Recommendation for hotel near Tampa Airport

[Wren3]

Just booked on Oosterdam for Dec 9-16, 2016 ~ flying down a day early. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations as to which hotel - motel to stay overnight at? How far is the pier from the Tampa airport? Thank you.

[oduphd]

We cruised from Tampa last month. We arrived a day early and stayed at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel (a Marriott property). The hotel was very nice. There is free shuttle service from the airport plus the hotel is attached to a large shopping and dining area, the international plaza, which is akin to an indoor/outdoor mall. It was nice to simply walk out of the hotel and have a variety of options for dinner. The port is about 10 - 15 minute cab ride to the hotel and the taxi fare is a fixed rate of $25 (it is also the same rate for the return ride to the airport from the port).

[Clarea]

We recently stayed at the Residence Inn in downtown Tampa. Very nice hotel with a shuttle to the cruise port.

[Wren3]

Thank you that is most helpful for us. Sounds like great options too.

Edited April 6, 2016 by Wren3

[CruiserBruce]

The far better place for your research would be the Florida Departures board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

[Keith1010]

CruiserBruce has it right.

 

I would check out the Florida Departures Board.

 

Keith

[ellieanne]

No matter what you do, do not stay at the Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point. It's an awful hotel with paper thin walls, phones that don't work, ineffective air conditioning (necessary even in January in Florida), and employees who do not care at all.

[Wren3]

Thank you for all the information ~ it has been very helpful.

[G&G]

Grand Hyatt.

 

Great Italian Restaurant on top floor overlooking Tampa Bay (Armani's). Been there many times.

 

Great views at sunset.

 

We are on this cruise too.

[Fred321]

Agree that Renaissance is a nice hotel as is the Residence Inn and the Grand Hyatt. Would also look at Westin Harbour Island. It has a good location near the river in town. Hyatt and Renaissance are outside of town but Renaissance does have the mall right there. Westin is great for walking around in town and is very close to the terminal for the next day.

 

Probably can't go wrong with any of these.

[1of4]

We stayed at the Sheraton Suites. Close to the airport vita a shuttle.

[TAD2005]

There is a Marriott hotel right inside the main terminal. Also a nice restaurant. You claim your luggage and go up the escalator to the landside departures floor. The lobby of the hotel is right there.

 

We will be on the 21 day B2B version of that cruise, starting Nov 25. Hope to see you onboard.

[Wren3]

Grand Hyatt.

 

Great Italian Restaurant on top floor overlooking Tampa Bay (Armani's). Been there many times.

 

Great views at sunset.

 

We are on this cruise too.

 

That's great. Thanks. Enjoy your cruise as well.

[Wren3]

There is a Marriott hotel right inside the main terminal. Also a nice restaurant. You claim your luggage and go up the escalator to the landside departures floor. The lobby of the hotel is right there.

 

We will be on the 21 day B2B version of that cruise, starting Nov 25. Hope to see you onboard.

 

Hope to see you too. Thank you everyone for the advice. It really helped.

[Ryten]

Have stayed at the Marriott Westshore on two occasions. While it is not downtown, it does provide a free shuttle from the hotel from the airport. That same shuttle will take you for free within 3-4 miles of the hotel at your convenience to whatever destination ( Malls, restaurants, total wine!) and then back. If they're not busy they'll even wait for you. The front desk is the happiest group of employees I have ever experienced. Cold bottle of water delivered before you even reach the front desk. Taxi to the cruise port is $20 and about a ten minute ride. Military discounts are available.

[jd1966]

We stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Westshore. Free shuttle from the airport. The hotel can arrange transport for a fee or you can just go outside and take a cab. We are also on the same cruise!

[jd1966]

Roll Call for the cruise is at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2333742

[iltutcruiser]

We will also be on this cruise and would like to know if any of the hotels offer free parking for the week if you stay one night before and one night after ??

[Crown Vic]

We will also be on this cruise and would like to know if any of the hotels offer free parking for the week if you stay one night before and one night after ??

 

Hiya! Try the Tahitian Inn. They have airport/cruise port shuttles and parking packages. Good luck...