Tampa/Veendam and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel

[sail7seas]

We will be sailing out of Tampa on Veendam in January and after having a bit of difficulty were able to get pre cruise hotel reservations at Marriott Waterside where we want to stay. We had a hard time getting availability.


When we were recently in FLL, I read in the Miami Herald about The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and apparently they newly opened this past May. Anyone stayed there? Anyone who lives in the area know much about it? Is it a Vegas type hotel (on a different scale)? Any good restaurants there or is it typical fast food/buffet?

How far is it from Marriott Waterside?

Thanks if you can help.

[bookworm0911]

Between google, the hotel's own website, and even mapquest you can have all your questions answered in a couple minutes. Sounds like a fun place by the name.

[sail7seas]

Actually, before I posted the questions, I was at the sites. I did google just as you recommend. I still asked my questions as I did not get clear answers there.


Of course, I was not able to 'speak with anyone who had stayed there'. When I read the names of the restaurants they list, I was unclear as to whether they were burger joints or better dining. It's alot of help when someone who has eaten in one of those places gives their opinion .....especially if it is someone who I "know" from the Board.

Mapquest is not always accurate. I find they are often very inaccurate.

I thought someone here (perhaps who lives in Tampa even) may be able to help and share some info the way we all share info with eachother.



Thank you for your suggestion.

[johnnycruise]

The Hard Rock Casino is in a seedy section of Hollywood.:eek: It does not have the full gamut of casino games and I'd say its traffic is 90+% local. You're better off staying in either the marina or beach area of Fort Lauderdale both of which are better suited for tourists. As car rentals are cheap in FLL, you can always visit the HRC for a couple of hours and make your own decision for next pre/post-cruise stay ... but I think you'll see it is nothing special.

[JDee]

S7S: Do recall some local media info on the construction of the hotel and joint venture with Hard Rock Cafe. Many jobs opened with a wide salary range, and with the job market as it is locally, no shortage of applicants. Have not visisted the place, nor do I personally know anyone who went there.

From the media info, the hotel portion was gearing up for the casino crowd, rather than the normal tourist or convention business. Just a guess, but think the food would be somewhere in the moderate or average type, probably some fast food & buffets that are normal for Indian casinos. Unless you intend to make the casino your destination, believe there would be much better choices for food and lodging in the Tampa area. The casino is was advertised as not just another Indian Reservation bingo & slot machine venue, but Los Vegas type gambling, shows, etc.

If I can find anything more concrete, will let you know....

[sail7seas]

johnnycruise: Thank you but I am referring to Tampa.....Not FLL.

[sail7seas]

JDee: Thank you. VERY helpful.


We'll definitely stay the three nights at Marriott Waterside. We had a hard time getting availability but now that we are confirmed, that is where I want to stay. It looks/sounds very nice. The info you gave me in the past is VERY helpful. I printed it out and will be choosing where to make dinner reservations from it.

Seeing as the weather can be iffy in January in Tampa, I had in mind that if the Seminole Hotel was decent (relatively close and safe), DH and I might go over there one afternoon for lunch and a 'look-see'. But, the more I think about it, I think there are other things we would enjoy alot more in Tampa.

[JDee]

S7S: Here are a couple links that may be helpful even if a little old:

www.sptimes.com - go to the search & insert "hard rock cafe" - There are 2 articles, Rock N High rollers and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, etc.

The other, www.baynews9.com - search for "Seminole Casino" and 2 articles will Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Opens Today, and Brand New Seminole Hard Rock Casino Opens for Business.

Hope these help..... Happy cruising.....

[goldsmip]

I live in the Tampa area and was just at the Hard Rock casino last Friday night. The Friday night seafood buffet in a restaurant called Floyd's is excellent. I have friends who have stayed in a suite in the hotel and they say that was fantastic. The casino has a lot of gaming of all sorts. It is very far from the Marriott Waterside. If you love gaming it may be worth the cab ride which would be pretty expensive. You have made the right choice for a 3 night stay in Tampa. Overall, you'll find much more to do near the Marriott.

