Any hotel recommendations in Tampa?

[KirstenB]

My fellow DVC'rs...in my constant efforts to stretch both points and cash, I'm considering staying in Tampa for Friday and Saturday. We're Busch Gardens season pass holders, so we get into BG Tampa for free. Can anyone recommend a family-friendly hotel nearby that's not too expensive?
TIA!!

 

[Disney_Daddy]

I grew up in Tampa and worked at Adventure Island during high school. Here are my recommendations in no particular order. The first three are very close to BG. The last is the Marriott Waterside. It is in downtown Tampa, but is also the nicest of the recommendations. Enjoy!

Hampton Inn & Suites - Tampa/North
8210 Hidden River Parkway (I-75 and Fletcher Avenue)
Tampa, FL
813-903-6000

Embassy Suites Hotel (on the USF Tampa Campus)
3705 Spectrum Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33612
813-977-7066

Marriott - Residence Inn
13420 N. Telecom Parkway
Tampa, Florida 33637
813-972-4400

Marriott - Tampa Waterside
700 S. Florida Ave.
Tampa, Florida 33602
813-221-4900

 

[NSL]

I just reserved a room for one night on our upcoming stay. My son wanted to visit the ocean so we just added one night to our stay. I booked through Hotwire. It worked really well. I put in the area we were interested in staying in and how many stars we wanted. I was able to book a 4-star hotel for $130 per night. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay or something like that. The room was actually quite a bit more through the Hyatt site but we saved by booking Hotwire. We also rented our rental car this way and saved over $200. Check it out and see what you can find, I think it is worth it.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

I was able to book a 4-star hotel for $130 per night. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay or something like that.

The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is fabulous. You will love the property. Oystercatchers is on-site and a great place to eat!

The Grand Hyatt is about 15 miles from BG and traffic through downtown would make it about a 30 minute drive to BG.

 

[NSL]

The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is fabulous. You will love the property. Oystercatchers is on-site and a great place to eat!

The Grand Hyatt is about 15 miles from BG and traffic through downtown would make it about a 30 minute drive to BG.

Perfect for us because we will be leaving from the Grand Hyatt to TPA. I am glad to hear about Oystercatchers, I saw it on their web site and thought we would enjoy it. What about the beach they have on site? Do you know anything about it?

Also, to OP Hotwire had hotels they offered near BG if that is appealing. They had cheaper than $130 if you were OK with 3 star hotels or lower.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

I would not recommend the beach near the Hyatt for much more than a quick walk. It is not the best representation of a beach.

Also, you may want to read this article regarding a recent fish kill in Tampa Bay. http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article749579.ece

If you want a true beach experience, then I'd suggest driving West (about 30 minutes) on the Courtney Campbell Causeway over to Clearwater Beach. It is beautiful!

Have fun!

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks everyone!! I'm printing this off, and saving it.