Anyone stayed HJ Airport Hotel in Tampa?

[katiecat]

Just wondering how far airport is from ship & Bush Gardens? Did I choose the wrong place?

[KelliKevin]

The airport is much closer to the pier than to Busch Gardens. But it's not like it is very far.

I take it you are planning a side trip before or after your cruise? Busch Gardens is awesome!

Do you have a vehicle?

[dck12ga]

If you go to the pre and post cruise hotel forum at the bottome of the first page there is a guy who lives in Tampa and he is a great help to everyone with hotels in Tampa. His name is crackerken. Go and check him out. There is a lot of information there. :D

[back2tampa]

The area around bush gardens is not the best area.We chose the Sheraton Tampa riverwalk (free shuttle to the dock)We leave next Sat.to go on the miracle Sun.( see role call) If you are going to bush garndens most places offer free shuttle.(its a great place,''just in the wrong hood'')ybor city is cool also-we stayed their last year at ( i think a hampton inn,and its close to the port)and lots of cool places to walk to,check it out!

[florida cruiser girl]

Hi, I live here in the Tampa area and personally, I wouldn't stay in the Busch Gardens area, for the reasons stated previously. There isn't really anything else to do around there and you wouldn't really want to walk someplace to get a bite to eat. I would stay somewhere near the airport, so you'd be closer to the port as well and take a shuttle or taxi to Busch Gardens. It is an awesome and super fun place to go!! Plus, you'd have some really nice choices of restaurants as well in that area to check out!! Have fun here in Tampa and on your cruise!!:D

[HillsRAlive]

Florida Cruiser Girl

We are staying at the LaQuinta right by the airport. It appeared to have a lot of restaurants and shops around it that correct?

 

Thanks

[Cruise-aholic]

I would avoid that area as well, lot's of how you say

"street entertainment" in that neck of the woods.

Best bet is to stay close to the port as possible like the Marriott Waterside (5 mins) and if you are looking for something a bit more economical try the Holiday Inn Select or the Best Western in Brandon off of Regency Blvd. It is still in close proximity to the port, (20 mins) and there is allot to do with the Brandon Town Center mall across the street and lots of resteraunts in SAFE walking distance.

[florida cruiser girl]

Florida Cruiser Girl

We are staying at the LaQuinta right by the airport. It appeared to have a lot of restaurants and shops around it that correct?

 

Thanks

 

Oh yes, absolutley. I am almost certain you mean the one on Spruce?

It is very close to Westshore which has the mall (great shopping!!- Saks, etc.) and very nice places to eat (P.F. Chang’s and Tampa’s only location for Maggiano’s Little Italy and Palm Restaurant) Out of this world dining!! Yummy!!

Also is close to International Plaza Mall & Baystreet (wow!!! Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, etc.) also with excellent eateries (The Cheesecake Factory, Capital Grille)

You definitely will not be at a loss for things to do! You may have to come back to do it all!

Have fun!! When are you going??

[KelliKevin]

And of course, Charley's Steakhouse is the bestest place for a great dinner! Even better than Carnival's Super CLubs!

[florida cruiser girl]

And of course, Charley's Steakhouse is the bestest place for a great dinner! Even better than Carnival's Super CLubs!

 

Absolutely!!! That is my fav restaurant here in town...hands down!!

[HillsRAlive]

Florida Cruiser Girl

I am so excited!! Cheesecake Factory, you have got to be kidding! I thought that was only in Chicago, well I guess I know where I will be at!. We arrive 4/21/07 at 10:30 am. We took the earliest flight from Detroit so we could see some of Tampa pre cruise and by the sounds of what is just in that area I'm glad we did! Thanks so much for the info.

[katiecat]

I would avoid that area as well, lot's of how you say

"street entertainment" in that neck of the woods.

Best bet is to stay close to the port as possible like the Marriott Waterside (5 mins) and if you are looking for something a bit more economical try the Holiday Inn Select or the Best Western in Brandon off of Regency Blvd. It is still in close proximity to the port, (20 mins) and there is allot to do with the Brandon Town Center mall across the street and lots of resteraunts in SAFE walking distance.

Howard Johnsons I'll give you the address 2055 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33607My travel agent just told me a mall was located across the road and it got my attention.If you could please check this info out for me I noticed your from that area.Thanks

[back2tampa]

What about the hard rock casino.What info can you give me on it ?

[florida cruiser girl]

What about the hard rock casino.What info can you give me on it ?

 

The Hard Rock Casino is a bit further away on the way towards Orlando by the state Fairgrounds and the Ampitheatre. Really nothing but it, in the area as it's on the highway and you'd have to drive to get to any shopping or restaurants. Closer to the Brandon area.

If you are trying to be closer to the port, excellent shopping and restaurants, stay in the Westshore area.

[florida cruiser girl]

Florida Cruiser Girl

I am so excited!! Cheesecake Factory, you have got to be kidding! I thought that was only in Chicago, well I guess I know where I will be at!. We arrive 4/21/07 at 10:30 am. We took the earliest flight from Detroit so we could see some of Tampa pre cruise and by the sounds of what is just in that area I'm glad we did! Thanks so much for the info.

 

No kidding!!, it's excellent. It's at International Plaza. Just go to Bay Street which is what they call the outside section to go into the mall.

Also, Charley's as I stated above is my favorite in town. It's a steak place, and soooooo good!!

Palm Restaurant (Westshore Plaza Mall) is also a famous place and lots of personalities like it there in the ones in NY, etc.

You will enjoy your stay I am sure as April has been one of my favorite months since moving here 12 years ago from Ohio. It's beautiful and low 80's, no rain.

Have fun and don't spend all your money here in Tampa:D

Anything else you need to know about the area let me know!!

[HillsRAlive]

Thank you so much for the information. I called LaQuinta last night and they are across the street from the Cheesecake Factory and Charlies. OH I can't wait!!! Lets see we will have a Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast and possible another Lunch to cover, how wonderful!!! I better start working some more OT.

Thanks!!!

[florida cruiser girl]

Thank you so much for the information. I called LaQuinta last night and they are across the street from the Cheesecake Factory and Charlies. OH I can't wait!!! Lets see we will have a Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast and possible another Lunch to cover, how wonderful!!! I better start working some more OT.

Thanks!!!

 

When are you visiting here?? Be sure to get your reservations at Charley's about a week in advance. Go to www.charleyssteakhouse.com for more info on that one.

[katiecat]

Just wondering how far airport is from ship & Bush Gardens? Did I choose the wrong place?

Thanks for all your help, I changed to La Quinta Airport. Lisa