[gizmo]

When I read the names of the restaurants they list, I was unclear as to whether they were burger joints or better dining.

The site lists each restaurant along with the complete menu and pricing. All you have to do is click on each restaurant to get the information.

[sail7seas]

Thanks Gizmo. Your message is helpful.

[Mary Ellen]

I hope S7S doesn't mind - but as long as we're talking about the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, I have a question.

While we're on vacation in Orlando this December, we're driving to Tampa to retrieve my DB & SIL after their cruise (on a different line :eek: ) and taking them back to the Orlando airport. I collect the HR guitar pins and want to stop by the hotel and get some. Is it convenient from I-4 on the way to the cruise pier? Also, do all cruise lines use the same pier?

[GulfCoaster]

Hi Sail!

We stayed at the Tampa Marriott Waterside last November for our Veendam cruise. The hotel is great! It is one of Marriott's upscale properties. You have made a good choice!

Some suggestions:

Their buffet breakfast is super! Food is great and we found our server very friendly and helpful. They have everything from smoked salmon and bagels to fresh cooked eggs, breads, fruit, oatmeal, etc. etc. There was also a "Sports Bar" and a Spa within the hotel (did not try either).

We found the staff to be very nice. Especially the Doorman and Bellstaff. There are some rooms that have a small balcony, but not all do - see if they will accomodate you with this if you desire. I asked - did not receive. Oh well....

Being right downtown, there is not really that much around the hotel itself - BUT - you can take the trolley (which is right outside their door) to Ybor City where you will find all sorts of restaurants and clubs and things to do.

There is a very famous Cuban restaurant in Ybor City, the name escapes me, but the hotel can help you with that. If you take the trolley, it will pass right by a shopping area which is almost like Bayside Marketplace in Miami (just about a 5 minute trolley ride from the hotel) but smaller. The Carnival ships doc right there. The trolley will then angle left passing the cruise piers and then on into Ybor City.

The trolley itself was very clean and the operator wore an old fashioned "train conductor" uniform. It is a tourist destination on to itself and my wife and I really enjoyed it. It takes about 30 - 40 minutes or so to get from the Marriott to Yabor City, which is the end of the line. It was a lot of fun!

There is a very nice Publix supermarket within walking distance to the hotel. You do have to cross over a busy road however, as well as a draw bridge (ask the bell staff to help you with the route as you must cross over before you get to the bridge itself) but the walk is pretty easy to do if you are up to it.

We originally took a cab over there after we checked in to pickup some goodies. Then on our cruise day, we walked back over to the store to pick up a bottle of wine to take with us at the last minute.

We flew in from New Orleans and did not rent a car. Just "cabbed" it from the airport to the hotel (around $26.00) and cabbed it over to the Veendam the next day (around $10.00 to the pier). If your room is up high and facing the front of the hotel - you will more then likely be able to see some cruise ships in port. We could see the Veendam clear as day!

Upon the completion of the cruise, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency by the airport. The Hyatt was wonderful, and very close to a huge upscale shopping Mall. The Mall features a Nordstrom's department store and even an outlet of Fat Burger (which is one of my Los Angeles California favorites) in the food court.

Even thought there were some great restaurants in the area including a Roy's Restaurant from Hawaii, truthfully I would have preferred staying at the Maririott again instead of the Hyatt.

So IMHO I think you made a good call.

Hope that helps a little and that you enjoy the hotel. You have always been great to give such wonderful, helpful advice, the least I can do is give back what little I know of that area when I stayed there.

Mike

37 Days To Our Oosterdam Cruise and Counting!

[sail7seas]

Mike.....


Thank you so much. What a wonderful post. So very much helpful info. I have printed it and will be referring to it again as our cruise comes closer.

I greatly appreciate your help.

