Tampa Hotels

[KathyB]

We are planning a cruise on the Miracle next year and am wondering about hotels in Tampa area? Have never been to this part of Florida - are the hotels on the beach? Can anyone suggest a nice hotel for a precruise stay>

Thanks
Kathy

[MickeyG]

Kathy....Hi, we are taking our first cruise out of Tampa on the Miracle this December. We (family of four) have booked a room at the Chase suites by Woodfin. It is located 2 miles from the airport. We are driving so this is not a consideration for us. It was recommended to me by someone who cruised out of Tampa and stayed at this hotel. We have a nice room reserved for the day/evening before our cruise. The rate of $119. includes breakfast, free parking at their facility during for the duration of your cruise, and free roundtrip transportation to/from the hotel to your ship. Since this hotel came highly recommended, I booked a room for our family. I hope this helps.

Mick:)

[Jane110]

Kathy,

If you're willing to skip the beach (won't you see plenty of sand on the cruise?) and would like a more interesting experience, I'd highly recommend staying at the Don Vicente Historical Hotel in downtown Ybor City.

Ybor is the old spanish part of Tampa (home of Hav-A-Tampa cigar) and over the past 10 years has been gentrified and has become a real hotspot for fun. Nice restaurants and clubs, interesting places to walk to, art galleries and shops.

The Don Vicente was built a few years ago in one of the old landmark buildings and is a boutique hotel with only 16 rooms, some with balconies. The public rooms - lounge, salon, restaurant are quite large. Price includes a continental breakfast.

There is a nearby trolley which will take you to various parts of Tampa and I *think* it might even take you to the cruise ship port.

Have a look at www.donvicenteinn.com

Jane

[KathyB]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will check them both out!!