tampa hotel convenient to busch & port?

[josask]

We are setting sail from Tampa on Easter sunday and in need of a good hotel recommendation.

We will be flying into and spending a couple of days in Orlando. We will be purchasing a pass that includes tickets to sea world/aquatica/busch gardens. It also includes a shuttle between these parks so we're hoping to make use of that to get to Tampa on Friday.

 

So what we need is a hotel close to Busch that is also convenient to the port.

We are a family of 5 so need something with a big room or suite.

 

Any recommendations??

thanks in advance.

[Mom2B&Z]

We used the Sheraton suites near the Tampa airport, mainly because it was centrally located in Tampa, reasonably priced and had a separate sleeping and living area. We were 4 in the room (2 adults and 2 boys under 6 yrs) with two queen beds, and it was perfect.

We didn't go to Busch gardens, but did drive by and it wasn't far but I do think it would be beyond the shuttle's range. Cab to port was $15 for a van.

[SeaPA1]

There's an Embassy Suites pretty close to Busch Gardens (think it's listed as ES - USF & Busch Gardens). It's only a few minutes away from the theme park & probably 10 to 15 minutes from the port.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

The BG area is not really near the port. I would look for hotels in the BG and USF area.

 

I would recommend the Holiday Inn Suites right at BG. You can walk over or take the shuttle. All of the rooms are suites and kids eat free. They do not have a free shuttle to the port but do have a discount with a local shuttle company. Here is their link: http://histampa.com/

 

 

Good luck.

 

.

[josask]

Thanks for those three suggestions, but unfortunately none of them will book 5 in a room. The HI Express looked great since it included a free shuttle to the port too. Now I'm on a mission to find another one that does!

When I searched for hotels near BG most of them were either north of BG (so quite far from the port) or about 20 min East. The HI was the only one that came was very close.

 

Anyone else have any ideas????

[IndyCapt]

We used the Sheraton suites near the Tampa airport' date=' mainly because it was centrally located in Tampa, reasonably priced and had a separate sleeping and living area. We were 4 in the room (2 adults and 2 boys under 6 yrs) with two queen beds, and it was perfect.

We didn't go to Busch gardens, but did drive by and it wasn't far but I do think it would be beyond the shuttle's range. Cab to port was $15 for a van.[/quote']

 

We're staying at the Sheraton Suites in March pre-cruise for one night. We got it through Hotwire at a good rate. Anyone know if it's close to any restaurants either within walking distance or not. We'll have a car to get around. Thanks

[SeaPA1]

Thanks for those three suggestions, but unfortunately none of them will book 5 in a room. The HI Express looked great since it included a free shuttle to the port too. Now I'm on a mission to find another one that does!

When I searched for hotels near BG most of them were either north of BG (so quite far from the port) or about 20 min East. The HI was the only one that came was very close.

 

Anyone else have any ideas????

 

There's a cluster of hotels around I-75 & Fletcher Ave, I'm pretty sure a coule are suite setups. Not sure if they'll allow 5 to a room. They wouldn't be too bad, access-wise; probably only 10 minutes or so from BG & no more than 15-20 minutes from the port.

[Mom2B&Z]

We're staying at the Sheraton Suites in March pre-cruise for one night. We got it through Hotwire at a good rate. Anyone know if it's close to any restaurants either within walking distance or not. We'll have a car to get around. Thanks

There is a restaurant next door to the hotel, we didn't try it but it was very close. We took the shuttle to the International Mall and had some wonderful meals at the restaurants there.

Enjoy your trip!