[cruzincurt]

The new Seminole Hard Rock casino is on the north side of I-4 about 4 miles east of Tampa. It is right alongside the highway. There is an exit right there called Orient Road that takes you right to it. The casino is not really close to anything else, you can't walk to it from Tampa. Being an Indian casino, its not quite like a Vegas casino. Table games are poker with "bingo" type sliding tab slot machines.

Probably would be about a $15 to $20 cab ride from downtown.

All of the ships dock near the same location at the east side of downtown. The terminals are alongside Channelside Drive on both sides of the Aquarium. One parking garage serves the west terminals where Carnival usually docks. An open parking lot behind the Port Authority building serves the east terminals where HAL and RCCL usually dock.

[boards]

The new Seminole Hard Rock casino is on the north side of I-4 about 4 miles east of Tampa. It is right alongside the highway. There is an exit right there called Orient Road that takes you right to it. The casino is not really close to anything else, you can't walk to it from Tampa. Being an Indian casino, its not quite like a Vegas casino. Table games are poker with "bingo" type sliding tab slot machines.

Probably would be about a $15 to $20 cab ride from downtown.

All of the ships dock near the same location at the east side of downtown. The terminals are alongside Channelside Drive on both sides of the Aquarium. One parking garage serves the west terminals where Carnival usually docks. An open parking lot behind the Port Authority building serves the east terminals where HAL and RCCL usually dock.
The east parking that services HAL, do you think it would be safe to leave a car parked there for two weeks, while we are on a cruise. We are considering driving to Tampa for our next cruise and are wondering where we could safely park the car for the two weeks.

[peaches from georgia]

The east parking that services HAL, do you think it would be safe to leave a car parked there for two weeks, while we are on a cruise. We are considering driving to Tampa for our next cruise and are wondering where we could safely park the car for the two weeks.
I can't speak about Tampa parking specifically (though we will be parking there for 2 weeks next year), but in general security is much better at a cruiseport than at any hotel/motel that allows cruise parking. People are just not allowed to wander around ports anymore w/out proof that they belong there. We park at the FLL parking deck for 2 weeks w/out a worry.

[JDee]

Parking for HAL is open air parking in a fenced lot and is reasonably safe. I say reasonably is because just about a year ago, Port Authority had a problem with vandalism in the covered parking garage. Seems like about a dozen or so high priced SUV's & such were broken into & lots electronics & other items stolen. Port authority had a window replacemernt service come to the garage and replace all the windows. Any other losses, owner had to make insurance claim, so I understand. The covered parking garage is across the street from the piers and is used by the general public. Many times it is full & cruise pax are out of luck & have to use the open air spaces. Best to use that HAL open lot, as it is a rather long walk from the covered parking garage to the HAL pier.

Since then, security has been improved (rent-a-cop type).

As for Ybor City, suggest daylight visits only. While the Tampa city government will not admit it as such, it is in fact, a very high crime rate perpertrated on visitors, especially out of towners. There is hardly a week-end go by without some serious mugging, stabbing, etc. There is now a higher police presence that helps some. All the umpteen bars don't add to the security. Recently, a non-alcholic teen age dance club had lots problems & believe the city is about to either shut it down or restric the ages and hours drastically. Don't even think about going to Ybor City after dark. City also has put or will put up some type TV security cameras mounted on utility poles in the are. Just not enough police to put on every corner......

[rex523]

I would like to point out that the Hard Rock is in a seedy area, across I-4 from the fairgrounds and not at all close to anything of interest. The Marriott and Hyatt listed above are much better choices, particularly the Mariott which is close to the cruise ship terminals.

The famous restaurant in Ybor City is the Columbia and it is well worth a visit.

[peaches from georgia]

I've been to the Columbia in Sarasota. It is wonderful, a great place to go for dinner, and very popular for fine dining in several areas of Florida. I love the paella! :)

[gizmo]

The famous restaurant in Ybor City is the Columbia and it is well worth a visit.Rex,
Is that the one with a lot those beautiful tiles?

[peaches from georgia]

Not to butt in, gizmo, but check out the restaurant website and then you can link to each of the individual Columbia's sites and get photos, menus, etc.

