<p>Looking for a recommendation for a hotel in downtown Tampa near the performing arts Center. For D’s birthday I am springing for tickets to a show and a hotel for her and a friend. </p>
<p>They will be driving down from Tallahasssee, taking in sights for the day of Sat, checking into the hotel, taking in Ybor City, and then going to a show at 11pm. The 8pm show is sold out, but they are kids and 11pm is nothing for them. The next day they will likely just sleep in, check out and drive back. </p>
<p>I would welcome recommendations on places to go in Downtown and Ybor. Or if they should skip Ybor City. I spent 4 years in Tampa for “grad” school, but that was many years ago, before there was a nice downtown and before there was the current performing arts center.<br>
So where should they go, and where should they avoid? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Wow! What a thoughtful birthday gift. She’s going to love it!</p>
<p>The Residence Inn and Courtyard Hotels are very decent and actually within walking distance to the Tampa Performing Arts Center. </p>
<p>For something a little more upscale try the Westin on Harbor Island. The Westin sits adjacent to the convention center and has a very nice restaurant called Jackson’s that also provides outdoor seating overlooking the water. Obviously not walking distance to the Performing Arts Center, but it’s a very very short drive. </p>
<p>The Westin is also convenient to the Channelside area of downtown. They can drive (very short distance) or take a short hop on the trolley which will take them to both, the Channelside Bay Plaza and/or into Ybor city. </p>
<p>Channelside Bay Plaza is a pretty nice place to hang out - restaurants, shops, IMAX movie theater, bowling, a couple of nightclubs etc. It also sits right next to the Tampa Aquarium and the Port Authority where all the cruise ships dock. </p>
<p>Centro Ybor has really tried to clean up its act lately and is definitely a good time. My wife and I still enjoy spending time there on the weekends every now and then. Obviously, it’s a safer and more family friendly environment during the day, but we sometimes go down there at night as well. That area draws ALL types and it’s a lot of fun to people watch, go to the shops, nightclubs, comedy club. restaurants, movies, etc., but as is the case with similar places everywhere, one has to be cautious and self-aware. I’m not suggesting that it’s a dangerous place - we’ve never felt unsafe and the area is well patrolled – but obviously the potential for bad things always exists in public venues like Ybor should a person become too careless. </p>
<p>I’d say that’s more than plenty for the short time they will be in the area, but if you’d like some more specific recommendations, suggestions, or have questions, just ask. :)</p>
<p>Thanks!! I spent last evening on the computer reading reviews for the hotels. I made a reservation at the Marriott Waterside, as it had a great location, I am collecting Marriott points, and it was a little less than the Westin, then decided that it was too pricey and changed to the Marriott Residence Inn. I decided that when the show was over, it was close. And since it will be an 11 pm show, 1-2am they can just get to the hotel easily and get some sleep. They are only staying one night, and it was less than half.</p>
<p>I will give them info on Channelside, and Ybor, and let them plan where they want to go. They will like a lively place for dinner and then walking/taking in the people/drinks, so Ybor seems like the place. She will be “escorted” by her 24 yo, 6ft tall BF. They are cautious, and it won’t just be the girls. </p>
<p>Part of the reason I decided to be more frugal on the room is that she is following her passion and not the money for plans for grad school and a career choice (Student Affairs Administration.) And she is very seriously dating a PhD student in Chemistry. They will not be able to afford staying at places like the Westin for some time. One one hand Mom can treat them, but on the other, they need to not be too spoiled, and learn that the Residence Inn will likely have just the same bed, and a free hot breakfast. </p>
<p>I have to laugh. When I lived in Tampa for the four years of med school, the island that the Westin is on was DESERTED, overgrown, and there were dumps full of old boats, steel, and whatnot. It was not a pretty view from Tampa General. My how things change.</p>
<p>I stayed at the Residence in for a couple of nights during my relo to Tampa and actually worked in an office complex on Harbor Island for a couple of years. Indeed, it’s very upscale over there now. I don’t know how it is in the current market, but a couple of years ago they built a new hi-rise condo next to my office building where prices started at $900k and went up to $2m. So yes, it’s become quite an exclusive area. That was a few years ago, though - could probably get in there for about half a million now. </p>
<p>I think you are making the right choice on the hotel. It’s a fine place and good value for a night’s stay(I’m a rewards member too :)) and very convenient to TBPAC. For some reason, I always forget about the Marriot Waterside over there. But yes it’s very nice too - maybe even nicer than the Westin, not sure. And yes again, fairly pricey - great location though. They have a historical walking trail that goes right past it along the harbor (probably winds around about 1.5 miles or so), and once a year there are also dragon boat races that launch from the waterside of the hotel. </p>