Early Valentine's Day - one night in (romantic?) Tampa - lodging & dining help request
Feb 5th, 2005, 07:18 AM
#21
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gosh, sarasota, I wanted to post last night to tell you something else but the board or my computer was not cooperating. If you see this, be sure to go to Armani's for a drink before your dinner at Oyster Catcher's. From atop the Grand Hyatt where they are located, you will see the most unbelievable sunset that I've ever seen in my many years in Tampa.
I hope you and hubby had a great time
I hope you and hubby had a great time
Feb 7th, 2005, 01:34 PM
#22
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My thanks again to those who contributed ideas to our Tampa evening. We had a wonderful time dining and afterwards, and ate enough to last us until Tuesday.
We arrived at the Wyndham Westshore Saturday afternoon. While this hotel might be adequate for business needs, I disagree with Hotwire's 4* rating. After checking in, we took the glass elevator up to our floor. The elevator had smeared handprints (or something) on the window. We entered the room which must have been 90 degrees or more, and was not cooled off completely for over an hour. The room was a very comfortable size. It faced...other rooms, which made us keep our curtains closed. We went up to the rooftop pool to see if there was a jacuzzi for that evening (there wasn't), noticed the broken straps on the chaise lounges, and then stopped in the fitness center which was very nice although again, probably 85-90 degrees inside, much warmer than it even was outdoors.
Our room unfortunately had worn carpeting, very worn upholstery on the chair and ottoman, and all of these were in my least favorite decorating color, orange. The bathroom was fine with the exception of only being given one washcloth and having filthy looking grout in the tile on the floor and the wall next to the bath/shower. The bed, thankfully, was comfortable.
Our requested wake-up call at 10 a.m. never came, although it didn't matter because at 8:42 a.m. a loud knock and yell of HOUSEKEEPING woke me right up. Having gone to sleep around 3:30-4, this wasn't exactly welcome. Apparently housekeeping then noticed the Do Not Disturb tag hanging on the door handle because she never tried to open the door.
While all of these things separately are minor irritations, together they do form an impression of a "tired" hotel. On the bright side, we enjoyed each other's company and did not mention any of the little negative details. Well, we did joke about the dance troupe practicing in the hallway in front of the elevators and slamming their door repeatedly while yelling for each other down the hall in the morning, and my husband mentioned the odor near the elevators by the restaurant, but those were hard to ignore. On the brighter side, there was a wedding party there and that always makes us smile.
When reading the above, it may sound like a rant, but it is not really, it is just a warning that, in my opinion, it's definitely more of a 3* hotel.
As for the restaurants, we first went to Oystercatchers. The sun had just set and the windows looking out onto the water were very nice. Service was excellent, food was very good, although my lobster was too large and my husband's "seafood medley" or something like that was too small, so we just shared and both ended up perfectly satisfied. My feet didn't touch the ground sitting at the booth (I'm 5'6") which temporarily makes me feel like a kid, and the decor was typical "Florida hotel restaurant," so while we left happy and satisfied, there'd be no reason to return.
We then went to a bookstore to buy a bon voyage gift for a relative leaving for Germany, then headed to St. Bart's Island House for a drink. When we arrived, my husband immediately said, "Haven't we been here before?" I didn't remember at first, but within a couple of minutes I realized he was right, we'd been there for an elegant 50th birthday party with many attending, although it had probably been 10 years ago. Anyway, to avoid cigarette smoke and be able to hear each other easily, we sat in the courtyard by the dolphin fountain. It was just gorgeous, the jazz music, the lights, the fountain, the parade of patrons in and out of the bar and the restaurant, the wine, and a waitress with a very charming personality. Heaters were next to us to ward off the chill in the air, and the couple next to us looked just as happy as we felt. (Would definitely recommend St. Bart's!)
By now it was 11:15, the kitchen had just closed for dessert and so we headed over to Bern's dessert room. They were seating for another 15 minutes, and there were many patrons still in the dining rooms and the dessert room. I don't remember the name of the dessert that my husband ordered, but he enjoyed it, and I had a very decadent tasting chocolate souffle. Despite the late hour, we didn't feel rushed in the slightest, enjoyed our dessert and coffee, and when we left, saw there were still tables with patrons in the dessert room. Now, I'm not a fan of Bern's decor, but just popping in for dessert is something I do recommend. We were in heaven at this point.
Sunday brunch took us to The Castaway Restaurant, which had tons of food there in a buffet. We ate outside because the temperature was around 73 right then, and sat overlooking the water and a small sandy beach. While The Castaway was fine, I would also not particularly recommend it unless buffets are your thing. It would be a good place for groups, though, as the restaurant was large.