It's worth a trip to any of the FL cities w/ a Columbia Restaurant just to eat there. The one in Sarasota has beautiful tiles, so I imagine the decor is similar in all of them. I know for sure when we are in Tampa for our Veendam cruise we will eat there the night before. :D

[gizmo]

Peaches,

I checked it out. I think that is the place. :) It has been awhile since I been there and I remember the food was excellent.

[cruzincurt]

I parked in the open lot last year and will do so again shortly. I think it is more secure than the garage. It is right behind the port authority building and I don't think it is open except for when the cruise ships dock. There are no attractions there so is no reason for traffic to come and go. The parking garage sees daily traffic for other attractions in the area. It's much easier to hide and do something to a vehicle in the closed garage.

[sail7seas]

What makes Columbia Restaurants so special?

[rex523]

I grew up in Tampa and the Columbia has been a Tampa institution since the early 1900's. I just went to their web site for the first time and was a bit disappointed - the site makes it look touristy which it is not. The Cuban cuisine is famous - I can definitely recommend the Snapper Alicante and the paella that Peaches likes!

You still see the old Cuban families of Tampa - who have been there a century - celebrating family occasions, with the same waiter they have had for years. That is one of my favorite things about the place - men who have worked there for 20, 30, 40 years and are highly professional. As the website says, the Gonzmart family has owned the place since the beginning and still run it, and run it well. The other restaurants in the chain maintain the food and service standards, but the atmosphere at the 7th Avenue location is unforgettable.

The decor is kind of Old Havana meets Pirates of the Caribbean and, yes, there are many beautiful tiles.

You may also want to check out Bern's, a nationally ranked steak house that looks like a New Orleans brothel but has superb cuisine and service. Their wine cellar is one of the most comprehensive in the US.

If you have two nights, do both!

Off topic, but if you are an art lover the Museum of Fine Arts in St Petersburg is one of the finest small museums I have ever visited, and the Salvador Dali Museum is a few miles away. Enjoy Tampa!

[peaches from georgia]

Thank you, Rex, for the history. I did read further on the site also. My family has been living in Sarasota on Longboat Key since 1965, so we started going to the Columbia on St. Armands almost since it opened. But, I agree, the Ybor City flagship restaurant is the most authentic representation of the Cuban culture and it will be very special to dine there. I'm sure Berns has excellent beef but that you can find many places. That is not the attraction that a restaurant with a great history of another culture and country is, at least to me.

What a shame the travel restrictions to Cuba are, for both them and us. Cruising to Havana would be fantastic.

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

The DW and I have visited Tampa four times in the last three years. We have travelled in our RV and parked at the HAL open lot without incident, also used the MacDill AFB secure parking area for RVs without any issues while on a HAL cruise.

The HardRock Casino is a class 3 operation, low payouts, but they will take your money as fast as any Las Vegas casino. We have not stayed at the hotel, but the facilities looked very nice. After visiting the casino we opted to a quick drive to the East coast for a cruise to the Atlantis casino complex. Won enough to pay for the cruise.

Food in Tampa is best served in the old part of town in Ybor City. The old Columbian eatery was outstanding with its Cuban fair, but very expensive. Berns was the most expensive steak I have ever had in the world, other than Denmark (1980-1984) where you needed a bank loan for a nice steak dinner. At Berns you make a separate reservation for dessert upstairs after dinner. I would go again if staying in our RV at Lazy Days RV Rally park.

[sail7seas]

Thank you, Rex, for wonderful post. We shall try both restaurants. We have three nights to enjoy nice dinners in Tampa. I also very much appreciate your recommending the Dali Museum. It sounds wonderful. What a treat to be able to view that. It's going to the top of our list of 'what to do'.

RaffinOrgan....I know what you mean about costly European dinners. We, too, have paid some astronomical prices for fine dinners all over Europe. But.....those memories are so worth it.

