SW/BG combined - couple nights in Tampa?

[MultiMut]

I'm getting a Sea World/Busch Garden combination 5 day ticket (good for 5 days in a 7 day period).

I was considering spending a couple of nights in Tampa for the Busch Gardens period, instead of driving from Orlando (and take some time to see other stuff in Tampa area at the same time). Good idea or not?

Any hotel recommendations on hotels to choose/avoid in Tampa. I was looking at the Doubletree near Busch Gardens, but the opinions I've seen on this property are so diverse, it's they're from people staying at completely different hotels. Wingate seems to have some good recommendations. (2 adults, 2 children under 11).

In Orlando, we'll be staying a Gaylord Palms for pre-Disney, and Pop Century for Disney portion.

 

[NCRedding]

We stayed at the Baymont on 30th and DO NOT recommend this to anyone. We saw the Wingate and an Embassy Suites on Fowler that looked very nice and would have been as convenient to the park as the Baymont.

 

[MultiMut]

Will try reposting this in Orlando Hotels category as well.

NCRedding: Thanks for the advice about avoiding the Baymount!

I have seen only positive comments about the Embassy Suites near Busch Gardens... but it would be quite a bit more expensive, so need to decide if it's worth it.

DoubleTree seems to get either very good reviews or bad reviews (as if people are commenting on different hotels). Must be a question of whether you get a "updated" room or not.

Wingate, seems to be consistent. There's another Wingate just a few exits up the I-75 as well.

Anyone else have experiences, positive or negative, about Tampa hotels?

 

[geffric]

We haVE STAYED AT THE HoLIDAY INN ON fOWLER and it was fine... we love BG...

 

[Motherfletcher]

Don't stay at Days Inn West of Busch. Old and smells musty/mold.

Stay at La Quinta On Fowler and McKinley. Continental Breakfast including hard boiled eggs. $37 on Hotwire, had 2 stars.

Why not buy the Publix 3 days at either park for $70? You can do both parks in 3 days.

 

[MultiMut]

Motherfletcher: I'm from Canada, and will go for the Canadian Dollar at par special instead [www.atpar.ca]. Two parks, any five days over a seven day period.

Thanks for the recommendation for La Quinta.

 

[suei]

Don't miss the Florida Aquarium while you're in Tampa-it's brilliant!

 

[BarryHom]

The Lowry Park Zoo is pretty good too.