Any Recommendations for Tampa Hotels?

[keishashadow]

Not an Orlando hotel question (ot - sorry) but, I booked a Carnival cruise out of Tampa, need a hotel recommendation for 1 night prior.

Not sure if we're renting a car, so I assume it would be best to stay downtown or near the port.

We were just going to fly into MCO & stay off-site somewhere but, friends just visited Clearwater beach & said it took them 4 hours to drive from WDW???? Thought it was easily reached in under 2 hours...eeeee.

Guess we'll have to rethink & fly into Tampa.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Not sure about the Tampa hotel, check www.tripadvisor.com but normally Orlando to Clearwater is about 2 hours, maybe road construction on the route perhaps?

 

[MeghanNRileysMom]

I don't have a recommendation, however, I CAN tell you where NOT to stay. Do NOT stay at the Residence Inn Tampa Downtown at 101 East Tyler Street. HORRIBLE parking situation, even though you pay for parking you might not get a spot in the lot which is across the street. In a very questionable neighborhood at night, you have to park on the street at the front entrance and drop off your luggage, no driveway to pull in. All one way streets in this area make it very hard to navigate your way to the hotel. The staff is downright rude. I booked with a credit card AND called on the way to confirm our rooms and when we got there they did not have them available and required our party of 9 to squeeze into two small rooms for the night. One of the rooms they gave us was one I actually TRIED to book and they said it would only "BY LAW" accomodate three people. Well I guess that's only the law til they need to put FIVE people in there. Oh I"m still so mad when I think about it! The only people that I have anything nice to say about is the housekeeping staff, they are the ones that told us not to fall for the parking "scam" (her exact words). The housekeepers were great.

Anyhow, good luck with your hotel search!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Westin Tampa Harbour Island

Grand Hyatt Tampa

Marriott Westshore

Springhill Suites by Marriott Tampa Airport

Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point

 

[keishashadow]

thanks, forgot about trip advisor; friends had to have gotten lost or stuck in traffic (even though they deny it).

 

[Amity 3]

the Marriott Waterside is in the Channelside area and really close to the cruise terminals. an Embassy Suites is due to open in the area any day. Marriot Westshore, Sheraton Suites or the Wyndam near TIA. WDW to Clearwater is anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic.

 

[keishashadow]

the Marriott Waterside is in the Channelside area and really close to the cruise terminals. an Embassy Suites is due to open in the area any day. Marriot Westshore, Sheraton Suites or the Wyndam near TIA. WDW to Clearwater is anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic.

thanks...any suggestions for something to do the 1st day in Tampa?

Thinking the aquarium or running over to a beach (depending on how long it'd take). Don't think we'll have enough time to justify Busch Gardens (wasn't too thrilled w/the one in VA anyway).

Used to live in Hillsboro area as a child but, don't remember much as to driving distance/time involved.

 

[Amity 3]

thanks...any suggestions for something to do the 1st day in Tampa?

Thinking the aquarium or running over to a beach (depending on how long it'd take). Don't think we'll have enough time to justify Busch Gardens (wasn't too thrilled w/the one in VA anyway).

Used to live in Hillsboro area as a child but, don't remember much as to driving distance/time involved.

the aquarium is very nice, but hardly a full day. they do have a eco-tour option where they take you out into the Gulf on their catamaran for dolphin watching. Channelside is right there at the terminal with shops and restaurants. the Gulf beaches in the area are about a half hour out the terminal area. you could cruise Gulf to Bay Blvd. from to Clearwater to Fort Desoto and pass a dozen beaches. International Plaza is an upper end mall in the area if you want to shop. Ybor City is close to the area if you want a little history and a lot of alcohol. Raymond James Stadium gives free tours of the complex all of the way into the Bucs' locker room each day at no charge.

we haven't been to BGW yet, but love our BG. it's more of a world class zoo with thrill rides.

