Clarion Pointe Tampa-Brandon Near Fairgrounds and Casino

A quiet, peaceful spot in an area of office buildings, with very light traffic and just a short drive to shops and food. We had a suite with a private balcony overlooking a beautiful courtyard. Check in and check out were both met with top-notch service, and all the staff were friendly and accommodating. The property is clean, well maintained, and even smells clean. Breakfast could’ve been better since there was no meat, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I’d most definitely book here again.

I was afraid to even bring my bag into the room. After two minutes inside, I went straight back to the desk and asked for my money back so I could go to another hotel. They refused, so I lost $200, but there’s no amount that would have made me stay. It was absolutely filthy, with big stains and tears on every piece of furniture, water actively dripping down an interior wall, a black AC vent, and a hole in the wall. I can’t believe reviews call this place clean. If you’re reading them to figure out whether it’s clean, find another hotel. If you’re fine lounging on strangers’ stains beside an active leak, then it’s perfect.

The garden in the middle of the property is beautiful, and having staff around even when we had to leave at 3 am for a flight was a real plus. The free breakfast was much appreciated too. This is a two-star hotel that feels more like a three-star place. Some parts of the room are worn, though thankfully nothing essential, and having two TVs and two bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs, was great. The unique loft and two-story setup felt incredible. I had to fiddle with the key cards to get through every door apart from my heartbeat, but I’d still stay here again in a heartbeat.

The quiet setting was a real plus for us. It’s off the main road, backs onto trees, and there’s a pretty little pond with ducks beside it. We were close to the fairgrounds, and Busch Gardens was about a 20-minute drive. The Spanish-style building and courtyard fountain are lovely, and the staff were incredibly kind and helpful. I nearly skipped booking because of the two-star rating, but the guest reviews looked good. My daughter wanted the room with a loft for her birthday, so we paid about $190 for a Friday night in January, which felt steep to me. I’m glad we went, though. This place deserves at least a three to three-and-a-half-star rating, not two.