OT- Any good hotels in Tampa vicinity?

[brymolmom]

Hi- dh has a conference in early March so myself and ds4 and dd3 will be joining him (He's not allowed to go to Orlando without us ). Anyway- since he has the conference and I'm not thrilled about bringing the kids to the parks alone the whole time, we are planning only limited time at WDW this time around - sad - but just enough to get me through to the next visit.

On to my question - I am considering doing a couple nights at/near a beach (does not need to be right on the beach) and am thinking about heading the Tampa way and going to their children's museum (we have membership at ours and can get in free there), hitting the beach (if the weather cooperates on March 10-12) and maybe catching a spring training game.

Does anyone know of any kid-friendly hotels in that vicinity? I am budget conscious so I don't want real high-end, but something with a free breakfast would be nice, again - not necessarily right on the beach, and if it had any 'kid themed' rooms (like with bunkbeds or something) - that would be a nice plus.

TIA!

 

[Fabooliss]

I'd like to know too. (bump!)

 

[sewer]

About 20 miles east of Tampa you'll find a city called Indian Rocks, and they have a Holiday Inn Resort that is very nice. You can walk to the beach, they have a great pool, and plenty of places to eat,

 

[AJKMOM]

We stayed at Alden Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach last month. It was an older hotel, but kept up nice. You can walk to the Gulf, but it was too cold to swim. The pools were not fancy, but heated!!

There were several hotels in the area that looked nice.

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

Any of the beach areas are very good areas. Clearwater Beach is wonderful! But, please, please do yourself a favor and stay away from the hotels in the Busch Gardens area. This is a bad area. Downtown Tampa is nice and has some very nice hotels, and some new ones, too. A residence Inn just opened and the Marriot Waterside is gorgeous. You can pm me with specific hotels you find, and maybe I'll know them. Good luck!

 

[jpeppers]

We stayed at the LaQuinta in the Busch gardens area this year and it was great and very reasonable

 

[Kuffam]

We stayed at the Sailport Resort and it was nice and right on the Bay. The Florida Aquarium is very good too!

 

[Mystry62]

Any of the beach areas are very good areas. Clearwater Beach is wonderful! But, please, please do yourself a favor and stay away from the hotels in the Busch Gardens area. This is a bad area. Downtown Tampa is nice and has some very nice hotels, and some new ones, too. A residence Inn just opened and the Marriot Waterside is gorgeous. You can pm me with specific hotels you find, and maybe I'll know them. Good luck!

This is so true!!! BG area is NOT a good area. Embassy suites by the University is a little better. I would recommend something more towards the beach. If staying in Tampa, anything on Westshore or Cypress should be fine. It's closer to the Bay (and a shorter drive to the beaches) and in a better part of town.

HTH,

 

[Darcy03231]

I've stayed at the Wyndham Westshore, Doubletree Westshore and Chase Suites and all were fine. Chase Suites had the best location and included free breakfast but was almost twice the price of the others.

 

[tampaguys]

There are no beaches in Tampa, per se. You have to head west across the Bay to Pinellas County (St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach).

A personal favorite is the little town of Treasure Island, Florida. It's like going back in time to a beach holiday in the 1950's. The Thunderbird Resort is central, family friendly, and right on the beach. http://thunderbirdflorida.com/

I completely agree with the comments about the Busch Gardens area. Don't stay there. Downtown Tampa has several very nice hotels, including the Marriott Waterside. There are some things to do near there (Florida Aquarium, Channelside entertainment district, IMAX theater), but you can't beat a few days on the beach.

 

[brymolmom]

There are no beaches in Tampa, per se. You have to head west across the Bay to Pinellas County (St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, Indian Rocks Beach).

A personal favorite is the little town of Treasure Island, Florida. It's like going back in time to a beach holiday in the 1950's. The Thunderbird Resort is central, family friendly, and right on the beach. http://thunderbirdflorida.com/

I completely agree with the comments about the Busch Gardens area. Don't stay there. Downtown Tampa has several very nice hotels, including the Marriott Waterside. There are some things to do near there (Florida Aquarium, Channelside entertainment district, IMAX theater), but you can't beat a few days on the beach.

This Treasure Island town sounds wonderful...any thoughts on time from Orlando to Treasure Island?

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

This Treasure Island town sounds wonderful...any thoughts on time from Orlando to Treasure Island?

Thanks for the suggestion!

Yes, Treasure Island is wonderful! I would guess it to take approx. 2 hours from Orlando. It's very easy to get to. Take I4 west to 275 south. You'll cross Tampa Bay into Pinellas County (where all the beaches are).