Aro Palace Hotel

The staff were a mix of helpful and disappointing. Housekeeping were kind and professional, and reception were helpful, but the spa receptionist was extremely blunt when we asked for towels and made it feel like we were bothering her. The women’s changing room smelled unpleasant, and there wasn’t a drum dryer for wetsuits. We had a Queen Room with an amazing view, and the hotel is in a fantastic spot, surrounded by restaurants with the Tampa cable car very close by. The spa was very large and clean, with a quiet, enjoyable pool. Beds were comfortable, rooms warm, and breakfast had a wide sweet and savory selection, including lots of juices and hot drinks. For a five star hotel, though, the bathroom design felt dated and lived in, with quite dirty tile and grout. The large windows facing the view were streaked and covered in watermarks.

The hotel’s style felt dated, and the rooms had a nostalgic feel rather than a modern one. Still, the stay was comfortable, and the friendly, helpful staff stood out. I especially appreciated the location, which made convenience the main advantage.

I couldn't sleep, and the next day was completely ruined. Noise from the restaurant carries into the rooms at night, and it gets so loud that things on the table literally vibrate. The rooms have no soundproofing at all, so the information claiming they are soundproof is completely false. This feels like a party place, and the staff's response to the noise issue is problematic. Very bad, do not go.

The location is great and it looks nice, but staying here wasn’t nice at all. The fragrance in the air was nauseating and overpowering. I’m not the only person with asthma and allergies, and I was afraid the thick scent would give me a migraine. It was freezing, the heat barely worked, the blankets were the smallest, and the pillows were flat. There weren’t any spare blankets or pillows either. I called both front desk numbers, *3 and *5, a few times, but no one answered. Service doesn’t exist here.