Tampa
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Overview
Like any Florida resort area, Tampa and its surrounding environs are brimming with lodging options. People visit the area for a variety of reasons - from a short, romantic weekend at the beach to an extended family vacation to a business trip – so the area boasts hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, and other accommodations that are appropriate for each visit, no matter the reason.
Visitors who have a preference for a certain hotel chain will probably be able to find that particular brand. Most major lower- to mid-priced chains – like Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Comfort, Best Western, Days Inn and all their subsidiaries – can be found in the Tampa Metro Area. You'll also find a number of upscale hotel options in the area as well, including Hyatt, Radisson, Wyndham, and others – offering business and leisure travelers a bit more luxury at a higher price.
If, however, you prefer the small Mom-and-Pop establishments typical in many beach communities, you won't be disappointed. Many frequent Tampa area visitors have favorite small motels and hotels that they return to each year, preferring the familiarity of a family-owned establishment to the formalities of a large chain hotel/motel. They may not boast as many amenities as the larger accommodations, but most are clean and welcoming and often quite close to the beach.
Downtown Tampa hotels are geared more towards business travelers. They offer amenities that such travelers need, including room service, wireless internet, fax services, fitness facilities, and a variety of other business-related items to meet the needs of their busy clients. Many beach area hotels also offer these amenities but attract more of a leisure clientele. Smaller motels may just offer basic amenities such as a pool and fitness room.
While you won't find the same sort of Bed and Breakfast and historic or country inn presence in Tampa as you would in perhaps the New England states, there are a number of good B&B/inn establishments in the metro area, particularly in historic Ybor City, where the atmosphere is decidedly Cuban and quite lively. Of particular note is the historic Don Vincente de Ybor Inn, with its grand carved-wood bar and tastefully appointed rooms. There are also several B&Bs in St. Pete Beach, many located near the water.
Best Bets
Some Tampa area hotels have established a reputation as being among the best in the area. Reasons vary. For some, it's their exemplary service offered by a dedicated staff that sees to the guest's every whim. For others, it's their exceptional accommodations, fine restaurants, or proximity to attractions or beaches. Here's a list of just a few of the finest.
- Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay – Suitable for either business or leisure travelers, this hotel – situated on 35 acres – has everything you'll need to make your stay pleasant, including marble baths, a fitness center and pool, an onsite florist and salon, an award-winning Italian restaurant, and even a motor yacht available for charter – all on the shores of beautiful Tampa Bay.
- Hyatt Regency Tampa – Same great Hyatt service but in a city setting, this hotel has WiFi, a fully-equipped fitness center, a rooftop sundeck with hot tub, trolley service to downtown attractions, and special money-saving plans for frequent business travelers.
- InterContinental Tampa – This is Tampa's newest luxury resort, situated about 5 miles from downtown in the Westshore business district and just a 30 minute drive to the beaches. Rooms are sleek and sophisticated, with feather top mattresses and complimentary bathrobes and slippers, decorated in relaxing tones reminiscent of the sky and sea.
- Quorum Hotel Tampa – Dubbed "the business resort", Quorum Hotel Tampa welcomes leisure travelers but is truly designed for the busy guest visiting the area for work-related purposes. A wealth of business amenities are available including large meeting facilities, and the hotel attempts to combine business with leisure by offering special events for business travelers during their down time.
- Radisson Bay Harbor Hotel – With views of either the city or the Bay, this Radisson is near the city's major attractions and corporate centers, yet its location doesn't fail to prompt a mood of relaxation. The rooms are large and the huge outdoor pool overlooking the bay just sparkles.
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – With its signature 50-ft guitar perched over the entrance, the Seminole Hard Rock attracts a younger crowd of mostly leisure travelers. The outdoor area is stunning, with a large pool and plenty of cascading fountains. Inside, you can eat at the famous Hard Rock Café or try your hand at the gaming tables in the 90,000-square-foot casino.
- Tahitian Inn – This boutique-style hotel has been around for more than half-a-century and is a favorite of many repeat travelers to Tampa. The three-story gem features four-poster beds, a spa offering a variety of treatments, a heated Tiki pool, and an onsite bar and café. Not the fanciest place in town but definitely a hotel with lots of character.
- Westin Tampa Harbour Island – Sitting on its own landscaped island, the Westin Tampa is luxury lodging at its finest. From its Heavenly Beds™ to its fine restaurant and massive outdoor pool to its many amenities for business travelers, this is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of work or sightseeing.
