Tampa/Busch Gardens

[MeghanNRileysMom]

Hi there, after our ten night stay at the Polynesian we are planning to go visit the Tampa area and specifically Busch Gardens for three days. I have been searching on hotels in the immediate area of Busch Gardens and have been coming up with conflicting info. We'd like a place with a nice pool and within walking distance to a restaurant (Chili's, Olive Garden, nothing fancy). It doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, but clean and SAFE. We've stayed at Residence Inns before and like that setup, but kitchen area is not mandatory. Any firsthand suggestions and recommendations would REALLY be welcomed! Thanks in advance!

 

[CPM]

Honestly, the ONLY hotel I would reccomend in that area is the Embassy Suites. I ahve stayed in a few and that one is the only decent one I ahve ever come across. Not sure if you can walk to a restaurant from it but they ahve thier own and they have a free shuttle that will take you anywhere within 5 miles, including the park It offers an incredible breakfast and free happy hour too.

 

[klfrech]

I did the same thing last year that you are doing this year, and I have to agree with the above poster, Embassy Suites is the only decent hotel in the immediate BG area. BG is basically in the middle of a city; there is nothing "resort-like" about the area surrounding the park. It reminded me of a Six-Flags type of area. However, having said all that, my family loved, loved, loved BG and intend to go back this year again.

Having done much research last year, we ended up staying in the Wyndham Harbourside which was about 20 minutes away from BG. I paid $70.00 using Priceline. The area was beautiful, but the hotel wasn't worth much more than $70.00. This year we will be staying at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. It got great reviews on TripAdvisor.

One other tiny detail about Tampa hotels...they are much cheaper on the weekends than during the week because they cater to the business traveler. So, our plan this year is to do Disney for a few days mid-week, travel down to Tampa for the weekend (much better hotel rates), and back up to Orlando for a few days at US, flying in and out of Orlando. Drive time from Orlando to Tampa is about 75 minutes.

Hope I've been helpful.

 

[Immelman]

my office is about 5 minutes away from BG, PM me if you have any specific questions, I've been in every hotel around BG. I've been know to spend my lunch hour there and ride Montu a couple of times.