Where to stay in Tampa?

[crzinvp]

What is a good Hotel, that is reasonably priced to stay in Tampa, close to the pier. We are sailing on the Veendam 4/8/2006

 

Your advice is greatly appreciated

[gizmo]

Over on the hotel board on this site, there is a thread on Tampa. It is very long but does contain lots of information.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=108072

[Islandbuoy]

Not sure of your definition of reasonably priced, but Marriott westshore, Embassy suites and Marriott Courtyard are all nice. There is also a Hilton Garden.

[sail7seas]

We stayed at Marriott Waterside last January and really enjoyed it. It is five minutes from the dock and fifteen from the airport. A full service hotel with very comfortable rooms, clean, good condition, attractive, nice casual restaurant for breakfast and lunch. I think they also serve an informal dinner. Very nice upscale Italian restaurant, as well. Huge lobby bar; fun place. Also a sport's bar. We have booked to stay there pre and post cruise again in April when we cruise on Ryndam.

 

[slotaddict]

How about the Hard Rock?

[Islandbuoy]

The slot machines are goofy--not like the kind you're used to.

Hotel is new, don't know anyone who has stayed there.

[sail7seas]

How about the Hard Rock?

 

When I inquired last year about the casino and Hard Rock, I seem to remember I was told it's not a great location at which a cruise passenger would want to stay.

[GulfCoaster]

Hi:

 

Like sail7seas said - Marriott Waterside!

 

Great hotel. There is a Publix Supermarket a short (but interesting) walk from the property. There is a Marriott Westshore which is close to a great shopping mall and the airport -however, for us the Tampa Marriott WATERSIDE is the way to go! Visit the Marriott web site and take the "photo tour" of the hotel. They offer AAA and AARP discounts which will help a bit with the rate (but not much). Weekend rate is much better then weekday.

 

We stayed there 2 years ago for our Veendam Cruise (we could see the ship from our window) and will stay there again this December for our next Veendam cruise. The Trolley stops right outside the hotel's door and you can use it should you desire to visit Channelside (shopping/restaurants) or take it to the end of the line which is Ybor City where you will also find shops, bars and restaurants as well.

 

Take a taxi from the hotel and you will be at the pier in 5 or so minutes.

 

Hope this helps and have a wonderful cruise!

 

Mike

[JEDMELK]

We will be leaving on the Veendam in December and have booked a night at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. Seems like that is fairly close to teh pier and airport also and if memory is correct, they do offer shuttle from airport and to the pier. Did not really worry aboout price since I used Hilton points for a free night.

Of course if someone has something terrible to advise about this property, I would not mind hearing that information.

[Cracker Ken]

Like Gizmo said, the thread over on the hotel board ( http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=108072 ) has a ton of information about every corner of Tampa, and practically every hotel worth staying at. I've written most of it myself. Also, if you go to my Yahoo photo page (link in my signature block), there is an album with Tampa pics, which includes a lot of pics of the Marriott Waterside, Street Car Line, Channelside complex, and much more. If the question isn't answered on that thread, post a question there and I'll find out the answer for you if I don't know it.

 

Regarding the Hard Rock Hotel - Nice place. Very new. The problem is - it's the only thing out there. There's nothing else in the area for you if you stay there. I suppose one could stay there, eat there, have a great time, etc., and never leave the property. The area surrounding the Hard Rock isn't very good either. On a Saturday or Sunday morning, it would be quite easy to get from the Hard Rock down to the terminals because there's not much traffic. In addition, the interstate hwy on that side of town is torn up with construction. I'd recommend the Tampa area or downtown. You can't get any better than the Marriott Waterside.

 

Ken

[sail7seas]

I thank you again,Cracker Ken, for all your help re: Tampa Hotels. You definitely steared us right. We were very happy at the Marriott in January and look forward to returning. We are walkers (for exercise) and loved being able to get out and walk safely from that location. It was terrific, a great area for walking.

The staff in the hotel were all eager to please; breakfast buffet was very nice; our room was very comfortable; we enjoyed the large lobby bar; the pool on the second or third floor was fine....... Nice Hotel!

[uncialman]

I am typing this in a "hot spot" at the Marriot Waterside here near the Channelside district in Tampa. :o)

 

I would stay away from all of the Airport and Westshore location hotels just because of their distance from the port itself and from the great attributes of the Channelside District.

 

As a Tampa native who has been at just about every propterty in Tampa at one time or another for various conventions etc., I would rate the hotels you should consider in the following order from first to last:

 

1. Marriot Waterside

*Great, new hotel with trolly access to Channelside and your port. You can view your ship from this hotel location (although a Carnival ship might dominate your view from time to time)

2. Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel

*Right across the channel from the Waterside and is a great hotel in it's own right. Very plush, personal, intimate and great rooms for guests.

3. Tampa Downtown Hyatt

*Very close to the port, but without all of the dining options available at the Wyndham and Marriot.

 

Outside of these hotels, I try not to book my groups in any of the others that are a distance from the port with only one exception:

 

4. The Renaissance at International Plaza

*Fantastic location as it is attached to the High-end shopping mecha and entertainment mecha of International Plaza. The Hotel's own restaurant, Pelagia Trattoria, is one of the hidden jewels of Tampa and several great restaurants ( Piazza Roma, Charley's Steakery, Bamboo Club Asian Bistro, Todai etc.) are all in the same plaza as the hotel.

 

Just my suggestions. :o)

[Opal91086]

We also have good things to say about not only the accomodations but also the staff at the Marriot Waterside. Very close to the port as well.

[ckm13104]

Hello everyone!!

I would also have to put my vote in with the Marriot Waterside :) DH has been there on numerous occasions and will not even think of staying anywhere else.

As for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, it's nice enough but the traffic in the area can be absolutely horrible!!

Good luck on your search!!

~~Kerrie~~