Hotel suggestions for Tampa

[mommyto2girls]

We got the Doubletree Westshore Airport on Priceline for $70 in November. Cracker Ken I know you said it was nice but I am reading so much my head is spinning...did I make a mistake booking this hotel? I don't want to start my cruise on a down note. My daughter got The Embassy Suites Westshore for March AAA rate of $129, is that okay? I don't hear about staying at either of these hotels I am getting a bit nervous. Are we too far from the port?

[Cracker Ken]

mommyto2girls - The Embassy Suites is indeed a nice place. I haven't seen or heard of anything bad there. I haven't stayed there, but I have been in the lobby and have had lunch there. They used to have nice lunch buffet's there and we would walk over there for lunch from the office building across the street. I don't think you will go wrong staying there. There's a nice mall with theaters, food court, and some nice restaurants right across the street (you can walk easily).

 

As for the Double Tree - It was remodeled into a Double Tree from a Holiday Inn a few years ago. It's across the street from a large high school, and not far from Embassy Suites. It appears to be OK, and I haven't heard anything to the contrary. I've stayed at Double Tree hotels before, and they were always nice places. There's a steakhouse within walking distance, and other places nearby (taxi?). You got a really good deal there, and it will certainly be worth the $70 a night.

 

I have pictures of both the Double Tree and Embassy Suites in my Tampa photo album on my Yahoo photo web page. Click on the Yahoo link in my signature block, then find the Tampa page.

 

As for distance from the port - It's about 7 miles. Taxi from the airport (a couple of miles further) to the port runs about $20. There's really nothing a moderate distance from the port. Either you are very close, or in the area you are staying. Either you would have to get transport down to the hotels nearer to the port, or from where you will be staying to the port. Not much difference. Lots of cruisers stay in the general vicinity you are.

 

Ken

[alb38]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Tampa Stadium in February. I am not sure of cost because my brother had points that he could use at this hotel so he took car of everything. They did come and pick us up at the airport for no charge and then we did take the van over to the port it was $5.00 per person and there was 9 of us.

 

The hotel itself was clean and I think there was a steak house right beside it and there was also a pizza place that delivered to the hotel. Just make sure that you make shuttle arrangements when you are checking in as they fill up fast.

[cathyoo]

Renee from Bay Shuttle Inc got back to me by e-mail and their shuttle from Springhill Suites to the port for 4 people is $38.00.

 

The deal at Chase is sounding better and better all the time. Has anyone out there stayed there recently? And does anyone know if you need reservations for dinner at Bahama Breeze?

 

Thanks again Ken:)

 

We enjoyed our stay at the Chase Suites. The nicest part for us was the return FROM the port to the airport. I'm not sure about the 1 bedroom suite. We called the hotel after we picked up our luggage and it was about a 20 minute wait. We had 8 adults and had two 2 bedroom suites. Lots of room. Each suite had two king size beds and a nice little kitchnette.

 

We did not have reservations for Bahama Breeze but enjoyed a drink at the bar while we waited. I am sure there are more luxurious hotel accomadations in Tampa but my little party thought I found a great deal.

[mommyto2girls]

Cracker Ken...thanks again for the words of encouragement I am sure we will be fine and according to both hotels full breakfast buffet is included.

[BiggerBob]

:) Just want to thank Craker Ken, mdc99, Jessemon and Cathyoo for all your help and information. I can't believe the amount of information I get from these boards!

 

Chase Suites is the way we will go. I verified that we do have the ship to shore package and that all transportation is inculded in the 139. price. Now it is just the wait until Dec 2nd:cool: .

 

Patricia

[Carnival Queen]

Ken,

 

Haven't been on this board for a while. I had booked the Hampton Inn, Rocky Point a while back for our 2/19/06 cruise for $107 + taxes I think. I was browsing some other Tampa hotels and found there's a Day's Inn/Port of Tampa only 2 miles from the cruise terminals (on Melbourne Blvd.). Don't know how that area/hotel is - any ideas? I know you've mentioned in the past not to stay near Busch Gardens - now sure if this is in that area. Their price is only $74 - just wondering what you think. There were also a few HoJo Expresses a little cheaper, but the Days Inn looked nicer.

 

Thanks for your input . . .

[jessemon]

Ken,

 

Haven't been on this board for a while. I had booked the Hampton Inn, Rocky Point a while back for our 2/19/06 cruise for $107 + taxes I think. I was browsing some other Tampa hotels and found there's a Day's Inn/Port of Tampa only 2 miles from the cruise terminals (on Melbourne Blvd.). Don't know how that area/hotel is - any ideas? I know you've mentioned in the past not to stay near Busch Gardens - now sure if this is in that area. Their price is only $74 - just wondering what you think. There were also a few HoJo Expresses a little cheaper, but the Days Inn looked nicer.

