Tampa, FL: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When should you plan your trip to Tampa, FL?

Tampa welcomes visitors all year round, especially those drawn to the area's warm, sunny weather. Visit in July or August, and you're bound to experience highs in the low 90s and frequent rain storms. In spring and fall, you'll find highs in the low 80s and drier skies. In the winter, you'll enjoy highs in the upper 60s and sunny skies.

While you can encounter rain showers in Tampa almost any time of year, summer is the rainy season. August tends to be the wettest month, so be sure to pack waterproof shoes and an umbrella if you're considering a summer visit.

If your travel dates are flexible, plan your trip around Tampa's biggest and most engaging festivals. The Sunset Music Festival welcomes 40 dance and electronic music artists and 50,000 fans every Memorial Day weekend, while the Gasparilla Music Festival invites a wide range of artists spanning a variety of genres to downtown Tampa every March. In early April, the Best of Tampa Bay brings the area's tastiest food and drinks to the waterfront, while the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival brings tequila tasting, margarita sampling, and musical entertainment to the city.

What are the best hotel discounts in Tampa, FL?

Searching for a great hotel deal in Tampa? Check out the best hotel discounts and the best group rates on resorts and hotels throughout Tampa Bay.

Government employees and members of the military can get discounts at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore. This airport hotel offers a convenient shuttle, over 250 guest rooms, and extras like free breakfast, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool that the whole family will love.

AAA members can save at the Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Downtown. This mid-range property has everything you need for a comfortable stay, including spacious rooms, free shuttle service, a coffee shop, and a restaurant. Book one of the hotel's two meeting rooms for a corporate conference or a get-together with family and friends.

AARP members and senior travelers can get low rates at the Residence Inn Tampa Downtown, a three-star hotel in the heart of the city. The Residence Inn's average group discount of nearly 18 percent makes this a great choice for group accommodations, and the hotel's fitness center, outdoor pool, and complimentary shuttle service make it a smart pick for all visitors to the Tampa area.

What hotels in Tampa provide the most value?

To get the most value from your Tampa stay, get all the amenities you want at the price you prefer. Browse the area's best value hotels to strike the right balance.

Located just a short drive from the waterfront, the Aloft Tampa Downtown offers plenty of value in a boutique setting. Use the free Wi-Fi to plan your day or connect with friends, grab a snack from the on-site market, sip a cocktail in the W XYZ bar, and get a restful night's sleep on the signature beds. When you're ready to explore the Tampa area, you'll find the lively Riverwalk area right outside the hotel's front door.

When you want extra space without overspending your budget, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott is a great choice. This mid-range hotel has nearly 150 spacious suites equipped with kitchenettes, sofa beds, and free Wi-Fi. You'll love the complimentary continental breakfast, the outdoor pool, and the pet-friendly policy. The hotel's complimentary area shuttle makes exploring the vibrant Westshore area a breeze.

Book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport Westshore, and you'll be in the heart of Westshore and minutes from the airport. The free airport shuttle makes your arrival and departure stress-free, but you may never want to leave this conveniently located hotel. The outdoor pool and hot tub, full-service restaurant, business center, and 24-hour market make this Hilton Garden Inn a great choice for business and leisure travelers alike. With four meeting spaces available for reservation, planning an event near the airport couldn't be easier.

What are some of the can't-miss attractions around Tampa, FL?

From funky neighborhoods to kid-approved attractions, Tampa has a little of everything. If you're planning a family vacation, you won't want to miss Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center, where you can see these marine mammals up close. You'll find that November through mid-April is the best time to view these creatures, but you can visit the center's mangrove and butterfly exhibits any time. If you have kids in tow, the Florida Aquarium is another essential stop, as it's home to more than 20,000 animals and plants in an impressive array of habitats.

