Hotel suggestions for Tampa

[cruzin w chris]

We will be staying post cruise on August 21, so we are looking to do some sightseeing during the day after we get off the ship. Our kids are 5 and 6 so I am sure we will be spending a lot of time at the hotel pool. Based on this info would you suggest staying at Rocky Point or Y'bor/Channelside.

 

If we should stay at Y'bor/Channelside, what is the difference between the two?

check out the chase suites and hotel right there on rocky point, they have free shuttle service to and from the port and free parking if you drove for your car as well.

[nitenurs2]

check out the chase suites and hotel right there on rocky point, they have free shuttle service to and from the port and free parking if you drove for your car as well.

 

 

As does the Holiday Inn Express at Rocky Point.

[tourlink99]

The Sailport is just fine. Its not a newer hotel, but the location is great, right on Tampa Bay! The rooms are more then acceptable, and with your car, lots of restaurants, shopping, movies and sightseeing within 20 minutes and the port is also only about 20 minutes away. Enjoy your self and have a great cruise.

[tourlink99]

Rocky Point is more touristy with nice views. Ybor and Channelside have lots of night life and restaurants. There is a Hilton and Hampton at Ybor. There arent any hotels right at Channelside, but the downtown hotels are very close. Embassy Suites, Marriott, Westin, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Holiday Inn. But they are more pricey obviously. Go to Priceline and request a 3 star Hotel for $75. If they accept you are a winner no matter which property you get!

Mark

[tourlink99]

That previous post was meant for Jakenzie. Sorry for the mix up. I also forgot to mention that if you stay in Ybor don't be outside after 2am. The bars are closing and it can get a little dicey over there

[dem1958]

The Sailport is just fine. Its not a newer hotel, but the location is great, right on Tampa Bay! The rooms are more then acceptable, and with your car, lots of restaurants, shopping, movies and sightseeing within 20 minutes and the port is also only about 20 minutes away. Enjoy your self and have a great cruise.

Thanks so much. I feel better about it now.

[jakenzie32]

That previous post was meant for Jakenzie. Sorry for the mix up. I also forgot to mention that if you stay in Ybor don't be outside after 2am. The bars are closing and it can get a little dicey over there

 

 

We don't have a car and our flight leaves the day after our cruise at 11am. If we get off the ship at 10ish on a Thursday what would you suggest we do as that might help decide where we should stay.

 

We are not interested in BG as we will be at Disney pre-cruise. Where is the zoo and about what would taxi fare be? I'm thinking we would have to drop our luggage off at the hotel first.

 

If we would stay downtown is there something the trolley could take us to besides restaurants?

 

You said Rocky Point is touristy, but what is there to do at Rocky Point?

 

Thanks for your help.

[pe4all]

jem782-

We are lurking to see a reply to your post! We are flying in to Tampa 3 days early, and would love to do Busch Gardens also. I have read almost this whole thread, and still need help! Any suggestions? We have enough points for 3 free nights at a HI or Intercontinental Hotel. (but will pay for a regular hotel if we need to) We won't have a rental car, but taxi-ing/shuttling won't bother us. We would prefer NOT switching hotels, but will if we really have to. I have 2 teens, so a great poolwould be nice - a beach is a bonus. I was thinking of the HI Rocky Pt- how far is that to go back and forth from BG? Or would we be better off staying by Channelside? We have no idea how far BG is from any hotel - even with all the research I have done!! Any help would be much appreciated - we will be traveling during Christmas/New Year's '09, and will need to book the rooms the day they "open".

[tourlink99]

By touristy at Rocky Point I mean its right on Tampa Bay which is very large and very scenic. (lots of water) there is a beach right there and jet skis are available to rent. Right adjacient to the pier is the Florida Aquarium. Its good for about 3 to 4 hours, plus there is a small water park with sprinklers for the little ones and a nice tropical lounge for the adults. Lowry Park Zoo is about 20-25 minutes from the pier. It's probably good for half day. Check their websites for more info and rates. Going to Clearwater Beach is also an option but about $40 for a taxi each way. Its cheaper to rent a car. The beach is kinda like a toned down Key West, But the beach is beautiful, lots of shops and such and lots of big hotels to some small mom and pop motels. The Clearwater Hilton is probably the most popular. Let me know if you need more info.

Mark

[tourlink99]

You have teenagers! Stay at the Clearwater Beach Hilton. They will love it. And if they love it you will too. You can also arrange with the hotel for transportation to Busch Gardens. I think they have 5 roller coasters now! Its 30 minutes from TPA airport. Enjoy.

Mark

[pe4all]

Tourlink-

Thanks for the feedback. We had been to Tampa around 7 years ago, and stayed at the Clearwater Beach area (Holiday Inn Sunspree) We were looking for something closer to the Legend pier. If we stay at the HI Rocky Pt can we still get to Busch Gardens? Or should we stay at the Intercontinental (Tampa). I also think there is another HI in downtown Tampa. Have 3 free nites (points) at any HI/Intercontinental hotel. Or should we just pay and stay at the Marriot Waterside/Channelside? I can't tell by maps where the Legend is in relation to Rocky Pt or BG, or whether it is feasible to stay at any of those hotels. Any/all opinions will be listened to!