 

Thanks for your input . . .

Carnival Queen,

Hope you don't mind the input. Melburne Blvd just off I-4 at 50th. ST. This is not an area I would choose to pick at all over Rocky Point. I feel you will probably not feel safe there. Also if they are saying it is only 2 miles to the port...shame on them.:eek:

The only up side to this location is you can grab a cab and go to the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, or to Ybor. Not far to either.

Hope this helps.

[Carnival Queen]

Carnival Queen,

Hope you don't mind the input. Melburne Blvd just off I-4 at 50th. ST. This is not an area I would choose to pick at all over Rocky Point. I feel you will probably not feel safe there. Also if they are saying it is only 2 miles to the port...shame on them.:eek:

The only up side to this location is you can grab a cab and go to the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, or to Ybor. Not far to either.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the input Jesse Mom - don't mind at all! I think I should just leave everything as is - the Rocky Point area and hotel sounded nice. Plus, a cab ride to the port is a cab ride, right? Doesn't really matter how close it is - and at Rocky Point we're closer to the airport. Thanks again for your advice. :)

[jessemon]

Thanks for the input Jesse Mom - don't mind at all! I think I should just leave everything as is - the Rocky Point area and hotel sounded nice. Plus, a cab ride to the port is a cab ride, right? Doesn't really matter how close it is - and at Rocky Point we're closer to the airport. Thanks again for your advice. :)

Carnival Queen,

That's JESSEMON not jesse mom.:D Male as in Jamaica MON.

You will have a few good places to go at Rocky Point. Glad I might have helped.

Jessemon

[Carnival Queen]

Carnival Queen,

That's JESSEMON not jesse mom.:D Male as in Jamaica MON.

You will have a few good places to go at Rocky Point. Glad I might have helped.

Jessemon

 

Sorry about that Mon!! Thanks again . . . :p

[Cracker Ken]

Carnival Queen - I certainly agree with Jessemon. Please, don't even think about saying out there around 50th and Melbourne. I wouldn't stay there if the room was free, and I even have a concealed weapons permit. I'd just as soon avoid the trouble to start with. Baaaaad area. The HoJo on 50th St just S. of I-4 is in the same area. In addition, the construction is a mess around there. The Busch Gardens area is just about as bad these days too. I just heard something on TV Monday night about some really bad guy that was picked up at a hotel on Busch Blvd.

 

You should really like the Hampton Inn out there at Rocky Point. There's a Bahama Breeze Restaurant across the street, and up on Hwy 60 nearby there is a casual seafood restaurant at the Radisson Hotel, and a Landry's Seafood. Not too far to walk if the weather is good. It won't take but about 15 minutes for a cab to take you to the port on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I don't know what a cab cost from Rocky Point to the port, but it's $20 from the airport to the port. Rocky Point is clean, quiet and safe.

 

Y'all have fun.:)

 

Ken

[Carnival Queen]

Carnival Queen - I certainly agree with Jessemon. Please, don't even think about saying out there around 50th and Melbourne. I wouldn't stay there if the room was free, and I even have a concealed weapons permit. I'd just as soon avoid the trouble to start with. Baaaaad area. The HoJo on 50th St just S. of I-4 is in the same area. In addition, the construction is a mess around there. The Busch Gardens area is just about as bad these days too. I just heard something on TV Monday night about some really bad guy that was picked up at a hotel on Busch Blvd.

 

You should really like the Hampton Inn out there at Rocky Point. There's a Bahama Breeze Restaurant across the street, and up on Hwy 60 nearby there is a casual seafood restaurant at the Radisson Hotel, and a Landry's Seafood. Not too far to walk if the weather is good. It won't take but about 15 minutes for a cab to take you to the port on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I don't know what a cab cost from Rocky Point to the port, but it's $20 from the airport to the port. Rocky Point is clean, quiet and safe.

 

Y'all have fun.:)

 

Ken

 

Thanks Ken! What would we do without people like you on these boards? From looking at websites that show pix of the hotels, we have no idea of what the area is like. I am definitely staying right where we are at Rocky Point - no need to look any further! Thanks again . . .

[eggy5404]

Hi,

My family of 11 had a great stay at the Chase Suites under the "Stay & Sail" package.

 

The 2 two-bedroom suites were very clean and spacious. It also included breakfast the next morning and pickup and drop off to and from the pier.

