8210 Hidden River Pkwy, Tampa, Florida, United States | (618) 248-8274
Clean hotel in a quiet location, a 15-minute drive to Busch Gardens
Spacious rooms include suites with kitchenettes
Large outdoor pool plus fitness room with modern machines
Small shop selling snacks and sundries
Meeting room and business area with computer and printer
Free buffet breakfast with hot items, plus coffee all day
Free area shuttle stops at Busch Gardens
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Not much to do within an easy walk
Decor is bland and chainlike
This 127-room mid-range hotel sits in a quiet area off I-75, a short drive to the University of South Florida and Busch Gardens. There are a couple of chain eateries in the area, but not much else -- though the hotel does run a free area shuttle, including a stop at Busch Gardens. Rooms are large and clean, with comfortable beds and flat-screen TVs, while suites have kitchenettes -- but expect homey, generically modern decor. A breakfast buffet with hot items is included, as is use of a lovely outdoor pool and a fitness room. Rates are mostly reasonable here, but travelers might want to compare with the Wingate by Wyndham Tampa/USF, which is closer to Busch Gardens.
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Scene
Contemporary hotel in a quiet wooded area with nice outdoor spaces
The hotel sits in a wooded area off a quiet road, surrounded by palm trees. Inside, decor in common areas has the homey, off-modern look of many Hampton Inns -- in other words, while nothing is offensively off about the decor, there's not much that's memorable either. The granite-topped wooden front desk is surrounded by a border of brown and gray tiles. Further in, there’s a center column with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV in the high-ceilinged breakfast area, which includes a long white high-top communal table among the seating. The grounds include an outdoor pool surrounded by a sundeck with lounge chairs, tables, and striped umbrellas. There’s also a nice area with picnic tables and a grill next to a gazebo. The property mainly attracts vacationers, but some business travelers stay here as well, given the rates and proximity to the Tampa metro area.
Location
Mostly undeveloped area in northeast Tampa, close to University of South Florida
This hotel sits in a quiet, mostly undeveloped area in northeast Tampa, less than two minutes by car from I-75. There's a Starbucks nearby as well as some chain restaurants and office buildings. A free shuttle runs within a six-mile radius of the hotel, including Busch Gardens, which is about a 15-minute drive. The University of South Florida is a five-minute drive. The Flatwoods Wilderness Park, which has a seven-mile paved road and picnic areas, is about a seven-minute drive. Other nearby attractions include the Museum Of Science & Industry (10-minute drive), Adventure Island (15-minute drive), and the Florida Aquarium (20-minute drive). It’s about a 30- to 40-minute drive to Tampa International Airport. It will take over an hour to reach the beach from here depending on traffic, with Clearwater Beach being the closest.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with homey decor include suites with kitchenettes
The hotel's 127 rooms are fairly spacious, with homey, straightforward decor that's typical of this chain property. Rust, brown, and beige hues dominate the spaces, which have slightly dated mid-tone wooden furnishings and generic floral-print artwork on the walls. Patterned carpets and chunky lamps do perk things up a bit and all rooms have a love seat or armchair in addition to the bed and desk. Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, while suites add separate living areas and kitchenettes with burners, microwaves, full refrigerators, dishwashers, plates, and utensils. Bathrooms are spacious and have long wooden vanities with white countertops, curtained shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Neutrogena toiletries.
Features
Large outdoor pool, picnic area, fitness room, and freebies including breakfast, area shuttle, and Wi-Fi
The hotel serves a free buffet breakfast with hot items, while free coffee and fruit-flavored water is available in the lobby throughout the day. To-go breakfast bags are also available. There is a lovely, large outdoor pool surrounded by a sundeck lined with umbrella-shaded tables and loungers. Also on the property is a small picnic area with a charcoal grill and a gazebo. The fitness room is equipped with several modern cardio and weight machines, as well as with some exercise balls. A small shop sells snacks, soft drinks, and toiletries. Business travelers are catered to with a meeting room and a business center with a computer, fax, and printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and the free shuttle runs within a six-mile radius, including a stop at Busch Gardens.
