Hilton Tampa Downtown

The Hilton Tampa Downtown is a fresh and contemporary property that completed its last major renovation in 2013. At the entrance, flags flap in the wind, fiber optic lighting glows behind the sign at night, and lit street posts guide the way to the glass front doors. The lobby’s high-backed, contemporary seats and couches and sophisticated color palette of grays, cream, and bold reds and purples keep the hotel looking modern, if corporate. Behind the reception desk, light floods through a large, sky-lit atrium. The small atrium landing and meeting room spaces can be reached via an escalator to the right. All-in-all, the space feels big and bright. This property sees mostly business travelers, plus some leisure guests on the weekends. 

Hilton Tampa Downtown is right in the middle of downtown, within walking distance of several restaurants and bars, a large parking structure, and a handful of the city's most popular venues. However, nightlife in this business district area is almost nonexistent after office hours, though this may change as all the planned development projects are completed. - Six-minute drive to Channelside Walk Way

• Seven-minute walk to the Tampa Riverwalk
• Eight-minute walk to the Tampa Convention Center
• Nine-minute walk to the Glazer Children’s Museum and Tampa Museum of Art
• 11-minute drive to Tampa International Airport
• 12-minute walk to Amalie Arena
• 13-minute walk to the Straz Center for Performing Arts
• 26-minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg 

The Hilton’s 520 rooms are clean, and contemporary, though the neutral-tone furniture and decor make them feel a little bland. Rooms are spacious and have lots of natural light and attention to conveniences. There is no shortage of electrical outlets, free water bottles are replenished daily, and all work desks have comfortable rolling chairs. Expect sweet standard perks like MP3 docking stations, Cuisinart coffeemakers, mini-fridges, Hilton Serenity beds, and closets with ironing facilities, digital laptop safes, and waffle robes. Tiled bathrooms have modern showers, Peter Thomas Roth toiletries, and hairdryers. King Pool Views have large window views over the pool deck, while the King Executive Suites are on the 15th, 16th, and 17th floors and have access to the Executive Lounge. One and Two Bedroom Suites up the game with more space in separate living and bedroom area, granite bathrooms, iHome stereo systems, and two TVs. All rooms have TV checkout. 

The hotel has a large business center area that shares space with the lobby. Here, guests have a choice between Apple and PC computers, free printing, a conference table, and comfortable, stylish open lounge area with a wall of TVs for relaxing. Nine meeting rooms and a large ballroom that can hold up to 1,000 people round out the business features. Rentals include tables and chairs and screen-to-screen capabilities, but catering, presentation materials, and additional audiovisual equipment are extra. All rooms are windowless, though the Esplanade section has a foyer area with lots of windows bringing in natural light and a view of the bricked courtyard below. The 1500-foot ballroom can be divided up several times over and feature gorgeous Art-Deco prism chandeliers. For anyone looking for a smaller, more intimate event or meeting space, the Living Room area is able to be rented out by the day and features a fireplace, leather couches, round table, and more casual vibe. Franklin Terrace is an indoor/outdoor event space with a bricked terrace facing the Tampa City Center promenade. 

The hotel’s crown jewel is the revamped pool area, opened in late 2017. This fifth-floor space is sleek, complete with a 14-person hot tub, moderate-sized pool, and a large pool bar. Open year-round, this area also has electric heaters by the high-top tables and modern glass gas fireplace pits. A few rows of sleek loungers and umbrellas populate the back of the deck, and may be hard to come by in peak months. Both the pool and hot tub are accessible. Coffee addicts will like the full-service Starbucks off the lobby, while those looking for more formal eats can choose from a breakfast and lunch buffet and a la carte lunch and dinner menus from the hotel’s 211 Restaurant. This kitchen also provides room service for all three meals, and has a gluten-free menu. The 211 Lounge is large, open, and stylish, with a cool color palette and backlit bar serving cocktails, beer, wine, and happy hour specials. There’s also food up for grabs, including a small free breakfast buffet, snacks, evening tapas, and soft drinks in the Executive Lounge. This 17th-floor space is contemporary, housing several couches, tables and chairs, and TVs, but overall feels like a glorified breakfast room. An attendant services the lounge during peak times, but it's closed on weekends.The 24-hour gym is small, but clean and contemporary, with wood laminate floors, LifeFitness machines and an all-in-one weight machine. There’s also exercise balls, free weights, and a view of the pool. Valet-only parking is available for a daily fee and allows ins and outs. The lobby is home to free newspapers, citrus-infused water, an ATM, and a small gift shop full of Tampa gear, snacks, and toiletries. Hilton Honors members (it’s free to join) get free Wi-Fi, access to the Executive Lounge, and some smaller perks like free Starbucks vouchers depending on status level. This hotel has a no-smoking and no-pet policy.