Hotel suggestions for Tampa

[cruisinkeri]

Ken,

We just got switched from the GOS out of New Orleans to the Legend of the Seas out of Tampa due to Hurricane Katrina deeming NO not ready for cruisers. We leave Jan. 07, 2006, we have booked at the Embassy Suites near the airport. Is this an ok place and area? They have a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, drinks in the evening, and they do have a shuttle you can use if you want, with a charge. They will let us park there for free also. We will have 2 large suvs for 16 people and will probably do our own shuttling- how far is it to pier from Embassy? Thanks for all of your valuable info.

[cruisegirl29]

Hi Cruisinkeri-

 

I know you were looking for Ken but I have to jump in & say that a goup of us are staying at the Embassy Jan 6th precruise. From what I've heard the Embassy is just fine!

 

Join us on our Roll call- Legend Of the Seas Jan 7, 2006! We have a lot of people signed up for the Meet & Mingle party & would love it if you'd join us!

 

Sue

 

 

Ken,

We just got switched from the GOS out of New Orleans to the Legend of the Seas out of Tampa due to Hurricane Katrina deeming NO not ready for cruisers. We leave Jan. 07, 2006, we have booked at the Embassy Suites near the airport. Is this an ok place and area? They have a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, drinks in the evening, and they do have a shuttle you can use if you want, with a charge. They will let us park there for free also. We will have 2 large suvs for 16 people and will probably do our own shuttling- how far is it to pier from Embassy? Thanks for all of your valuable info.

[Cracker Ken]

cruisinkeri & cruisegirl29 - That Embassy Suites Hotel on Westshore Blvd near the airport is a nice place. The area is OK and the hotel is very good. It is right across the street from the Westshore Plaza Mall. There is a Steak & Ale restaurant across the street, less than a block away. At the mall, there is a Maggiano's Italian Restaurant (I haven't been there yet, but I'm told it's very good, and they feed you a lot, family style). There's another restaurant next to Maggiano's, and there is a food court in the mall. The mall also has movies. I have some pictures of this hotel on my Yahoo photo page, which is the top link in my signature block.

 

Have fun.:cool:

 

Ken

[ewheelock]

Ken, do you have any imput about the Chase Suites? They have a stay & sail package that if you are driving to the port you can leave your car in their lot and they will transport you to and from ther terminal. We are getting a 2 br suite and the whole package is $169. I checked the terminal parking and it is $12 per day. This makes the price seem pretty good!

 

Oops, just started reading backwards on the thread and see some imput about Chase Suites.

[Host Kewlguy]

Lots of great info on this thread. We are thinking of sailing on Grandeur of the Seas out of Tampa this winter. Just looking for a clean place to sleep without all the amenities.

[Doughboy77]

If you are flying in and don't have to worry about parking, Chase Suites has an internet rate of $79 that we were able to get. It includes transportation from the airport, but not to and from the port. However, even if taxis each way cost $20 you're still coming out ahead when compated to the $139 park and cruise rate. That's what my wife and I are doing in two weeks.

[cruisinkeri]

thank you so much for the info Ken!! Cruisegirl- how do you do the meet and mingle thing?

[cruzzers]

CrackerKen....We are looking for an inexpensive one night stay pre-cruise for our son and his Girlfriend. I have narrowed it down to Chase Suites or Sailport, Rocky Point. Since you are our travel director here, which would you choose based on your expertise and how far do you estimate them to be from the cruise port for Carnival? I understand they both offer free shuttle from the airport but will have to pay for transportation to the port and back to the airport upon return.

 

Thanking you in advance for all the good information you are providing us here on this thread!

[cathyoo]

Terry and Beth, definitely get CrackerKen's opinion. But when we stayed at the Chase the beginning of 05 we got a package that included pick up from the airport, transfer to the port then a pick up after the cruise to the airport. We had 4 people in a two bedroom suite. Cost per couple was $90 and that included a Continental breakfast.

[gjules]

Hi everyone! I know this is really supposed to be about motels, hotels, etc. but I'm hoping someone living in Tampa can help me out a bit. My dd, dm and I are flying into Tampa on New Year's Eve for a pre-cruise stay. We are wondering what we might find to do in Tampa on NYE? We are staying in a motel near the airport and would like to go somewhere classy, fancy, fun. We are planning on dressing up (Think cocktail dresses...sort of formal night dresses) so we want to go somewhere NICE...not outrageously expensive but classy, you know?!:confused:

[Cracker Ken]

cruzzers - Like Cathyoo said, there have been people reporting that they get a package deal at Chase Suites that includes both pick up from the airport, and transport to the ship. And, they pick you up at the ship and bring you back to the airport or hotel, whichever. Some people have left their cars at Chase too. I haven't been in one of the suites at Chase, but folks posting here seem to like it, and people from our company have stayed there and liked it a lot. It sits right on the water in upper Old Tampa Bay, in an area that's protected by the causeway out to Rocky Point. Good places to eat nearby too, like joining the parking lot and more. No fast food joints out there at all. No stores either. Just business buildings, restaurants, and hotels. Chase is N. of State Route 60 on Rocky Point Drive, and Sailport is S. of SR 60 on Rocky Point Drive. Same distance to the port, about 11 miles, for both of them. I seem to recall that Chase was once a Residence Inn years back.

