What you need to know about Hilton’s new lifestyle brand Tempo
With major hotel companies announcing new brands left and right, it's hard to keep up with all of them. But of all the announcements coming out in the last few years, few have been as exciting as Hilton's new Tempo by Hilton, designed to cater to "active, ambitious travelers."
Last month, the very first Tempo hotel opened in New York's flashy and fast-paced Times Square, and there are more than 35 others in development.
Whether you're a Hilton Honors loyalist or one of those ambitious lifestyle travelers the hotel is designed to serve, here's a quick look at the brand and its first property to help you decide if it's worth a stay.
What is Tempo by Hilton?
Tempo by Hilton is a new lifestyle brand with one property open in New York City called Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square; dozens more are in the pipeline. While lifestyle brands are a dime a dozen these days, it seems like Hilton really worked to make this brand something special for its targeted guests, putting a special emphasis on smart room design, wellness, food and drink, location and more.
As we shared in our guide to every Hilton brand, Hilton pitches the brand to investors like this:
Tempo by Hilton is a stylish and contemporary lifestyle hotel brand dedicated to exceeding the expectations of the ambitious, yet balanced, class of discerning traveler — the modern achiever. Thoughtfully designed and uplifting, Tempo offers dynamic public space including an open lobby concept with dedicated spaces to relax and work, as well as premium culinary options, such as the brand's signature coffee fuel bar, a casual breakfast café and an inviting bar experience. Each Tempo will include well-being offerings, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and programs, as well as flexible meeting and working spaces.
Or, as we translated it, "These hotels are meant to feature a midcentury modern style — so travelers can feel like they're sleeping in a West Elm catalog."
The rooms are designed to change with guests
For the Tempo by Hilton, wellness is front and center, and this is demonstrated in several ways, starting in the rooms. All rooms feature different zones designed for different parts of the day. The "Power Down" amenities help you fall and stay asleep, while the "Power Up" amenities in the "Get Ready Zone" help you wake up fresh to get your day going.
These areas include different lighting options that adjust with guests throughout the day: bright lights to help you get ready and soothing, dim lights to help you relax. There are also a functional desk for working, a closet space and an oversized bath suite featuring mirrors with built-in Bluetooth speakers.
For a really special room experience in New York, consider booking one of the Ball Drop Rooms with clear views of both the famous Ball Drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve and the celebrity-filled entertainment down on the street below.
Certain rooms take wellness to the next level
According to Hilton, each Tempo property will have wellness-focused amenities to help guests stay balanced while traveling. At the Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square, that might mean booking one of the hotel's nine wellness rooms.
Wellness rooms include a Peloton bike so you can get your spin on overlooking the lights of Times Square, as well as a Peloton yoga mat and resistance bands. A Therabody Theragun Elite and Wave Roller help you work out the kinks after a busy day exploring New York City or working out with the in-room equipment.
The bar program also has a wellness spin
Hilton knows that many modern travelers have shifted away from alcoholic drinks, so it launched a special bar menu with "Spirited" and "Free-Spirited" cocktails. Spirited drinks, according to a statement from Hilton, offer "refined, well-balanced drinks containing alcohol." On the other hand, the Free-Spirited drinks replicate "cocktails in every way — presentation, flavor profile, mouthfeel, and sophistication — but are made without alcohol."
Travelers can sample those drinks, with or without alcohol, at the hotel's cocktail bar Highball. Menu options include drinks like "Black is the New Pink" with Patron Reposado tequila, Montelobos Espadin mezcal, black ancho agave and Stiegl Radler grapefruit (pictured above, $23). The Free-Spirited version substitutes the tequila and mezcal for Lyre's Agave Blanco and Lyre's Highland Malt, and the Stiegl Radler grapefruit is swapped for Fever Tree sparkling grapefruit ($16).
The menu at Highball also features breakfast, lunch and dinner selections ranging from avocado toast to Impossible burgers, seared salmon and the Waldorf salad, a nod to Hilton's own history.
While we'll have to wait to see how each individual property tailors its menus to local foods and flavors, you can count on seeing healthy and balanced options across the board.
New Tempo by Hilton locations are in the works
With more than 30 Tempo locations in the works, it won't be long before the brand (and its wellness-centered approach to hospitality) are found worldwide. Next in line to open is Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown Nashville Yards, a 16-story property near Broadway with 306 rooms. Others include a second Nashville property — Tempo by Hilton Nashville Midtown, an 11-story, 161-room hotel set to open in 2024 — and venues in Memphis, San Diego and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Related: The best hotels to book in Nashville for the full Music City experience
Bottom line
While pretty much every major hotel company, including Hilton, has announced new budget-friendly brands in recent months, we're stoked to see a new lifestyle brand start to take off. The first location in New York really seemed to be a stunner. Of course, we'll soon have a full review of the property, but until then, we'll keep you updated with future openings of Tempo by Hilton and all it has to offer.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.