regional ingredients. In keeping with the Epicurean’s culinary theme, FarmHouse Fresh offers their liquor-based body polishes, including Butter Rum, Bourbon Bubbler, Watermelon-Basil Vodkatini and the top-selling Whoopie! Cream, all of which can be experienced in a variety of spa treatments such as the Dulce Delight pedicure.
Evangeline’s second product line – Caudalie – is the creator of Vinothérapie and was founded in the heart of the vineyards in Bordeaux, France. Vinothérapie combines the virtues of naturally warm spring water rich in minerals and trace elements with the latest scientific findings on the benefits of the vine and grapes. Spa services such as the quintessential crushed cabernet massage and the vinoperfect radiance facial showcase Caudalie’s products and blend perfectly with the Epicurean Hotel’s other culinary spa offerings.
The spa also offers a special treatment menu for men, including the Fine as Wine men’s facial, Hot Whiskey Scour massage (served with a shot of whiskey at the end) and the Bern’s Bourbon on the Rocks pedicure.
After experiencing a little R&R at the spa, check out the rest of the amazing amenities at the hotel:
- Take a class at the state-of-the-art culinary classroom known as the Epicurean Theatre,
- Dine at Élevage, a restaurant where classic recipes are re-imagined,
- Sip on handcrafted cocktails at EDGE rooftop bar,
- Nosh on dessert at the Chocolate Pi pâtisserie,
- Visit Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits wine shop,
- Take one of the house bicycles for a spin around the neighborhood.
Here’s a shot of a rainbow from the EDGE rooftop bar:
If You Go: The spa is open to the public and spa memberships and gift cards are available. For reservations and more information on the Evangeline spa at the Epicurean Hotel, please call (813) 999-8742 or visit SpaEvangeline.com. For hotel reservations, please call (813) 999-8700 or visit EpicureanHotel.com.