Then we went to the International Plaza and Bay Street for some shopping before joining our family for a little Super Bowl Party. We then took the kids back home, and felt we'd had an indulgent Valentine's weekend before the crowds.
I hope you all have an equally romantic and tasty Valentines Day celebration.
Sarasota
We arrived at the Wyndham Westshore Saturday afternoon. While this hotel might be adequate for business needs, I disagree with Hotwire's 4* rating. After checking in, we took the glass elevator up to our floor. The elevator had smeared handprints (or something) on the window. We entered the room which must have been 90 degrees or more, and was not cooled off completely for over an hour. The room was a very comfortable size. It faced...other rooms, which made us keep our curtains closed. We went up to the rooftop pool to see if there was a jacuzzi for that evening (there wasn't), noticed the broken straps on the chaise lounges, and then stopped in the fitness center which was very nice although again, probably 85-90 degrees inside, much warmer than it even was outdoors.
Our room unfortunately had worn carpeting, very worn upholstery on the chair and ottoman, and all of these were in my least favorite decorating color, orange. The bathroom was fine with the exception of only being given one washcloth and having filthy looking grout in the tile on the floor and the wall next to the bath/shower. The bed, thankfully, was comfortable.
Our requested wake-up call at 10 a.m. never came, although it didn't matter because at 8:42 a.m. a loud knock and yell of HOUSEKEEPING woke me right up. Having gone to sleep around 3:30-4, this wasn't exactly welcome. Apparently housekeeping then noticed the Do Not Disturb tag hanging on the door handle because she never tried to open the door.
While all of these things separately are minor irritations, together they do form an impression of a "tired" hotel. On the bright side, we enjoyed each other's company and did not mention any of the little negative details. Well, we did joke about the dance troupe practicing in the hallway in front of the elevators and slamming their door repeatedly while yelling for each other down the hall in the morning, and my husband mentioned the odor near the elevators by the restaurant, but those were hard to ignore. On the brighter side, there was a wedding party there and that always makes us smile.
When reading the above, it may sound like a rant, but it is not really, it is just a warning that, in my opinion, it's definitely more of a 3* hotel.
As for the restaurants, we first went to Oystercatchers. The sun had just set and the windows looking out onto the water were very nice. Service was excellent, food was very good, although my lobster was too large and my husband's "seafood medley" or something like that was too small, so we just shared and both ended up perfectly satisfied. My feet didn't touch the ground sitting at the booth (I'm 5'6") which temporarily makes me feel like a kid, and the decor was typical "Florida hotel restaurant," so while we left happy and satisfied, there'd be no reason to return.
We then went to a bookstore to buy a bon voyage gift for a relative leaving for Germany, then headed to St. Bart's Island House for a drink. When we arrived, my husband immediately said, "Haven't we been here before?" I didn't remember at first, but within a couple of minutes I realized he was right, we'd been there for an elegant 50th birthday party with many attending, although it had probably been 10 years ago. Anyway, to avoid cigarette smoke and be able to hear each other easily, we sat in the courtyard by the dolphin fountain. It was just gorgeous, the jazz music, the lights, the fountain, the parade of patrons in and out of the bar and the restaurant, the wine, and a waitress with a very charming personality. Heaters were next to us to ward off the chill in the air, and the couple next to us looked just as happy as we felt. (Would definitely recommend St. Bart's!)
By now it was 11:15, the kitchen had just closed for dessert and so we headed over to Bern's dessert room. They were seating for another 15 minutes, and there were many patrons still in the dining rooms and the dessert room. I don't remember the name of the dessert that my husband ordered, but he enjoyed it, and I had a very decadent tasting chocolate souffle. Despite the late hour, we didn't feel rushed in the slightest, enjoyed our dessert and coffee, and when we left, saw there were still tables with patrons in the dessert room. Now, I'm not a fan of Bern's decor, but just popping in for dessert is something I do recommend. We were in heaven at this point.
Sunday brunch took us to The Castaway Restaurant, which had tons of food there in a buffet. We ate outside because the temperature was around 73 right then, and sat overlooking the water and a small sandy beach. While The Castaway was fine, I would also not particularly recommend it unless buffets are your thing. It would be a good place for groups, though, as the restaurant was large.
Then we went to the International Plaza and Bay Street for some shopping before joining our family for a little Super Bowl Party. We then took the kids back home, and felt we'd had an indulgent Valentine's weekend before the crowds.
