I've never been to the Gulf coast before and I'm totally confused as to the best hotel in the Tampa area. I like well-located, deluxe properties (i.e. Phoenician in Arizona) and price is not an issue. Give me a beautiful and/or unique setting, great service and a relatively convenient jump-off point to sightseeing. I'm an on-the-go type of girl and don't like too much peace and quiet. Plan on heading out to the museums, restaurants, theaters, shops etc. asap. Suggestions, please?

The Tampa Bay area is huge. You need to pick a city. Do you want to be on the Gulf? Or in the city of Tampa, or downtown St. Petersburg? Or Clearwater beaches?

There are a few places I'd recommend. The Don CeSar resort in St. Pete Beach. The Grand Hyatt in Tampa, although maybe too tranquil. The Marriot Waterside in downtown Tampa. The Renaissance Vinoy in downtown St. Pete. There's nothing I'd recommend on Clearwater Beach, and Sand Key would be too isolated for a on-the-go girl like you.

Thanks TG. I think downtown Tampa or St. Petersburg because of the cultural attractions there. I appreciate the suggestions. I can be flexible with the area but have no idea how big it is.

Renaissance Vinoy or Don Cesar in St. Pete on the beach (the latter is on the gulf).

I too wouldn't recommend anything in Clearwater.

Have you already decided on the Tampa Bay area, or would you be open to going further south to Sanibel or Naples? There is a much better selection of the hotels that you're looking for in the Naples area, i.e., Ritz, the Registry, etc.

I agree that it sounds like Naples would be more your thing ... but if you are set on the Tampa area, then the Don CeSar would fit the bill. It's a unique property with a nice beach, although I wouldn't say that there is an abundance of activity off the hotel property. It's a pretty sleepy area.

There's alot to do in both Tampa and St. Pete. The Renaissance Vinoy in St. Pete is gorgeous and there's a lot of neat shopping in that area, plus museums, and the gulf beaches are close by as well. Downtown Tampa, in the Channelside area, there's also lots to do. I think the Marriott Waterside would be the close "fancy" property. But if it were me, I'd pick St. Pete and enjoy the Salvador Dali museum, Sunken Gardens, the art museum right on the edge of the Pier, the Pier, etc.

If you're wanting lots to do then Naples is not the place for you. It's very pleasant and charming but not too much to do. It's the focal point, there's no outlying area to head to without going to Sarasota or Miami for excitement.

The Renaissance Vinoy sounds like your spot. It is gorgeous. And within walking distance are the Florida International Museum with its new "Princess Diana" exhibit, the SP Museum of Fine Arts (terrific old mediterranean with Georgian columns) with its current "Monet's London" exhibit, the Salvador Dali Museum, Sunken Gardens and the Pier. Your trips to Tampa would include Ybor City, Ybor Historic Museum/Park, the HB Plant Hotel/Museum, Busch Gardens, Museum of Science and Industry, Lowry Park Zoo, and Adventure Island.

As for shopping, Tampa's International Plaza, with its popular restaurant area, and Westshore Mall are both great, and in Ellenton (across the Skyway Bridge from SP) is a designer name-brand outlet mall. Downtown St. Pete has lots of funky shops along Central with retro antiques (the greatest 60's store is there, shag and platform go-go boots, can you dig it?!?) and there is also Bay Walk, a newer more contemporary place. Your best restaurants are in Tampa, although you will find some good casual seafood beach spots in SPB. And the outdoor hamburger joint, the Chattaway, very cool.