Baymont Inn & Suites Tampa near Busch Gardens / USF

Cheap, so you get what you pay for. The rooms are nice, but the service and things to do outside them need work. The pool tables look like they’re from the 70s, with sticks falling apart, and who knows when the pool was last cleaned. The WiFi didn’t work, the water was cold in the morning, and a housekeeper tried to walk into our room and our neighbor’s without knocking while we were inside. The front desk lady seemed to know nothing about customer service and apologized for the hotel’s poor service. This place feels shady, so be careful. The kitchen lady was amazing, though. I wasn’t impressed otherwise.

The room and grounds were super clean, and I loved the spotless floor and comfortable beds. It was spacious, with a separate living and kitchen area from the bedroom. The hotel is only two minutes from Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, and they offer a free shuttle. The pool was great and it felt very family oriented. We usually stay at Marriott, but this one beat my expectations. Highly recommend.

The property is large and gated, with an open outdoor layout that still felt secure. The parking lot doors lock behind you, and there are cameras everywhere. It’s close to everything, including Busch Gardens and Seminole Casino. Rooms are big and private, basically two rooms for the price of one, and each has a small private patio. The hotel was clean and quiet, and the staff were friendly and professional. There’s a nice-sized clean pool and pool tables in the common area. I’d definitely recommend it and stay again, and I’ll bring the kids next time.

I can’t decide between three and four stars. The shuttle would drop us off and pick us up whenever we wanted, the staff were very nice, and our room was clean and bug-free. The bed was unbelievably comfortable, the water was really hot, the pool was a pretty blue, and we paid under $190 for two nights. The renovated place still feels cheaply done. Wall fixtures are old and falling off, the pool floor is dirty, the phone was grimy, and the lobby smells. The rooms are much better than the lobby, though the pool looks pretty at night. Finish the upgrades and this place could be awesome. I’d recommend it to a friend who isn’t picky about hotels.