Where to Stay in Tampa, Florida
Planning a getaway to Tampa? Lucky for you, there is no shortage of great places to stay in Tampa, from convenient hotels to luxury resorts, along with everything in between! Whether you’re looking for more luxurious accommodations or you’d prefer a cozy (mermaid themed!?) hideaway, the Tampa and St. Pete areas offers a diverse range of choices to suit every traveler’s preferences. In this guide, I am sharing some of the best places to stay in Tampa. From vibrant downtown hotels to tranquil beachfront resorts, this area of Florida boasts an array of accommodations to make your stay unforgettable. Read on for the best of the best places to stay in Tampa!
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Great Places to Stay in Tampa, Florida
For your convenience, I’ve split up the local hotel recommendations into a few categories. Feel free to read through or use this table of contents to jump to what most interests you!
Where to Stay in Downtown Tampa
If you’re looking for Tampa hotels near the Convention Center and Ybor City, there are lots of great downtown Tampa hotels to choose from! There are a handful of luxury hotels in this area, including The Edition, The Epicurean Hotel, and Hotel Haya, along with a number of more affordable options.
While these hotels overlap a lot with the luxury hotels described below, I wanted to set them out separately thanks to their convenient downtown location. All three are well-regarded and will help you explore the heart of Tampa! If you’re coming into town to visit Amalie Arena for a hockey game or concert, for example, these are great options.
For more affordable hotel options in Downtown Tampa, check out the Westin Tampa Waterside, Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Convention Center, and the Hilton Tampa Downtown. All three are more affordable options that maintain high ratings for the area. They are convenient for any conferences you may be attending, and are also within walking distance of Amalie Arena and water Street!
Tampa Hotels Near the Airport
There are some great options as far as Tampa airport hotels go, including hotels with transportation to and from the airport. You pretty much have your pick of hotel chain, from Hampton Inn & Suites to Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn to Hyatt.
Two of the closest, highest rated Tampa hotels near the airport are Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion Park Westhore and Tampa Airport Marriott, both of which have 4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Hampton Inn & Suits is 1.5 miles from the airport, while Tampa Airport Mariott is 0.4 miles away from the airport.
Luxury Hotels in Tampa & St. Pete
As mentioned above, some of the best hotels in Tampa are located in downtown. Two of the nicest hotels in Tampa are both centered on Water Street: The Edition and the J.W. Mariott. The Edition is the newest luxury hotel in the area, but both are great options if you’re looking to be in the heart of the city. If you find yourself in this area, there are tons of great dining options to pick from, but I highly recommend checking out Predalina and Boulon. Both hotels are down the street from Amalie Arena.
Image Credit: top two images via JW Marriott Tampa Waterstreet TripAdvisor // bottom two images via Condé Nast Traveler on The Edition
Located a few minutes away from the heart of downtown, The Epicurean, an Autograph Collection Hotel from Mariott, is another great option for high end Tampa hotels. This hotel is situated in Tampa’s SOHO area, conveniently near Hyde Park Village. It is also located across the street from the renowned Bern’s Steakhouse (be sure to check out their dessert room!).
Image Credit: The Epicurean via TripAdvisor
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Beyond these luxury hotels, though, the Hard Rock Hotel Tampa is a great option for those seeking a lux experience. Located north of Downtown Tampa and Ybor City, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is a AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel with all the amenities. Of all the great places to stay in Tampa, this one has amenities and luxury through the roof!
Image Credit: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa via TripAdvisor
It is a handy location if you’re coming to town for a concert at the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater, but also not a long drive from Downtown (approximately 20 to 30 minutes). Furthermore, the Hard Rock Hotel is probably the nicest hotel in Tampa close to Busch Gardens, if you’re looking for a mix of luxury and thrill seeking!
Luxury Hotels in St. Pete
For luxury hotels in St. Pete, you’ll want to check out the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club and the Don CeSar (confusingly, they are both famously pink buildings). Both are renowned for their historic charm and views of the water. The Vinoy, a historic hotel that opened originally in 1926, is an Autograph Hotel with six restaurants, a golf course, a resort pool, gorgeous spa, and a variety of experiences guests can take advantage of. The Don CeSar opened in 1928 (F. Scott Fitzgerald stayed there!) and is popular for its spa, beach house suites, and timeless dining. Both of these St. Pete hotels are great options for a beachside getaway. While you’re there, be sure to check out the many great museums and attractions in downtown St. Pete!
Image Credit: (left) Don CeSar via TripAdvisor; (right) The Vinoy via the hotel website
Unique Places to Stay In Tampa & St. Pete
In both Tampa and St. Pete, you’ll find plenty of hotels and accommodations with unique character. Whether you’re looking for historic hotels or contemporary suites near the biggest attractions, you surely can find a unique places to stay in Tampa and St. Pete with ease!
For some of the most unique options, though, you’ll want to check out the Airbnbs and Vrbo options, like this recently renovated mermaid inspired Airbnb:
Mermaid House Airbnb
The perfect Airbnb for your next beach trip, this Mermaid House is a fully decked-out 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental conveniently located near Indian Rocks Beach, just minutes from the water and boat ramp. This area is centrally located to Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater Beach, so you can check out all three areas with ease. The Airbnb was created in collaboration with both Rain Clothing Company, a local lifestyle and surf brand (check out their mermaid merch here!), and Wild Rain Media, so you know it’s Insta-worthy!
Click here for all the details on the Mermaid House Airbnb!
Do you have a favorite spot in Tampa to visit – or one you’re most excited to see?
Share your must-visit spots in the comments below!
One of my favorite parts of Tampa is the restaurant and brewery scene! Lucky for you, I have guides to both!
Click here for Tampa’s best restaurants and dining!
Click here to see the top breweries in the Tampa and St. Pete areas!
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This is such a helpful list to check out all the hotels on one page. There is something for every budget. I am in love with the mermaid house. Being a boy’s mom, this is on my list to plan with my girlfriends.
Oh, it would be just perfect for a trip with your girlfriends! Happy to help!!
We are just starting to plan a trip to Tampa, so this info is super helpful. At this time, we’re leaning toward staying at the J.W Marriott.
The J.W. Marriott is a great choice! Such a handy location and the amenities can’t be beat! I hope you have the best time!
Awesome article! Was just looking for places to stay for my upcoming trip to Tampa and now I have so many choices. Can’t wait for my visit now. Thanks! (-: