Tampa Hotel Recommendations?

[ponchfrog]

I am heading down to Tampa for the Golf Expo this weekend and in need of a good hotel recommendation. The Expo is at Tampa Downs but I want to stay closer to the Airport.

And go...........

 

[GoNolesTX]

We typically stay at the DoubleTree at Rocky Point for our quarterly meetings. Real close to the airport. Hotel is a hotel. And free warm cookies at the front desk.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

The Epicurean

It's probably 20 minutes from the airport, but it's where you should stay.

 

[mcgrawfsu]

The Epicurean

It's probably 20 minutes from the airport, but it's where you should stay.

This is a great recommendation. Their restaurant is owned by Bern's and serves one of the best fillets I've tasted. They cook it in duck fat. Lots of good things on the menu. There is also a bar on the roof that I was told is awesome, but I didn't get to check it out.

 

[wbnolefan2]

I am heading down to Tampa for the Golf Expo this weekend and in need of a good hotel recommendation. The Expo is at Tampa Downs but I want to stay closer to the Airport.

And go...........

Renaissance International Plaza is nice

 

[LT4PLY]

Waterside Marriott is nice. Good for walking around at night to eat drink. Ybor has a couple decent hotels that allow the same

 

[LesClaypool]

Renaissance International Plaza is nice

I’m partial to this one as well. On the right day it can be had very cheap too.

 

[noleit]

The Pirate Murat. The Grand Hyatt - very close to airport and has several good restaurants.

 

[OsceolaNole]

This is a great recommendation. Their restaurant is owned by Bern's and serves one of the best fillets I've tasted. They cook it in duck fat. Lots of good things on the menu. There is also a bar on the roof that I was told is awesome, but I didn't get to check it out.

These guys beat me to it. Last time I checked in they had champagne for us in the lobby upon arrival. Drinks on the roof followed by dinner at Bern's is a good night.

 

[Gonolz]

Renaissance International Plaza is nice

This or the Grand Hyatt. There are a lot of great restaurants at or near International Plaza. The Grand Hyatt has an excellent restaurant for Sunday Brunch.

 

[Banditking]

This or the Grand Hyatt. There are a lot of great restaurants at or near International Plaza. The Grand Hyatt has an excellent restaurant for Sunday Brunch.

http://www.lemeridientampa.com/

I enjoyed this place.

 

[seminoledq]

I'll add another in support of the Grand Hyatt.

 

[cmanole]

Hard Rock...

 

[Semiologist]

We typically stay at the DoubleTree at Rocky Point for our quarterly meetings. Real close to the airport. Hotel is a hotel. And free warm cookies at the front desk.

 

[OrlandNole]

I'm not sure what's going on right now in Tampa (peak season?), but my suburban Tampa hotel next week costs double what my hotel inside the Loop in Chicago does the week after.

 

[Semiologist]

I'm not sure what's going on right now in Tampa (peak season?), but my suburban Tampa hotel next week costs double what my hotel inside the Loop in Chicago does the week after.

The State Fair is taking place. All of those high-living wealthy carnies are taking all the rooms. Wish I could be a carnie........

 

[FreeFlyNole]

The Renaissance at the mall is right by the airport and you can walk to a dozen restaurants. They usually have a good military / govt rate.

I stay in Tampa a couple of times per month. Mine in order:

1. Epicurian (best bar -rooftop-, close access to good bars and restaurants)
2. Marriott Watersiden (best views)
3a. Courtyard downtown (centrally located easy access to freeway and all the downtown and SoHo stuff is a $5 Uber ride or less)
3b. Residence Inn downtown (they are side by side and basically the same)

I'm a Marriott guy. If I wasn't I'd add the Embassy Suites downtown, or the ALoft.

 

[LesClaypool]

The Renaissance at the mall is right by the airport and you can walk to a dozen restaurants. They usually have a good military / govt rate.

I stay in Tampa a couple of times per month. Mine in order:

1. Epicurian (best bar -rooftop-, close access to good bars and restaurants)
2. Marriott Watersiden (best views)
3a. Courtyard downtown (centrally located easy access to freeway and all the downtown and SoHo stuff is a $5 Uber ride or less)
3b. Residence Inn downtown (they are side by side and basically the same)

I'm a Marriott guy. If I wasn't I'd add the Embassy Suites downtown, or the ALoft.

You wouldn’t put the Renaissance International Plaza (the one you listed first) in the Top 4?

Residence Inn is only 5 points per dollar. That’s always a no-go for me.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

You wouldn’t put the Renaissance International Plaza (the one you listed first) in the Top 4?

Residence Inn is only 5 points per dollar. That’s always a no-go for me.

I don’t love staying out there, my business is either beer downtown or out in Brandon. It’s a pretty nice spot though. I’m Marriott loyal but I don’t get that granular about points.

 

[stmnole83]

I'm not sure what's going on right now in Tampa (peak season?), but my suburban Tampa hotel next week costs double what my hotel inside the Loop in Chicago does the week after.

Gasparilla Road Race is Sat Feb 24 and Sun Feb 25. That draws a pretty large number of out of town runners.
For OP's hotel he can't go wrong with any of the suggestions mentioned. I love Epicurian

 

[Bud Fox]

The Epicurean

It's probably 20 minutes from the airport, but it's where you should stay.

This is your spot.

 

[ncnole1975]

I'm not sure what's going on right now in Tampa (peak season?), but my suburban Tampa hotel next week costs double what my hotel inside the Loop in Chicago does the week after.

It's February. Hotels here in Chicago are dirt cheap this time of year! And frankly, compared to other large cities, I think they are always cheap!

 

[ncnole1975]

I don’t love staying out there, my business is either beer downtown or out in Brandon. It’s a pretty nice spot though. I’m Marriott loyal but I don’t get that granular about points.

Marriot is more about nights stayed than points

 

[LesClaypool]

Marriot is more about nights stayed than points

I’m greedy. I want every point I can grab.

 

[Banditking]

This is your spot.

Agree. I like the roof bar there.

 

[GbrNole]

Epicurean but I am bias. Know the co-developer / operator. It's a cracking facility in a really great spot if you're a foodie.