Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Tampa-Rocky Point Island by IHG

The bay view was lovely, and the breakfast is among the best I've had at a hotel. It's also easy to get here from the airport. My one gripe was the hassle of tracking down a receipt. I'd recommend asking for a printed copy instead of relying on email.

The breakfast buffet was free, clean, well stocked, and good, and the attendant there was friendly. My room's climate control also worked well and gave me some welcome white noise. The rest of the stay fell short of what I've come to expect from Holiday Inns. The older building had a stale smell, especially in the hallways, like a locker room. Noise carried through the thin walls, so I didn't sleep well, and the fitness center was cramped, stuffy, and uncomfortable, with only three cardio machines. The area wasn't a good fit for me either, though that's not the hotel's fault: beaches along the causeway aren't like the ones 15 minutes west, and most restaurants and supermarkets are about a 10-minute drive away.

The room on the fourth floor looked out over the water, and seeing the sky reflected there each morning and evening made this desert dweller's heart sing. It was also convenient to lots of activities. Friendly staff, a large clean room, and decent basic amenities.

Breakfast was good, but the stay itself was only okay. I booked a king bed and was assigned an accessible room with two queen beds instead. At checkout, the front desk staff member was rude and unhelpful.