Curious about Tampa's history? Visit the Henry B. Plant Museum, which is housed in a stunning Moorish Revival building at the University of Tampa. Here, you can get the scoop on local history, browse antiques and period rooms, and feel like you've stepped right into the Gilded Age.

Plan to spend at least an afternoon and an evening in Ybor City, home to Tampa's famous cigar factories. Browse the wares, sample the Cuban food, or partake in the breweries and evening entertainment in this vibrant Tampa neighborhood.

Be sure to check the event calendar at the Tampa Theatre, too. This 1920s building boasts beautiful architecture and elegant decor, and it hosts both daytime tours and evening events. Theater buffs will want to tour the building, while classic film fans will want to get tickets for a screening or a live show.

Why wait to book your Tampa getaway? Find the ideal hotel for your group and start planning your trip today.

Tampa, FL summarized

Boasting of 165 beaches and parks within its boundaries, Tampa brings in huge crowds every year especially in the summer. Armed with a boatload of theme parks and attractions, there is never a boring day when tourists visit Tampa. When in Tampa, guests can start their day off with a visit to the Lowry Park Zoo and take pictures of the 2,000 or so animals that are featured. Guests can hop on a ride to the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which is a theme park with an African theme. If Africa is not in the books, then perhaps a water park would take your fancy as Adventure Island offers water rides, and other water-related attractions to all its guests. For a slower day, museum hopping may be ideal for those who want to see history preserved at the World War II Victory Ship, also known as the museum ship and Henry B. Plant Museum. Visiting all of Tampa's attractions may be exhausting, but it does end up in a good way always. When in need of more energy, tourists can always top up at top restaurants such as Carmine's Restaurant, the Jerk Hut and Café Don Jose.

'Have you ever noticed how nice people are at the car wash?! Maybe it's just me, but it makes me happy. Weird, I know. “ said the famous American actress Brittany Snow, who was born in Tampa.

In fact, not only the ones at the car wash are nice! Tampa is full of nice people. The best way to see it yourself is to visit this city in Florida. It is a place worth visiting not only because of its awesome people, but for other things as well. For example, there is a great number of parks, museums and other interesting places! So, if you are thinking about visiting Tampa, you should definitely do it. What is more, it is easy to go there, because of the variety of hotels in Tampa. You will not find it difficult to find the right accommodation for yourself. Let's take a look at some of the Tampa hotels!

Booking Budget Accommodation in Tampa

First of all, before considering booking any hotel, you must evaluate your budget. This is the first and the most crucial step, which will determine the place you will be staying at. What do to if your traveling budget turned out to be not that big? There is no need to worry, because you can still enjoy traveling even with a really tight budget! Nowadays it is very easy to do as there are various cheap hotels in basically every city of the world. You can also find such accommodation spots in Tampa. So, which one of the cheap hotels you should choose? It all depends on your personal preferences and nothing else! Anyway, we have some recommendations for you! For example, we would strongly recommend you to think about booking the room at Red Roof Inn Tampa Busch. Why this particular one? Because it is a great hotel for a reasonable price! What is more, it has free parking and a pool as well!

Finding Luxury Hotels

What if your travel budget is a little bit bigger than the average one? Congratulations! You will be able to choose from a number of luxurious hotels in Tampa! For example, you should definitely consider booking the room either at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Tampa or Epicurean Hotel. These are the top two accommodation spots we can strongly recommend. You will not be disappointed with your stay at either of these hotels, because they have everything you need and are ready to provide it for you. Of course, make sure to check out all the available hotel options for the luxurious accommodation in order to find the best one for you!

What About Independent and Boutique Options?

The good thing is that there is a big variety among Tampa hotels. Everyone can find the right place to stay for themselves. Including the boutique hotels. Such hotels are a perfect option for those, who like smaller places, a lower number of other guests and special atmosphere. Staying at a boutique hotel will guarantee you an unforgettable time and the best service. To sum up, while staying at one of the boutique hotels in this wonderful city of Tampa, you will feel like at home!