Tampa Accomodations - help please!!

Hello everyone from the Tampa Bay area!

I need some help. In January my girlfriend and nursing school classmate and I are travelling to the Tampa area where we are planning to move to after graduation in '05. We've booked our flight and have rented a car. We arrive in Tampa just after midnight on Jan. 4, 05. Can anyone from the area recommend a hotel/motel in the Tampa/St. Pete's area that isn't too expensive? I don't know the area and would like some place close to the airport, at least for the first night. With thanks!!

Mitchell.

The Tampa airport is very good: rental cars are right there. However, I would not want to stay right near the airport (especially in an unfamiliar cit unless there is a big hotel right AT the airport. I would suggest driving to where ever you are going to stay and get settled. Then you can relax in the morning and sleep in! Have fun and I am jealous!

Thanks Bets...

Well, we are going north as far as Port Richey/New Port Richey. Can anyone help? We'll be leaving the airport at 1:00 a.m. and don't really want to drive around for hours trying to find something. S.O.S....S.O.S....

Mitchell and Pam

I understand why you'd want something near the airport coming in that late, but just remember that it'll be a little more expensive than a motel in the New Port Richey area. Plus, you're coming in at the height of tourist season, so the rates will be higher everywhere.

I haven't stayed in any of the hotels near the airport because we have relatives in the area. But in general, you'll find the hotels are pretty good as this is a tourist area.

Here are some links for area hotels. You can book online too. A lot of the car rental places have booths at the airport, but it still might help to pre-book when you're not too tired to think straight.

Hoping you enjoy your stay here!

First, the airport website:

http://www.tampaairport.com/

Hotels close to TIA: http://tampa.airporthotelguide.com/

Car rentals: http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/index.asp

We've used Enterprise before and they were OK, plus a little cheaper than the big ones.

Hey Angie!

Thanks for the sites!

We're arriving in Tampa at 12:30 a.m. on the 5th. I've booked our room at the Sailport Waterfront Suites @ 2506 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa.

Thanks again for your help!

Mitchell and Pam

You're very welcome, Mitch & Pam. You'll be coming to a wonderful area that is chock full of things to do and places to go.

I highly recommend a day visit to the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. Take Rt. 19 into Tarpon Springs, then go west on Tarpon Avenue. Follow the signs to the Docks. Bring your walking shoes and your shopping card, and your Greek food appetite. Pappas' is the main Greek restaurant. I haven't been there since the ownership changed hands a couple of years ago, but I heard it's still good. Otherwise, there are lots of little shops and restaurants where you can get a great pastry and gyro.

http://www.tarponsprings.com/

Also, going south a ways on Alt. 19 (this is the scenic route along the water) to Clearwater Beach can be another fun day trip. Plan on spending the day at the beach, take the Jolly Trolley ($1 each person each ride) over to the Clearwater aquarium, hit Frenchy's for a grouper sandwich, and top the day off with the sunset celebration at Pier 60. You'll love it.

http://www.beachtourism.com/pier.htm

http://www.thejolleytrolley.com/

http://www.cmaquarium.org/

http://www.frenchysonline.com/

http://www.digitalcity.com/tampabay/visitorsguide/venue.adp?vid=44863

Enjoy!

I was at Frenchy's in October and I have to say, I did not care for the food. However, I did NOT try the grouper sandwich. I will next time, however.

However, I did NOT try the grouper sandwich.

Bets, the grouper is THE reason we go to Frenchy's! Their grouper is always fresh-caught, and has been the feature of the restaurant (actually, there are three of them now on or near Clearwater Beach) since its inception.