 

[gatorfanslp]

I would suggest Fort De Soto beach - it's beautiful, and to eat - try the Columbia restaurant - either in Tampa, or right over the bridge in St. Pete. That one's on the pier, so you have a great view of Tampa bay. It's cuban food - delicious.

I live in St. Pete, and went to WDW 2 weeks ago, it takes 90 min. from St. Pete. Sometimes rush hour can slow you down, but 4 hours? Did they take the residential streets?

You can also look on-line for things to do - I like the suggestions from the other poster.

I find BG to be over-rated, and crowded in - small, unless you like fast roller coasters. Then it's worth it. Keep in mind too - don't know when you are going, but it gets cold - the week highs in the 60's. That makes the beaches mighty nippy.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Raymond James Stadium gives free tours of the complex all of the way into the Bucs' locker room each day at no charge.

And they pay you if the Bucs are actually in there at the time.

 

[Amity 3]

And they pay you if the Bucs are actually in there at the time.

I'll default on the payment for five minutes alone with Gruden.

 

[swilshire]

I don't have a recommendation, however, I CAN tell you where NOT to stay. Do NOT stay at the Residence Inn Tampa Downtown at 101 East Tyler Street. HORRIBLE parking situation, even though you pay for parking you might not get a spot in the lot which is across the street.

I stayed there once for two weeks on business. I never had a problem with parking, but I hated my room, which was on the street side. Separated from the road only by a sidewalk, it felt like I was sleeping IN the road. I don't think I slept more than 30 minutes straight the whole time. Those boom boxes going by would jolt me out of bed all night.

Sheila

 

[cwnhokie]

We just got back from a Carnival cruise out of Tampa. We stayed at Chase Suites. If you are not getting a rental car, they have a ship to shore package where they will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel, then hotel to port and then port to airport when you get back. Also a happy hour at night and continental breakfast. We liked it, except for the racoon in the palm tree outside our door, didn't know they had racoons in Tampa, apparently neither did maintainance.

 

[keishashadow]

We just got back from a Carnival cruise out of Tampa. We stayed at Chase Suites. If you are not getting a rental car, they have a ship to shore package where they will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel, then hotel to port and then port to airport when you get back. Also a happy hour at night and continental breakfast. We liked it, except for the racoon in the palm tree outside our door, didn't know they had racoons in Tampa, apparently neither did maintainance.

Which ship/ports? We've never cruised Carnival, somewhat apprehensive based on some reviews we've read, esp. as to food choices.

BTW, better a raccoon than a giant palmetto bug .

thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

[cwnhokie]

We went on the Inspiration to Cozumel. The ship was in excellent shape. It's older and smaller, but it was also very inexpensive. The food in the dining room is better than the food on the lido deck buffet. The spa was nice, but not as luxurious as one of my friends would have liked. Our waiter in the dining room was uptight, the the service was decent. Some of our friends had a different waiter they said was excellent. We went with a large group for our anniversary and left the kids behind. Everyone is still talking about the best trip ever. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Amity 3]

we've got raccoons and armadillos.

keishashadow, which Carnival cruise are you taking? we're looking into one next spring. the port's less than ten miles from us, and we haven't been on one yet.

 

[Darcy03231]

We've cruised out of Tampa several times. If you have a large family or group I would stay at Chase Suites. It's a great place. We're a family of 6 so the 2 bedroom/2 bath suite with kitchen worked great for us. When it's just been DH and I we've stayed at the Wyndham Westshore and the Doubletree Westshore. Doubletree offers a free shuttle from the airport and to the pier. Wyndham just has an airport shuttle.

 

[3for Me]

We just returned from a Carnival cruise out of Tampa. Don't know what your budget is, and its about 15 minutes from the terminal, but the Renaissance at the International Mall is BEAUTIFUL. The mall is indoor/outdoor with lots of great restaurants, and we spent the day before the cruise shopping, eating and walking around. It was really lovely.