[hopelea]

Okay, I am really confused. I am sorry if this question has been asked before but....

we have NEVER been to Tampa. We will be driving down to cruise on the Legend. I would like a hotel that is close to the port, is that possible? When you talk about certain areas, I am lost.

My ideal plan is to arrive on Friday, go to BG on Saturday and cruise on Sunday.

I won't know if my dd's can miss school or not until a lot closer to time. So for now, I am planning on one night by the port.

Thanks. :)

[jwjax]

Okay, I am really confused. I am sorry if this question has been asked before but....

we have NEVER been to Tampa. We will be driving down to cruise on the Legend. I would like a hotel that is close to the port, is that possible? When you talk about certain areas, I am lost. . :)

 

Hopelea, the cruise port in Tampa is just East of Downtown, the rocky Point area is west of downtown close to the bay and airport. If you check hotel maps you can see where these places are in relation to the port or downtown etc.

 

I am considering the Courtyard Marriot downtown ( have points), it is very nice, and close to the port. The other downtown hotels are very good as well. If you want to stay close to the port and Channelside then the Marriot Waterside, or the Wyndam, and a couple others are close to both.

 

Hope this helps.

[tourlink99]

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. We went to Disney for the week. If you have points for the Intercontinental use them. Its a beautiful hotel that has just been renovated. Plus they have a Shula's Steak House on property. Its about 15 minutes to the pier. The Marriott Waterside is also a premium property about 1/2 mile to the pier. Both hotels can provide you with transportation to B.G. and the pier. Your a winner either way, but why pay if you have points.

Mark

[DG2004]

I am considering the Courtyard Marriot downtown ( have points), it is very nice, and close to the port. The other downtown hotels are very good as well.

 

 

 

is this in a good area, and do the trolleys run to it

[tourlink99]

Marriott Courtyard is downtown, across from the Performing Arts Center and about 6 blocks from the trolly. If you have Marriott points, go to the Marriott Waterside. It is at most 1/2 mile from the pier in a great location. The trolly stops right across the street and continues to the pier. Channelside, Florida Aquarium and Ybor City.

[pe4all]

Mark-

Thanks for the reply - and I hope you enjoyed Disney. I think I'll book the Intercontinental when it opens for point bookings. I just have to check out the pool, cause that is a big selling point when coming from cold NY winters. Thanks again for all your help!

[tourlink99]

The Intercontinental was totally referbished last year when Intercontinental took over from Windham Hotels. There is an Outdoor pool on the top floor. It is where many of the airline crews stay when in Tampa. Its not a real tropical lok but a good West shore location convenient to everywhere.

[jwjax]

Marriott Courtyard is downtown, across from the Performing Arts Center and about 6 blocks from the trolly. If you have Marriott points, go to the Marriott Waterside. It is at most 1/2 mile from the pier in a great location. The trolly stops right across the street and continues to the pier. Channelside, Florida Aquarium and Ybor City.

 

Yes Tourlink is right on the points thing, I switched to the Marriott Waterside from the Courtyard after realizing I had enough points to stay there.

 

I have stayed at both, for work usually at the Courtyard, but for pleasure always the Waterside one. Close to Channelside and Ybor.:cool:

[scanner219]

Coming in early Saturday for a cruise on Sunday. We would like to go to the Hard Rock Casino Saturday. What hotel do you recommend for Saturday night? The Hard Rock will not do a Saturday arrival. We will be renting a car from the airport for 1 day.

[KruznKel]

Coming in early Saturday for a cruise on Sunday. We would like to go to the Hard Rock Casino Saturday. What hotel do you recommend for Saturday night? The Hard Rock will not do a Saturday arrival. We will be renting a car from the airport for 1 day.

 

Not sure when you are going.. but our group is splitting between 2 hotels.. HIEX Rocky Point.. and the HOJO Downtown.. they both offer free shuttles.. I think the HIEX has a cruise package not sure tho..

[BrendaB1]

Hey Ken,

I'm cruising out of Tampa on March 27 and will be coming into Tampa the day before. I got a great deal for the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. Any comments about this area and the hotel itself?

Thanks!

 

Our CC group stayed there a couple of years ago. Got a great price on priceline for about $50. Nice hotel. Free airport shuttle. Within walking distance of International Mall or shuttle will take you for free. Several places to eat, drink & shop.

[mumofsons]

Brenda Bell - how was the Sheraton Riverwalk? Can you give us an update? Thanks

[tharpy48]

My husband and I are booked at the Westin Harbour Island. We are arriving Saturday and cruising Sunday, I was wondering what there was close by to see or do Saturday afternoon. We are flying in and will not have a car so anything within walking distance would be great.

[tourlink99]

Harbor Island is a great location, downtown Tampa, close to the pier. Walk across the bridge and take the trolly to Channelside. Lots of restaurants, bowling, entertainment. Across the street from Channelside is the Florida Aquarium. If you continue on the trolly get off at Ybor City. Its the Centro Ybor stop. Lots to do, comedy club, Greek Trattoria, plenty of restaurants, movie theater and of course cigar stores!

The stand out thing to do is have dinner at the Columbia restaurant. Good food, lots of atmosphere and live flemenco dancers and music.

Let me know if you need more info.

Mark