I hope you all have an equally romantic and tasty Valentines Day celebration.
Sarasota
Feb 7th, 2005, 02:24 PM
#23
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Thanks for the report, Sarasota! So sorry the Wyndham ended up being tired. We stayed there once a long time ago, and I remember too opening the drapes and seeing...other rooms! (or were they offices?)- that was a weird feeling. I think St. Bart's used to be called Le Bordeaux at the time you must have attended that party. It IS nice, isn't it? And heck, I learned something new: Bern's allows non-dinner patrons to enjoy their dessert room? I thought it was only for those who had eaten downstairs first! Mmmm! Must do!
Feb 7th, 2005, 04:37 PM
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Sarasota, I'm glad at least St. Barts and Berns desserts were good. I hesitate to recommend Oyster Catchers. I like it for a drink but other than that, I'd rather be somewhere more intimate.
Too bad about the Wyndham. They have another property downtown on Harbor Island. It's probably tired too. I was getting tired just thinking about you going to bed at 3:30 then waking to the darned housekeeper. Next time, the Vinoy in St. Pete!
Happy Valentine's Day.
Too bad about the Wyndham. They have another property downtown on Harbor Island. It's probably tired too. I was getting tired just thinking about you going to bed at 3:30 then waking to the darned housekeeper. Next time, the Vinoy in St. Pete!
Happy Valentine's Day.
Feb 7th, 2005, 10:43 PM
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You know, after reading your post again, I think I'd complain loudly if priceline said that the Wyndham is a downtown hotel. The one on Harbor Island is, but not the one on Westshore. How could the Hyatt and the International Plaza hotels be "Westshore" and the Wyndham not be anything but Westshore. It is more Westshore than either of those two.
Oh, well....
Oh, well....
Feb 8th, 2005, 05:50 AM
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Sarasota, Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I also had no idea one could go to the dessert room at Bern's without first having eaten dinner there. Guess where we'll be going very soon?! I'm also very glad to hear about Oystercatchers - for some reason, I thought I had heard it was an excellent place for dinner. Good to know! I have a question about Castaways: how "waterfront" does it feel? We've been thinking of taking out of town guests there because it's one of the few waterfront restaurants out there, but if the food is mediocre, then it need great views from the tables to make it worth going. Any comments on that would be much appreciated!
thanks again!
thanks again!
Feb 8th, 2005, 03:18 PM
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birder, I haven't been there in quite awhile but I don't recall it being particularly good. Seems it has a buffet. You should try Rattlefish in South Tampa off Westshore south of Gandy Blvd. It's impressive, sits in the mangroves. The food is fine, better sometimes than others but higher on the chain than most seafood. Also, Jimmy Macs is at the Gandy Marina. They have your usual grilled, fried seafood selections, with outdoor seating. And definitely try Bern's dessert room. I've never had a problem getting in. They try to steer you there after a steak and there's just no room to fit in dessert. Also, you can sit in the bar. Their chopped steak sandwich or steak salad are around $10, a real steal.
Feb 10th, 2005, 02:55 PM
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Thanks for the advice about Castaways, and for recommending a few other spots. Someone else had recommended Rattlefish but I had forgotten the name, so I am so glad you brought it up!
I can't WAIT to try to Bern's dessert room. I pulled up their web page and it is going to be a major issue trying to decide which of their 15+ incredible desserts to try. Mmmm, can't wait!
I can't WAIT to try to Bern's dessert room. I pulled up their web page and it is going to be a major issue trying to decide which of their 15+ incredible desserts to try. Mmmm, can't wait!
Feb 23rd, 2005, 02:59 PM
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Sarasota - I don't know if you'll see this, but there's a proposed class action lawsuit against Hotwire for inflating its hotel ratings:
http://money.cnn.com/2005/02/16/tech.../hotwire.reut/
http://money.cnn.com/2005/02/16/tech.../hotwire.reut/
Mar 20th, 2005, 09:56 PM
#31
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birder, thanks for the link. Very interesting.
I only check into Fodors when I'm planning a trip (right now I'm trying to decide what to do w/my 9 and 11 year olds over spring break in FL while avoiding as many tourists as possible), so I didn't catch that before.
Did you ever get to Bern's just for dessert?
I only check into Fodors when I'm planning a trip (right now I'm trying to decide what to do w/my 9 and 11 year olds over spring break in FL while avoiding as many tourists as possible), so I didn't catch that before.
Did you ever get to Bern's just for dessert?
