Archive photograph of Tampa’s Riverwalk; not Hotel Cala or its proposed interiors.
Photo: Ken Lund / Wikimedia Commons · Image source · CC BY-SA 2.0.
Hotel Cala has announced a January 2027 debut on the Tampa Riverwalk, with LAVO and BarOnda, both managed by Tao Group Hospitality, as its two restaurants. The hotel is at 200 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, and has 281 rooms, 16 of them suites.
That's So Tampa reports that the hotel replaces the former Sheraton. The project brings LAVO to downtown Tampa, alongside a lobby bar whose windows overlook the river.
LAVO leads on coastal Italian, BarOnda on waterfront cocktails
LAVO's announced menu is coastal Italian. The pasta is made in house, the whole-grain pizza uses flour from a single source, and one meatball dish combines Wagyu, Italian sausage and veal and is served with whipped ricotta. Wine and cocktail programs are planned. According to That's So Tampa, LAVO also has locations in Las Vegas and Singapore. LAVO's own Tampa page lists the restaurant at Hotel Cala as coming soon.
BarOnda offers casual waterfront cocktails and bites. The hotel's official page places it in the lobby, where tall windows frame the river.
A Rockwell Group redesign comes with event space for up to 450
Rockwell Group redesigned the hotel. The hotel announcement describes a round lobby connecting the restaurants and pool deck, with arched windows toward the Riverwalk. A tiered chandelier inspired by woven rattan hangs above its circular bar. Schulte Hospitality manages the property, which joins Hilton's Curio Collection and Hilton Honors.
For events, the hotel lists 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space across seven rooms, with capacity for up to 450 people. The pool deck is planned with cabanas, tropical landscaping and places to sit around the water. The fitness center overlooks the pool and operates 24 hours.
Hotel Cala's opening plans
As of October 8, 2026, the hotel's official page says Hotel Cala is premiering in January 2027 and gives no first operating day. The page's Book Now button links to Hilton for room reservations.
The announcement gives no opening day for either restaurant and no menu prices, and LAVO's page shows no date. LAVO offers email updates through that page for readers following its opening plans.