Bets and Angie,

You guys are too funny! Okay, I will try to make it to Frenchy's for the grouper sandwich. I used to go to the New Port Richey area quite a bit a couple of years ago. I had a friend who lived there. We plan on taking a day trip over to Tarpon Springs - refresh my memory - isn't that where they had the old train station just off the Pinella's Trail? I remember parking there when I used to go roller-blading there, but I'm not sure if the train station is in Tarpon Springs, or if I'm confusing it with another town. We plan on driving up the 19 to have lunch at a little restaurant that overlooks the Pithlachiscotee (Cotee) River, roller-blade on the Pinella's trail, spend some time in Tarpon Springs, drive down to Fort Myers, and of course laze at the beach. Boy, it's getting cold up here...I can't wait...

Thanks for the suggestions - keep 'em coming if you think of some more...

'til later...

Thanks!!!

M & P

Bets and Angie,

You guys are too funny! Okay, I will try to make it to Frenchy's for the grouper sandwich. I used to go to the New Port Richey area quite a bit a couple of years ago. I had a friend who lived there. We plan on taking a day trip over to Tarpon Springs - refresh my memory - isn't that where they had the old train station just off the Pinella's Trail? I remember parking there when I used to go roller-blading there, but I'm not sure if the train station is in Tarpon Springs, or if I'm confusing it with another town. We plan on driving up the 19 to have lunch at a little restaurant that overlooks the Pithlachiscotee (Cotee) River, roller-blade on the Pinella's trail, spend some time in Tarpon Springs, drive down to Fort Myers, and of course laze at the beach. Boy, it's getting cold up here...I can't wait...

Thanks for the suggestions - keep 'em coming if you think of some more...

'til later...

Thanks!!!

M & P

I understand why you'd want something near the airport coming in that late, but just remember that it'll be a little more expensive than a motel in the New Port Richey area. Plus, you're coming in at the height of tourist season, so the rates will be higher everywhere.

I haven't stayed in any of the hotels near the airport because we have relatives in the area. But in general, you'll find the hotels are pretty good as this is a tourist area.

Here are some links for area hotels. You can book online too. A lot of the car rental places have booths at the airport, but it still might help to pre-book when you're not too tired to think straight.

Hoping you enjoy your stay here!

First, the airport website:

http://www.tampaairport.com/

Hotels close to TIA: http://tampa.airporthotelguide.com/

Car rentals: http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/index.asp

We've used Enterprise before and they were OK, plus a little cheaper than the big ones.

i too will be coming your way the end of june 05 are you familiar with the sailport inn/hotel it's about an hour from tampa airport it's difficult to judge hotels all the pictures on expedia look great any help is appreciated!

I understand why you'd want something near the airport coming in that late, but just remember that it'll be a little more expensive than a motel in the New Port Richey area. Plus, you're coming in at the height of tourist season, so the rates will be higher everywhere.

I haven't stayed in any of the hotels near the airport because we have relatives in the area. But in general, you'll find the hotels are pretty good as this is a tourist area.

Here are some links for area hotels. You can book online too. A lot of the car rental places have booths at the airport, but it still might help to pre-book when you're not too tired to think straight.

Hoping you enjoy your stay here!

First, the airport website:

http://www.tampaairport.com/

Hotels close to TIA: http://tampa.airporthotelguide.com/

Car rentals: http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/index.asp

We've used Enterprise before and they were OK, plus a little cheaper than the big ones.

i too will be coming your way the end of june 05 are you familiar with the sailport inn/hotel it's about an hour from tampa airport it's difficult to judge hotels all the pictures on expedia look great any help is appreciated!

We plan on taking a day trip over to Tarpon Springs - refresh my memory - isn't that where they had the old train station just off the Pinella's Trail?

Sorry, I have no idea about a train station, but there may be one somewhere along the Trail, as it's quite long. Since there are websites for just about anything nowadays, you might want to check here for the station:

http://www.pinellascounty.org/trailgd/

are you familiar with the sailport inn/hotel it's about an hour from tampa airport

Unfortunately, no, I'm not. I would just try to go west of the airport, as Tampa's downtown district is east of the airport, and you'll find less traffic, etc. outside of the city proper.