Hotel Cala Sets a January 2027 Debut on the Riverwalk
Hotel Cala will open in January 2027 on the Tampa Riverwalk. The urban resort overlooks the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. It trades under the Curio Collection by Hilton flag and holds 281 rooms. The design firm Rockwell Group led the transformation.
Hotel Cala announced the opening on 7 October 2026. The site has traded as a downtown hotel for decades, and the redesign draws on the waterfront setting, the tropical character of the site and the city's Italian and Cuban heritage.
The Circular Lobby and the Riverwalk Windows
The lobby anchors the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling arched windows face the Riverwalk, and the circular room links the lobby, the pool deck and the main dining venues. A central circular bar sits beneath a custom tiered chandelier built from rattan weaving.
The room shifts through the day. It starts with coffee and light bites and becomes an evening lounge and gathering space.
Rockwell Group's Tampa Materials
Rockwell Group pairs Italian marble, cream plaster, herringbone limestone and warm woods with textiles, global patterns and tropical planting. Cognac-colored fluted tile columns at the porte-cochere reference the hand-rolled cigar factories of nearby Ybor City.
LAVO and BarOnda Take the Dining Program
Tao Group Hospitality manages the two dining venues. LAVO makes its Tampa debut with coastal Italian cooking. The menu centers on house-made pastas and whole-grain pizzas made with single-source flour. Its signature dish, The Meatball, combines Wagyu, Italian sausage and veal under whipped ricotta. A cocktail program and a wine list round out the offer.
BarOnda serves cocktails and small plates on the waterfront.
Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality, said the two venues will carry separate experiences, from the coastal Italian menu at LAVO to the waterfront setting at BarOnda. He said they are built to serve Tampa locals and visitors alike.
281 Rooms, 16 Suites and a Pool Deck
The hotel holds 281 guestrooms, including 16 suites. Waterfront rooms carry warm wood detailing, rattan elements, brass-toned accents and custom furniture. The suites add richer color, pattern and tropical references.
A resort-style pool deck offers cabanas, lounge seating and landscaping. A 24-hour fitness center overlooks the pool, and guests reach the Riverwalk directly from the property.
10,000 Square Feet for Groups
Hotel Cala will hold 10,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space across seven rooms. The rooms take up to 450 guests. The release names meetings, weddings and social celebrations as the target business.
Schulte Hospitality and the Curio Flag
Schulte Hospitality manages the hotel. As part of Curio Collection by Hilton, Hotel Cala takes part in Hilton Honors. Members can earn and redeem points on their stays. Reservations run through the property site at hotelcalatampa.com.
The Quote From Newbond Holdings
Neil Luthra, founding partner of Newbond Holdings, said the site has been part of downtown Tampa for more than half a century. He said the company set out to build something distinctly Tampa, and to bring hospitality, dining and culture together on the Riverwalk for visitors and locals.