Tampa Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Rocky Point

[We<3WDW]

We have always had nice clean rooms at Hampton Inns so we tend to seek those out. But the Holiday Inn is $40 cheaper. Is it as good as the Hampton? Thanks.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

We just got back from our cruise last week and stayed pre-cruise at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point for the second time. We selected this hotel mainly for the fact that all of our transportation needs plus a hot breakfast are included in the cruise pkg. Both stays, our rooms were very clean and offered a nice sitting area and comfortable bed. This past stay, we snagged a price of $89 on the hotel online site.

 

The Hampton is directly next door and offers the same pkg. We have not stayed at the Hampton but did have roll call friends that did and they had positive things to say. Both hotels are the 4 story, indoor- corridor style. The only differences, that may or may not be of importance to you, is that the Hampton sits back a little from the Bay so there would not be that much of a water view from any of the rooms where the Holiday Inn sits directly on the Bay and one side of the hotel directly faces the water. The other difference is that the HI has a larger pool area that over looks the water with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrella tables where the Hampton has a very small pool with only a few chairs. It is fenced in and overlooks the parking lot. It is a really strange pool set up, almost like an after thought of where-are-we-going-to-put-the-pool ??? So if the pool area and a water view are not a big deal then I would say the hotels are basicallly the same. They have the exact same cruise pkg and shuttle service. Also worth mentioning, we requested a bay view room at the HI this time and it was really nice. We loved watching all of the lights on the bay at night at were up early and caught a great sunrise.

 

There is a Bahama Breeze restaurant directly next to both hotels so it would just be a quick walk through the parking lot. FYI, you can call the restaurant from your hotel room and have your name added to the waiting list. On weekends, sometimes there is a little bit of a wait. When we went, they said 60 minutes but it only turned out to be around 25, plus they have a really nice deck area with a Jimmy Buffet style band so it was a nice way to spend our pre-cruise evening. The food was great too.

 

What ever you decide, have a great time and a great cruise. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[We<3WDW]

We just got back from our cruise last week and stayed pre-cruise at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point for the second time. We selected this hotel mainly for the fact that all of our transportation needs plus a hot breakfast are included in the cruise pkg. Both stays, our rooms were very clean and offered a nice sitting area and comfortable bed. This past stay, we snagged a price of $89 on the hotel online site.

 

The Hampton is directly next door and offers the same pkg. We have not stayed at the Hampton but did have roll call friends that did and they had positive things to say. Both hotels are the 4 story, indoor- corridor style. The only differences, that may or may not be of importance to you, is that the Hampton sits back a little from the Bay so there would not be that much of a water view from any of the rooms where the Holiday Inn sits directly on the Bay and one side of the hotel directly faces the water. The other difference is that the HI has a larger pool area that over looks the water with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrella tables where the Hampton has a very small pool with only a few chairs. It is fenced in and overlooks the parking lot. It is a really strange pool set up, almost like an after thought of where-are-we-going-to-put-the-pool ??? So if the pool area and a water view are not a big deal then I would say the hotels are basicallly the same. They have the exact same cruise pkg and shuttle service. Also worth mentioning, we requested a bay view room at the HI this time and it was really nice. We loved watching all of the lights on the bay at night at were up early and caught a great sunrise.

 

There is a Bahama Breeze restaurant directly next to both hotels so it would just be a quick walk through the parking lot. FYI, you can call the restaurant from your hotel room and have your name added to the waiting list. On weekends, sometimes there is a little bit of a wait. When we went, they said 60 minutes but it only turned out to be around 25, plus they have a really nice deck area with a Jimmy Buffet style band so it was a nice way to spend our pre-cruise evening. The food was great too.

 

What ever you decide, have a great time and a great cruise. :)

.

 

Wonderful info! Thanks so much! Rate for our week is $109, but it's Easter so still a great price. Thanks again

[shelbylook]

Wonderful info! Thanks so much! Rate for our week is $109' date=' but it's Easter so still a great price. Thanks again[/quote']

 

$109 for Easter week? I'd jump on it! The cruise/snooze pkg for 1/29 is $139 + tax!

 

Cathy

[Kris7562]

This is great info - Thank you! My boyfriend and I are considering staying at the Holiday Inn in Feb before our cruise on the Paradise. We were wondering if there are things to do nearby, other than the beach bar. We were thinking of trying to see some of Tampa, since we've never been before. (We could also enjoy a day at the pool overlooking the bay, followed by dinner and drinks at the beach bar - so we're up for just about anything!) Any suggestions are welcome!