Although it's not for everyone, those who enjoy old-school pampering love this hotel's 50,000-square-foot spa, which has the latest in therapies and treatments. Request a treatment room overlooking Tampa Bay—the sunsets can be gorgeous—and plan to spend a little downtime in the tranquility garden. Accommodations have gotten a much needed upgrade over the last several years, so now there are high-end mattresses and luxurious linens. The pleasant hamlet of Safety Harbor is also a point of interest, with charming shops along the nearby main street. The resort was built over hot springs on Tampa Bay in 1926, but little of the original architecture remains. The springs still function, however, feeding into pools, the spa, and water coolers. Pros: charm to spare; good choice for pampering. Cons: far from attractions; staff can be chilly.
Reviewed by ph123 from Michigan on 8/20/07
Service at this hotel was poor at best. We stayed for two nights and on the second day we asked for our room to be cleaned three times with no results. Finally we were told that rooms with new people checking in were given priority over rooms where people were not checking out that day. By 5pm we were still waiting with a bathroom full of wet towels. We had a dinner date to get ready for, so I had to look down the hall for the maid's cart and take what I needed. When I made a formal complaint to the front desk (on my 4th phone call), they didn't even apologize! Having a policy of cleaning the room at a time when guests would normally be using it is pretty bad. The service at the restaurant was also very slow. The spa was OK, but nothing special - certainly not what I expected after the big write-up. We won't be going back.
Reviewed by chris43069 from Boston on 4/30/07
This was a very enjoyable weekend getaway. Old hotel redone. Great service. Amazing Aveda spa. Make sure you rent a car to getaway for entertainment and dinner. Close to everything. Nice pool with Tiki bar. Only negatives were too many functions for such a small place. While we were there two weddings and a Sweet Sixteen party was going on. It seemed intrusive to guests although it was not too loud at all. Lunch at the pool was a long wait and downtown closed real early on a Saturday. Within walking distance there is a Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery. Would return. Make spa appointments well in advance.
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