 

We called the hotel the min we found our luggage and the van was outside within 10 mins to take us back to the airport.

 

I would use this hotel again if I sail out of Tampa next summer

[jimmy2x]

You have provided some great info, but unless I've missed it with all the previous posts, we have a couple of specific things we would really like to have for our one night pre-cruise stay on Feb 18th.

 

1. Heated pool with "tropical surroundings"

2. I smoke, wife does not, so need a smoking room with balcony.

3. Nearby area (walking distance) with liquor store, markets, restaurants, etc.

 

This will be our 1st cruise out of Tampa, so of course we know nothing and would really appreciate your help. Thanks.

[momofzeke]

This is a wonderful thread, and believe it or not, I've read every page of it! :eek:

 

We are a party of 5 adults (my husband, myself and 3 20ish kids), so I think the Chase Suites "Ship to Shore" package 2 room suite sounds perfect for us. We are flying in from the west coast, so although our flight gets in at 4 pm Eastern Time, it will really only be 1 pm OUR time. I'm wondering what we will be able to do and see since things may be closing up an hour or two after we arrive? I don't know much about Tampa. I assume we would be too late to take in Busch Gardens amusement park? What kind of transportation is available from the Chase Suites to areas like Channelside, Ybor City and Busch Gardens? Thanks for any advice!

[cathyoo]

I know the shuttle will take you to any place within a five mile radius. The 2 bedroom suite should be perfect for a family of 5. Two king sized beds, two full bathrooms and a small kitchnette. I think there was a pull out sofa.

 

There is a Bahama Breeze right next door for drinks and dinner. But we arrived fairly late so we did not really check out the surrounding area. Went to dinner, played some card and just ANTICIPATED.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Tampa is the best port.

[jessemon]

Momofzeke,

Busch Gardens closes at about sundown. To get to Channelside or Ybor it is taxi time. Cost $30 to $35 one way. Channelside is a little more adult oriented in the evening than Ybor. If you were looking to do those areas as an evening the best place to stay would be the Marriot Waterside. Less than a mile from the port. More pricey than where you are staying. But if you consider taxi fares back and forth ($70 to $80) with tip...Hmmmm. But it will still cost more to stay at Marriot. It would only be a five min. walk to Channelside and a short trolly ride to Ybor.

Hope you like sunny Tampa.

[Doughboy77]

I'm needing some info on taxis in Tampa. I found a rate of $79 at the Chase Suites and need to know how much a taxi will cost from there to the port as well as from the port back to the airport. If the fare is low enough I can go with this low rate instead of the $139 for the ship and shuttle package. Thanks for any help!

[dlstex]

Just booked Chase through Price line and got it for $60 for March 4th. They informed me that it is a flat $20 from the airport using a taxi. They supply a shuttle to the port and you can use the shuttle within a 2 mile radius of the hotel no charge.;)

[jessemon]

I'm needing some info on taxis in Tampa. I found a rate of $79 at the Chase Suites and need to know how much a taxi will cost from there to the port as well as from the port back to the airport. If the fare is low enough I can go with this low rate instead of the $139 for the ship and shuttle package. Thanks for any help!

Taxi from the airport to Chase about $10. Chase to the port $20. Port to airport about $20.. Sounds like a break even.

Hope that helps Doughboy77.

[Doughboy77]

I went ahead and booked the $79 room. Apparently it's supposed to be just an internet rate, but it had gone up by the time I was ready to book. Called the hotel and they were nice and gave me the $79 rate anyways. That includes a shuttle from the airport as well as a shuttle anywhere within 5 miles. Just gotta get a taxi for going to and from the port. Should come out ahead this way. Now to just get to the actual cruise. :D

[pjbrock]

Stayed at the Hilton last spring - shuttle to airport and the pier-restaurant and/or free shuttle to other restaurants - very nice. got it through Priceline -very reasonably

[Timmys_mom]

Phew! I finally got a bid accepted on Priceline. We will be staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown on 10/22-10/23 for $90. Rack rate was $200.

 

Now that I have reservations, I know that Jessemon mentioned that perhaps there was a wine store nearby - but I'm hoping for a liquor store (need some Grey Goose for the cruise).

 

I checked with the valet, and he said that a shuttle to the pier was available for $3.00 per person.

 

Any tips Ken or JMon?

[momofzeke]

Chase Suites sounds great, but can anyone tell me ~ is there anything fairly close by to occupy our evening? A mall? Movie theater? We arrive 4pm Tampa time. Also, does Chase Suites have a pool?

 

I know they will shuttle you within 5 miles of the hotel, but what is there within that radius?