One of these Days I'm going to take some photo's of these places to post on my photo page on the web.

 

As for Sailport - I have been in rooms at that location since our company used to have a deal there (our regional offices are next door) and my co-workers have stayed there. It's not a dump by no means. Not fancy either, but very adequate a clean. The USAF and other military puts small numbers of troops there from time to time when they need the room when training at MacDill AFB in Tampa. The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds have stayed there. The gov't must have a good deal with them. The rooms are set up like little vacation condo's, many face the bay to the west. They have a bedroom when you walk in the door, then a bathroom, bunk beds set into the wall in the hallway, then a small livingroom opening onto a small balcony, with a small kitchen/dining area. Given the choice, I would stay at Chase Suites myself, even though I wouldn't turn down the Sailport in a pinch.

 

There is also a Hamptonn Inn and a Holiday Inn Express less than a block from Chase Suites. I don't know how their prices compare, but I think they have an airport shuttle van. You would probably be on your own to find transport to the port. A couple of other places I haven't written about much, are the Double Tree Suites on Rocky Point and the Raddison Bay Harbor Inn on SR 60 at Rocky Point Drive. All very close to each other along with those mentioned above. One poster didn't like Raddison for reasons I can't recall. Most Raddison's are OK. I've been in the Raddison to eat at their restaurants before and to attend meetings in their conference rooms, and I've seen nothing wrong, dirty, or out of place.

 

As always, I guess it all boils down to $$$$.

 

gjules - I'm afraid I can't help you on this one. I'll defer to some of our other Tampa friends. Some of the nicer hotels in the Westshore Business District like Wyndham Westshore, Sheraton Suites on W. Cypress, Marriott on W. Cypress, Grand Hyatt near the airport on SR 60, or the Marriott Waterside Hotel near the port might have some goings-on for New Years Eve. You could look them up on the 'net and give each one a call.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ken

[Colton's dad]

Hi Tampa, Ken, and all. I have seen each line on this thread and there are so many options and great advice. We booked at Springhill, although it was close with Chase. After wieghing out options re, good extended breakfast, transport Satarday to Busch, and malls. The Chase sail option was looking good. but cab other extras meant Sprillhill! I Booked threw Marriot 800 line at Springhill and got U.S. $ 100 a night. (coming from Canada) Then took a second look threw this thread and saw that some one said $79 a night. I called hotel DIRECT and she put me on a "weekend 2 night " stay "special"for $79 a night. You just never know if you have the best /lowest deal. I am the one that is ussually sitting at a resort hearing of all the last minute 1/3 price deals, when after hours of looking I thought Ihad lowest deal. At least I feel this one was best possible , so far. Ask again Dec. 5th C YA ; )

[cruisegirl29]

thank you so much for the info Ken!! Cruisegirl- how do you do the meet and mingle thing?

 

 

It's fairly easy to regiser! I'll provide the web page you can go to:

 

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/ccEntry.do

 

otherwise go to rccl.com & look for the meet & mingle info!

 

Sue

[momofzeke]

I'm STILL having a hard time choosing a hotel! Can anyone tell me (Cracker Ken?) if the weather in Tampa is generally nice enough at the end of March to enjoy the pool area of a hotel? I would really like a hotel with a nice pool area if possible. Thanks!

[cruzzers]

Thanks to all of you for your great information. I booked a suite at Sailport for one night precruise in Dec. They will take care of all the transportation with a cruise package for a total of $119 total for 2 adults., or you can just get the suite for $86 with no transportation. Of course I will keep looking, but this seems like a pretty good deal not having to worry about a taxi or car rental.

[Cracker Ken]

Cruzzers - Sounds like you have it all worked out. I don't think you will be disappointed there at Sailport. It's quiet and out of the way down a little side street with an office building and garage (where I park when I go into the office)on the S. side, and mangrove flats and a hotel across the way on the N side. It sits right on the water. If you are lucky enough to get a western view, you might catch some nice sunsets across Old Tampa Bay. If you are into walking, you can walk up to State Rd 60, turn right a short distance, and eat at Landry's Seafood. I like it there.

