Weekend Cooking- The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa Florida

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A few weeks ago my husband and I were in Tampa, Florida and we stayed at a new boutique hotel run by Marriott called The Epicurean.

From the moment you walk into the bright lobby, you can tell that this is a place that loves their wine. The logos of wines, like you'd find on wine corks, decorate the entire wall and ceiling of the lobby.

They also have bicycles that you can borrow to ride, much like you'd find at a Napa Valley B&B.

My favorite book and movie is Gone With The Wind, and they have a cute lobby display, Gone With The Wine, made of wine scented candles.

In the corner, you can buy soaps and wine accessories found in the hotel rooms and spa.

Off of the lobby is a wonderfully appointed wine shop, where they host frequent wine tastings. (They were preparing one as we arrived.)

The rooms are all about the wine too. They have a lovely display of split bottles of wine for purchase, along with jars of olives, in addition to your standard coffee maker.

When you come off the elevator, you see this rustic cart. (That's a telephone on top of the cart for you youngsters.)

As we were leaving the next morning, the manager offered us a cold beverage that was out of this world good. It was citrus sparkling water that the chef prepared for the guests. 

The Epicurean has a little chocolate shop and a spa, as well as a lovely bar and restaurant. We wish we could have stayed there more than one night, and if we ever find ourselves back in Tampa, The Epicurean will be our home base.