During my recent trip to Tampa, I stayed at another property from the Marriott chain – as always, booked via the official Marriott website with cashback. (How the cashback process works you will find under Guides)
One clear advantage right up front: Free parking! Not a given in Tampa, where many hotels charge extra fees for this.
Check-In – Needs Improvement
Unfortunately, the check-in experience was slow and unwelcoming. Despite no other guests being present, the front desk staff seemed more preoccupied with themselves than with me as a guest. Not a major issue – but definitely not a great first impression.
Business Center: A small but practical area for printing and quick tasks – helpful for business travelers.
Room – Spacious, but with Flaws
According to the front desk, I received a corner room upgrade – which sounds great, but unfortunately, the cleanliness wasn’t up to Marriott standards. There were visible signs of the previous guest (hair, dust, etc.), which shouldn’t happen at this level.
I called the front desk, and to their credit, the room was cleaned quickly. As a goodwill gesture, a bottle of Prosecco was delivered to the room – a thoughtful touch.
Room Features
No complimentary bottled water in the room – available at reception on request:
Large, comfortable king-size bed
Big flat-screen TV & armchair
Well-designed work area with plenty of outlets
Coffee maker (decent coffee by US standards)
Closet with bathrobe, ironing board & safe
Bathroom
The bathroom was spacious and modern. I appreciated the small, individual toiletries – a nicer touch than the increasingly common wall-mounted dispensers.
Beside that, the rest of the room felt good and was in good condition.
Balcony – A Nice Extra
One of the highlights: the private balcony with a cozy seating area. Sure, the view wasn’t anything special (just the neighboring hotel), but it was still a nice change of scenery and offered a bit of fresh air.
Executive Lounge
Access to the Executive Lounge is granted with Marriott Elite status or certain room categories.
Offerings:
- Evening snacks & soft drinks: complimentary but limited
- Alcoholic drinks: available for purchase (unlike many European lounges but that is no issue)
- Breakfast: simple but sufficient – staff were friendly and attentive
Best part of the lounge: The view from the top floor – easily the lounge’s standout feature.
Pool & Wellness
The hotel offers both an indoor and outdoor pool, which looked clean and spacious. I didn’t use them this time, but they made a solid impression visually.
Check-Out – Much Smoother
Check-out went much better than check-in. I received a friendly apology for the earlier issues The bill was correct I got my receipt by email as requested – no complaints here.
Final Verdict – Worth It? With Caveats.
My overall experience was mixed – there were definitely positives, but also a few key downsides.
Pros:
Spacious, well-equipped room with a balcony Free parking Friendly response to complaints Practical for business travel
Cons:
Subpar room cleanliness upon arrival Slow and impersonal check-in Average Executive Lounge Location isn’t ideal – few nearby restaurants, and not very appealing ones
Would I stay here again? Probably not. While the hotel has potential, it lacked that certain something that makes a stay truly enjoyable. If you value free parking and need a decent business hotel, it might still work for you – just keep your expectations in check.
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