 

momofzeke - Yes, you could use the pool in March, then again, you might not. It's crazy down here, really. Things vary, but generally it's good weather in March. 70's and 80's. You could have warm (80 + or -) weather on Monday with sun, good enough to be at the beach. Then, on Tuesday it could be raining, with it down to the 40's on Wednesday. Happens over and over all winter long. I've been to the beach and sweated my brains out in Nov, Dec, etc, then prepare for a hard freeze (20-30 degrees in inland areas 10-40 miles inland from Tampa) just two days later. Cold fronts pass, it gets cold, then they wear off and we are back hot again for a few days. We always consider that it could be rather cold from time to time through about Easter. Jan and Feb are usually the coldest months in Central FL. As I recall, it was Jan 19, 1977 when we had our last "snow storm." I'm serious. We got about 2" out E. of Tampa. Doesn't sound like much from the perspective of folks up N., but we aren't used to that mess. I was a deputy sheriff at the time and had to work in it. We had black ice on the road in many areas. Lots of wrecks all over the Tampa area. People sliding across frozen bridges, you name it. I spent the morning helping the livestock officer chase down a stray yearling bull in some orange groves, slipping and sliding all over the place in the snow. That sounds bad, but it sure beats working wrecks on the highway. I recall wearing jackets to the fair in late Feb or early March.

 

Ken

[katie286]

Can anyone who has stayed at these hotels tell me which one I should go with. We will not have a car, so parking is not an issue. Both include some transportation and breakfast. I am traveling with my daughter (16) and mother. A suite sounds better than a hotel room. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of each. I'd love to know what is close by to each. (mall, restaurants, how close to the port, etc). We are traveling with my sister and her 2 daughters (16 & 18) as well. Thanks for you input!:)

[katie286]

BUMP..where did everyone go????:)

[ahoys]

I'm a native Tampan, and New Year's is always a difficult decision. We've got so many restaurants and clubs, that it's tough to choose what you want to do. The best suggestion I have is to research the places and get reservations if you want a nice dinner, because if you wait too long, you'll have a rough time finding a place. However, New Year's celebrations are all over the city, and some are open to everyone. Busch Gardens always has a New Year's party for families, and the party areas of Ybor City and Channelside will have "block party" type of celebrations. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will have a nice party, and many nice hotels will have their own celebrations.

 

Here's a link to the restaurants and New Year's information:

http://tampabay.citysearch.com/roundup/39168/

 

If anyone has any more Tampa questions, I'll be happy to help.

[jessemon]

Can anyone who has stayed at these hotels tell me which one I should go with. We will not have a car, so parking is not an issue. Both include some transportation and breakfast. I am traveling with my daughter (16) and mother. A suite sounds better than a hotel room. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of each. I'd love to know what is close by to each. (mall, restaurants, how close to the port, etc). We are traveling with my sister and her 2 daughters (16 & 18) as well. Thanks for you input!:)

katie286,

There is quite a bit of info provided on both of these hotels in the 17 pages of messages on this thread. It is very informative. You will find locals and cruisers that have stayed at them. Both are close to malls, restaurants. Port is 15 minutes away.

[katie286]

Thanks Jessemon...I have read this entire thread and while I agree completely that it is very informative, I am completely overwhelmed with information regarding Tampa Hotels. I thought it would be a good idea to narrow it down a bit.

[TBR]

Thanks Jessemon...I have read this entire thread and while I agree completely that it is very informative, I am completely overwhelmed with information regarding Tampa Hotels. I thought it would be a good idea to narrow it down a bit.

 

I live in tampa. If you are not going to have a car, I would stay in the Westshore area. Embassy suites,Marriott,Sheraton and several other hotels are in the area. As someone mentioned in another post Embassy suites is across from Westshore mall and several good dining establishments are within walking distance. Another mall, International Plaza is about 2 miles away and there are about 12 restaurants and upscale stores to shop in. The airport is about a 10 minute ride from westshore area and about 15 minutes to port.

 

The only problem with the hotels in the Rocky point area,Chase Suites,Sailport and others, is limited access to stores or dining. There is a Bahama Breeze up the street from Chase suites,Landrys seafood is across hwy. Not much else to do,the bay can be nasty at times for swimming. Sometimes the beach is closed. If you do not have a car, you are at the mercy of taxi or hotel van.

 

One area to avoid is Busch Blvd near Busch gardens,not a good area to be after dark.

[jessemon]

Katie286,

When are you cruising and how long will you be in Tampa before your cruise?

Jeff/Jessemon

[katie286]

TBR - Thanks for the suggestions I will check them out.:)

 

Jeff - We are only staying one night before our cruise. We are sailing on a Monday in August so we need a place for Sunday night. We don't want to spend a fortune, but don't want to stay in a not so nice place or area either.

[HeidiHo]

How inconvenient would it be to fly into Bradenton/Sarasota airport the day before our Miracle cruise? I'm searching for cheap airfare and sometimes some cheap fares show up for that airport. Would it be best to rent a car if we flew in there and dropped it off near the port? What about cabs or shuttles? We'd stay the night before wherever it would be most convenient. Any suggestions?