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

RaffinOrgan....I know what you mean about costly European dinners. We, too, have paid some astronomical prices for fine dinners all over Europe. But.....those memories are so worth it.

At the time we were living in Denmark. Easy to go native for four years.

[sail7seas]

Raffin.....What a wonderful experience.


We visited Copenhagen three times and adore that city. So walkable and friendly. WONDERFUL food....

The last time we were there, we boarded Statendam to do a 13 day European Capitals cruise. One of the best we ever took. We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary aboard during that cruise and had a phenomenal party aboard

Ahhh.....the memories.

[rex523]

S7S, you're welcome! You will love the Dali Museum.

RaffinOrgan is right about the dessert room at Bern's - you will want to do that, too.

The Tampa Area has a good art scene - you may also want to investigate the Tampa Museum - mostly contemporary art and ancient art - and the Henry B. Plant Museum. Both are downtown, and the Plant museum is in the old Tampa Bay Hotel, now part of the University of Tampa. It was the first building built in the 20th Century to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is period items from the early 1900's and antiques that were the original furnishings of the hotel. If you are there at Christmastime they do candlelight tours.

About a ninety minute drive south is the Ringling Museum in Sarasota - a great collection of Baroque art, circus memorabilia and the Ringling mansion, built and furnished in the Venetian Baroque style. All these places should have plenty of information on the web.

I'll look forward to your review! I'm leaving on the Veendam two weeks from Saturday.

[sail7seas]

I'm so appreciate your help, Rex. I've printed your posts so I can do a little research and 'pre-planning' for us.


Hope you have a great time on Veendam and I'll look forward to your review. Though our cruise is still 2 months off, we are very much looking forward to returning to Veendam. We haven't cruised her in about 4+ years and always liked that ship. It'll be good to return.

[johnnycruise]

johnnycruise: Thank you but I am referring to Tampa.....Not FLL.I guess "TAMPA" in the subject line should have been a clue:p

[sail7seas]

:) Thank you for trying to help. I know you meant well and I appreciate your trying to assist me.

[Cracker Ken]

Sail7Seas - I'm glad to see that you managed to get reservations confirmed at the Marriott Waterside. Beautiful place. I went to a trade seminar there a month ago and was able to get a look inside the hotel. Excellent.

While the Hard Rock Hotel is really nice, and very new, it's basically an island, in that there's nothing else to do or see in that corner of town. There are bad areas of town all around the hotel. They have their own police agency there, since it is an indian reservation. I wouldn't even want to park my car outside that hotel over night (I retired from the Sheriff's Office that handles that area - I know). They do have a parking garage at this location. I don't know how secure it is. Since you were able to get the Marriott, this is a non-issue.

Some time back, it might have even been on the old boards, we communicated about Tampa when you were originally checking on alternatives to the Marriott Waterside, and we mentioned restaurants (myself and some other posters). I echo the other posters recommendation of Bern's Steakhouse. You have to go there. I've been there several times over the past 25 years. Never a disappointment. President's of the United States have eaten there. Governors, mayors, movie stars (Mickey Rooney was eating near us in the desert room one evening), business men and women, judges, "high rollers" and others frequent this place. The variety of steaks, sizes, weights, and doneness levels available is almost overwhelming. The wine list is about the size of a large dictionary (no kidding). They have huge salt water fish tanks in the back. If you want fresh fish, you get fresh fish. Your steak is cut after you order it. It's an amazing operation with excellent, well trained, professional waiters, many who have been there for a long time. They will offer you a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar when you are done with dinner - DO IT. After you are through with the tour, they will take you to the dessert room upstairs, if you have made reservations (which the waiter will make for you during dinner). The menu of desserts and dessert coffee's and drinks is extensive, and the atmosphere is intimate. Note: If you get an idea as to which night you want to eat there, make reservations as soon as you can. Actually, it isn't too early to do so now. They have a web page where you can get phone numbers for reservations - http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/ . I strongly suggest early reservations.

