The Tampa Bay area and Florida in general is a great place to spend a long weekend. With close proximity to beaches and warm weather it is easy to justify a quick trip down to the Sunshine state. Tampa has a number of hotel options that are a good value.

The Westin Tampa Bay is only 2 miles from the Tampa airport just off the Courtney Campbell causeway. The hotel is relatively new and has great views of Tampa Bay. The hotel is a category 3 Starwood property requiring 7,000 Starpoints per night. Alternatively standard rates can be secured for around $170 on a weekend and the negotiated rates slightly less.

Hotel

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The hotel greets it’s guests upon arrival with valet and bellman. You can leave your car with the valet or park in one of the many complimentary parking spaces outside. If you park in one of the complimentary parking spaces, make sure you ask for a ticket to place on your dash board.

The check in process was efficient. I was a SPG platinum member and status was recognized during the check in process. We were offered an upgrade to a junior suite and a choice of the standard Platinum amenity. We chose the points but the front desk person mentioned starting March 1st, Platinum members will be allowed to select breakfast as an amenity option. It is nice to see the hotels are already planning for the change. I was also offered two buy one get one drink certificates to the Aqua restaurant.

Lobby

Lobby

Aqua Restaurant

Room

The junior suite was very spacious and had decent views of Tampa Bay. Upon entering the room, there was a kitchenette area with small refrigerator and microwave. The living room had a nice sized dining table, pull out couch for the little one’s if needed, and a decent entertainment system. The Bose entertainment system was disappointing because it did not have an adapter for an auxiliary device such as an iPad or iPhone.

Room Entrance

Living Room

View From Room

Pull Out Couch

Living Room Entertainment

The bedroom was nicely furnished with the Westin Heavenly bed and bedding. The bathroom was extra large and felt very clean.

Bedroom

Bathroom

Lounge

I’m always surprised when I find an actual lounge at a Starwood property. This Westin has a lounge that is fully operational during the week but only serves fresh Starbucks coffee on the weekends. Free internet with a desk top computer and printer are available in the lounge.

Lounge

Coffee In Lounge

View From Lounge

Bottom Line

I think the Westin Tampa Bay hotel is nicely situated between Downtown and the beaches. For the price of a negotiated rate, this is a great option for a short stay in the Tampa area. This hotel does not have a pool and the “beach” at this property is far from the real thing. The “beach” is a man made sand hill that has water access to a canal area of the Bay. This is important to keep in mind if you are looking for a property that is at the real beach or has a nice pool to relax during the day.

I’m also working on two other Tampa hotel reports including the Grand Hyatt Tampa and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater.

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InterContinental Tampa Bay

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