Tampa Hotels: Picks and Pans?

[MultiMut]

I'm considering staying in Tampa for a couple of nights to see Busch Gardens, and other attractions in Tampa.

Does anyone have "picks and pans" for Tampa area hotels? We're a family of 4 (children ages 9-10), and want a reasonable CLEAN room.

I originally posted under Sea World forum, where NCRedding suggesting avoiding the Baymont near Busch Gardens.

I was looking at the DoubleTree BG, or one of the two Wingates close by. Doubletree seems to get either positive reviews, or bad reviews (like the people were in completely different hotels). Embassy Suites I know is very good, but is more expensive (will consider). Also willing to look outside Busch Gardens area.

[PS in Orlando, I will be staying at the Gaylord Palms (through Price-Line) pre-Disney, and Pop Century for Disney portion].

 

[jersey shark]

Not being familiar with the hotels in the immediate BG area, I would recommend the closest Residence Inn by Marriott or Embassy Suites....try to get the Entertainment rate which is generally the lowest available.

I too have a family of four, and how anyone can tolerate less than a true suite (door completely closes off to the bedroom) for their hotel accomodations these days is beyond me.

The value is outstanding...complimentary breakfast and evening "finger foods" incl beverages (happy hour at Embassy Suites)...for a family of 4 anything under $125 would be a fantastic deal in my books.

 

[lejaf]

We've done various week-long Disney/Universal vacations four times in the past 5 years (all in March). We are thinking of spending part of our March 2004 week in Tampa this time just for a change. Maybe hit the beach and Busch Gardens.... not really sure. We were thinking of 5 days in Orlando and 3 days in Tampa.... Anyone else do something similar? Anyone have any opinions/thoughts? Will we regret leaving Orlando? My kids are 10, 8 and 3. What else is there to do around Tampa? Also looking for suggestions of places to stay in Tampa.

My family wants to go back to HIFS while we are in Orlando, although, personally, I'd love to try someplace new....any suggestions of something similar and yet different from HIFS would be appreciated! I'm afraid my family is so attached to HIFS, that I'll never be able to convince them to stay someplace new! UGH...not that I have anything against HIFS, but I'm getting bored with the same old same old!

Thanks for any comments!

 

[CPM]

Embassy suites wins hands down. the few times we've tried to save money & stay somwhere else we were very disappointed! Doubletree is very old and the rooms are small. Factor in the huge breakfast, free happy hour and free shuttle to the parks from ES. The only other one that we liked was Amerisuites, but we like to have a separate room from the kids. It is however clean and less expensive then ES.

 

[tebookie]

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa Bay
http://grandtampabay.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

I"m not sure where this hotel is in relation to Busch Gardens, but we had a really nice stay. It is very close to the Tampa airport, but we couldn't hear any planes at all. They do have 2 pools, one indoor, one outdoor.

We were on the 11th floor. Corner room over looking the airport and the bay.

Free self parking.

We would stay there again!

Normally this hotel is $$$$.......but through priceline, I think it was only $55/night

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by tebookie
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa Bay
http://grandtampabay.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

I"m not sure where this hotel is in relation to Busch Gardens, but we had a really nice stay

This is a very nice hotel but not very convenient to BG.

 

[anne1125]

Did you think about staying in a condo on the beach? We're staying at Bay & Beach Club in Indian Shores and driving to Busch Gardens (about 20 min.). It's beachfront, 2 bedroom with w/d. There are other condos nearby also.

Also, we purchased 2004 passports for Busch Gardens @ $60.00 each so we can come & go as we please for the week.

Have fun.

 

[IowaGirl]

Anne1125
Where did you get your $60 passport tickets for 2004? We have only one day planned for BG, but we might be able to squeeze in a second day, although we are not sure we want to.
What else can you tell me about the tickets you bought?
Thanks!

 

[anne1125]

Iowa Gal, I bought the passports on Busch Gardens Tampa website. We are only going for 2 or 3 days also but it's too good a deal to pass up.

We're going Jan. 17th. Have fun.

Anne