Yes, go to the Columbia Restaurant too. That's a really neat old building with great atmosphere. The previous poster from Tampa said it all. I also like the Valencia Garden Restaurant on W. Kennedy Blvd. Lots of locals go there (me too, I love it). The Valencia has about the same type of food, and they are famous for their Paella. The Columbia should be a real treat for you. It does attract tourist, but for good reason. The Valencia Garden has few tourist, but it's a very nice place. By the way, the Columbia is only one block S. from the Eastern terminus of the street car line at 21st St and 8th Ave. The Columbia is between 21st and 22nd St. on 7th Ave. Despite the best efforts of the Tampa Police, I don't recommend walking the streets in that area at night. A cab from the Marriott to the Columbia might be a good idea. Every cab driver in town knows where these restaurants are, without giving them the address.

For those who were wondering about the parking around the HAL terminal, I have a lot of pictures of the lots and the area on my photo page at the Yahoo link in my signature block. Go to the "Tampa, Port of" album.

Hope this helps.

Ken

[sail7seas]

Cracker Ken......


You have a good memory to recall our 'previous conversation' re:
Tampa. I printed it out and have referred back to it several times already (and will be again before we go). It was so full of information.....as is your current message.

Thank you so much for taking the time and being so generous to share all of this valuable info.

When folks say "Do your research" meaning I should be going to the official web site of Seminole etc, they are correct. But that only gives the 'official' info.

Coming to this site and asking the questions I asked gave me a treasure trove of info I would NEVER have gotten anywhere else. IMO Doing research means inquiring/reading/searching for info from many sources INCLUDING here.

I am so very appreciative for your help. It will make our stay in Tampa very special. We won't be wasting precious time trotting over to a place that no longer holds any interest for us. We can now spend our time at places like the Dali Museum which will so much more pleasant.

We will be trying, this week, to get reservations at Bern's. (Thank you for the link.) DH and I would love it there, I am sure. We will choose between your other suggestions for our other evenings. Valencia Garden and Columbia both sound great.

I am now very much looking forward to our stays in Tampa and thank all of you who helped with great info for generously sharing.

[Roadwork]

Like CrackerKen I highly recomment Bern's. As others have said don't miss the dessert room, it is my wife's favorite.

The Columbia is not only good for dinner but lunch also. You may want to consider that. The area is safer during the day, at least it appears that way.

[Cracker Ken]

Roadwork - Great idea. If Sails goes to Columbia during the day, she could even take the street car from the front door of the Marriott, almost all the way (within a block) of Columbia. It's safe around there during the day (the street car ends at 21st St, in front of the Sheriff's Operations Center). That would be fun, and it's a lot cheaper than a taxi. They could even get off and on the street car, and maybe check out the Channelside District and the Florida Aquarium.

Ken

[sail7seas]

About how far a distance is from Marriott Waterside to Columbia? (Miles? Time by taxi? By the trolley?) Thanks so much for all your help.

[Cracker Ken]

I'm not exactly sure about mileage. My best guess is 2-3 miles, both by taxi and street car. Mapquest says it's 2.59 miles, and that sounds accurate. I have been all over that area for many years, but never really paid much attention to mileage. Time, I'd say 5-10 minutes weekday, a little less on the weekend. The taxi might be quicker than the street car, because the street car makes stops at it's normal stops along the way. The street cars in Tampa are relatively new, clean, and not crowded. Very little, if any, riff-raff riding the cars. The street car line takes you E. from the hotel along the S. end of the Tampa business district, down to the Channelside District where the cruise ship terminals (Carnival) are located. Also in that area are the Florida Aquarium and the shops and restaurants in the Channelside complex. Then it continues N. past terminal 3 (RCCI, and others) and terminal 6 (HAL), then on up to the Ybor City Latin Historic District.


Ken

[sail7seas]

Sounds Great.

I'm getting quite eager to see Tampa. At first it was just a place to 'catch the ship' but I am now really getting into seeing as much as possible. I know we will enjoy ourselves during the three days we will spend there.